10/31/2011 New Jersey Devils Prospect Update

It's prospect update time, the Halloween version! (I haven’t done anything special, just simply publishing the update on Halloween) After the jump I update all the relevant prospect statistics, and talk about Brandon Burlon’s lack of playing time at Albany. 

The Albany Devils split their games over the weekend, losing Friday and winning Saturday. After two mysterious healthy scratches last weekend Alexander Urbom was back in the lineup while Dan Kelly and Brandon Burlon were the odd men out. 

It's important to note Burlon sitting again. The former second round pick left school early to play professionally and hasn't been given an opportunity to play so far this season. Injuries will likely get him some playing time at some time this season, but at this point watching Peter Harrold and Jay Leach play every night certainly isn't helping his development. It's early to say this now, but considering he could have been playing 25-30 minutes a night at Michigan, especially with Jon Merrill out of action, perhaps Burlon should have stayed at school. I don't think Kalamazoo is the right place for him either (nor do I think it is the best place for Joe Sova) so I hope he gets a chance soon.

Vladimir Zharkov returned to action this weekend. Forward Mike Hoeffel has been injured since the first game of Albany's season and hasn't even started skating yet.

Jeff Frazee played both games over the weekend and has settled down after his rough start.  With the recent news that Martin Brodeur is off the IR and Keith Kinkaid is reassigned to Albany, expect Maxime Clermont assigned back in Kalamazoo shortly.

Albany recently signed Mike Banwell a free agent from the University of Maine that was on the team via amateur try-out last year.  He was signed and then loaned to the Trenton Titans of the ECHL.

In the CHL, Scott Wedgewood of the Plymouth Whalers has struggled a bit but was recently named to the OHL all-star team that plays Russia in the 2011 Subway Super Series.  Wedgewood better snap out of his funk quickly though as backup Matt Mahalak (Mahalak was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, whose owner Peter Karmanos, also own the Whalers) is playing well and could start to steal some game time from Wedgewood. 

Thankfully, there are no new updates on the Jon Merrill suspension. He is still due to come off of suspension on November 12^th.  At this point no news is good news.  His teammate David Wohlberg is doing just fine without him.  Wohlberg has 10 points in 8 games and is set to quickly eclipse his best point totals at the University of Michigan of 30 points in his freshman year. 

Blake Pietila has helped the surprising Michigan Tech Huskies to a 5-2-1 start and is averaging about 4 shots per game.  The true freshman is surprising many with his production thus far, and if he continues his scoring pace should see himself on many All-Rookie teams at the conclusion of the season. 

Since I published an update this past Thursday, not too much new news to report, so apologies if you think the content light.  I will be back on schedule for next week!

Thoughts about the healthy scratches of Burlon?  Hoping to see Kinkaid get some action in Albany?  Leave your questions and comments below.  Thanks for reading.