Top prospects for New Jersey Devils

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the New Jersey Devils, according to NHL.com.

Devils 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]

1. Luke Hughes, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: University of Michigan (NCAA): 41 GP, 17-22-39
Hughes (6-foot-2, 184 pounds), who turns 19 on Sept. 9, is expected to play one more season at Michigan and then turn professional. The brother of Devils center Jack Hughes and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes played 10 games for the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki and Tampere, Finland, and led United States defensemen with six points (one goal, five assists) in five games at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.
"It all starts with his skating," Devils assistant general manager Dan MacKinnon said. "He's just so dynamic and exciting to watch. His skills are high-end, like his brothers, but then you have the fact he's 6-foot-2 ... that's a nice bonus. … If you're going to be a top-three, top-four defenseman in today's NHL, the skating and the footwork has to be high-end to log those metrics, and he has it."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

2. Simon Nemec](https://www.nhl.com/player/simon-nemec-8483495), D

How acquired: Selected with No. 2 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Nitra (SVK): 39 GP, 1-25-26
Nemec (6-1, 199) stood out in the top professional league in Slovakia and for Slovakia at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 IIHF World Championship. The 18-year-old had six points (one goal, five assists) in eight games at the Worlds, the most for a defenseman at that age in tournament history. Though not overly aggressive offensively, Nemec has a high hockey IQ and is strong in transition.
"We describe Simon as a player who gets his work done early on the ice because he's such a quick read out there," MacKinnon said. "He gets back for pucks quick and knows what options A, B, and C are. High-end, right-shot defensemen are hard to come by. … The IQ, efficiency and consistency shown are his best assets."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Alexander Holtz](https://www.nhl.com/player/alexander-holtz-8482125), F

How acquired: Selected with No. 7 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Utica (AHL): 52 GP, 26-25-51; New Jersey (NHL): 9 GP, 0-2-2
Holtz is a pure goal-scorer capable of playing a tough, intelligent game. The 20-year-old right wing (6-0, 195) is an effective playmaker and a strong candidate to play a top-six role while earning big minutes on the power play this season.
"The big push with Alex at our exit meeting was letting him know that elite-level conditioning was going to give him the best opportunity to push for a regular NHL spot," MacKinnon said. "It's being in the best shape of your life, and that's one of the reasons why we brought him back from Sweden for development camp (in July). He looks great and is in a good spot right now."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Fabian Zetterlund](https://www.nhl.com/player/fabian-zetterlund-8480188), F

How acquired: Selected with No. 63 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Utica (AHL): 58 GP, 24-28-52; New Jersey (NHL): 14 GP, 3-5-8
The 23-year-old (5-11, 220) had 90 points (39 goals, 51 assists) in 138 games in the American Hockey League the past three seasons. He earned time on New Jersey's top line late last season, and coach Lindy Ruff praised his north/south type of game, ability to control pucks and generate plays in small areas.
"Fabian has gotten measurably better in his three years in the American [Hockey] League," MacKinnon said. "I'm excited to see what he brings. … He's got to play aggressive, he's got to score a little bit, but at 5-foot-11, he's an absolute beast."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Chase Stillman](https://www.nhl.com/player/chase-stillman-8482714), F

How acquired: Selected with No. 29 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Sudbury (OHL): 24 GP, 9-11-20; Peterborough (OHL): 35 GP, 10-19-29
Stillman (6-1, 185) offers tremendous work ethic and versatility when in the lineup. The 19-year-old right-handed shot is the son of two-time Stanley Cup winner Cory Stillman.
"Chase is learning how to harness his natural energy and pace of play to command the puck more, leading to positive playmaking," MacKinnon said. "He will always find his success as a tilt-the-ice, attack-and-pressure winger, but now enhancing his IQ, anticipation and vision game, has raised the ceiling of where he can get to."
Projected NHL arrival:2024-25