VOORHEES, NJ — The Devils have drafted at the left wing position in recent seasons and could show the fruits of their labors in coming seasons. Two of those players who have come up through the system are currently on the Devils roster, and are in the top 10 in point leaders: 2009 All-Star Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. So, who could be joining them on the parent club in future seasons? In our next look at the prospects for the New Jersey Devils, we will focus on the left wings position. 1. Mattias Tedenby – Sweden Tedenby, New Jersey’s first round draft pick in the 2008 entry draft (24th oveall), has been compared by some to current Devil Brian Gionta. With good speed and an ability to get dirty in the corners, Tedenby plays a lot bigger than his size (5’ 10″). Tedenby currently has split time this season between HV 71 in the Swedish Elite League, IK Oskarshamn in the Hockey Allsvenskan, and Sweden’s under 20 team. Outlook: Many feel Tedenby is a couple of years away from making the trip across the Atlantic and joining the Devils, but the consensus is he can be a top scorer for a team that has had trouble in finding a true scorer. 2. Alexander Vasyunov – Lowell (AHL) Vasyunov is in his first season in North American hockey after playing in his native Russia. The Devils second round pick in 2006 (58th overall) is having a decent rookie season in the AHL for the Lowell Devils with nine goals and seven assists in 39 games (through January 31, 2009) and seems to be getting adjusted to the North American style of play. Vasyunov is another player with a good nose for the net. Outlook: Vasyunov will need probably another year of the AHL before getting a chance to make the NHL out of camp. 3. Mike Hoeffel – Univ. of Minnesota (NCAA) The Devils 2007 first round pick (57th overall) for New Jersey, Hoeffel had a good freshman season for the Gophers with nine goals and 10 assists in 45 games. This season, Hoeffel has seven goals and five assists in 22 games for Minnesota. Hoeffel has good size and skating ability and likes the physical game as well. Outlook: Look for Hoeffel to battle for a spot in New Jersey once his collegiate career is complete. If he makes the jump to the pros early, Hoeffel will most likely get his feet wet in Lowell. 4. Brad Snetsinger – Lowell (AHL) and Trenton (ECHL) A free agent signing in December 2007, Snetsinger has played well in his rookie pro season. After starting the year in Lowell where he played in only eight games, Snetsinger was re-assigned to Trenton where he has been a big factor in the recent play of the T-Devils. With nine goals and nine assists in 23 games in Trenton, Snetsinger has settled into the pro game. Outlook: Expect Snetsinger to be back in Lowell sooner than later and to compete for a spot in New Jersey next season. 5. Vili Sopanen – Pelicans (Finland) Sopanen is having a solid season over in Finland with nine goals and 15 assists this year. A sixth round choice in 2007, Sopanen has excellent size (6’ 4″, 209 lbs.) and the ability to adapt to a more physical game in North America. Outlook: If Sopanen decides to come over to North America, he’ll be expected to play a strong two-way game and would be a candidate to start next season in Lowell. Contact the author at tom.hoffman@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.