The New Jersey Devils have signed prospects Fabian Zetterlund and Mikhail Maltsev to three-year entry-level contracts. Both deals will kick in next season.
Zetterlund, 19, was selected 63rd overall by the Devils in 2017 and has long been on the radar of NHL teams. The Swedish forward has an unstoppable work ethic that can track down defenders and create turnovers, while preventing much from happening in his own end. The offensive skills he showed in the lower leagues didn’t come to the surface in the SHL, but Zetterlund still has a bright future in professional hockey. Twice he has represented Sweden at the World Juniors, winning the silver medal in 2018. Unfortunately this year was cut short when he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Maltsev meanwhile is a bit more of a wild card. The 21-year old forward spent this season playing for both the KHL and VHL St. Petersburgh teams, but ended up as a full-time member for the top club in the playoffs. The 6’3″ winger had just three points in 17 postseason games for SKA, but has shown more offensive upside in the past. Still, the fourth-round pick from 2016 will have to adapt to a different style of play in the AHL next season if he wants to continue on his current development path.
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