New Jersey Devils Full 7-Round Mock Draft

4th Round, 120th Overall

Devils select Alex Cotton, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Technically, according to Corey Pronman’s mock draft, Alex Cotton would have been available with the Devils next pick, but the team should reach to grab this defenseman to make sure he isn’t off the board here. Cotton is an overager that’s been overlooked in his own draft year, forcing him to go through the process again. He won’t face the same fate this season.

Something changed in Cotton after he was looked over, and that motivation turn into points. He went from 11 points in 54 games two seasons ago, to 67 points in 63 games last year. Clearly, someone did not like getting passed over in the NHL Draft.

Some might question this jump in points, but it’s important to reward players who play well. Showing that an increase in production leads to positivity will keep them making the right plays on the ice. Cotton clearly had a skill set that needed unlocking. Now, it’s unlocked and a team is getting a really good offensive defenseman late in the middle rounds of the draft.

Where the Devils will fall in love with him is in the transition. His ability to get the puck out of the defensive zone without having to make a pass is important in today’s NHL. He does a lot of little things that put together makes him a big upside pick.

Hayden Fowler is one player that’s hard to ignore for the Devils here. The OHL 1st-round pick had a decent season with the Soo Greyhounds. After a trade to the Oshawa Generals, he might be on the way to exploding on the score sheet. If Cotton is somehow available with the next pick, Fowler would be a great pick for the Devils at 120.