We take a break from looking at the Devils prospects to see who might be added to the pool when unsigned NCAA graduates hit free agency on August 15th. Here are four players the Devils should take a close look at.
Cruz Lucius – The Big Fish
Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 4th round in 2022, then sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Jake Guentzel trade, 6’0” right wing Cruz Lucius has been a consistent point per game player in four NCAA seasons split between the University of Wisconsin and Arizona State.
Last season, after coming back from an injury his junior year, Lucius was dominate, scoring 46 points in 36 games, good enough for 11th in the nation.
The Penguins have confirmed that Lucius is not signing with them and will become a free agent on August 15th with plenty of suitors. The Devils should be one of them. Dobber projects Cruz Lucius with a PNHLe of 72, a potential first line forward. While obviously these models are far from perfect, the potential is clearly there and it is not a stretch to believe that, if signed, Lucius would join several tweeners competing for a spot out of camp.
Philip Svedeback – Steady in Net
If the Devils are going to go with a three goalie carousal next season, and all indications from recent interviews with GM Sunny Mehta are that they might, having a deep pool in Utica just in case someone falters would be a prudent strategy. Jakub Malek certainly fits that bill, but if Rittich and Daws are with Allen in the big club, who platoons with Malek in Utica? Currently, that competition seems to be between Jeremy Brodeur (29) and recently-signed Seth Eisele (27), both on AHL contracts and having showed excellence at the ECHL level, but not yet establishing themselves above that.
Enter 6’4” netminder Philip Svedeback. Originally drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Bruins, Svedeback has been a model of consistency for Providence College since his freshman season with a fluctuating GAA between 2.18 and 2.42 and a save percentage between .900 and .918. A sprained MCL ended Svedeback’s senior campaign short, but assuming the 24-year-old is expected to make a full recovery, Svedeback could be a cost-effective option to compete with Jakub Malek in Utica and provide extra depth in the Devils crease. That said, there should be consideration on how signing Svedeback might impact other young Devils goaltending prospects inching up the pipeline, such as Mikhail Yegorov, and depending on the plan with him, holding off on inking another young netminder to an ELC might be the better long term option.
Stiven Sardarian – Highly-Skilled
Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021 in the third round as a 6’1” 155 pound winger, Sardarian, has filled out his frame and grown a few inches since draft day to around 6’2 or 6’3 depending on the source, and around 190 pounds. What’s uncontested is that the Russian winger is highly-skilled. Since transferring to Michigan Tech his junior season, Sardarian has amassed 79 points in 72 games. His senior season, Sardarian not only led Michigan Tech in scoring, but finished 13th in the NCAA with 44 points, 2 behind aforementioned Cruz Lucius.
Dobber gives Sardarian (sometimes spelled “Sardaryan”) a current PNHLe of 61, solidly within the potential of a top 6 forward. Uncertainty with modeling aside, Sardarian is another prospect with potential who could be had for the low cost of an ELC. The Devils should consider offering him a contract.
Sutter Muzzatti – The Wild Card
Nashville Predators 5th round pick, Sutter Muzzatti has had a bit of an unconventional post-draft career. The 6’6” two-way centerman played for RPI for three seasons before a transfer to Notre Dame this past year. In that final NCAA season, Muzzatti showed flashes of real skill, putting up 32 points in 37 games and winning .509% of faceoffs. There is a pathway to the NHL for big, physical, forechecking centermen, who win faceoffs, and drive play at both ends of the ice. Could Muzzatti be one of those guys? Hard to say, but adding his skillset to Utica would help diversify the pipeline.
As with all NCAA potential free agents, the risk is low.
Your Take
Tell us what you think. Any other potential NCAA potential free agents interest you? For those legacy fans wanting pending UFA Mason Langenbrunner in the Devils system, it appears the young defender is retiring from hockey and using his Harvard degree to go into business. Congrats, Mason, and good luck to you.
Post your comments below.
