The Devils wrapped up their Rookie Showcase on Tuesday with a 4-3 shootout win over the Islanders at Northwell Health Ice Center, closing out a week that gave several prospects a final chance to make their case before training camp opens.
It was the second meeting between the two clubs in a matter of days. New Jersey had fallen 5-4 in overtime on Sunday at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House, and this one followed a similar script: plenty of push from the Devils, a game that stretched past regulation, and a finish decided in the shootout.
New Jersey again had to work through an empty first period on the scoreboard, but the chances were there right away. Gabe Klassen had a quality look seconds after the opening faceoff, Ethan Edwards followed with a drive, and Matyas Melovsky kept popping up throughout the game by forcing turnovers, carrying the puck up ice and leaning on his physical edge.
The Devils answered quickly after falling behind less than a minute into the second period. Shane Lachance finished off a loose puck in the slot to tie it at 1-1.
They still found themselves trailing by two at the end of the second, but the special teams got them back in it. New Jersey opened the third with 1:43 remaining on the power play, and Ben Steeves buried one to cut the deficit to 3-2. Then Cam Squires struck on the next power play to even the score again.
From there, the Devils kept the puck for most of overtime, and the game ultimately turned in the shootout. Lenni Hameenaho and Jeremy Wilmer scored to seal the win.
Seamus Casey continued to look like a player who belongs in the conversation for a bigger role. The defenseman is battling for an extra spot on the 2026-27 roster, and he already has 16 NHL games on his résumé. He opened the 2024-25 season with the Devils in Prague and scored his first NHL goal in the second Global Series game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Against the Islanders, Casey was steady again, working well alongside Anton Silaev and showing the kind of calm that stands out in a showcase setting. His positioning was a real separator, whether he was tracking plays from the blue line or fighting for space in front.
His edgework also showed up on special teams. He helped kill off a double minor in the first period, then made his presence felt on the power play by setting up teammates and getting off one-timers himself.
He finished with two assists.
Jakub Malek handled the crease in both Rookie Showcase games, and this one was the sharper performance. The 24-year-old held the Islanders off the board in the first period, turning away a steady stream of shots. He allowed three goals in the second, but stayed composed and made a few sprawling stops along the way.
He also came through when it mattered most, stopping Luca Romano and Victor Eklund in the shootout to deliver the victory.
After practice on Monday, Malek spoke about heading into his second season in North America and was candid about how long it took him to adjust. “It was important to get used to it, and it took time - more than I expected,” said Malek.
He is projected to be the starting netminder for the Utica Comets this season after winning the Ian Anderson Award for the most improved player in 2025-26.
With the Rookie Showcase done, the focus now shifts to the veterans, who report to training camp on Sept. 16. The Devils will open their preseason at Prudential Center on Sept. 20 with an afternoon game against the Islanders.
In Other News...
Devils Rookie Camp Already Put Two Prospects On Everyone's Radar
The Devils rookie camp opened Sept. 11 with a scrimmage against the Islanders prospects, and it did what these early September showcases are supposed to do: give the organization a first real look at young players trying to force their way into bigger conversations. New Jerseys rookies pushed the pace, showed plenty of bite, and made it clear there is competition all over the lineup as the group works toward official training camp.
Anton Silaev, the recent first-round pick, stood out with a physical edge in his first American game, while Matyas Melovsky helped spark a third-period rally with back-to-back goals. The Devils still dropped the game 5-4 in overtime, but the result mattered less than the impression left behind, with several prospects showing they are already pressing for attention as the roster picture begins to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Moved Fast On Luke Evangelista For A Reason
The Devils moved quickly to get Luke Evangelista under contract before the old collective bargaining agreement expired, and the timing mattered. New Jersey had acquired the winger from the Nashville Predators for draft picks, then locked him in on a five-year deal worth $7.25 million, making sure the agreement was finished before the deadline that was set to reshape how contracts could be structured.
The deal is notable not just for its length and cost, but for how it was built, with a heavy front-load and a significant portion paid in bonuses. For a team that has been careful about managing its roster and cap outlook, getting the paperwork done in time allowed the Devils to use a setup that would not have been available under the new CBA restrictions. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Prospects In Russia Are Creating A Real Future Debate
The Devils prospect pipeline has been getting a fresh look in two places at once, with Russian defenders Daniil Orlov and Nikita Shcherbakov off to strong starts and goaltender Daniil Rusakovich also opening his season well in the KHL and MHL. Those early performances matter because New Jersey has been trying to sort through a deeper group of young talent, and the recent prospects camp only added to the sense that there are more names pushing into the conversation than usual.
At camp, Matyas Melovsky, Silaev, Mikael Diotte and Amadeus Lombardi each gave the organization something to think about, even if the bigger picture remains unsettled. The Devils have plenty of reasons to be encouraged, but the real question now is how these separate track records overseas and in camp will translate when the team starts drawing firmer lines around future roster spots. [Read more 🡒]