The New Jersey Devils have turned to Riley Tufte after Anthony Mantha’s injury left a hole in the lineup.
New Jersey recalled Tufte from the Utica Comets on Nov. 9, setting him up for the game against the Winnipeg Jets. The move comes after Mantha was hurt in the Nov. 7 game against the New York Islanders, when he took a stick to the throat. The Devils had gone into Sunday night’s matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs carrying 11 forwards and seven defensemen, so the call-up gives them a needed replacement.
For Tufte, the opportunity has been a long time coming. The 28-year-old has bounced around since making his NHL debut in 2019-20 with the Texas Stars, and New Jersey is now the fourth organization he has been with. He has appeared in 28 NHL games, but has never locked down a permanent spot and has spent much of his career shuttling between the AHL and the NHL.
At the minor league level, though, he has been a reliable producer. Tufte scored 32 goals for the Providence Bruins last season, helping them finish with the league’s best record.
He added 21 goals with the Bruins’ AHL team in 2024-25 and had 23 with the Colorado Eagles in 2023-24. That run of production has made him one of the more consistent scorers in the AHL.
He has also taken on more of a leadership role in recent years. As one of the older skaters in the AHL, Tufte has served as a steady presence for younger players. The Comets benefited from that early this season, with his guidance helping the team get off to an 8-2 start.
Even though his offense hasn’t been as loud this season, Tufte still fits what the Devils need. He brings a similar package to Mantha, which is why the call-up makes so much sense.
Mantha had been an important part of the forward group because he brought size, physicality and a scoring touch on the wing. At 240 pounds, he is the kind of power forward who can get to the net and finish chances.
That profile helped him score 33 goals last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he opened this season with five goals and five assists in 17 games. When Mantha put up those 33 goals in the NHL, Tufte was scoring 32 in the AHL.
Tufte offers a comparable style. Listed at 233 pounds, he plays a heavy game and brings a physical edge even when he is on a top line, as he was with the Bruins’ AHL club. That makes him a natural fit for a bottom-six role in New Jersey, where he can provide checking, size and a little offense.
The most obvious landing spot would be alongside Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist, the same spot Mantha occupied. Tufte could step into that role without the Devils taking a major step back.
There is also an argument for keeping the Cody Glass line intact with Amadeus Lombardi and Connor Brown on the wings. That trio has found a rhythm, combining forechecking and defensive work with some scoring pop. Brown and Glass have five goals between them, while Lombardi has four assists.
For now, it remains a matter of how Sheldon Keefe wants to deploy him. Tuesday morning’s skate will be the key test as the Devils sort out their forward group before facing a Jets team that has won three straight and is looking to make a statement.
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