Chase Stillman

October 2024 – As has been apparent since starting his pro tenure with the Utica Comets, the energy is without question in Stillman’s game. The problem is – and has been – that there is not much else appealing about it. He has shown sporadic flashes of NHL-level stick skills, and rare bursts of speed and acceleration, but he hasn’t proven any consistency with either. If he wants to make the jump to being a fourth-line energy forward, he will need to show more than physicality and effort. There is still time to be sure, but it is running out. JP Gambatese

July 2024 – The energy and effort are consistently there for Stillman; it’s easy to see him as a hard-working fourth-line grinder who gives it his all. Sadly, it’s hard to see beyond that without a significant breakout, which hasn’t yet come. His maturity has always been a strength and has quickly translated into pro hockey, although he has limitations. Being a first-round pick has given Stillman some unfair standards as a prospect, but there’s still positivity that he can be impactful at the NHL level, even if he is not a key contributor.  Austin Kelly

August 2023 – It’s rare when a player who has under a PPG in their OHL DY+2 season becomes a long-term NHL-caliber player. In the last 10 years, only 2 active NHLers (Radek Faksa and Max Jones) have played over 200 NHL games while being under PPG in their age-20 season, but like Stillman, both have stuck due to their physicality and IQ, both traits that should make the transition to the AHL a breeze for the OHL Cup winning Stillman, who’s NHL future looks destined for the bottom-six as a responsible defensive option. A big offensive growth in Utica could solidify his NHL potential rather than make it a question mark. – Austin Kelly

March 2022 – Stillman hasn’t yet reached the point-per-game mark so far (50 points in 59 games), a rarity with first-round picks, but he was traded from Sudbury to Peterborough in the OHL and his production has peaked slightly since, with 16 points in his last 17 games since February. He still plays with that edge he showed in both the Danish U20 league and the World Juniors, but his offensive game still needs some polishing. With a bunch of time ahead of him to figure that part out, there’s no rush to bring Stillman to the pro level. He’ll likely see his next two years of OHL eligibility out and join the Devils’ AHL affiliate from there. Hadi Kalakeche

July 2021 – Stillman was selected in the first round, 29th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

July 2021 – With the OHL season on hold, Stillman packed up and went to play in Denmark’s U20 league – not exactly the greatest level of competition for a player looking to cement himself as a high-end NHL prospect. He did all he could there, though, and finished with 16 points in just eight games before adding another four points in seven games playing a checking role for Canada at the U18s.

Stillman plays a high-energy game, pressuring on the forecheck and providing relentless back pressure in defensive transition. He protects the puck well in traffic areas and even if he isn’t an elite passer, he does have some one-touch puck-moving elements to his game that help him be effective in tight spaces. He isn’t likely to be an offensive dynamo at the professional level, but Stillman’s potential as a middle-six energy player that can chip in with some secondary scoring will be awfully enticing at this point of the draft. Nick Richard