5 Prospects New Jersey Devils Can Take With New York Islanders Pick

Daniil Chayka

Daniil Chayka is the other defenseman that will really intrigue fans in this position. He was on loan this year in Russia after the OHL didn’t really materialize for him, he was very inconsistent. His rankings are all over the place (it’s a theme in this draft), and he could be gone around 15 or he could be available into the 2nd round. It’s more likely he goes in the 20s, and he’s someone the Devils will be heavily scouting.

Chayka is someone who could have pushed himself into the top ten if it was a normal season. Obviously, it wasn’t, and now he sees himself as a high upside play. His talent level is there as he showed with Guelph last season, but it just didn’t translate to the Russian game for whatever reason.

He played for an underwhelming Russian World Juniors team along with Devils prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin. Unlike Shakir, he already has decent size as a two-way defenseman. There’s a base to work off of here, which is all one could really ask from a defenseman taken here. Chayka has tools that haven’t been realized to their full potential. Can the Devils get him there? The issue is the Devils have a lot of projects on the defensive end, and Chayka is still a little in between with where he is going to play next.

He should go to Guelph and have another dominant season. He needs the confidence boost and he needs to learn when he’s making the right plays. Then, his next step will be an important one. Either way, the Devils would be happy to get him with their Islanders pick. Chayka is someone with a great foundation.