If the New Jersey Devils find a way to retain Samu Salminen, it would be great for thier development system.
On August 15th, a handful of NHL-drafted players who had completed their NCAA hockey careers became eligible to become free agents and sign with a team that didn't draft them.
One of the players, Samu Salminen, was a 3rd-round pick (68th overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft. Since then, they have had high hopes that he can be an NHL contributor.
According to a report by Daniel Amoia of NJ Hockey Now, however, Salminen hasn't taken the necessary steps to leave the New Jersey Devils organization just yet.
He could take the steps to leave for another NHL organization or sign in Europe whenever he wants, but why hasn't he done that yet, now that the deadline has come and gone? There is a chance that the Devils are working with him to get a deal signed.
Would he play in the NHL right away? Likely not. However, a good start to his tenure with the Utica Comets could put him in a position to be a call-up candidate who can play center or wing.
Salminen played two NCAA seasons at UConn and two at Denver. In his most recent season with Denver, the 2025-26 season, he was an alternate captain on a team that won the National Championship. He gained some valuable leadership experience there under head coach David Carle.
This is a player who plays a strong two-way game, but he has another level to reach offensively. He had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 43 games played en route to a championship, which isn't a low total, but he'd like to be more prolific.
Salminen already has a baseline toolbox that will allow him to be a solid pro somewhere, and developing more of an offensive game to go with it could make him a staple in someone's middle six.
If the Devils, who are seeing their pipeline go backwards, could retain him, it would be a win for their organization.
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