As another year is about to end, we take a look at the prospect pool and dish out some mid-season awards.
Best Breakout Season — Gustav Hillstrom
The breakout star in the Devils pool this season out of the gate has been Gustav Hillstrom, and while difficulties cracking and earning quality minutes in the SHL have slowed his overall production since his call-up, Hillstrom’s 21 points in 14 games for the Brynas U20 team has elevated him up the rankings more than any other prospect so far.
Hillstrom was drafted earlier this year in the 4th round (114th overall) as one of the top faceoff takers in the draft per Dobber prospects and generally one of the better overall defensive centers. His knock at the time he was drafted was offensive output, so the outburst in the Swedish U20 is very encouraging. Should the 6’2” Hillstrom continue to develop offensively at the higher levels he could become a coveted third line, two-way center in the NHL someday.
Best Forward — Lenni Hameenaho
This was an easy choice. Despite a pointless start in his first ten or so games adjusting to the league, Hameenaho has been one of the hottest forwards in the Devils system since then with 14 points in his last 16 games. That’s good enough to lead the offense for the Comets, despite the slow start.
In short, lately, Hameenaho has been everything as advertised. It should not be long until he’s making his NHL debut.
Best Defenseman — Seamus Casey
If asked who is the best defensive prospect in the Devils system overall, my answer would be Anton Silayev, but the Russian defenders troubles under his new coach have been well-discussed on these pages, so for at this point in the season, I am giving this award to Seamus Casey.
It has been a rough season for Casey, who started the season on injury reserve. However, the offensive defenseman has picked it up recently in the AHL and is amongst the team lead in points with 12 in 20 games.
Best Goalie — Jakub Malek
Similarly to best defenseman, I would choose Mikhail Yegorov as the best goalie prospect in the Devils system. However, given Boston University’s struggles this year, which have tanked Yegorov’s numbers, I am giving the slight nod to Jakub Malek for this award.
This would have been a toss-up decision between Nico Daws and Jakub Malek, two goaltenders for the hapless Utica Comets. Neither netminder has been particularly impressive. However, at 25 years old, I no longer consider Nico Daws of prospect age, so I gave the nod to Malek, who despite a slow start, has been strong lately and sports a 2.78 GAA and .901 SV% split between the AHL and ECHL at the time this post was drafted on Saturday.
Your Take
Post your opinion below.