Predicting the Next 5 New Jersey Devils Prospects to Arrive in the NHL

The New Jersey Devils have shown some improvement in recent weeks, but they still sit 15 points out of a playoff spot with a little less than half the season to go. Barring a miraculous comeback, the Devils will not be making the playoffs this year.

With that disappointment all but assured, this is a good time to look at some prospects that could see time with New Jersey either as this season draws to a close or at the start of next season.

This list will take a look at the prospects that are most likely to appear for the Devils in the near future. Some play with the Albany Devils of the AHL, while others are still in junior or college hockey. 

This list will consider both the pure talent of the players in question, as well as how many other players stand between them and a shot at regular NHL action.

Honorable Mention

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Joseph Blandisi during his time with the Colorado Avalanche.

Joseph Blandisi

The Devils signed forward Joseph Blandisi to a two-way contract on January 14. Blandisi has spent time in developmental camps with Winnipeg and Buffalo over the last two seasons after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. 

Perhaps the fact that the Buffalo Sabres did not find Blandisi worth signing is a little concerning, but his numbers with the OHL Barrie Colts this season are solid. Blandisi has played in 42 games this season, picking up 30 goals and 41 assists and earning a plus-13 rating.

At 20 years old, Blandisi still has time to grow as a player.

Paul Thompson/Scott Timmins

Paul Thompson and Scott Timmins are 26 and 25 years old, respectively, so they are not exactly prospects. But, Thompson is leading the Albany Devils in goals and points and Timmins has 19 points in 23 games. 

Given the lack of goal scorers in New Jersey, both players could get a chance to show if they can produce at NHL level in the near future. 

Timmins could be called up at any time, but Thompson is signed to an AHL-only contract, so he will have to sign a new contract to be called up to the NHL team.

5. Reece Scarlett

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Reece Scarlett is a 21-year-old defenseman in his second season with the Albany Devils.

Though the Devils have plenty of defensemen this year, the aging Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky will likely not be in New Jersey much longer, opening the door for a player like Scarlett. 

This season, Scarlett has one goal and 12 assists in 23 games, as he has been limited by a lower body injury.

Scarlett's top asset is his puck-moving and playmaking ability, which is reflected in his assists total from this season. 

At 6'1" and 185 pounds, there is some concern that Scarlett will not be able to handle the physical nature of the NHL. Still, with players like Adam Larsson, Jon Merrill and Damon Severson ahead of him in the depth chart, he will likely have time to bulk up before being called upon at NHL level.

If he can get stronger, he may have a decent future in the NHL.

4. Raman Hrabarenka

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Raman Hrabarenka, like Scarlett, is somewhat at the back of the line in terms of up-and-coming Devils defensemen. But, like Scarlett, he will likely jump up that list when elder statesmen Salvador and Zidlicky depart.

Hrabarenka is a 22-year-old Belarusian whose greatest asset may be his size. At 6'5" and 235 pounds, he is often the biggest player on the ice. That size is the reason he punches in above Scarlett on this list.

Despite that size, Hrabarenka has shown this season that his skill set may be more focused in the offensive zone. In 20 games in Albany this season, he has four goals and 10 assists. Last season, he had 21 points in 48 games.

One concerning trend from Hrabarenka's season in Albany is his proclivity for finding himself in the penalty box. He has 18 penalty minutes in only 20 games this season. 

Still, with his size and offensive ability, there is reason to think that Hrabarenka could have a future in the NHL. 

3. Steve Santini

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Steve Santini during a World Junior Championships warm-up.

Steve Santini, another defensemen, is only 19 years old, but he has already shown more upside than both Hrabarenka and Scarlett. 

Santini currently plays hockey at Boston College, where he led his team in blocked shots (68) and plus/minus (plus-26) during his freshman season last year. In recognition of his stellar season, he was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

He was predicted to play a big role for the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championships of 2014-15, but a wrist injury kept him off the squad. At the IIHF World U18 Championships of 2013, he was named Best Defenseman of the tournament.

At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Santini has the size to be a solid defensive defenseman at the NHL level, and he has shown both at college and international level that he has tremendous potential. His offensive numbers are relatively pedestrian, but given that he will be entering a defense corps that already has Eric Gelinas, Damon Severson and Adam Larsson, the team will not need much offense from him.

Still, as only a sophomore, it is unclear when he will make the move to the next level. But, his upside is so clear that he must come ahead of Hrabarenka and Scarlett in the prospect depth chart.

2. Stefan Matteau

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Stefan Matteau during his 2012-13 stint in the NHL.

Stefan Matteau has been disappointing in the AHL for much of this season, but given the lack of depth the Devils have at forward both at NHL level and in terms of prospects, he remains a top option for the Devils going forward.

Matteau is not ever going to be a top goal scorer, but surely Devils management would have hoped he would have more than five goals and 11 assists in 36 games in the AHL this season.

Still, his plus-eight rating is encouraging, as is the fact that he played 17 games at the NHL level at 18 years old during the 2012-13 season. While he did not do anything to massively impress, he showed that after a few years of polishing his game at the AHL level, he could be a productive third line player.

Matteau is eager to use his 6'2", 220-pound frame in the physical part of the game, though perhaps too eager at times. He took 66 penalty minutes in 67 games last season, and has 27 penalty minutes in 36 games this year.

If some of the Devils' older forwards, such as Michael Ryder, get moved at the trade deadline, Matteau will be one of the first forwards the coaching staff wants to give a chance to.

1. Reid Boucher

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The Devils are short on goal scoring prospects.

So, fair or unfair, a great amount of pressure comes onto Reid Boucher. 

Boucher scored 62 goals in 68 games in his last season with the OHL's Sarnia Sting, and ever since, Devils fans have been waiting for his explosion onto the NHL scene. Unfortunately, it just has not happened for the Michigan native yet.

He had decent, but not great, numbers in Albany last season: 22 goals and 16 assists in 56 games. He also played in 23 games with New Jersey last season, picking up two goals and five assists. 

This season, Boucher got off to a dreadful start in Albany, but he is now up to a respectable bounty of 11 goals and 10 assists in 37 games. He has also played four games in the NHL this season, in which he has no points.

Boucher has goal scoring potential, which he has shown at every level but the NHL level so far. In truth, regardless of his play in Albany, he will likely soon get a look at the NHL level, simply because goals have been so hard to come by for the Devils, particularly from young players.

For this reason, Boucher will likely be the next Devils prospect to come to the NHL.