New Jersey Devils Top Prospects
A look at the Nashville Predators top prospects heading into the 2015-16 season. The write ups for the Predators prospects are from mid-season, updating the progress of some of the Predators top prospects.
Pavel Zacha: Center – 6'3" / 210
Drafted: 6th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2015
After a somewhat underwhelming first season in Sarnia (given a player his status, anyway) Zacha has been very impressive in 2015-16.
Through 26 games Zacha has scored 18 goals (surpassing last year's total of 16 in 37 games) and recorded 34 points.
Zacha was loaned to Czech Republic for the World Juniors, but his tournament didn't go overly well as he was battling injuries throughout and managed just one point in the three games he did play.
Still, he possesses all the talent in the world and this season's production gives Devils fans reason to be optimistic about his future.
He'll be given a long look by the Devils in training camp next year and could very well stick.
Mackenzie Blackwood: Goaltender – 6'4" / 215
Drafted: 42nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2015
Blackwood has quickly developed into one of the top goaltending prospects in hockey.
After a respectable draft year where he posted a .906 SV% (the OHL is a higher scoring league than the NHL) Blackwood has taken huge steps forward this season with the Barrie Colts.
Blackwood owns an 18-7-0 record, a CHL-best .931SV% and is perhaps the biggest reason the Colts are fighting it out with Kingston for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Blackwood had an underwhelming World Junior tournament (.860 SV% in three games) but he was cold entering the tournament as he served an eight-game suspension for a slash just prior.
As a whole, Blackwood's body of work this season has been nothing but impressive. He'll need to polish his game in Albany next season, but he may not be more than two or three seasons away.
John Quenneville: Center – 6'1" / 205
Drafted: 30th overall overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2015
This season Quenneville has been a key cog for an excellent Brandon Wheat Kings team in the WHL.
Through 27 games he's scored 14 times and added 35 points. In 57 regular season games last year, he managed just 17 goals and 47 points, so he has certainly taken a noticeable step forward this season.
It hasn't gone unnoticed, either, as he was chosen to play for Team Canada at the World Juniors (he had a goal and an assist in five games).
Quenneville is known for a strong 200-foot game and figures to be a capable middle-6 forward at the NHL level down the road.
Write-up by Todd Cordell, on Twitter @ToddCordell
2015 Draft
1 6 Pavel Zacha (C) - Sarnia Sting (OHL)
2 42 Mackenzie Blackwood (G) - Barrie Colts (OHL)
3 67 Blake Speers (C) - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
4 97 Colton White (D) - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
6 157 Brett Seney (L) - Merrimack College (H-East)
2014 Draft
1 30 John Quenneville (C) - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2 41 Joshua Jacobs (D) - Indiana Ice (USHL)
3 71 Connor Chatham (R) - Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
5 131 Ryan Rehill (D) - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
6 152 J.D. Dudek (F) - Kimball Union (N.H. H.S.)
6 161 Brandon Baddock (C) - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
2013 Draft
2 42 Steven Santini (D) - U.S. National Development Team (USHL)
3 73 Ryan Kujawinski (C) - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
4 100 Miles Wood (L) - Nobles (Mass. H.S.)
6 160 Myles Bell (R) - Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
7 208 Anthony Brodeur (G) - Shattuck St. Mary's (Minn H.S.)
New Jersey Devils Top Prospects
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| Rk | My NHL Trade Rumors |
The Hockey News |
Corey Pronman ESPN |
Hockey Prospectus |
Hockey's Future |
Dobber Prospects |
NHL.com |
| 1 | P. Zacha | P. Zacha | P. Zacha | P. Zacha | P. Zacha | P. Zacha | P. Zacha |
| 2 | S. Santini | S. Santini | S. Santini | S. Santini | Damon Severson | J. Blandisi | S. Santini |
| 3 | M. Blackwood | M. Blackwood | J. Quenneville | R. Kujawinski | S. Santini | J. Quenneville | S. Matteau |
| 4 | J. Blandisi | J. Quenneville | S. Matteau | J. Blandisi | M. Blackwood | R. Boucher | S. Helgeson |
| 5 | S. Kalinin | S. Matteau | R. Boucher | M. Blackwood | R. Boucher | M. Blackwood | R. Hrabarenka |
| 6 | R. Kujawinski | R. Boucher | B. Speers | J. Quenneville | B. Coleman | B. Speers | |
| 7 | S. Matteau | R. Hrabarenka | M. Wood | A. Kerfoot | J. Quenneville | M. Wood | |
| 8 | J. Quenneville | S. Helgeson | M. Blackwood | J. Jacobs | J. Jacobs | M. Lorito | |
| 9 | S. Helgeson | B. Pietila | R. Hrabarenka | S. Matteau | B. Speers | V. Mozik | |
| 10 | R. Hrabarenka | S. WedgeWood | B. Pietila | S. Kalinin | S. Matteau | J. Jacobs | |
