Devils 21 and Under Discussion

[Derlique]

Last season, the Devils inserted a lot of youth throughout their lineup. Big names like Zacha made the initial jump, Steven Santini and Miles Wood joined him midway through the year, then you had guys like John Quenneville and Blake Speers play sporadic roles over the course of the season. I think this would be a good place to reflect on some of the young talent we have to look forward to over the next few years. I want to also include the big CHL, NCAA and Euro prospects as well. 

Pro Players

Pavel Zacha: When you look at the total body of work this season, I think the numbers look pretty underwhelming. He had a decent start, disappeared during November and December, but really picked it up after the new year until an injury ruined a very nice streak. Coming into the year, the book on him was that he had fantastic tools but his hockey IQ was somewhat lacking. To my surprise, I thought his hockey IQ is actually fantastic. He was very good on breakouts, gave dmen fits on the forecheck and his vision was better than advertised. I will say that he needs to do better at finding the 'soft spots' in the offensive zone. A little more aggression and willingness to shoot would do wonders for him. I'm really excited to see what kind of season he has, because I think he can be a legit top 6 forward as early as next year if he irons some things out.

Steve Santini: When John Moore and Ben Lovejoy play prominent roles on your backend, you're gonna have a bad time. There's something to be said when a 21 year old is one of your more stabilizing defenders. It probably goes to show how much help the Devils need on the blueline, but Santini deserves some credit too. He's what Shero thought Ben Lovejoy was when he signed him last July. A great skater in all direction and plays with an edge that is rare today. He didn't look out of place at all, imo.

Miles Wood: His combination of size and speed is insane. When he came into the league and had early success, I, and I think many others, felt that he could be a real key guy going forward. Then I watched him play for a week and banged my head against the wall for thinking that. He has no clue what he's doing without the puck, in all three zones. To his defense, prior to the year, he only played 40 games between high school and the NHL. That didnt allow him much time to learn the game. He can either turn out to be our Chris Kreider or a 4th liner who posts abhorrent possession numbers. Him taking the next step would be such a godsend for us.

John Quenneville: I dont want to harp on his NHL time because he only played 12 games, but he was fine. 4 points and nearly 2 shots per game are pretty impressive for a 20 year old. However, he was phenomenal in Albany and was one of the best rookies. Things were looking pretty grim for him in his draft +1 year where he was well below 1 ppg. He could be a big part of our middle six in the future and I would not be shocked if he didnt play another AHL game.

Mackenzie Blackwood: A 19/20 year old goalie being a starter in the AHL is so damn rare. It's not a shock that Blackwood struggled out of the gate and was well below a .900 save percentage in the early going. It seems like when Appleby went down and Blackwood was starting consistently, a switch flipped. He ended the year with a .907 save percentage in the regular season and a .928 in 4 playoff games. Thatcher Demko, who is a year older and regarded as one of the best goalie prospects, had the same stats. Blackwood has a legit shot at being an above average starter at some point. 

NCAA

Joey Anderson: Most pundits thought we got a steal when we snagged him Joey in the third round last year. Well, he did nothing but go onto post nearly a point per game as a freshman, which is very impressive. He was also a part of the US' WJC victory. NJ needs some talented RW prospects and if Anderson improves next season, I would not be shocked to see him turn pro after his sophomore season. 

Jeremy Davies: Davies started his freshman year at Northeastern as a 19 year old and fared pretty well on an average team. 23 points in 38 games is nothing to sneeze at for a young dman. Hopefully he can build on this and do even better next year. NJ needs a fluke development for one of their D prospects and he could be a candidate. 

OHL

Michael McLeod: The controversial pick in the 2016 draft did nothing to alleviate our fears with his slow start. In a bit of a surprise, he made the Canadian WJC team and was efficient notching 3 points in something like 30 minutes of play (he was used sparingly). When he got back, Mississauga got reinforcements in the name of Spencer Watson and Ville Saarajarvi and they took off. McLeod put up something like a 1.6 ppg over the last 5 months of the season, playoffs included. Whenever I watched the Steelheads, McLeod was usually the best player on the ice and is super fun to watch when he gets his motor going. I don't know if he's ready or not for the NHL, but he took a massive step forward and his size, speed and skill down the middle will be something this team has been missing for years.

Nathian Bastian: The other "Super Buddy", Bastian had a rough season. His production slipped and he sustained a nasty concussion midway through the year. In my viewings, he didn't stand out much, but he does have quite a bit of skill for a guy of his frame. I'm not overly optimistic about his NHL future, but something like .4 ppg in the AHL next year will really go a long way in showing he can play at this level.

Blake Speers: We got a small taste of his game during the preseason and for a handful of games early in the season. Unfortunately, he broke his hand in his first contest back at SSM, which caused him to miss two months. Even so, he made the Canadian WJC team and played a key role with the Soo as captain. His stats weren't overly impressive but he did raise his shots per game to 3.5, which represented a pretty big jump. He'll likely start the year in Binghamton and he's a guy to watch. I wouldnt be overly surprised to see him post a similar campaign to the one Quenneville did.

Colton White: One of NJ's few d prospects who has a chance to be a player at the next level, albeit a small one. Just glancing at stats, his offensive numbers actually decreased slightly and it's not like they were impressive to begin with. I put him in the same range as Josh Jacobs, who I didn't review because I'm not sure how much of a prospect he is. He'll begin his pro career either in the AHL or ECHL.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac: Had a nice season with Shawinigan. He crossed the point per program threshold and I think JasonMacIssac mentioned that his linemates were two .5 ppg guys aka scrubs. He's another guy with a ton of speed that fits Shero's mantra. He'll likely go pro next year and will add to Bingo's intriguing pool of young forwards.

