New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 2/7/17

This post will recap the 18th week of Devils prospect action for the 2016-17 season. It's highlighted by Michael McLeod and Blake Speers producing in the OHL, Alexander Kerfoot lead Harvard to the Beanpot championship game, and Nick Lappin continue to step up for Albany.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac had an assist, +1, 2 PIM, 5 shots, and won 21/34 faceoffs over the course of 2 games for Shawinigan last week.

OHL

Blake Speers continued to shine for Sault Ste. Marie with 2 goals, 3 assists, +1, 2 PIM, 11 shots, and won 61.11% of his faceoffs across 3 games. Colton White had 2 assists, -2, 4 PIM, and 9 shots in that stretch.

Michael McLeod had a big game against Niagara last Thursday with 2 goals, an assist, +2, 2 PIM, 6 shots, and won 15/29 faceoffs. The next night against North Bay he was held off the board but was a +1 with 2 shots and won 15/20 faceoffs. Nathan Bastian missed both of Mississauga's games last week after suffering a knee on knee hit against Sudbury on 1/29. He's likely out 2 weeks according to Iain Colpitts of The Mississauga News.

Evan Cormier had a mixed week for Saginaw. On Thursday he made 4 saves on 6 shots in 13:24 in a loss to Windsor. He was pulled after giving up a 3rd goal which was ultimately disallowed. On Saturday he earned a win over London by stopping 40 of 41 shots.

WHL

Colby Sissons was a +4 across 2 games for Swift Current last week.

NCAA

Alexander Kerfoot had a total of 2 goals, an assist, +2, 4 PIM, 8 shots, and won 23/35 faceoffs across 2 games for Harvard last week, including a win over Northeastern to advance to the Beanpot final. Prior to that game, Jeff Cox of SBN College Hockey had this to say about Kerfoot:

A 2012 NHL Draft selection of the New Jersey Devils, he is undersized, but he has above average speed and exceptional vision. He does a good job of creating time and space for his linemates by using his quickness to separate from defenders.

JD Dudek had a goal, assist, even rating, and 2 shots across 2 games for Boston College last week, including a loss to Boston University in the Beanpot semifinal.

Brett Seney had 2 assists, +2, and 6 shots across 2 games for Merrimack against UConn.

Joey Anderson had a goal, 2 assists, -1, and 10 shots in 2 games for Minnesota Duluth last week against Nebraska Omaha.

Jeremy Davies had a goal, 4 assists, +1, 4 PIM, and 3 shots in 3 games for Northeastern last week. Prior to the Beanpot semifinal, Jeff Cox of SBN College Hockey had this to say on Davies:

Freshman defenseman Jeremy Davies will play a key role in the Huskies’ ability to push the pace, transition effectively, break the puck out of their own zone and enter the attacking.

The Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec native is an undersized blue liner, but he has terrific mobility. He is able to move the puck by making heady outlet passes or carrying it out of trouble.

Europe

Yegor Rykov had an even rating with 2 PIM and a block across 2 games for SKA last week while averaging 12-13 minutes per game.

Mikhail Maltsev had an even rating with 2 PIM, a shot, and won 22/35 faceoffs across 2 games for SKA-Neva last week while averaging 13:48 per game.

Jesper Bratt had an even rating with a shot, a lost faceoff, and an average ice time of 11:48 across 2 games for AIK last week.

AHL

Albany went 1-2 last week and currently sit 2nd in the North Division with 54 points after 47 games. Their all situation PDO is currently 99.75%. They currently have a Shots For% of 51.95%. The PP is currently operating at 17.53% which is 16th in the league, while the PK is at 84.54% which is 6th in the league.

Injury Update: Petr Straka (upper body), Blake Pietila (illness), Mackenzie Blackwood (illness), and Scott Wedgewood (shoulder) remain sidelined.

Transactions: Albany added goaltender J.P. Anderson on a PTO on 2/2 after Mackenzie Blackwood became the latest Devil to fall ill with the virus sweeping the team. Luke Gazdic was returned to Albany on 2/3 with Joe Blandisi going the other way to New Jersey. Karl Stollery was sent back down on 2/5 but then recalled by New Jersey on 2/6.

Thursday 2/2: Albany defeated Syracuse 3-2. Nick Lappin, Brian Gibbons, and Ben Sexton had the goals. Josh Jacobs, Jan Mandat, and Blake Coleman had an assist each. Lappin had 5 shots followed by Jacob MacDonald with 4 as the Devils outshot the Crunch 27-24. Ken Appleby made 22 saves. Albany went 0/3 on the PP and 4/5 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Friday 2/3: Albany lost to Lehigh Valley 4-3. Offensive leaders for Albany included Blake Coleman with 2 goals and Brian Gibbons with 2 assists. Nick Lappin had the other goal. Ben Sexton, Carter Camper, John Quenneville, and Vojtech Mozik each had an assist. Lappin had 5 shots followed by Coleman and Quenneville with 4 each as the Devils outshot the Phantoms 31-28. J.P. Anderson, signed to a PTO from Adirondack (ECHL) with Mackenzie Blackwood out sick with the virus sweeping the team, made 24 saves. Phantoms defender T.J. Brennan was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for elbowing John Quenneville late in the game. Jan Mandat fought Brennan and earned a game misconduct due to the "instigator" rule (video here). Albany went 1/5 on the PP and 3/4 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Saturday 2/4: Albany lost to Binghamton 6-2. Ben Sexton and Jacob MacDonald had the goals while Blake Coleman and Nick Lappin earned an assist each. Lappin had 8 shots as the Devils outshot the Senators 35-22. Ken Appleby made 16 saves. Albany went 0/1 on the PP and 5/5 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Coming Up: Albany takes on Providence tonight, Rochester on Friday, and then Toronto on Saturday and Sunday.

ECHL

Brandon Baddock had an assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and 5 shots over the course of 3 games for Adirondack last week.

Prospect of the Week

Blake Speers earns this week's honors after posting 2 goals, 3 assists, 11 shots, and won 61.11% of his faceoffs across 3 games. He's now put up at least a point in 11 of the 13 games he's played this season and has provided a nice boost for Sault Ste. Marie. He seems to have recovered well from injury and the future is still very bright for the young forward.

ADevil of the Week

I'm going to give this week's honors to Nick Lappin after he had 2 goals and an assist along with 18 shots over the course of 3 games. In 8 games since being sent back to Albany, Lappin has 3 goals, 3 assists, and 27 shots. He's only been held of the scoresheet in 2 of those games. If he can keep up this consistency, it may not be long until we see him in New Jersey again.

Your Take

Which prospects stood out to you this past week? What are your thoughts on Lappin as a prospect? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!