The latest reports show that the league seems destined to doing the NHL Draft in the beginning of June. Many might be against it, but we see the positives in it.
On Friday, many sources, including former guest on the Let’s Go Devils Podcast Greg Wyshynski, reported that the NHL seems to be full steam ahead with holding the draft in June. It seems very presumptuous and the reports say the teams aren’t on board, but on the heels of the success of the NFL Draft, it sounds like the league and the networks are determined to make it happen. While some may not be on board, this could be a good thing for the New Jersey Devils.
It looks like the draft is going to happen before the regular season ends, or even restarts, which means the conditional picks won’t have a conclusion. That’s extremely important to the New Jersey Devils. They currently have three conditional picks in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Under the proposed agreement, the NHL would put forth their proposal into how they think the picks should be solved, then the two teams could try to come to another agreement. If they can’t come to an agreement, the NHL’s decision is final.
Also, it looks like teams would only be allowed to move up four picks, so while that means the Devils won’t be getting Alex Lafreniere, but it also means that the Arizona Coyotes pick could move up to sixth and still belong to New Jersey. We will take that trade off. As with anyone, it’s all an outside chance, and we’d love Lafreniere, but if the Arizona Coyotes won one of three picks, they’d lose a top-ten pick. Now, they’re guaranteed to get said pick.
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The Vancouver Canucks pick the Devils got in the Blake Coleman trade is much more complicated. The Canucks are technically not in the playoffs by total points, but they are in the playoffs by point percentage. We could see this going down to the NHL arbitrator. That could mean the Devils get an extra asset on top of the pick they currently have. If Vancouver wants to keep their pick this season, it’s going to cost them.
Also, this would give the Devils time to evaluate their talent as a whole. They could even hold a traditional development camp once their season ends. We highly doubt the Binghamton Devils season ever resumes. So, they can hold a camp for every big prospect they have. The Devils can really evaluate whether players like Graeme Clark, Nick Merkley, Nathan Bastian and Ty Smith are ready to take the next step, whatever that step may be.
We highly doubt the Devils would hold a development camp without new draft picks, but with a June draft there would be plenty of time for evaluation.
Also, with a June draft, the Devils would have ample time to figure out the best place for these players to play. There’s a real possibility that there will be no NCAA hockey this season. Honestly, the NCAA will focus on basketball and football first and foremost. Then, they will focus on a couple women’s sports to follow Title IX provisions. Hockey may take a backseat, which could put some of the Devils top prospects in flux. Would Tyce Thompson and Reilly Walsh sign with the Devils since they are losing their next season of hockey? That’s something down the line, but getting to know their thinking during a development camp is the first step.
A June draft is something we could all use. We need something to get our minds off this pandemic. Hockey may still be far away, but let’s celebrate the ability to watch something.