Top Devils prospect Lenni Hameenaho to make NHL debut

The New Jersey Devils have found themselves in a rut for quite some time, so why not try something new?

Based on the line rushes posted by Devils’ team reporter Amanda Stein in New Jersey’s morning skate ahead of Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames, forward Lenni Hameenaho is expected to play in his NHL debut. While he’s far from the solution to the Devils’ problems, it provides a possible (and much needed) shakeup for a struggling team.

Hameenaho was recalled from the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, on Saturday after they placed Juho Lammikko and Colton White on waivers the day before. While Hameenaho didn’t play in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, it was expected for him to travel with the team on their current four-game road trip through the northwest, with him making his debut in the first game.

Based on the line rushes at morning skate, Hameenaho is expected to play alongside Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk in the bottom six. Hameenaho isn’t currently expected to play on any special teams units.

Hameenaho was putting together a solid season in the AHL before his recall, as he had nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 33 games, which led the Comets in scoring.

Hameenaho was the Devils’ second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, selected 58th overall. He’s set to become just the third player drafted in that second round to play in the NHL after Gavin Brindley and Oscar Fisker-Molgaard, and the 15th player drafted beyond the first round.

The Devils currently sit in seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-22-2 record and are seven-points behind the Buffalo Sabres for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey will look to bounce back from their loss to the Hurricanes when they visit the Flames on Monday at 9 p.m. EST.