Most Likely Options For New Jersey Devils At Seventh-Overall In NHL Draft
By Rob DeLuca
The Stanley Cup Final is close to a conclusion, which can only mean one thing, offseason is here!
At long last, the New Jersey Devils finally come back into the hockey picture and prepare for the upcoming NHL Draft. There are a few options they can use with the number seven pick.
Option #1 Draft Lucas Raymond
This first option is an absolute dream for the Devils. Lucas Raymond is arguably the third best prospect in the entire draft, but some analysts are undervaluing him which allows the potential for him to fall to number seven. This kid is exactly what New Jersey needs in terms of good wing depth. He could make this roster without question and make an immediate impact. Raymond is the best option for the Devils in this draft outside of Alexis Lafrenière. However, it’s likely he will not be available by the time the Devils are on the clock.
Option #2 Draft Marco Rossi
Yes! If there truly is a hockey god in charge of this league, they will make this happen. Marco Rossi is arguably another top five prospect in this entire draft. With all of the twists and turns the draft brings us every year, there is no reason to believe there is not a good chance that the young Ottawa 67s prospect will be there for the Devils with the seventh-overall pick.
Rossi would be this teams third line center which would bump Travis Zajac back to fourth line and the Devils have the ideal combo of Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Rossi and Zajac. Rossi could also play wing should the situation ever permit. If he is available and the chance is likely so, New Jersey HAS to draft him.
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Option #3 Draft Jake Sanderson
No! I am not even kidding the “after” article that I will write if this occurs will be incredibly strong worded and full of anger. Jake Sanderson is an astounding prospect, but he is not a top 10 choice. His recent hot streak has him getting valued way higher than he actually is worth. If he is potentially getting this much attention that he is off the board by the time seven rolls around or General Manager Tom Fitzgerald does the prudent thing and passes on him. Does this team need defense? Yes, in the worst possible way they do. But, that does not mean you throw the seventh-overall pick in the draft on it just because it’s there. They have a lot of holes and it starts with lack of scoring. Take offense only at seven and pass on Sanderson.
Final Thoughts/Hopes
Based on everything, it appears these are the three main options that the Devils team will be pondering on draft day. Marco Rossi’s name called with the seventh overall pick could be the most likely option since there is a good chance he is there. Who do you believe the Devils draft? Let us know in the comments!