Europe

Yegor Rykov: He went undrafted in his first year of eligibility and was touted as a guy who played a well rounded game, but wont wow you with one facet. After watching him in the WJC in a prominent role for Russia, I think this guy has serious potential. He capably quarterbacked the Russian power play and played a very sound defensive game. His offensive numbers on a stacked SKA, with limited minutes are pretty impressive for a teenager. Hopefully, he'll get even more playing time next year and maybe make the jump to NA after that. He's one dman in our system, other than Santini, that could realistically be a top 4 dman. 

Jesper Bratt: Another player who guys like Pronman and Kourianos felt were a steal. I think many were surprised he didnt make the Swedish WJC team. It looks like his numbers marginally improved and it should be noted that he just signed an ELC. I would not be shocked if he took a major step forward next season, but maybe a guy like Marshall could expand on this.

Incomplete

Michael Kapla

Evan Cormier

Mikhail Maltsev

My grades:

The Good- These are the ones who did a lot to improve their stock, or future outlook.

Michael McLeod, John Quenneville, Yegor Rykov, Joey Anderson, Jeremy Davies, Miles Wood (I had trouble placing him as he has a ton to work on, but you cant deny his contributions)

The Solid- Did what was expected of them, but didn't do much to alter expectations.

Pavel Zacha, Steve Santini, Mackenzie Blackwood, Blake Speers, Brandon Gignac, Jesper Bratt

The Meh- Took a step back this season.

Nathan Bastian, Colton White

[Jerzey]

I'm probably alone here but is anyone else starting to think Zacha might be a little expendable? And by expendable I mean in a trade for a good young defender. I would not have thought this had we not won the lottery but with McLeod and Patrick/Hischier joining the club soon, and Zacha looking like he's going to be a winger at the NHL level, I think trading him for team needs might be a good idea. I know he had somewhat of a down year so now might not be the best time to trade him but with the expansion draft coming up I think we might be able to package him for a good defender. 

Just thinking out loud here. I completely understand why we would want to hang onto him for a little while at least to see how McLeod and Patrick/Hischier do in the NHL. I just think this expansion draft is a good opportunity.

Plus there was that rumor that he failed his physical for the Czech team before the world's.

Edited June 7, 2017 by Jerzey

[Devilsfan118]

I think we wait Zacha out before entertaining trade offers.

You can't teach size, and I think the tools are definitely there.  Put him on a line with players who aren't complete scrubs and he might flourish.

[Derlique]

Just now, Devilsfan118 said:

I think we wait Zacha out before entertaining trade offers.

You can't teach size, and I think the tools are definitely there.  Put him on a line with players who aren't complete scrubs and he might flourish.

I wouldnt be opposed to putting Zacha on a line with Patrick or Hischier. Zajac seems tied to Hall for now and Henrique is impossible to play with since his game isnt suited for center at all. 

[sundstrom]

55 minutes ago, Jerzey said:

I'm probably alone here but is anyone else starting to think Zacha might be a little expendable? And by expendable I mean in a trade for a good young defender. I would not have thought this had we not won the lottery but with McLeod and Patrick/Hischier joining the club soon, and Zacha looking like he's going to be a winger at the NHL level, I think trading him for team needs might be a good idea. I know he had somewhat of a down year so now might not be the best time to trade him but with the expansion draft coming up I think we might be able to package him for a good defender. 

Just thinking out loud here. I completely understand why we would want to hang onto him for a little while at least to see how McLeod and Patrick/Hischier do in the NHL. I just think this expansion draft is a good opportunity.

Plus there was that rumor that he failed his physical for the Czech team before the world's.

i don't think he has enough value to other teams to get the right return for him. you'd basically be trading him for "pavel zacha" on defense - a guy drafted in the last 3 years that has shown something. like, i don't think carolina would trade noah hanifin for him.

[Jerzey]

I was thinking Zacha + 2nd or something for Dumba or Brodin. Zacha doesn't have to be protected so Minny might see value in taking the risk. 

But I also am more than happy to keep Zacha. I just think he's currently our best expendable (ish) asset.

Edited June 7, 2017 by Jerzey

[Triumph]

Nice writeup, Mantzas.  I am worried that Zacha is missing that extra awareness that would make him a 1st line forward, but he is only 19.  The concussions are a little concerning as well.  I would not trade him for players like Dumba, Brodin, or Vatanen.

[Derlique]

12 hours ago, Triumph said:

Nice writeup, Mantzas.  I am worried that Zacha is missing that extra awareness that would make him a 1st line forward, but he is only 19.  The concussions are a little concerning as well.  I would not trade him for players like Dumba, Brodin, or Vatanen.

What does a successful season look like for him next year?

40 pts with over 2 shots per game?

[T0asterleav1ns]

Zacha's hockey sense has consistently impressed me. I have no concerns there. The concussions though I agree with.

[Triumph]

1 hour ago, SMantzas said:

What does a successful season look like for him next year?

40 pts with over 2 shots per game?

Something like that.  I doubt he makes it that far in one year.  Being injury-free would be nice too.

41 minutes ago, Toasterleavins said:

Zacha's hockey sense has consistently impressed me. I have no concerns there. The concussions though I agree with.

His ability to know where to pass the puck/move the puck in the D and neutral zone is indeed impressive, but his instinct about whether to pass or shoot in the offensive zone I'm not so sure about, and I'm not so sure about his ability to position himself in that zone either.  He is only 19 though.