New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd year center Joe Blandisi(9) has already tied his 14 assist mark with affiliate Albany Devils through 26 AHL games and is only a pair of goals shy of his high of 9.
The 6′ 200 lbs. forward will likely spend more time in the minors in his sophomore season than he did as a first year player, when for 41 NHL contests he netted 5 goals and 12 assists with a bit of a woeful -14 rating.
He was one of the final training camp cuts to be reassigned to the farm club and in the final year of his entry level deal, so it seems a bit odd that he has yet to appear with the big club in 2016/2017.
The former Barrie Colts‘ assistant captain and top scorer of the OHL with 52 in 2014/2015 will likely see a stat sheet breakout but needs to regain the opportunity.
Originally a Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 2012 draft (#162 overall), he was left unsigned and even attended Buffalo Sabres 2014 camp before his huge season in juniors, when he was noticed and inked.
At just 22-years old, he certainly plays like a skater that deserves to be a full-time member of the show but with all their prospects in the pipeline it will be interesting to see if he continues where he is or move on.