Haven't seen anything official yet. Looks like their semester ends late April - early May (Utica wraps up April 19), so maybe some considerations there if Edwards is close to getting his degree? Trying to remember if there were any recent seniors who signed, played a couple games in the AHL, and then went back for final exams.
2024-25 NCAA, CHL and OHL prospects thread
- Thread starter NJDevs26
- Start date
Haven't seen anything official yet. Looks like their semester ends late April - early May (Utica wraps up April 19), so maybe some considerations there if Edwards is close to getting his degree? Trying to remember if there were any recent seniors who signed, played a couple games in the AHL, and then went back for final exams.
New Jersey Devils Prospects Update: Strong in the Q Edition
As the postseason begins across multiple leagues, we look at two Devils prospects who finished in the Top 10 in PPG in the QMJHL.
www.allaboutthejersey.com
- Dec 20, 2018
- 21,270
- 53,820
You know someone will. We have pushed for this kind of thing for the past 4 years and usually came up empty. Can always hope. HAH!
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
- 12,180
- 20,747
Does he even look to be on the curve to be a helpful AHL player?
I’m all for signing any possibly helpful players but his numbers look like he should be happy getting an AHL deal rather than having a ton of suitors.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 21,270
- 53,820
He’s 10th on the Elite Prospects NCAA Free Agency list, that’s good enough for me.
If we were a team like Dallas, Washington or Boston that attracts the top NCAA agents every off-season then offering a AHL deal might be a realistic plan.
We (and Utica) don’t attract FA talent like that however so we’ll need to offer ELCs to get them.
We’ll have the open contract spots, so not signing him is just us being cheap.
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
- 12,180
- 20,747
I think it’s the “we pushed for things like this the past 4 years and usually come up empty” as if the Devils don’t sign college guys at this level.
Just in recent times they signed guys like Halonen and Wendt; guys who are probably around the same level or better. So I interpreted the comment as if this guy is way better than those 2 when nothing jumps out to suggest that.
Psenicka was at Devils development camp at least once - I think why Guttersniped introduced this as a more than an out-of-the-blue possibility - but I believe he's attended several of them for different organizations over the years.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 21,270
- 53,820
Yes, that’s why I mentioned him. I’d prefer a center, though him and a center(s) works too.
The team seems pretty hot for him around the 2023 Development camp.
Devils Want to See Unsigned Prospect Ondrej Psenicka Return After Impressive Development Camp
The 6-foot-5 Cornell University forward is an unsigned, undrafted free agent
newjerseyhockeynow.com
I don’t think his been to any others. The Devils invited him in 2022 but he had Mono. Our 2023 camp was the first one he ever went to and the only one he attended that year.
He’s not listed here so it looks like he didn’t go to any in 2024.
Men's Hockey Well Represented at 2024 NHL Development Camps - Cornell University Athletics
ITHACA, N.Y. — Fourteen current, former, and future Cornell men's hockey players will take to the ice over the next two weeks at various NHL development camps.
cornellbigred.com
I agree with @Guttersniped. Don't even mention Wendt in the same breath. Halonen is it as far as college UFAs who made any kind of an impact. He earned his NJ 2-way, but has shown some real warts. Over the course of the next 2 yrs the signings were meh or less.
In the Spring of 2022 Halonen was signed to an ATO at the end of his 3rd year at Michigan Tech. He recorded 2G/1A/3Pts. He then signed an NHL 2-yr ELC for '22-23 and '23-24. That contract expired and he signed an NHL 2-way for'24-25 and '25-26.
'22-23 - 17/13/30 57GP
'23-24 - 20/9/29 35 GP
'24-25 - 23/13/36 56 GP and counting
'25-26 - TBD
He has played 4 games with NJ, 2 in each of '23-24 and '24-25. He has been a productive college UFA for 3 seasons at the AHL level. He is now 26 and the upcoming season may spell his last chance of makling it to the show with the Devils.
Following are the rest of the NCAA UFA signings. I don't see any of them carving out an AHL career like Halonen and further doubt you will ever see any of them in NJ..
Jack Malone of Boston College was signed by Utica to an ATO contract at the end of the 23-24 season, but he was also signed at the same time to a 2-yr AHL SPC starting in '24-25. He played 1 game on the ATO and was pointless.
This season he has served as bottom 6 pairing center playing 49 games and has 9G/3A/12Pts. He will be on the roster next season as well and his ice time will depend upon who NJ signs as centers for the upcoming season. NJ did not sign him.
Andre Ghantous finished his college career at Northern Michigan in the Spring of 2024. He was a Hobey Baker Nominee in each of his last 2 seasons.
He signed a PTO with Adirondack and played 10 games and 3 games with Utica on loan from Adirondack recording 1 goal and 1 assist. Utica signed him to a 2-way AHL contract for '24-25. To date he has not played a single game in Utica. NJ did not sign him.
Like Ghantous, Dylan Wendt was signed out of Western Michigan at the end of his 3rd season in the Spring of 2024. He was signed to an ATO by Utica. In 5 GP he recorded 1 goal and 1 assist.
