Since returning from injury, Conrad Fondrk has found another gear for Boston University.
The Devils prospect has gone from quiet start to one of the more interesting names in the New Jersey pipeline. After going scoreless in his first two games and then missing time, Fondrk has caught fire with six points - two goals and four assists - in six games this season. That puts him on the same point-per-game pace as fellow Devils prospect forward Matias Vanhanen, who is doing the same thing at rival Boston College.
What stands out is the way Fondrk is getting it done. These aren’t empty numbers or garbage-time touches.
He’s been sniping it, and the recent run has him looking like a player who could force more attention if this keeps rolling. It’s still early, of course, but a breakout here would be a real boost for the Devils’ prospect pool and another reason to keep tabs on the Terriers.
Boston University’s surge has already been a storyline, and Mikhail Yegorov remains a big part of it. The goalie is sitting on a 6-2 record with a 1.98 GAA, a .928 SV% and one shutout.
Elsewhere in the system, center Gustav Hillstrom was recalled to the SHL after a short two-game stint in the U20s and quickly made an impact with an assist. That gives him two points in 14 SHL games this season. Hillstrom was also named to Sweden’s U20s 5 Nations Roster alongside former Devils prospect Alexander Command.
Goaltender Daniil Rusakovich has cooled off a bit, but his numbers are still strong: a 9-6 record, 2.18 GAA and .926 SV% for his MHL team.
Center Quinn McKenzie turned in a good outing for the Soo Greyhounds and now has 13 points in 17 OHL games, though he still has just one goal this season.
On the blue line, defenseman Chase Cheslock keeps producing for St. Thomas. He has two goals and five points in six games from the back end.
The Utica Comets also put together a perfect week with two wins. Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Penguins included Anton Silaev’s first North American assist and a breakaway goal from Lenni Hameenaho, his fourth of the year.
Utica sealed that one with 31 seconds left when Dmitry Osipov scored off a feed from defensive partner Ethan Edwards. David Rittich got the win after stopping 20 of 23.
The Comets kept it going Sunday with a 3-2 shootout win over the Hamilton Hammers. Topias Vilen was the difference in the skills competition, while Jakub Malek picked up the victory after stopping 9 of 11.
Utica’s defense held the Hammers to just nine shots in regulation. Colin White scored his first goal of the season, and Ben Steeves added a power-play tally.
Utica now sits in third place with the best winning percentage in the North Division, and it still has three games in hand on first-place Laval and second-place Toronto.
In Other News...
Devils May Have A Real Shot In The Dylan Larkin Sweepstakes
Dylan Larkins name has suddenly become part of the conversation around the Devils, and that alone is enough to raise eyebrows around the league. The Detroit captain is reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause for a list of 10 NHL teams, with New Jersey among the clubs on it, giving a contender with roster ambition at least a theoretical path into one of the more intriguing trade discussions of the season.
The market, of course, is where this gets complicated. Teams such as Carolina, Montreal and Utah have also been weighed for the kinds of prospect and asset packages they could put together, and the Devils would have to decide how far they are willing to go if the opportunity really opens up. For now, there is no confirmed trade or official move, just a lot of maneuvering and the kind of speculation that can quickly turn a star name into the center of the deadline chatter. [Read more 🡒]
Devils New Jerseys Reopen A Debate Fans Know Too Well
The Devils are about to add another alternate look to the rotation, and this one arrives with some familiar baggage. New Jersey will debut its Hometown Remix jerseys on Nov. 18 against the Montreal Canadiens and wear them 10 times this season, with the design already getting an early look after Macys website briefly leaked the new sweater. The black-heavy style appears to lean in the same direction as the clubs well-received 2023-24 Stadium Series jersey, which should at least give the fan base a frame of reference before the first puck drops.
Still, any time the Devils roll out a new alternate, the reaction tends to split quickly between those who want something fresh and those who would rather the team stick closer to its classic look. The early leak only added to the conversation, especially since the initial merchandise listing on Macys site featured only Timo Meier jerseys, a small detail that only sharpened the curiosity around how the full rollout will land once the team is actually wearing them on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Momentum Is Building Despite Two Concerns Fans Can't Ignore
The Devils came home from a productive road trip with two wins in three games, a stretch that pushed their October record to 9-5-0 and kept the early-season momentum rolling. A handful of familiar names helped drive the results, with Connor Hellebuyck, Luke Hughes, Arseny Gritsyuk, Jack Hughes and Connor Brown all making meaningful contributions as New Jersey continued to stack points.
Still, the good vibes come with a couple of issues that are hard to miss. The power play has not been converting at a strong enough rate, and Anthony Manthas availability is now in question after he left a recent game. For a team that has done plenty right so far, those are the kinds of concerns that can linger if they are not cleaned up soon. [Read more 🡒]