New Jersey Devils Draft Profile: Potential 2nd Round Picks
By Drew Ruscil
In previous posts we have profiled players the New Jersey Devils could pick with the number 6 pick overall in the first round of the draft. Players such as skilled forwards Mitch Marner and Mathew Barzal or power forwards Lawson Crouse and Pavel Zacha. We have also discussed what the New Jersey Devils should do with the number 6 pick if some of these top forwards are not available and maybe the best player left is a defenseman (for example Noah Hanifin).
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The New Jersey Devils also have 2 picks in the second round of the draft (#36 and #41) and these picks will also be a big part of the
. The 2015 draft is considered a very deep draft and many players projected to go in the second round could turn out to be strong NHL players. Below is a brief look at some of the top forwards the Devils might be able to draft in the second round.
Jeremy Bracco RW – Bracco is a high risk high reward prospect and has scored at more than a point per game pace at every level he has played at. His play-making ability and vision often draws comparisons to Patrick Kane. At 5’10” and 165 lbs however, the question is can the smaller Bracco achieve the same success at the NHL level. Bracco is currently committed to Boston College, where the New Jersey Devils will already have 3 prospects (Santini, Wood and Dudek) playing next season. If he is available in the second round I believe the New Jersey Devils will give Bracco a long look.
Denis Guryanov LW/RW – Guryanov by all accounts should be a top 10 pick in the first round. He has elite speed, size and a strong shot. The x factor that may drop Guryanov to the second round is that nobody is sure whether he will stay in the Russian KHL league or not. He did however attend the NHL combine in Buffalo so that might be an indication that he is considering coming over to north America sooner rather than later. A high-end talent of his level, if he is still on the board in the second round, you draft him and run.
Anthony Beauvillier C/LW – A dynamic scoring center, Beauvillier had 42 goals and 52 assists in 67 games playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL this year. Like Bracco, Beauvillier is only 5’10” and some NHL scouts feel that is the only reason why he is not projected as a first round pick. A center with a shoot first attitude is exactly what the New Jersey Devils need up front. I think it is a sure bet he is on the New Jersey Devils radar.
Jack Roslovic C – Roslovic is a play-making center with excellent puck handling skills. Considered more of a set up man than a finisher, Roslovic surprised some when he scored 6 goals in 7 games at the under 18 world juniors this year. If the New Jersey Devils can draft a finisher with one of the earlier picks Roslovic might be just the center to compliment him.
Conor Garland RW – Garland took the QMJHL by storm this year. Playing for the Moncton Wildcats, in 2013-14 Garland scored 54 points in 51 games, but in 2014-15 he led the league with 129 points in 67 games. So why isn’t Garland a first round pick? At 5’8” and 165 lbs, size is once again a factor as scouts wonder if his wizardry can work against bigger opponents in the NHL. As a result of this, Garland might even be available to draft in the third round. Given the recent success of Tyler Johnson in the NHL, it will be interesting to see if anyone is willing to take a chance on Garland early in the draft.
In my opinion, Guryanov is the least likely to be around in the second round and Garland is the most likely. If the Devils come away with two of these forwards, and a forward in the first round, they are well on their way to rebuilding their forward corps.
What are your thoughts New Jersey Devils fans? Does the height of a Garland scare you away or would you take the risk on drafting him? Does the Russian factor make you pass on Guryanov if he is around when you pick? Of course the New Jersey Devils have become famous for finding solid defenseman in the second round the past few years, so I would not be surprised if they pick a defenseman with one of these picks either. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and stay with us as the off-season begins to heat up in the next couple of weeks.