NJ signed him to a 2-yr NHL 2-way contract for '24-25 and 25-26. He has played 8 games for the Comets recording 2 assists. He has played 43 games with Adirondack, 9/19/28. He has been recalled to Utica 7 times and didn't play during most of those recalls. His last game was last night in Hershey and he didn't make the scoring chart in a game which the goal starved Comets scored 7 goals. I'm puzzled as to why he received an NHL 2-way. Malone has performed at a much higher level.
The Comets are currently carrying 14 forwards. Bowers and Engaras sat out last night along with Casey and White on D. Parent has for some reason all of a sudden in the past few weeks been healthy scratching guys who have been regulars. This is a habit of coaches near the end of a season to rest up guys for the playoffs. Comets won't be there. This was a 3 in 3, but he hasn't done this previously.
This is year 4 and the NCAA UFA signings will start to be announced and the rest will be out there with their agents trying to land contracts. In the years since NJ has been with the Comets they have only signed 2 of these guys to my recollection and that's after looking at the total number of players on the rosters for all 4 seasons including this season which still has possibilities. Please correct me if I have missed someone.
Last edited:
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
- 12,180
- 20,747
Why wouldn’t Wendt count but this guy does?
Wendt was good enough to be talked about in NHL articles. I think you’re just letting hindsight impact the level of signing that Wendt was or overrating the signing that this guy would be; which is my original take.
On Campus: Quinnipiac forward Graf among 10 free agents soon eligible to sign with NHL teams | NHL.com
General managers making rounds to watch top potential targets
www.nhl.com
My point is that in 4 years the Devils have only signed 2 college UFAs and are 50-50 on good vs not so good. I won't say bad, but Wendt looks like a bust. There have been a shitload of NCAA UFAs and to only take a chance on 2 while stockpiling contracts seems foolish. Quit sniffing around the edges and shoot for the best ones. NJ is a very promising team and it's well known at this point that they have room for good players. I don't think a guy who believes he is really good would turn down an ELC offer. Go get a couple.Why wouldn’t Wendt count but this guy does?
Wendt was good enough to be talked about in NHL articles. I think you’re just letting hindsight impact the level of signing that Wendt was or overrating the signing that this guy would be; which is my original take.
On Campus: Quinnipiac forward Graf among 10 free agents soon eligible to sign with NHL teams | NHL.com
General managers making rounds to watch top potential targets
They can offer a direct path to the NHL for a center. Who wouldn't at least consider that option?
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
- 12,180
- 20,747
But Wendt was a good one; he just didn’t work out. This guy may be a good one too.
Devils have been signing relatively top college UFA forwards the last few years. I wouldn’t expect them to stop trying this year.
Truer words were never spokenI don't believe I said I didn't expect them to. I did say that in the last 4 years up to now they have only signed 2.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 21,270
- 53,820
Damien Carfagna was born in Wood Ridge, NJ and played at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey for 1 year when he was 16 (2018-19). Also played for the Mercer Chiefs in Hamilton Township, NJ.
Liam McLinskey was born in Pearl River, NY but also played at Don Bosco Prep for 3 years (2016-19). Also played for the NJ Hitman in Wayne, NJ.
McLinskey was #9 in the Elite Prospects NCAA Free Agency Guide (link)
Gleb Veremyev was born in Monroe Township and played for Monroe Township High when he was 14-15 (2017-19). Also played for NJ Rockets in Bridgewater, NJ.
Veremyev was #21 in the Elite Prospects NCAA Free Agency Guide.
Unfortunately Veremyev grew up a Rangers fan and signed with the Isles, so hopefully his dick falls off.
None signed by the Devils yet, eh?Well the Frozen 4 is yet to come. Maybe He's after guys from the top 4.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
Not sure if it was mentioned but Shlaine signed with the Stars AHL team.
Sometimes you just have to laugh.
That ship had already sailed. I honestly don't think NJ had any interest or that would already have happened.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 21,270
- 53,820
Heard an interview with Shlaine last season, he turned down an AHL deal with the Devils. He played a 5th year to earn an ELC.
We would’ve had to offer an ELC to beat out Dallas for him.
If a guy doesn't want to be here, you don't want him anyways. If he signed with the AHL Texas Stars that's not an NHL contract. Any further news as to whether he also signed an ELC staring next season? If not he'll have to sparkle to get another contract with Texas in which case he goes back on the market.
5 yrs in the NCAA with 3 different D-I teams leaves an unaffiliated 23-yr old pounding the hockey beat.
Shlaine was signed to an ATO along with Maine's Harrison Scott. Shlaine's deal ends there. Scott was also signed to a 1-yr ELC with Dallas. This says which one Dallas sees as more hopeful of succeeding. Like I said, Shlaine will have to knock their sox off to get a contract for next season, otherwise he will be back on the market this summer.
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
The Filip Forsberg for Martin Erat trade has still not been beat- Latest: Pablo El Perro
