The New Jersey Devils are in a unique position with an NHL roster that can contend for the Stanley Cup and a prospect pool fitting of most teams amid a tear-it-down rebuild.

It's a testament to the discipline this front office exercised through the lean years and the quality of their amateur scouting department. It's also a luxury they won't enjoy for long – as evidenced by the fact that there are only two teams from last year's playoffs in front of them in this ranking – but for now, it's one hell of a competitive advantage.

What's more, this group is perhaps unfairly maligned in this ranking by the strict criteria we use to determine who is or isn't a prospect, based on eligibility for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie. So that means no Alexander Holtz, Akira Schmid, Nolan Foote, or Kevin Bahl.

Even so, the Devils managed to sneak three players into our top 100 affiliated skater prospect ranking and had a goalie place fairly highly in our top 15 affiliated goaltender prospect ranking. You'll read about all those prospects and many, many more as we dive into the Devils' system.