New Jersey Devils NCAA Prospect Update: Casey on Fire

As with last week, no spotlight yet as the season only just begun. Let’s dive in.

Dobberprospects.com for PNHLe statistic.

Forwards

Samu Salminen cooled down after scoring two goals during the Huskies first win of the season including a short-handed goal and the game-winner. A few tough games followed, but Saliminen has been playing well, drawing and killing penalties and breaking up plays on the defensive end. Saliminen’s four game pointless streak ended this Saturday with a primary assist during the Huskies 5-0 shutout win.

Artem Shlaine appears to be continuing where he left off after his semi-breakout season last year with two assists in three games. It’s far too early yet to make much of the these numbers. As this is Shlaine’s senior year, it may be his last chance to earn a professional contract with a NHL team.

Defense

Seamus Casey is off to a ridiculous start with a 124 PNHLe over his first 6 games. Last season Casey finished with a PNHLe 67 on Dobber’s model. Per the model, the threshold for first line potential is 65 and superstar potential is 100, so Casey’s start is literally off their chart to the point where they had to extend it just to fit it in.

Unsurprisingly, as of early Sunday morning, Casey’s nine points is first in the NCAA in scoring by a defenseman and only two points behind Rutger McGroarty for the overall lead. Director of European Scouting for Elite Prospects Lassi Alanen posted this highlight reel of one of Casey’s games this year.

Casey has taken full advantage of the graduations on defense and is leading the offense from the backend for the Wolverines. This torrid pace may not continue, but Casey definitely seems to have taken a big leap this year — at least so far.

Ethan Edwards is still out recovering from surgery.

Viktor Hurtig and Charles Leddy have begun their prospective seasons. Hurtig has a goal and Leddy has two assists in a handful of games. Laura Berestecki of BCInterruption recently wrote this piece in the Boston College season preview for Leddy. For more on Hurtig’s progression, please read piece written by Sam Sklar of Statenews.com back in January.

Goaltender

It’s early yet but goaltender Cole Brady may have already lost the starting job to freshman Michael Hrabal, who is 3-0 with a 2.01 GAA and a .933 SV%. Compare that to Brady, who has stumbled out of the gate with a 1-1 record, 5.00 GAA and .857 SV%. Brady will need to do more with the starts he gets or it may be a long season for him.

Around the Pool

• The Comets lost 2-1 in OT to Bridgeport on Saturday. Max Willman scored the only goal for the Comets, his second of the season. Goaltender Isaac Poulter played a really strong game in defeat, stopping 23 of 25. Simon Nemec was still out with an injury. [TheAhl.Com]
• Cam Squires continues to lead all Devils prospects in points across all leagues with 13 points in 10 games. Seamus Casey leads in pts/g with 1.50. [EliteProspects]
• Arseni Gritsyuk is starting to heat up.

Your Take

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