9/30 Prospect Update

Monday 9/30
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to Barys Astana 5-2
Artur Gavrus C: E, 1 Shot, 2 PIM (Tripping), 3/9 Faceoffs, 10:32 TOI
Season: 10 GP, 1-1-2, -1, 4 PIM, 1.4 SH/GP, 7.1 SH%, 43.8 FO%, 14:14 TOI/GP

9/29 Prospect Update

Sunday 9/29
OHL
Kitchener plays Oshawa later
Ben Thomson LW: In Albany Camp

Kingston lost to Plymouth 3-2 (SO)
Ryan Kujawinski C: Goal (PP), E, 2 PIM (Kneeing)
Season: 3 GP 3-0-3 +1 4 PIM

9/28 Prospect Update

Saturday 9/28
KHL
Dinamo Minsk defeated Avtomobilist 2-0
Artur Gavrus C: +1, 2 Shots, 6/14 Faceoffs, 17:02 TOI

QMJHL
Gatineau defeated Shawinigan 4-1
Anthony Brodeur G: 16 Saves on 17 Shots

OHL
Windsor defeated Erie 8-4
Ben Johnson LW: Goal, +1

WHL
Swift Current lost to Medicine Hat 3-1
Graham Black C: Goal (PP), E* 3rd Star

Kelowna lost to Victoria 4-3 (SO)
Damon Severson D: -1, 2 PIM (High Sticking), Scored in SO* 3rd Star
Myles Bell LW: Goal, Assist, +2, 2 PIM (Elbowing), Scored in SO* 2nd Star

Both Severson and Bell wore A's in their season debuts for Kelowna.

-------
Jeremy Brodeur is off to a strong junior season for Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS) with 2 shutouts in 2 games.

9/28 Albany Update

Albany played their 2nd and final preseason game tonight, defeating Adirondack 3-2. Albany was outshot 31-21. Notably, Demkov got in another game but Goldenkov didn't. Official Recap, Line Up.

Harri Pesonen LW: 2 Goals (1 PP)
Ben Thomson LW: Goal
Brandon Burlon D: 2 Assists (1 PP)
Jon Merrill D, Eric Gelinas D, Reid Boucher LW: Assist
Maxime Clermont G: 29 Saves on 31 Shots

Albany opens their regular season against Hartford on Sunday 10/6.

Devils trade Krys Barch, 2015 7th to Florida for Scott Timmins, 2014 6th

New Jersey Devils Site
"The Devils have traded forward Krys Barch and a seventh-round pick in 2015 to the Florida Panthers for forward Scott Timmins and a sixth-round pick in 2014."

I updated the Devils draft pick tracker here.

This helps clear up New Jersey's roster while adding to Albany and giving the organization more depth at center. Timmins (age 24) is listed as 5'11, 191 lbs. and is a former 6th round draft pick in 2009. He is on a two way contract ($600K/$65K NHL/AHL split) and is due to be a RFA at the end of the season.

Career Stats:
NHL: 24 GP 1-0-1 (0.04 PPG) -10 12 PIM
AHL: 180 GP 32-41-73 (0.41 PPG) +19 110 PIM
OHL: 226 GP 84-79-163 (0.72 PPG) +60 162 PIM

Nothing to get too excited about since this was more about making space in NJ and avoiding paying Barch a NHL salary in the AHL but he could challenge for a call up if/when injuries occur. Can't complain about adding depth though hopefully Lou stops signing enforcers to 2 year deals - but hey, at least they didn't have to buy Barch out.

Fun facts: The Devils organization now has 4 players from the Windsor Spitefires 2009 Memorial Cup Championship team - Adam Henrique, Andrei Loktionov, Harry Young, and Scott Timmins. Windsor repeated next year with those players minus Loktionov. Also, another former Panther joins Peter DeBoer in New Jersey.

9/27 Prospect Update

Friday 9/27
QMJHL
Gatineau lost to Rimouski 3-2
Anthony Brodeur G: 15 Saves on 18 Shots* 1st Star

OHL
Kitchener lost to Peterborough 5-4
Ben Thomson LW: In Albany Camp

Kingston defeated Niagara 5-1
Ryan Kujawinski C: E, 2 PIM (Hooking)

Kujawinski wore an A for Kingston.

WHL
Swift Current lost to Moose Jaw 3-2 (SO)
Graham Black C: Goal (PP), E, Stopped in SO

9/26 Albany defeats Hartford 4-3 (SO) in Preseason Opener

Albany opened up their preseason with a 4-3 shootout victory over Hartford.

