Not sure I agree with that. Depends on what we are qualifying as "getting a shot". Late firsts just aren't that big of a deal to whiff on. There's a couple in every draft that really never develop into an NHL player in that area and even more that probably don't get the bulk of their games with the team that drafted them or really only get few cups of coffee that end up at like 75 games over a few seasons.
I don't think he'll feel pressure to give Stillman a shot the way he would someone like holtz.
That said, I'm sure that chase will get some games. He's fourth line energy. But if he leaves the devils organization with less than 40 NHL games under his belt, wouldn't shock me. If he earns a spot, he'll get a crack, but I don't think being a late first is enough of a draft pedigree to make a team give you a shot
Ya, Quenville played all of 33 games over 3 years for the Devils. Playing 12, then 2, then 19 games. That 2 game season was the lone season the Devils were any good. Obviously it's easier to find games for a low level prospect when the team is not playing for anything besides draft position. We better not be in that situation in the next bunch of years.
Matteau played 44 over 3 seasons(4 kind of). Team stunk then too.
The flip here would be, if Stillman can play a competent or better 4th line role, then maybe he can carve out a role despite falling well below any draft day hopes the organization had for him.
I also figure he's not getting much if any PP time. So the 14 goals in 54 games isn't terrible(though probably unrepeatable unless he ups that shot rate). Better then Bastian's 10 in 68 in his first AHL season(yes it was +1 but he was old enough to do so, and a bigger guy).