Has New Jersey Devils 2020 1st-Round Pick Become Expendable?

As the 2019 NHL Entry Draft approaches, the New Jersey Devils are poised to undergo an enlightening transformation. Winning two draft lotteries in the last three seasons is going to expedite the organization’s rebuild. Despite the regression that seemingly occurred this past season, the New Jersey Devils are in a prime position to improve considerably this summer.

Since taking the helm in 2015, General Manager Ray Shero has made the most of his 1st-round draft picks—coped with a good amount of luck of course—to fill some of the team’s most pressing needs. Although Shero has many tradable assets—between his roster, prospect pool and collection of second and third-round picks—winning this year’s draft lottery makes it possible that Ray Shero could use his 2020 first-round pick as a potential trade chip to improve his team.

Whether it’s Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko, the Devils will address a glaring roster need with whoever they pick in this year’s draft, a need Ray Shero would have otherwise needed to sacrifice assets like players, draft picks, or cap space to acquire. Along with these two 1st-overall picks in the last three seasons, a replenishing prospect pool and swath of cap space, Ray Shero is poised to have his busiest offseason since becoming general manager of the Devils.

During his years with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Shero held onto most of his 1st-round picks. While he’s never shied away from including draft picks in trades, the only two times Shero ever traded a first-round pick was in 2008 for Marian Hossa and 2013 for Jarome Iginla. One mutual detail from both these deals is they brought in assets that helped the Pittsburgh Penguins make two deep playoff runs.

If this is an indication of anything, it shows that Ray Shero historically doesn’t part ways with 1st-round draft picks unless he feels his team is capable of making a meaningful playoff run. Although he’s only traded first-round picks at the trade deadline, I could very well see a scenario where Shero parts ways with his 2020 first-round pick this summer—especially considering how a first-round pick is arguably more valuable in the summer before its preceding NHL season than that year’s trade deadline.

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With this year’s 1st-overall pick, the New Jersey Devils will address one of their three most pressing needs—a top-two center (if they draft Hughes), top-six winger (if they draft Kakko) and top-four defenseman (which they’ll have to explore other avenues to acquire). Between the trade market and free agency, Shero arguably possesses the assets and cap space that could have accommodated at least two of those pressing needs, hadn’t the New Jersey Devils won this year’s draft lottery.

In addition to providing incentive for Taylor Hall to sign long-term, Shero has an opportunity to address every one of his team’s biggest roster needs, which—if done properly—will put the Devils in a serious position to contend for the 2020 playoffs. As I mentioned earlier, Ray Shero has only traded first-round picks unless he firmly believes his team is a genuine playoff contender. Not only would using New Jersey’s 2020 first-round pick prevent Shero from parting ways with too many NHL-ready or up-and-coming assets, but could also give the Devils an edge in trade negotiations—especially if it means acquiring a genuine top-end talent.

It’s very much possible Ray Shero could make next year’s first-round pick available if he feels it could improve his team, to the point where their expectations can be raised to being considered a viable playoff contender. While this would be the first time in his general managing career that Shero would surrender a 1st-round pick in an offseason trade, such a move would be a strong indicator of how capable he thinks the New Jersey Devils are of taking that big leap back into becoming a truly competitive organization.

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