he was signed to an AHL contract a few weeks ago for 25-26
The Utica Comets have signed forward Matyáš Melovský to an AHL contract for the 2025–26 season. The 20-year-old from Uničov, Czechia joins Utica after a standout season in the QMJHL, where he skated for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Melovský recorded an impressive 83 points (26 goals, 57 assists) in...
www.nhl.com
Yeah I had him signed as well, but why does "elite prospects" have him unsigned. So, "elite prospects" lists him as unsigned because the Comets signed him to an AHL deal and he didn't sign an NHL contract.
I find this interesting since Squires just signed an ELC with NJ.
Add Filmon into this picture who was signed by the Devils before the 24-25 season. His 1st season after he signed was 12 pointless games with the Comets in which he looked lost and 36 Pts with ECHL Adirondack in 65GP. Not exactly a success story at the moment. 2 years left on his ELC.
Melovsky 26G/57A/83Pts 57GP
Squires 24G/51A/75Pts 58GP
Filmon 27G/40A/67PTS 65GP
When comparing the 3 Matyas had a better final JR season than either of the other 2. More important is that Matyas is a Center, a much more needed position by the Devils entire organization. He seems to be considered a lower likelihood of success than the other 2. Is the fact that he is a year older reason to lower his chances? He'll be paid less than the other 2 prospects.
Another who was signed to a NJ contract out of college last season, Dylan Wendt, is also making more than Matayas will make and he too hasn't lit any kind of lamp towards the Devils.
These guys are all examples of the poor prospect acquirements the Devils have brought in.
Others forward flops were Arne Talvitie, Graeme Clarke, Tyce Thompson, Chase Stillman. You want to talk bleak after '21-22 no NJ drafted forward prospect who ended up in Utica was worth a damn! A couple undrafted free agent acquisitions have been good AHL players, but still lack any real threat of becoming a Devil, Brian Halonen and Xavier Parent. It has been a real challenge to get excited over the forwards NJ management has put in Utica since 20221-22.
The verdict is still out for '25-26, but with the number of guys already under contract it's not easy to see how they can do too much. There are already 15 signed not counting what they intend to do with Nolan Foote and Justin Dowling.
McLaughlin, Gambardella, and Laberge are also still unaccounted for. Gambo wore an "A", Laberge just finished a NJ contract, and McLaughlin is a UFA.
Of the 15 already signed Schmelzer, Malone, and Melovsky are centers. Only Schmelzer has a NJ contract. Schmelzer was the team's highest scorer for the 2nd straight season. He has been the team Captain for all 4 seasons that NJ has been the team's parent club. I love the guy, but he would be the #3 guy on most good AHL teams. I have no reason to want him gone, but just moved down from the #1 spot he has tried so hard to fill.
I see Dowling re-signed and he'd be best suited at #2, Schmelzer at #3, and it's between Malone and Melovsky for #4 and #1 is unaccounted for.
IF NJ offers McLaughlin a contract he moves into the mix. He was nothing to write home about in his 16 games played after his acquisition at the TDL, 6 assists. Probably better than Malone.
Dowling was the best they had and he played 52 games for NJ and only 7 for the Comets. He amassed 4Pts for the Comets in those 6GP, but only 7 for NJ in his 57GP. He's an AHL player who can survive in the NHL but the Devils need more than a survivor if they call a center up. We discuss this and he doesn't even have a contract as we speak.
Arguing over which of these guys plays on gamenight is ridiculous. The team was terrible and the center spot was abysmal after Schmelzer. CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE TO BE MADE TO UPGRADE THAT DAMNED POSITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those upgrades are just as necessary for NJ as they are for Utica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
