Arseny Gritsyuk has been a revelation for the New Jersey Devils. The anticipated Russian forward crossed the pond this summer, inking a one-year, entry-level contract with the team who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
In the KHL, he appeared as an upward developing forward who could distribute the puck well and had an underrated shot.
Yet, in his first taste of the NHL, he’s been as advertised and more.
Arthur Staple, who joined Devils Rink Report with James Nichols, explained why he has been impressed by how seamlessly Arseny Gritsyuk integrated with the Devils, crediting the young forward’s adaptability and mindset for his early success.
“[He’s been] a really good fit, and I think that’s a hard thing to find,” Staple said. “He’s come over, he’s still young. It’s not like he’s a 10-year KHL guy. He comes here, we’re seeing some clips from his Telegram account where he’s kind of having fun being a young guy in a foreign place. I think that’s a great attitude to have and to bring over here.”
That openness has defined Gritsyuk’s transition. The 24-year-old has been willing to play any role for Sheldon Keefe, and it’s only positively impacted him so far.
“I think he’s just game for whatever,” Staple continued. “Bottom six, top six, power play, no power play. He just wants to be a part of it. And I think that attitude serves him so well.”
Staple noted how easily things can derail for young European players, but Gritsyuk has avoided those pitfalls.
“You do see guys who come—depending on the stage they are at in their lives, whether they come from Russia or come from Eastern Europe—and they’re unsure where they fit in, maybe they get a little setback in training camp, or they’re not playing the role [they want]. It can go off the rails real fast.”
Yet, for Gritsyuk, who netted two goals and six points in 13 games so far, he’s shown adaptability, as opposed to resistance.
“This kid just seems like, ‘Yeah, I’m happy to be here, playing pro hockey, trying new foods, do whatever young guys do, being away from home for the first time.’ And I think it’s translated to his game. He just seems to be willing to do whatever it takes to stay in the lineup and get minutes.”
The result? A player unlocking his potential on a rising team.
“I think the skill is showing. The looseness is showing, and it’s really fun to see a young guy like that fit in so well to a team that’s also on the rise.”
You know it’s working well when Jack Hughes is excited about Gritsyuk’s presence, and has already declared him as part of the Devils’ young core.
“Yeah, he’s been good. He’s come in here, and he’s played really good hockey.,” Jack explained. “I think people probably didn’t know what to expect with him. And I know myself, and the guys in this room are really pumped with how good he is. He’s a guy that can be a part of our core for a long time, hopefully. So I think he’s been playing great hockey for us, and it’s evident with how well he’s playing.”
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