5 Devils Prospects Who Could Make Opening-Night Roster

Injuries to the New Jersey Devils' blue line could make for some interesting camp battles over the next few weeks.

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Rookie camp opened this week, with veterans reporting for training camp on Sept. 17. Among the storylines to watch in training camp is which New Jersey Devils prospects could make their opening-night lineup.

Most of the Devils' roster is filled out, but there are a couple of spots — especially with injuries — that could allow a prospect to earn a gig in the NHL to start the 2024-25 season.

Brian Halonen

Brian Halonen is 25, so I wouldn't categorize him as a prospect per se, but he could be one of the young players the Devils have in their system that has a shot at beginning the season in the NHL.

Halonen missed a good chunk of time last season with an injury, playing in just 35 games for the Utica Comets in the AHL. He was highly productive in those minutes, though, totaling 20 goals — a pace of 41 goals over a 72-game AHL schedule.

The Devils did give Halonen a cup of coffee in the NHL last season, but his ice time was limited in the two games he played. Still, he could challenge someone like Nathan Bastian for a roster spot. Halonen plays a physical game at 6-foot-0, 207 pounds, but he might be able to chip in a bit more offense than Bastian.

Adam Beckman

Acquired in the trade that sent Graeme Clarke to the Minnesota Wild, Adam Beckman is a newcomer who will be in the mix for some playing time in the NHL, even if he doesn't make the opening-night roster.

Beckman's strength is his shot, as evidenced by his goal totals in the AHL over his previous two seasons; he has 43 goals in his last 104 AHL games — a 30-goal pace over a 72-game AHL schedule.

Beckman is a bit younger than Halonen at 23, but already has some pro experience, having played in 23 games for the Wild. He has good size at 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, and, like Halonen, might be able to contribute some goal-scoring in a fourth-line role.