Artem Demkov RW/C: Goal, Assist, Shootout Goal
Dmitri Goldenkov LW: Shootout Winner
Reid Boucher LW: Goal, Shootout Goal
Darcy Zajac RW/C: Goal
Joe Whitney LW: Assist
Seth Helgeson D: Assist
Reece Scarlett D: Assist
Scott Wedgewood G: 12 Saves, 3 Saves in Shootout

From what I can gather Ben Thomson fought Charlie Dodero and Chris McKelvie fought Bretton Stamler. Also, notable the Devils outshot Hartford 18-0 in the 2nd period.

Next preseason game is Saturday against Adirondack. Here is the official recap (with line ups) from the Albany Devils site. They played quite a few guys who are on the bubble to make the team (Young, Boychuk, Carrier, Demkov, Goldenkov, Thomson).

9/26 Prospect Update

Thursday 9/26
OHL
Windsor lost to Sarnia 3-1
Ben Johnson LW: E (Season Debut)

Unfortunately the OHL doesn't track shots or ice time for players...still. Also, Graham Black has been named an alternate captain for Swift Current.

More Players Added to Albany Devils Camp

Via Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice): "Sent to Albany: D-Merrill, Gelinas, Burlon. G-Wedgewood. F-Matteau, Pelley, Sislo, Sestito. To Jr. (Kelowna) -- Severson."

By my unofficial breakdown, here are the players with the A-Devils camp listed alphabetically and by natural position:

Left Wings

Reid Boucher
Riley Boychuk
Dmitri Goldenkov
Mike Hoeffel
Stefan Matteau
Chris McKelvie
Harri Pesonen
Ben Thomson
Joe Whitney
Harry Young

Centers

Rod Pelley
Tim Sestito
David Wohlberg
Kelly Zajac

Right Wings

Alexandre Carrier
Artem Demkov
Mike Sislo
Darcy Zajac

Defensemen

Brandon Burlon
Eric Gelinas
Seth Helgeson
Raman Hrabarenka
Dan Kelly
Corbin McPherson
Jon Merrill
Reece Scarlett

Goalies

Maxime Clermont
Scott Wedgewood

Notably still in Devils camp that could very well end up in Albany's camp soon are: G Keith Kinkaid, D Alexander Urbom, C Stephen Gionta, RW Cam Janssen, LW Mattias Tedenby (could open season injured).

9/22 Prospect Update

Sunday 9/22
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 4-1
Artur Gavrus C: -1, 3 Shots, 4/13 Faceoffs, 12:31 TOI
Season: 8 GP 1-1-2 -2 2 PIM 1.4 SH/GP 9.1 SH% 45.1 FO% 14:21 TOI/GP

More Players Join Albany Devils Camp

Here is Albany's initial press release on the New Jersey Devils sending 15 players to AHL camp and others back to their junior teams.

Per Pete Dougherty of The Times Union, the players in Albany's camp will be joined by C Tim Sestito, C Rod Pelley, and W/D Harry Young who cleared waivers on Friday. Also joining camp are Dmitry Goldenkov and Arem Demkov. He confirms that RW Alexandre Carrier and C Kelly Zajac have joined camp.

I suppose the two Europeans are in camp on tryouts:

RW/C Artem Demkov of Belarus who spent the last 2 years with Elmira - ECHL (106 GP 43-54-97 +10 58 PIM) and has represented Belarus at the WHC twice, including last year. The ECHL site list him at 5'10, 180 lbs. who shoots right and is about to turn 24. He did leave Elmira in January of last year to play with Hamburg - DEL (12 GP 0-1-1 -3 8 PIM) but it appears he re-signed with Elmira in July.

LW Dmitri Goldenkov of Russia who has bounced around in the Russian leagues as of late. Career numbers - KHL: 26 GP 1-1-2 -2 4 PIM, VHL: 63 GP 6-14-20 -6 55 PIM, MHL: 84 GP 34-36-70 +22 50 PIM. The VHL is the professional league just under the KHL, the MHL is Russia's major junior league. He's listed at 5'11, 183 lbs. who shoots left and will be 23 in late February. He attended the New York Islanders developmental camp in 2012.

Devils prospect G Maxime Clermont did spend last year with Elmira, so I wonder if the Devils may be sending players there this season? They are the Senators affiliate though. If I had to guess, I think the ECHL guys will be spread out amongst two teams.

