The New Jersey Devils' prospect pipeline is heating up, and a handful of young talents have taken significant strides this season. In this update, we highlight five prospects who have boosted their stock the most during the 2025-2026 campaign—players who are proving that growth and determination can turn potential into promise.
David Rozsival: A Late-Round Gem Finding His Groove
Drafted in the fifth round of last year's NHL Entry Draft, David Rozsival is still just 18 years old. That hasn't stopped the 6'1" right winger from making a name for himself with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. After a slow start, Rozsival caught fire, scoring ten goals in ten games during his hottest stretch. He finished his rookie USHL season with 23 goals and 37 points in 57 games—a remarkable leap for a late birthday pick. Known for his relentless cycling, forechecking, and three-zone pressure, Rozsival has the toolkit to become a dependable bottom-six forward. The road to the NHL is long and winding, but his D+1 season was a major step in the right direction.
Daniil Orlov: From Defensive Specialist to Offensive Threat
Daniil Orlov has been on my radar as a potential mid-draft steal for a while, and this season, he's turned many more observers into believers. The 22-year-old KHL defenseman has nearly doubled his point production each year: from seven points in 2023-24 to 15 in 2024-25, and then an explosive 10 goals and 28 points this past season. Orlov has always been praised for his skating and defensive instincts, but the surge in offense has raised his projection to a PNHLe of 54 in Dobber's model—suggesting he could develop into a second-pairing defender in his prime. The Devils will need to be patient, as his contract with Spartak runs through the 2027-28 season, but the wait could be well worth it.
Louhivaara: A Goaltender's Journey Across Continents
Louhivaara's path to the spotlight was anything but straight. He began the season with the JYP U20 team in Finland, posting a solid 2.52 GAA and .917 SV% in nine games. After a brief eight-game stint in the Mestis, he made the bold move to North America, joining the Chicago Steel of the USHL under the guidance of former NHL star Scott Gomez. The gamble paid off. Louhivaara quickly adapted to the high-scoring USHL, finishing with a 12-6-4 record, a 2.86 GAA, and a .905 SV%. He even earned Goaltender of the Week honors shortly after his arrival. For a young netminder, that kind of adaptability and poise is a promising sign for the Devils' future between the pipes.
These three prospects, along with others in the system, are showing that the Devils' future is bright. Whether it's Rozsival's scoring touch, Orlov's two-way growth, or Louhivaara's transatlantic success, the 2025-2026 season has been a year of impressive improvement. Keep an eye on these names—they could be making an impact in New Jersey sooner than you think.