New Jersey Devils: Possible Picks With 10th Overall In NHL Draft

The New Jersey Devils hope to get three 1st-round picks in this year’s NHL Draft. The 10th-overall pick might end up getting them one of the most valuable players.

This year’s NHL Draft may be the most important in New Jersey Devils history. The Devils are hoping to have three picks in the 1st round for the first time in franchise history. History has been kind when the Devils have multiple 1st-round picks. In 1991, they took Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rolston in the 1st round (thanks Maple Leafs!). They got Scott Gomez with their second 1st rounder in 1998, and also took Brian Gionta in the 3rd round that year. That was the last year they’ve had multiple 1st-round picks.

This really shows how mismanaged the rebuild was. How have the Devils not been able to get any 1st-round picks over seven years of mediocre play? The New York Rangers seem to get an extra 1st every year. Either way, here we are, with three 1sts, two of which could end up being in the top 10.

If the Arizona Coyotes pick the Devils got in the Taylor Hall trade stays where it is, it’s then 10th overall, which would be huge for the Devils. This draft has a lot of really interesting talent. The issue with the 10th-overall pick is you’re at the whim of the rest of the draft board. They might get a really good defenseman here, but not many had Moritz Seider going in the top ten, and he went 6th.

There are a lot of ways the Devils can go with the 10th-overall pick. We are going to pick different players than we picked for the 6th-overall pick here, but if any of those players are available, they’d take them. These five players are right outside the very top of the talent pool, but their upside is insane.