Devils Prospects

Devils Prospect Rankings: 10-6; Future NHL Goaltenders?

Within the Devils’ top-10 prospects, a couple of complimentary NHLers and potential NHL goaltenders reside.

Published

8 months ago

July 30, 2024

New Jersey Devils prospect goaltender Isaac Poulter ascended through the ranks of the prospect pool last season. || Credit: Utica Comets X (formerly Twitter).

The New Jersey Devils have had one of the best prospect pools over the last half-decade. Since 2017, they’ve had two first-overall selections, a second-overall pick, seven more first-round picks, and 28 total top-100 draft choices. In that time, they’ve graduated a ton of high-end talent to the NHL. The Devils’ prospect rankings are not as stacked as they once were, but there is still plenty of talent in the pipeline.

We’ve looked at two things for our 2024 New Jersey Devils prospect rankings. First, prospects who have completed a full rookie season (Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec) or played multiple games throughout multiple years (Nico Daws and Nolan Foote) will not be considered. Only prospects with little to no NHL games or none at all will be considered.

To determine this year’s Devils prospect rankings, three aspects have been taken into account; the player’s overall ability, how high their ceiling is, and their competition for a roster spot.

In last week’s edition, we looked at prospects 15-11.

Time to begin our top 10 Devils prospects.

10. Chase Stillman, RW, Utica Comets (AHL)

When the Devils drafted Chase Stillman 29th overall in 2021, it was a surprise. He doesn’t have the high-end skill that comes with typically being a first-round being. However, the league had just watched the Tampa Bay Lighting win a Stanley Cup, in large part due to the work that former Devil, Blake Coleman, did on their third line. Still just 21, Stillman’s path to an NHL lineup will have to be to play with a similar style of speed and sandpaper as Coleman.

Stillman just finished his first year of pro hockey in the AHL, where in 54 games he put up 24 points. Despite a lack of elite production, the Devils remain much higher on Stillman than most fans, and although he likely won’t be a top-six forward, there will be opportunities for him to earn a spot in the bottom of the Devils lineup because of his tenacity and grit. It may be Stillman’s last chance to prove he belongs, but there’s a player in there who can be a complimentary NHLer.

CHASING NHL DREAMS 💭

Chase Stillman jumped into professional hockey and brought speed, energy and scoring to the @adkbankcenter. A 24 point rookie year and much more on the horizon. pic.twitter.com/hxCOMdcY8t

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) July 25, 2024

9. Topias Vilen, LHD, Utica Comets (AHL)

From one AHL rookie to another, Topias Vilen put together a solid first season in North America. He lit up the ECHL during a brief six-game stint, registering 10 points in six games. In the AHL, Vilen was slightly above 0.5 points a game, with 29 in 54 games. Vilen’s development took a big jump in 2022-23 while playing in Finland, and he has been able to maintain his play since. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and has developed into an all-around player the past two seasons. Vilen checks out as a solid skating, two-way defenseman who won’t “wow” you but is responsible and smart. There’s a logjam of defensemen in the Devils system waiting to take a spot somewhere in the NHL, and I would put Vilen near the very top of the list of players who will be playing sooner than later.

Chillin' like a Vilen for his first goal in @TheAHL 👏 https://t.co/riwA3fGMvJ pic.twitter.com/j6HZDieHcf

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) January 15, 2024

8. Herman Traff, LW/RW, HV71 (SHL)

Since the Devils took Herman Traff 91st overall in June’s NHL draft, he’s continued to move higher and higher up the rankings. Watching him live you can see how, with a little more seasoning, he could be a very impactful player. Traff plays with a ton of north-south speed, and if he can add more east-west agility to his skating I like his chances a whole lot to make the NHL. He has ideal size for a power forward at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and will get some time overseas to develop. His forechecking prowess, speed, and mobility are what will get him to the NHL, and while he lacks some of the high-end scoring to be a play-driver on a top six, he has all the tools to be a complimentary piece high up in the lineup, or as a handful for opponents on a third line.

7. Jakub Malek, G, Ilves (Liiga)

Malek had his big breakout season in 2023-24 for Ilves, when he recorded a 2.32 GAA, a 0.915 SV%, and a 16-4-5 record with two shutouts. The Devils are very fond of the tall and athletic goalies and that is Malek to a tee. He towers in the net and is likely taller than what he is listed at at 6-foot-4. Malek moves well from side to side and covers so much of the bottom of the ice when he’s down in butterfly. At this year’s development camp, he was one of my standouts during the 3-on-3 tournament because of his quickness in such a tight space. He has one more season in Finland before he comes over to the AHL, which should allow him to clean up some parts of his game.

Jakub Málek 🛑

🇨🇭⚔️🇨🇿 #narodnitym #ceskyhokej pic.twitter.com/pmJJgXHnL5

— Český hokej (@czehockey) February 11, 2024

6. Isaac Poulter, G, Utica Comets (AHL)

The Devils may have found a gem in undrafted goalie, Isaac Poulter. After a so-so year split between the AHL and ECHL in 2022-23, Poulter put together a very good campaign at both levels this past year. In 28 AHL games, he had a 2.55 GAA and a 0.911 SV%, very good numbers for a Utica team that struggled defensively. In the ECHL, he had a 2.44 GAA and a 0.917 SV% in just six games but dominated in the ECHL playoffs. In 15 postseason games, Poulter had a 1.86 GAA and a 0.939 SV%.

His play in Utica was enough to earn him an entry-level contract, a spot high up in the Devils prospect rankings, as well as a few call-ups where he made no appearances. This upcoming season will be a big one for Poulter. Expectations will be a little higher for him to perform well and will have a concrete role as the 1B behind Nico Daws. The Devils have something in Isaac Poulter and a strong 2024-25 could put him in a position to play NHL games very soon.