As the New Jersey Devils claw their way back into the playoff conversation with a three-game win streak, they’re not just stacking points - they’re discovering something even more valuable: a young core that might be arriving ahead of schedule. And right now, no one’s making a louder case for a permanent NHL spot than 21-year-old Lenni Hameenaho.
The Finnish winger, taken in the second round of the 2023 draft, has stepped into the Devils’ lineup and brought immediate impact - not just flashes, but real, tangible production. Skating alongside Arseny Gritsyuk and Cody Glass, Hameenaho has helped stabilize what’s suddenly become a highly effective third line. It’s the kind of depth the Devils have been chasing all season, and now they’re getting it without sacrificing their future.
Hameenaho’s breakout moment came against the Vancouver Canucks, where he recorded the first two points of his NHL career. He opened his account by burying a rebound off a Simon Nemec shot, then followed it up with a slick primary assist on Glass’s first of two goals that night. It was a statement performance - not just for the rookie, but for a Devils team that jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held on for a 5-4 win.
That win marked the third straight game the Devils have taken two points - and notably, they’ve won every game Hameenaho has suited up for since his debut on January 19 against Calgary.
And it’s not just about the box score. The analytics back up what the eye test is already telling us: Hameenaho is driving play at a high level.
According to Natural Stat Trick, since his debut, he’s second only to Gritsyuk in 5-on-5 Corsi for percentage (66.15%) among Devils skaters. Even more impressive - he hasn’t been on the ice for a single 5-on-5 goal against during that stretch.
Dig deeper, and the numbers get even more eye-popping. Hameenaho leads the team in 5-on-5 high-danger chance percentage (9-3, 75%), scoring chance percentage (19-6, 76%), and expected goals percentage (86.71%).
These aren’t just solid rookie numbers - these are elite metrics, period. For a young forward just getting his feet wet in the NHL, that’s a strong indication that his game is already translating at this level.
With Hameenaho fitting in seamlessly, head coach Sheldon Keefe now has some flexibility in the bottom six. Connor Brown, a speedy, defensively responsible veteran, can be moved around without disrupting the balance the third line has finally found. That’s a luxury the Devils haven’t had much of this season.
Ironically, it’s two of the team’s top offensive weapons - Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt - who haven’t been on the ice for a 5-on-5 goal since Hameenaho joined the lineup. That’s more of a quirk than a concern, but it does highlight just how much the Devils are relying on contributions from deeper in the lineup right now.
And that’s exactly what makes Hameenaho’s emergence so important. For a team that’s built around stars like Hughes, Bratt, and Nico Hischier, getting this kind of production from a rookie on the third line is a game-changer. It gives the Devils a new layer of offensive threat and helps insulate them when the top six hits a dry spell.
At this point, there’s no logical reason to send Hameenaho back to the AHL. He’s earned his spot - not just with goals and assists, but with responsible, play-driving hockey that’s helping the Devils win games. Unless his performance drops off significantly, he should be in the NHL to stay.
The Devils needed a spark, and they’ve found one in a 21-year-old winger who looks like he belongs. If this is just the beginning for Hameenaho, the Devils might have uncovered a key piece of their future - and a critical contributor for their present playoff push.