9/21 Prospect Update

Saturday 9/21
QMJHL
Gatineau defeated Rouyn-Noranda 6-4
Anthony Brodeur G: 18 Saves on 22 Shots* 2nd Star

WHL
Swift Current defeated Regina 3-2
Graham Black C: Goal (PP), E, 2 PIM (Roughing)

Kelowna defeated Kamloops 5-2
Myles Bell LW: DNP
Damon Severson D: In Devils Camp

9/20 Prospect Update

Friday 9/20
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to Atlant Moscow Oblast 3-2
Artur Gavrus C: -1, 7/10 Faceoffs, 13:07 TOI

QMJHL
Gatineau lost to Val-d'Or 5-0
Anthony Brodeur G: Did Not Dress (Just returned from NJ)

OHL
Kitchener defeated Saginaw 4-2
Ben Thomson LW: In Albany Camp

Kingston defeated North Bay 5-2
Ryan Kujawinski C: 2 Goals, +1* 3rd Star

WHL
Kelowna defeated Kamloops 5-2
Myles Bell LW: Did Not Dress (Just returned from NJ)
Damon Severson D: In New Jersey Camp

I noticed Kelowna had 3 A's on the gamesheet. Maybe Bell will be named captain?

9/18 Prospect Update

Wednesday 9/18
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to SKA St. Petersburg 5-1
Artur Gavrus C: Assist, +1, 1 Shot, 4/10 Faceoffs, 12:55 TOI
Season: 6 GP, 1-1-2, E, 2 PIM, 1.3 SH/GP, 12.5 SH%, 44.1 FO%, 14:52 TOI/GP

Attempting to Project the Albany Roster and ECHL Guys

This includes my wishful thinking that Brunner's arrival in NJ could possibly push Gionta out of a spot with the big club.

I didn't try to project any specific lines or pairings but I did try to put players somewhere near where they could be in the pecking order. Due to the large number of LW's, I had to move some of them over to RW to make this a bit more tidy.

Please let me know if you spot any errors or omissions. 

Projection
Matteau-Gionta-Tedenby
Boucher-Sestito-Whitney
Pesonen-Pelley-Sislo
Hoeffel-Wohlberg-D. Zajac
McKelvie-K. Zajac*-Janssen

Urbom-Gelinas
Burlon-Merrill
Hrabarenka-Scarlett
Kelly-McPherson

Kinkaid
Wedgewood

ECHL
LW Boychuk
LW Young
RW Carrier
D Helgeson
G Clermont

Notes:
*Not sure if they re-upped him on AHL deal

LW/RW Myles Bell should be in the AHL in my opinion but the roster crunch in NJ and Albany, plus on the reserve list makes me wonder if they will sign him to an ELC soon after all. If the Devils sign Brunner he'd be the 49th contract and Bell would make 50 but Severson will slide so it's more like 49.

Notable Departures
RW Scott Parse (Released in March)
RW/C Matt Anderson to Spartak Moskva (KHL)
RD Matthew Corrente to Carolina Hurricanes (2 way)
C Steve Zalewski to Lukko (SM-liiga)
C Philip DeSimone to Jokerit (SM-liiga - tryout)
LD Stefan Stepanov to Atlant Mytishchi (KHL)
G Jeff Frazee to HC Valpellice (Elite A)

Free Agents
LD Jay Leach
LW Chad Wiseman
LW J.S. Berube
RW Bryan Haczyk

9/16 Prospect Update

Obviously with Devils training camp going on, no prospects have played in preseason CHL action lately. None of them played tonight for the Devils preseason opener.

Monday 9/16
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to Severstal 4-2
Artur Gavrus C: E, 1 Shot, 4/6 Faceoffs, 11:29
Season: 5 GP 1-0-1 -1 2 PIM 1.4 SH/GP 14.3 SH% 44.9 FO% 15:16 TOI/GP

On a line with Irgl and Zakharov again. His ice time slipped a bit recently, we'll have to see if that continues.

9/11-9/12 Prospect Update

Wednesday 9/11
OHL Preseason
Kingston defeated Oshawa 8-3
Ryan Kujawinski C: DNP (Devils Camp)

Thursday 9/12
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to HC Lev Praha 3-1
Artur Gavrus C: E, 1 Shot, 8/15 Faceoffs, 15:37 TOI

He was on a line with Zbynek Irgl and Konstantin Zakharov today.

Artur Gavrus Season Stats: 4 GP, 1-0-1, -1, 2 PIM, 1.5 SH/GP, 16.7 SH%, 41.9 FO%, 16:13 TOI/GP

9/10 Prospect Update

Tuesday 9/10
KHL
Dinamo Minsk defeated HC Slovan Bratislava 2-0
Artur Gavrus C: E, 1 Shot, 3/7 Faceoffs, 14:50 TOI

Continued to center Zbynek Irgl and Tomas Surovy.

