New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 4/3/18

The twenty-sixth week of the 2017-18 prospect update is here. It’s highlighted by the Devils signing Marian Studenic, prospects Michael McLeod, Evan Cormier, and Fabian Zetterlund see their playoff runs end, while Joey Anderson and Matt Hellickson gear up for Frozen Four action this Thursday and possibly Saturday.

QMJHL

Jocktan Chainey had 2 goals, 2 assists, +3, 4 PIM, and 8 shots in #4 Halifax’s final 3 games of their Round 1 series against #13 Baie-Comeau. Halifax won the series 4-1 to advance to the Quarterfinals. Chainey’s goal in the opening period of Game 5 ended up being the series winning goal and you can see it down below:

OHL

Michael McLeod’s junior career came to an end on Sunday but he went out with a bang. In 4 games last week he put up 5 goals, 3 assists, +4, 11 PIM, 14 shots and won 68.89% of his faceoffs as #7 Mississauga fell 4-2 in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series to #2 Barrie. He finished the playoffs with 6 games played, 6 goals, 4 assists, 10 points, +3, 11 PIM, and a 63.04 FO%. McLeod always seemed to step up in the playoffs in his OHL career with 46 points in 33 games over the last 3 postseasons. I imagine he’ll be on his way to Binghamton soon. As a parting note, check out his goal from Game 3 last Tuesday:

Marian Studenic had 2 assists, +1, 2 PIM, and 4 shots in 3 games last week as #1 Hamilton defeated #8 Ottawa 4-1 in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series. They will take on #4 Niagara in the Conference Semifinals next. It’s notable that Studenic was moved up to 2nd line RW on a line with Nicholas Caamano and Ryan Moore. Let’s see if they stick together going forward and if he thrives in a more offensive role. Yesterday, the Devils announced that they have signed Studenic to his three-year, entry-level contract. They will have the option of sending him back to Hamilton next season or playing him in the AHL with Binghamton.

Evan Cormier saw his junior career come to a close last Wednesday when #8 Saginaw was swept by #1 Sault Ste. Marie in their Western Conference Quarterfinals series. In his final start he made 23 saves on 27 shots as Saginaw fell to the OHL’s top team. Cormier finished his OHL career with a .896 SV% in 201 regular season games and .853 SV% in 12 playoff games. It will be interesting to see if the Devils offer him a contract or if he becomes a free agent. The Devils goaltending prospect pool is a bit questionable right now as Mackenzie Blackwood and Ken Appleby both have struggled in AHL action this season while Gilles Senn was average at best in the NLA. The signing of Cam Johnson could prove to be a boost to the prospect pool but he’s coming off of an up and down NCAA career. I think Ray Shero will continue to look for ways to bolster this group but I don’t think Cormier will fit into his plans.

WHL

Colby Sissons had 3 assists, -6, and 14 shots in 4 games last week as #E2 Swift Current defeated #E3 Regina 4-3 in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series.

NCAA

Brett Seney is now up to 3 assists, -2, 4 PIM, and 17 shots in 6 games with Binghamton. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out Jeff’s post from Friday on Seney and the impression he’s making in Binghamton.

We have some Frozen Four action coming up! Joey Anderson and Minnesota Duluth will take on Ohio State at 6 PM ET on ESPN2 this Thursday. Matt Hellickson and Notre Dame will take on Michigan at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN2 this Thursday. The National Championship game is Saturday at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.

KHL/VHL

KHL

VHL

Mikhail Maltsev had a goal, +3, 6 PIM, 11 shots, and won 60% of his faceoffs while playing between 14-18 minutes per game over 3 games last week for SKA-Neva. #2 SKA-Neva is currently up 3-0 on #3 Neftyanik in the VHL Semifinals.

Nikita Popugaev’s only appearance last week came in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals as #2 CSKA took on #1 SKA. He played 4 shifts for 3:02 of ice time. CSKA is currently down 2-1.

Europe

Fabian Zetterlund had an assist, -2, and 2 shots while playing around 5-7 minutes per game in his final 2 games of the playoffs as Farjestad was eliminated.

Your Take

Which prospects stood out to you this week? How do you feel about the signing of Marian Studenic? What are your thoughts on Michael McLeod’s OHL career now that it has come to an end? Do you have any Frozen Four predictions? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!