They may not be official games, but there is hockey to be played this weekend.
The New Jersey Devils will travel to Buffalo, New York to take on prospects
from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Buffalo Sabres at the 2018
Prospects Challenge. Here are some storylines to follow over the next three
days, as the Devils unofficially start play tonight.John Quenneville';s Time to
 Earn an NHL Spot

John Quenneville has been in the Devils'; system since the team selected him
30th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He had a strong rookie AHL season in
2016-17, totaling 46 points in 58 games. He produced at a 60-point pace last
season but played in just 43 games due to injury.

Quenneville won';t earn a roster spot at the Prospects Challenge. However,
there is an opportunity for him to show he';s a cut above everyone else. At 22
years old, he';ll be one of the Devils'; oldest prospects at the tournament,
which should work to his advantage.John Quenneville hopes the Prospects
Challenge can help begin his campaign to earn an NHL roster spot. (Photo by
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

The Devils could use more secondary scoring, and Quenneville is a strong
candidate to provide some. Staying healthy was a problem last season, but he';s
 worked hard on his conditioning this summer. This weekend';s tournament gives
him a chance to build on his offseason training and show he';s ready to compete
 for an NHL spot during the preseason.Michael McLeod Looking to Rebound

A top draft pick of the Devils in 2016, Michael McLeod had a tough training
camp in 2017-18. He tore his meniscus in one of the team';s preseason games and
 was forced to miss the start of the OHL season.

When he returned to health, he struggled to take his game to the next level. He
 finished the season with 44 points in 38 games, which comes out to a 78-point
pace over a full OHL season. That was lower than his 2016-17 scoring rate,
where he scored at an 87-point pace.From the THW Archives: Devils Select
Michael McLeod 12th Overall

Despite the difficult year, McLeod is still one of the Devils'; top prospects.
They already have Nico Hischier, Pavel Zacha, Travis Zajac, and Brian Boyle at
center, so McLeod will have his work cut out for him. That could force him to
play right wing to make the NHL roster. It wouldn';t be a surprise to see him
get ice time at center and right wing over the next few days.Ty Smith Headlines
 Group of Defensemen

The 17th overall pick this past June, Smith had a dominant showing at the
Devils'; development camp two months ago. He was the best skater there and
closed camp with a hat trick in the Red-on-White scrimmage, where his skating
ability and offensive prowess were on full display.Ty Smith headlines the New
Jersey Devils group of defensemen (Photo by Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Smith will now get to showcase his skills against tougher competition. He may
be a longshot to make the NHL roster, but there';s no denying there';s an
opening for him on the Devils'; blue line. If his performance this weekend
resembles anything close to his development camp, it will only strengthen his
argument for an NHL spot.

Another prospect to watch is Colby Sissons, who will be making his pro debut
this season. He signed with the team as an undrafted free agent just before the
 2016-17 season. He had a breakout 2017-18 in the WHL, finishing with 94 points
 in 98 games between the regular and postseasons. The Devils still have room on
 their bottom defense pair. A strong showing from Sissons could put him in the
mix for one of those spots.Devils Will Have Fierce Competition at Right Wing

The Devils right-wing depth at the NHL level is a bit suspect, but that may
take care of itself during the preseason. Blake Speers, Joey Anderson, McLeod,
and possibly Quenneville all have a shot at playing the position.

Speers and Anderson, both former third-round picks, are natural right wings and
 will likely see the most time there this weekend. Speers played in three NHL
games in 2016-17 before being returned to juniors. He struggled in the AHL last
 season and is looking to get back on the right track. A good Prospects
Challenge could help him do so.Joey Anderson fist bumps fans at the Devils 2017
 Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils/Patrick Dodson)

Anderson had an impressive NCAA career, winning a national title this past
spring with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He also has bronze and gold
medals with Team USA at the U-20 World Junior Championships. He';s excelled in
big moments, which should help him in his first taste against NHL competition.

McLeod, as mentioned above, could be forced into that spot. However, that';s
not necessarily a disadvantage. He has the speed and skill set to help him win
the job. Quenneville has the most experience and may have the most offensive
upside out of the four. The Prospects Challenge won';t determine who earns the
spot, but it should give us glimpse of what will be a competitive battle this
preseason.Related: Six Devils Prospects Who Could Make the RosterWhich Devils';
 Late Round Picks Will Shine?

Last year';s Prospects Challenge served as a stepping stone for Jesper Bratt, a
 2016 sixth-round pick, to make the NHL. That may not happen this season, but
there are a few late-round picks worth everyone';s attention.

Brett Seney is a small and speedy forward who possesses some offensive upside.
He was a sixth-round pick of the team in 2015 and made his pro debut with the
Binghamton Devils last spring, where he had eight points in 12 games. Seney may
 be a dark horse for an NHL spot, but a good Prospects Challenge would help his
 cause.Brett Seney of the Binghamton Devils. (Photo Credit: JustSports
Photography / Binghamton Devils)

Yegor Sharangovich was a fifth-round pick this past June and signed his
entry-level deal (ELC) earlier this summer. He played in 47 games for Dinamo
Minsk in the KHL last season, finishing with 12 points. He has good size, and
his pro experience makes him an intriguing prospect. The Prospects Challenge
will give us our first look at the forward on North American ice.

Marian Studenic, a fifth-round pick himself, is another prospect the Devils
hold in high regard. He spent last season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the
OHL, where he finished with 48 points in 62 games. He also added 15 points in
21 postseason games. The Prospects Challenge gives him the chance to show off
his progress over the last year.Mackenzie Blackwood Needs a Strong Showing

Blackwood has been the team';s top goaltending prospect since he became part of
 the franchise in 2015. He had an impressive OHL career, where he posted a .921
 save percentage (SV%) with the Barrie Colts in 2015-16. Things haven';t gone
as smoothly since he turned pro in 2016-17, though.

He had a .907 SV% as an AHL rookie and followed it with a .882 SV% in 2017-18.
Binghamton should be much better in 2018-19, so that will help him. However, he
 has to show the Devils he can be a long-term asset to them in the NHL. Keith
Kinkaid is an unrestricted free agent next summer, and Cory Schneider isn';t
getting any younger.Mackenzie Blackwood at Devils 2017 Development Camp. (Photo
 Credit: Amanda Aldrich)

Blackwood';s time in the NHL could come sooner than later. He hasn';t shown
he';s ready yet, but the Prospects Challenge will be a good barometer of where
he is. He';ll be facing decent competition, especially against the Sabres, who
boast one of the best farm systems in the NHL. A good showing will give him
confidence heading into the preseason and could get him on the right track in
the AHL.

The post Devils 2018 Prospects Challenge Preview appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHockeyWrite...
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: TequilaMockingbird Online - Toms River, NJ (1:266/404)