The New Jersey Devils have clarified their decision to call up defenseman Topias Vilen instead of fellow prospect Ethan Edwards. Based on the development, performance, and readiness for the next level, the franchise made that decision.

Topias Vilen received his first NHL call-up on April 10, 2026. He made his NHL debut on April 12, 2026, against the Ottawa Senators. The New Jersey Devils Head Coach Sheldon Keefe talked about the reason why Vilen was preferred over other prospects. 

Keefe said the team trusted the defenseman’s steady progress and believed his strong season performance earned him the NHL opportunity.

“They have been really happy with his development over the last three years, but this year in particular,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “They felt he was the guy who earned the opportunity and someone they wanted to get a look at.”

Vilen has been with the Utica Comets for three seasons in the AHL. When the team announced a call-up for the 23-year-old, some fans and analysts questioned the decision. They believed Ethan Edwards deserved a chance before Topias Vilen.

One possible reason is draft position. Vilen was picked 129th overall in 2021, while Edwards was selected 120th overall in 2020. But Vilen has shown tremendous growth in the last three years. He was one of the best defensemen for the team, especially in the second half. The rising star is also potent in all three zones. 

With the Utica Comets, he recorded 27 points in 61 games, including 4 goals and 23 assists, ranking second among defensemen. After returning to the American Hockey League, he added three assists in his last two games, showing consistent performance.

However, Strong Second Half and Maturity Earned Him the NHL Call-Up, said the New Jersey Devils GM

New Jersey Devils General Manager Dan MacKinnon also spoke about the reason for calling up Topias Vilen. He said the defenseman’s growth, maturity, and strong second-half performance convinced coaches he deserved an NHL opportunity.

“We want to be a process-driven organization,” he said.  “This was the third year of his entry-level contract, and he has matured incredibly as both a hockey player and a person over those three years.”

MacKinnon said coach Keefe noticed the defenseman’s strong second-half improvement and asked management to give him a chance at the NHL level.

“He was our best overall defenseman in all three zones in the second half of the year. He didn't have the start he wanted, like a lot of guys on that team, but Keefe watches our games, and he said, ‘I want to see this guy at the NHL level.’” For Ethan Edwards, MacKinnon said his game has evolved in the AHL.

The GM feels Edwards is a strong, skilled skater still learning puck management and adapting his game after transitioning from college hockey.

“Edwards is an elite skater and will be even a high-end skater at the NHL level,” MacKinnon said. "What he was learning this year was coming from college, where he could sort of impose himself on the game with the puck and understand that sometimes less is more in terms of managing the puck and being efficient.”

So, the decision by the New Jersey Devils management reflected who was most prepared at this moment. Vilen’s consistent improvement, defensive reliability, and maturity convinced the organization that he had earned the chance to step onto the NHL stage.

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Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi