TRAINING CAMP: Fitzgerald Impressed by Prospects at World Juniors

At the 2021 World Junior Championships, several Devils prospects have made a name for themselves, and Devils Executive Vice President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has noticed.
"Watching Dawson Mercer just play in any position the coach asked him to, any line, any situation, you watch him kill penalties," said Fitzgerald on the Canadian forward. "What I love about watching any Canadian team in the past is the buy in from these individual kids and Dawson is no different. He's bought into that, that important role of a top penalty killer. He can play the left side, right side, he's heavy on pucks."

Russian defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin is drumming up excitement for the Devils front office with his strong play.
"The amount of ice time he's getting, one of the top five ice time munchers, we'll call them, in the World Juniors, his ability to just cover the ice, skate, simple first pass, can shoot the puck, he's defending better, trying to play physical. Again he's just 18 years old and you know, it gets me excited, it gets our entire organization so excited about what his upside will be once he comes in North America, 23-24 and what he can be at 25."
Swedish forward Alexander Holtz has also caught Fitzgerald's eye especially with his ability to control the game.
"You watch the games, he's all over the puck, he's controlling the play, he's got the ability to make the plays you saw, some of the nice plays he's made and we all know he's a shooter. Leads the tournament in shots per game, I think that's part of a goalscorer's mantra, is to make sure you're getting your shots. And that's all you ask. I'm really excited about him as well."
For more coverage of Devils prospects at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships, stay with NewJerseyDevils.com.