New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 10/31/17

The fourth week of the 2017-18 prospect update is here. It's highlighted by big moves on and off the ice for the Devils prospects. Check out how the Devils prospects from the CHL, NCAA, and European leagues are performing in the stats and recap below.

QMJHL

Jocktan Chainey had an assist, +3, 2 PIM, and 3 shots in 2 games for Halifax as he continues to be a mainstay in the Mooseheads top 4.

OHL

Marian Studenic had 2 goals, an even rating, 2 PIM, and 6 shots over the course of 3 games for Hamilton last week. After having no points in his first 5 games, he now has 7 points in his last 9 games. The Bulldogs have continued to use him in all situations.

Evan Cormier had a busy week for Saginaw. He made 35 saves on 40 shots in a loss to Peterborough on Thursday. He came in to play about 24 minutes against Ottawa on Satuday after Saginaw's other goaltender, Cameron Lamour surrendered 9 goals. Cormier made 16 saves on 18 shots in relief. On Sunday, Cormier made 39 saves on 42 shots in an overtime loss to Kingston.

WHL

Colby Sissons continues to produce in all situations for the Swift Current Broncos. On Friday he put up 2 assists (1 EV, 1 PP), +1, and 5 shots against Saskatoon. On Sunday against Medicine Hat he had 2 SH assists, +3, 2 PIM, and 3 shots. The top pairing defenseman is currently tied for 4th in the WHL in scoring by defensemen with 17 points in 13 games.

Nikita Popugaev's time with the Prince George Cougars has come to an end as the struggling forward has decided to return to Russia to get his career back on track. This isn't too surprising as he has never found his form in Prince George (0.57 Pts/GP) compared to a strong showing with Moose Jaw (0.89 Pts/GP) early on in his WHL career. As Aivis Kalnins notes on twitter, Popugaev has signed a three-way, two-year deal with CSKA Moscow. According to EliteProspects, he previously played for the CSKA U17 team in 2014-15 as well as their junior team, Krasnaya Armiya Moscow. I wouldn't expect Popugaev to get much time for CSKA in the KHL this season but he should split time between juniors (Krasnaya Armiya Moscow) and second tier hockey (Zvezda Chekhov). Hopefully this move back to Russia is just what he needs to find his game and get his career back on the right path. He's still too talented and young to give up on.

NCAA

Brett Seney had an assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and 6 shots over the course of 2 games against UMass.

JD Dudek put up an assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and 3 shots in 2 games for Boston College last weekend as they took on Providence and Denver.

Joey Anderson had an even rating, 2 PIM, and 2 shots in 2 games against Maine. He's off to a slow start this season with just 2 goals and an assist in 8 games but he's still managing to get his shots (4.0 SH/GP) and it's a matter of time before some of those start to go in. Bruce Ciskie of The Athletic (subscription required) had this interesting article on Joey and his brother and current teammate Mikey. It goes into their sibling rivalry and how they enjoy playing together for Minnesota Duluth.

Jeremy Davies has continued to stay hot for Northeastern. The top pairing defenseman had 4 assists, an even rating, 2 PIM, and 5 shots across 2 games against UMass Lowell. He is currently on a 4 game point streak with 8 assists in that stretch. Davies currently leads Northeastern in assists (9) and is tied for 2nd in the country.

Reilly Walsh made is NCAA debut on Sunday for Harvard, registering a PP assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and a shot.

Matt Hellickson had an assist, even rating, and 4 shots in 2 games against Omaha last weekend.

KHL

Yegor Rykov had a goal, +2, 2 PIM, 2 shots, and 2 blocks while playing between 12-14 minutes per game over the course of 3 games last week. His goal against Slovan Bratislava was the first of his KHL career. You can check it out below:

Mikhail Maltsev made the most of his return to KHL action this past week. In 2 games he had 2 assists, +3, 2 PIM, and 4 shots while playing between 10-15 minutes per game. He also made a VHL appearance for SKA-Neva, adding an assist, +1, and a shot in 14:46.

Yegor Zaitsev was a -1 with a shot while averaging just over 11 minutes per game across 2 games last week. I'm looking forward to seeing him and Maltsev in action during the Canada - Russia Series that starts on 11/6.

Europe

According to this article from the Brynas website, Jesper Boqvist is currently doing lower body workouts in the team's gym and seeing a hand specialist every week in Stockholm as he continues to recover from wrist surgery.

Fabian Zetterlund had an assist, -1, and 3 shots while playing between 7-14 minutes per game for Farjestads over the course 3 games last week.

Aarne Talvitie had 2 goals in 2 games last week for the Blues U20 team.

Gilles Senn continues to split starts with Red Wings prospect, Joren van Pottelberghe (.923 SV%) for HC Davos. Senn made 30 saves on 36 shots in a loss to HC Ambri-Piotta on Friday.

Your Take

How do you feel about Nikita Popugaev's move back to Russia? How about the hot start that Colby Sissons and Jeremy Davies are having for their respective teams? What other prospects stood out to you this week? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!