The New Jersey Devils are making moves-and one of them could lead to a big moment for a rising young forward.
On Saturday, the Devils recalled Lenni Hameenaho from their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. The 19-year-old winger has been turning heads in his first season of North American pro hockey, leading Utica in scoring with 21 points in 33 games. That’s no small feat for a rookie adjusting to the grind of the AHL, and it’s a big reason why he’s getting the call-up now.
Hameenaho’s game has been quietly building momentum all season. He’s shown an ability to find soft spots in the offensive zone, make smart reads on the forecheck, and contribute consistently on the scoresheet.
With Seamus Casey right behind him at 18 points in 27 games, Hameenaho’s production stands out even more. The Devils clearly see something they like-and they’re giving him a shot to show it at the NHL level.
To make room, the Devils placed forward Juho Lammikko and defenseman Colton White on waivers. Both cleared earlier in the day and were reassigned to Utica.
Lammikko, who logged 22 games with the big club this season and tallied two assists, will now have a chance to get more ice time and rhythm with the Comets. The same goes for White, who recorded four assists in 23 games.
With Hameenaho now up with the Devils, Lammikko in particular should see a bigger role in Utica’s forward group.
There’s also a bit of roster chess going on here. Ondrej Palat is currently dealing with an illness and could miss tonight’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.
That opened the door for White-still with the team during the 24-hour waiver window-to slot in at right wing on the fourth line during morning skate. But that may have just been a placeholder while the Devils waited for Hameenaho to arrive.
And that’s where things get interesting. Hameenaho has yet to make his NHL debut, but there’s a real chance it could come tonight-at home, against a division rival, in a game with weight. That’s the kind of stage that can launch a young player’s confidence, especially one who’s been trending upward all season.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET at Prudential Center, where the Devils will look to flip the script after a tough outing the last time they hosted Carolina. With a potential debut in the mix and some fresh legs in the lineup, there’s a bit of added intrigue in Newark tonight.