Arseni Gritsyuk recently spoke with Russian sports outlet TASS about his arrival in North America and the opportunity to play alongside stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.
The Devils prospect confirmed he had traveled from Russia over the weekend, documenting his journey on social media. After flights through Montreal and Ottawa, the 24-year-old winger is expected to arrive in Newark this week as he prepares for his first NHL training camp.
Gritsyuk, drafted 129th overall by New Jersey in 2019, spent the past two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League with SKA St. Petersburg, where he recorded 44 points in 49 games. In May, he signed an entry-level contract with the Devils, setting the stage for his long-anticipated move to North America.
Known for his offensive creativity and strong hockey IQ, Gritsyuk is expected to compete for a roster spot immediately. Still, he insists he has no expectations about which line he will play on.
“I don’t have any favorite hockey players — you evaluate them from a professional point of view,” Gritsyuk told TASS. “I studied the team’s roster. Yes, there’s Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier — top-six center forwards. I’d like to join them, but we’ll see how ready I am.”
He also praised the Devils’ two franchise centers, highlighting their different styles:
“Hughes skates well, Hischier is more of a two-way forward — he can also fight in defense. It is clear that Hughes is a superstar, and the whole team is built around him to get results. So it will be harder with him in the line — you will have to do more work. But it makes no difference to me which of them I play with.”
While Gritsyuk emphasized that he isn’t concerned about his specific role, he has made it clear he wants to play in the NHL rather than with the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
Opinion: Gritsyuk Shouldn’t Set a Deadline on His Time with the NJ Devils Before Hitting the Ice
<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">The New Jersey Devils’</a> 2019 129th overall pick is finally heading to Newark.
For Gritsyuk, the focus is simple: make the Devils roster and prove he belongs. With training camp around the corner, he’ll soon have his chance to turn that goal into reality.