9/8 Prospect Update

Sunday 9/8
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to CSKA Moscow 2-1 (OT)
Artur Gavrus C: Goal (PP), -1, 2 PIM (High Sticking), 3 Shots, 3/9 Faceoffs, 16:58 TOI

Looks like he centered Zbynek Irgl and Tomas Surovy.

9/7 Prospect Update

Saturday 9/7
QMJHL Preseason
Gatineau lost to Ottawa 4-1
Anthony Brodeur G: 21 Saves on 24 Shots

OHL Preseason
Windsor lost to Sarnia 6-2
Ben Johnson RW: Didn't do anything notable. Was RW on well regarded 2014 prospect, Josh Ho-Sang's line.

Kitchener lost to North Bay 4-1
Ben Thomson LW: DNP (Off to Devils Camp)

Kingston defeated Belleville 7-2
Ryan Kujawinski C: At least a goal.

Once again, it's hard to really get much info on the OHL preseason.

WHL Preseason
Swift Current lost to Medicine Hat 3-2
Graham Black C: DNP (Off to Devils Camp)

Kelowna defeated Vancouver 6-1
Damon Severson D: DNP (Off to Devils Camp)
Myles Bell LW: DNP (Off to Devils Camp)

9/6 Prospect Update

Friday 9/6
QMJHL Preseason
Gatineau lost to Ottawa 4-1
Anthony Brodeur G: DNP

He did dress as the back up though. Maybe he'll play for Gatineau tomorrow before leaving for NJ.

OHL Preseason
Windsor lost to Sarnia 4-3
Ben Johnson LW: 5 PIM (Check from Behind)

Devils camp invite LW/C Remy Giftopoulos scored a goal, wore the C.

Kitchener lost to Sudbury 5-2
Ben Thomson LW: Doesn't look like he played.

Kingston defeated Oshawa 4-2
Ryan Kujawinski C: Goal (PP)

WHL Preseason
Kelowna defeated Kamloops 4-0
Damon Severson D: DNP
Myles Bell LW: DNP

Both Severson and Bell have probably made their way to NJ.

9/3-9/5 Prospect Update, Finally Some Regular Season Action

Tuesday 9/3
OHL Preseason
Kingston defeated Ottawa 4-1
C Ryan Kujawinski: At least a PPG if not more, *1st Star

He skated between LW Billy Jenkins and RW Sam Povorozniouk who both went undrafted in 2013 and will turn 19 this season.

I had to get the info from the Ottawa 67's twitter feed and I have the feeling Kujawinski had an assist or 2 but I can't confirm.

Wednesday 9/4
WHL Preseason
Swift Current defeated Saskatoon 9-4
Graham Black C: DNP

Thursday 9/5
KHL
Dinamo Minsk lost to Dinamo Riga 2-1
Artur Gavrus C: E, 1 Shot, 4/12 Faceoffs, 17:27 TOI

Looks like he skated with Jacob Micflikier and Geoff Platt.

WHL Preseason
Swift Current lost to Medicine Hat 4-2
Graham Black C: DNP

I suppose Scarlett and Black are already off to NJ for camp.

9/1-9/2 Prospect Update

Sunday 9/1
OHL Preseason
Kitchener defeated North Bay 5-2
Ben Thomson LW: I don't think he played.

WHL Preseason
Swift Current lost to Calgary 4-1
Graham Black C: DNP

Monday 9/2
OHL Preseason
Windsor defeated Plymouth 5-3
Ben Johnson LW: 2 Assists (1 SH)

Once again I had to go off Windsor's twitter feed so that info is limited and not official.

8/31 Prospect Update

Saturday 8/31
OHL Preseason
Windsor tied Plymouth 5-5
Ben Johnson LW: Assist, 2 PIM (Holding)

The OHL doesn't have game sheets for preseason play like the QMJHL or WHL so I had to go off the Windsor twitter feed.

Update: He had an assist on the game tying goal.

WHL Preseason
Swift Current defeated Edmonton 6-3
Graham Black C: 2 Assists (1 PP), +1, 2 PIM (High Sticking)

The game sheet listed Black as the captain. Not sure if this is a preseason thing or not. Regardless, he should be wearing a letter this year.

Kelowna lost to Vancouver 4-2
Damon Severson D: DNP
Myles Bell RW: DNP