New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 1/31/17

This post will recap the 17th week of Devils prospect action for the 2016-17 season. It's highlighted by Michael McLeod's strong week in the OHL, Yohann Auvitu's play in the AHL, and the news that the Devils AHL affiliate will relocate to Binghamton next season.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac had a goal, 2 assists, +1, 9 shots, and won 55.56% of his faceoffs over the course of 3 games for Shawinigan last week.

OHL

Blake Speers had an assist, +5, 2 PIM, 8 shots, and won 58.82% of his faceoffs over the course of 2 games for Sault Ste. Marie last week. Colton White had an assist, +2, and 7 shots during that stretch.

Michael McLeod had a very busy week for Mississauga. He had 3 goals, 2 assists, +5, 3 shots, and won 4/14 faceoffs against Ottawa on Tuesday. He went scoreless over the next 2 games with a +1, 4 PIM, 5 shots, and won 23/39 faceoffs. On Sunday he had a goal, 2 assists, +2, 4 PIM, 3 shots, and won 8/14 faceoffs. Over the course of 4 games Nathan Bastian had an assist, -1, 10 shots, and won 50.00% of his faceoffs.

Evan Cormier made 20 saves on 22 shots in a win over Windsor on Saturday. He followed that up with a loss to Sarnia the next day where he made 28 saves on 34 shots.

WHL

Colby Sissons appeared in Swift Current's lone game last week, a 3-2 loss to Prince Albert, where he had an even rating and 2 PIM for roughing.

NCAA

Alexander Kerfoot was a -1 with 4 shots, and won 1/2 faceoffs over the course of 2 games for Harvard last weekend. He's in a bit of a slump right now with no points over his last 4 games.

JD Dudek had a goal, assist, +1, and 5 shots in 2 games for Boston College last week to extend his point streak to 3 games.

Brett Seney had 2 goals, an even rating, 2 PIM, 9 shots, and won a faceoff over the course of 2 games against Boston University for Merrimack.

Joey Anderson had 2 assists, +1, and 3 shots in 2 games for Minnesota Duluth last weekend.

Jeremy Davies was a +1 with 3 shots in Northeastern's win over UMass Lowell on Friday.

Europe

Yegor Rykov played in 3 games for SKA last week, adding 2 assists, an even rating, 3 shots, and 1 block with an average ice time of 12:25.

Mikhail Maltsev had an assist, +1, won 12/23 faceoffs, with an average ice time of 11:08 over the course of 2 VHL games last week.

Jesper Bratt played in 3 games for AIK last week with an even rating, 4 shots, and an average ice time of 12:34.

AHL

Albany went 1-1 last week and currently sit 2nd in the North Division with 52 points after 44 games. Their all situation PDO is currently 100.23%. They currently have a Shots For% of 51.69%. The PP is currently operating at 17.84% which is 14th in the league, while the PK is at 84.46% which is 5th in the league.

Injury Update: Petr Straka (upper body) and Scott Wedgewood (shoulder) remain sidelined. Reece Scarlett, Blake Pietila, and Ben Sexton missed this past weekend's games due to illness.

Transactions: Yohann Auvitu was returned to Albany on 1/24. Ty Loney was released from his PTO on 1/25. Karl Stollery, Steve Santini, and Seth Helgeson were sent to Albany on 1/26 and recalled by New Jersey on 1/30. Brandon Baddock was reassigned from Adirondack (ECHL) to Albany on 1/26 and then sent back on 1/29. Justin Agosta was released from his PTO on 1/29.

Friday 1/27: Albany defeated Rochester 2-1. Yohann Auvitu had the 1st goal with Joe Blandisi and Brian Gibbons earning the assists. Vojtech Mozik had the 2nd goal on the PP with Jacob MacDonald and Blandisi earning the assists. Auvitu had 7 shots followed by Mozik with 5 as the Devils outshot the Americans 36-19. Mackenzie Blackwood made 18 saves. Albany went 1/1 on the PP and 2/2 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Saturday 1/28: Albany lost to Rochester 5-3. Albany jumped out to a 3-0 lead with goals by Blake Coleman, Yohann Auvitu, and Nick Lappin. Auvitu, Brian Gibbons, John Quenneville, Seth Helgeson, and Carter Camper had an assist each. Auvitu had 6 shots as the Devils outshot the Americans 26-24. Ken Appleby made 19 saves. Albany went 0/2 on the PP and 5/5 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

No All-Star Festivities: The Devils 3 All-Stars, John Quenneville, Joe Blandisi, and Vojtech Mozik, were ordered to stay home from the All-Star events due to the illness that's swept through the Albany roster.

The Big Move: As I'm sure everyone knows by now, the Albany Devils franchise will relocate to Binghamton next season. Here is John's post on the subject.

Coming Up: Albany will take on Syracuse on Thursday, Lehigh Valley on Friday, and Binghamton on Saturday.

ECHL

Brandon Baddock had an even rating, 2 PIM, and 2 shots over the course of 2 games for Adirondack last week.

Prospect of the Week

Michael McLeod earns this week's honors after putting up 4 goals, 4 assists, +8, 11 shots, and won 52.24% of his faceoffs in 4 games last week. He leads Mississauga in assists (30) despite playing in just 37 games due to being away for the WJC. He's 2nd on the team in points behind the highly touted Owen Tippett (2017 draft eligible).

ADevil of the Week

Yohann Auvitu earns this week's honors after putting up 2 goals, an assist, +1, and 13 shots across 2 games for Albany this past weekend. He now has 2 goals, 4 assists, and 32 shots in 9 AHL games and seems to be right on track to earning a call up with the big club.

Your Take

Which prospects stood out to you this past week? How do you feel about McLeod's season? What about the ADevils upcoming move to Binghamton? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!