Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
A few years ago Alex Kerfoot forgoed turning pro – and joining the New Jersey Devils organization – to play out his senior year in Harvard.
He didn’t end up signing with the team that drafted him (New Jersey), instead electing to wait things out and handpick his destination in free agency.
The Devils now have to worry about Reilly Walsh, one of the team’s top blueline prospects, doing the same.
Wednesday afternoon it was reported the 20-year-old defender would return to Harvard for his senior season, as opposed to inking an ELC with the Devils.
While it’s far from a given Walsh would have immediately stepped into the NHL, his numbers over the last two seasons (58 points over 63 games) suggest he may have been ready to compete for a spot as soon as October (or whenever the 2020-21 campaign begins).
Returning to Harvard to finish a degree is hardly a poor decision for Walsh personally, especially in these times, but it is something the Devils should be concerned about.
Even if Walsh told Devils management he plans on signing with the team when the year is done, there’s a very real possibility he is tempted to change his mind. And it’s hard to blame him.
Put yourself in Walsh’s shoes. You are a highly touted 21-year-old with your whole career ahead of you. Almost every team in the NHL wants you. Would you immediately sign with Team X or wait a couple months and listen to pitches from anyone and everyone?
Rather than signing with New Jersey, a team that’s enjoyed almost no success for a decade, you can sit on your hands for a small period of time and then listen to pitches from contending teams, big market teams, warm weather teams, teams closer to home, etc, etc.
Unless I’m a Devils fan growing up, or *extremely* loyal, I’m probably waiting things out and picking my home based on what is most important to me.
Time will tell if Walsh feels the same way.
Recent Posts
2020-21 player profile: Pavel Zacha
2020-21 player profile: P.K. Subban
2020-21 player profile: Jack Hughes
2020-21 player profile: Miles Wood
2020-21 player profile: Jesper Bratt
2020-21 player profile: Nico Hischier
2020-21 player profile: Will Butcher
New Jersey’s three stars of the month for February
Reviewing New Jersey’s deadline moves
An in-depth look at the Coleman and Greene trades
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»