The Devils need to hit on all three picks in the 1st round of next month’s NHL Draft.
In what has been the longest off-season in New Jersey Devils history, the wait is just about over. In less than three weeks, the Devils could officially sign free agents, wheel and deal, and FINALLY draft players with a plethora of draft capital at their disposal. There is a strong possibility the Devils could flip one of their first rounders for a young, established NHL player. However, as of now, they own three draft picks so we’re going to mock all three potential draft picks.
The Devils could go in so many different directions with the 7th overall pick. There is a consensus top three in this draft, but after that, it is anyone’s guess who will go where. There are two defensemen in Jamie Drysdale and Jake Sanderson who could potentially go in the top six, along with two-way sensation Marco Rossi, sensational hands, vision, and IQ players in Cole Perfetti and Lucas Raymond, and two of the most electric goal scorers in Alexander Holtz and Jack Quinn. You could do no wrong with any of these particular players, and quite frankly each player fills a particular need. If your general manager Tom Fitzgerald having to pick from such great quality of players at pick 7 is a good problem to have. I’m projecting Rossi, Drysdale, Sanderson to go 4-5-6 so that leaves the Devils to choose from Holtz, Perfetti, Raymond, and Quinn.
The Devils will choose one of the best pure goal scorers in the draft in Alexander Holtz. The Devils lack high-end wingers who could put the puck in the net both at the NHL level and in their prospect pool. His overall game is improving, and with proper developmental coaching, he could be more than just a sniper at the NHL level. He has 40 goal potential and is not far away from being NHL ready.
If the Devils were drafting at 10, which they were supposed to have Nashville defeated Arizona (thanks John Hynes), the Devils would be all in on Russian goaltender Yaraslov Askarov. It is still a strong possibility that the Devils consider him with their pick at 7, or even trade up to acquire him a little later in the 1st round. I know, rule of thumb is don’t draft goaltenders high. Askarov is different and not your average goalie prospect. However, he will not be there at 18.
If the Devils stand pat with the number 18 pick, they will draft defenseman Kaiden Guhle. Teams may reach for defenseman earlier than they probably would because of how scarce defensemen are in this draft, but if Guhle falls to here the Devils will probably scoop him up. He possesses a cannon of a shot, much like former Devils draft pick Sheldon Souray. The left-handed Guhle skates extremely well and is a very good defender. If the Devils are fortunate enough to draft him, he could be a fixture on the blue line as a mid-pairing defender.
The Devils double dip in the right wing department with Jacob Perreault, the son of former NHL center Yanic. Perreault is somewhat of a wild card in this draft, but it is not because of his abilities. Much like Holtz, Perreault can put the puck into the net. He possesses one of the best shots in the draft and is oozing with offensive potential. Like a lot of offensive players of his ilk, questions are surrounding his all-around game.
Playing a two-way game requires a commitment, attitude, and work ethic so the coaching staff will have to work on that with Perreault. In today’s NHL you need guys who are willing to compete in all phases of the game, and if Perreault is willing he could be more than just a scorer at the NHL level he could end up being a steal at 20. Having three 1st-round draft picks, the Devils could take the risk of drafting Perreault.
The Devils get two pure wingers and a defenseman in the 2020 NHL draft. If Alexander Holtz, Kaiden Guhle, and Jacob Perreault are all part of the Devils’ future this team could be in great shape.