New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 12/26/17

The twelfth week of the 2017-18 prospect update is here. It's highlighted by Yegor Zaitsev being named captain of Russia's WJC team, Reilly Walsh being cut from the US WJC team, and Jeremy Davies being named to Canada's Spengler Cup team. This upcoming week is jam packed with Devils prospect action, especially at the World Junior Championship where the Devils will have a NHL high 7 prospects in action: Joey Anderson (USA), Michael McLeod (CAN), Jesper Boqvist and Fabian Zetterlund (SWE), Mikhail Maltsev and Yegor Zaitsev (RUS), and Marian Studenic (SVK). Here is the full schedule of group play and a quick reminder that the NHL Network will have a lot of action for those of us in the USA.

QMJHL

Jocktan Chainey and Halifax had the week off for the holiday break.

OHL

Michael McLeod had 4 assists as Canada dominated their 2 pre-tournament games over the Czech Republic and Switzerland. They open up their WJC play later today with a game against Finland at 4 PM EST on NHL Network.

Marian Studenic had 2 goals for Slovakia as they defeated Belarus in a pre-tournament match. Slovakia will take on Canada at 7 PM EST on Wednesday on NHL Network to start their WJC.

Evan Cormier and Saginaw had the week off.

WHL

Colby Sissons and Swift Current had the week off for the holiday break.

NCAA

Brett Seney, JD Dudek, and Matt Hellickson had the week off.

Joey Anderson played RW on the US top line with Patrick Harper and Ryan Poehling in their final pre-tournament game on Friday. The US opens up their WJC play tonight with a match against Denmark at 8 PM EST on NHL Network.

Reilly Walsh was cut from the US team on Thursday but it's still encouraging to see how close he came to breaking through this year. If he keeps up his current development, he should have no problem making next year's team. Prior to being cut, Walsh had a goal as the US defeated Belarus 14-0 on Wednesday night.

Last Tuesday, Jeremy Davies was named to Team Canada for the Spengler Cup. The tournament will run from 12/26 to 12/31 in Davos, Switzerland and will represent a chance for him to make his case for being selected to the Olympic team. Northeastern head coach Jim Madigan had this to say about Davies:

"Jeremy has been one of our most dependable defensemen from the moment he stepped on campus last season," said Madigan. "His steady play in his own zone while also being an offensive threat at the other end of the ice is something we've come to rely on, and he has emerged as one of the best puck-moving blueliners in the NCAA."

KHL/VHL

KHL

VHL

Yegor Rykov had an even rating, 3 shots, and 2 blocks while averaging around 13 minutes per game across 2 games last week for SKA.

As expected, both Mikhail Maltsev and Yegor Zaitsev were named to Russia's team for the WJC. Zaitsev will captain the squad with Maltsev serving as one of the alternates. Russia takes on the Czech Republic at 12 PM EST today on NHL Network.

Nikita Popugaev played 3:03 for CSKA in KHL action last Tuesday. He did have a goal, +1, and a shot in 8:25 of action in a VHL game on Saturday. He now has scored in 3 straight VHL matches.

Europe

Jesper Boqvist and Fabian Zetterlund both officially made the Swedish team for the WJC. Boqvist should be on a top line with Lias Anderson and Fredrik Karlstrom. Zetterlund will be in a more complementary role. Sweden opens up the tournament with a game against Belarus at 2 PM EST today.

Aarne Talvitie had the week off.

Gilles Senn had a solid week for HC Davos with 2 victories. He made 20 saves on 23 shots against HC Lugano on Tuesday and followed that up with a 20 save shutout over SCL Tigers on Friday.

Your Take

What are your thoughts on Jeremy Davies making Canada's Spengler Cup roster? What about Reilly Walsh being cut from the US team for the WJC? What expectations do you have for the WJC? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!