New Jersey Devils: 5 Legit Lottery Prospects To Think About
Well, we finally made it. It is draft lottery day. Unfortunately, the New Jersey Devils are heavily involved again. They won it in 2017 and 2019, so luck has certainly been on their side. They would like to at least be lucky enough to be in the top four this year so they can grab another young kid to the mix. They have a young core building up right now and are still a few pieces away.
The New Jersey Devils would love to add something special from the 2021 NHL Draft.
Nico Hischier was the first-overall pick in 2017. Ever since that moment, building around him has been the main priority. He has developed into a very good two-way centerman that needs to add just a bit more offense to his game. As he continues to grow, he is going to be known as one of the best two-way centers in the league. They gave him the honor of captain this past season so you know they think he is special.
They drafted Ty Smith 17th overall in 2018 as it was the one time during this era that they weren’t a lottery team. It was also the best draft pick made by the franchise that wasn’t a number-one overall pick in a long time. He is becoming a very good young defenseman.
In 2019, when they won the lottery again, there was no decision involved as they selected Jack Hughes out of the United States National Development program. He is going to be an offensive superstar in short order. Combine that with the selection of Alex Holtz in 2020 and you have a nice little core developing. These are five prospects that could land with this core depending on how New Jersey does in the lottery:
1. Owen Power
Owen Power would add a lot to the New Jersey Devils defense core that needs help.
Owen Power is considered by many to be the number one prospect heading into this draft. Of course, this year has an argument for a lot of different players but Power is one of the main guys. Power has a big frame at 6’5″ and 214 lbs. He plays defense and he would instantly improve the outlook of the core in general. Adding a big-time defenseman like this would really show signs of the Devils turning the corner if he lived up to his potential.
Power played for one year at the University of Michigan where he was a great player. From the blue line, he had three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 26 games. All of that came while playing a very solid defensive game for the Wolverines. He also played in seven games for Team Canada at the World Junior classic in 2021 where he captured a Silver Medal. He had three assists in that tournament.
He would join Ty Smith as the future of the Devils defense. There are other studs that have potential like Reilly Walsh and Kevin Bahl as well. If a group like that took the ice for New Jersey one day, the potential could be through the roof. This is a defense-heavy draft, and Owen Power leads the way. Whoever lands this young man is certainly going to be very happy.
2. Matthew Beniers
Matthew Beniers would look great with the New Jersey Devils forward group.
Matthew Beniers was a teammate of Owen Power at the University of Michigan. The first round of the 2021 NHL Draft is going to be big for the blue because they are going to have two players selected in the top five. There is even a chance that Power and Beniers go one and two. If the Devils were able to snag a forward like this, they would be looking really good for the future.
Beniers is a centerman (as of right now) for Michigan and previously spent his time developing with different versions of the United States National Development Program. He is yet another top prospect coming through USA Hockey that plans to have an impact on the NHL. If the Devils end up with a forward like this, no one should be surprised.
In 24 games with the Wolverines in 2020-21, Beniers had 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points. That is phenomenal production for an 18-year-old in the NCAA. He was also on the Gold Medal winning Team USA at the 2020-21 World Junior Classic. He scored one goal and had two assists for three points in seven games during that tournament. He is even making an impact at the World Championships going on right now which is great to see. Whether the Devils use him as a center or wing, he could be huge for their top six if they draft him.
3. William Eklund
The New Jersey Devils could draft William Eklund and reunite two linemates.
The New Jersey Devils made a great decision when they drafted Alex Holtz seventh overall during the 2020 NHL Draft. He is a shoot-first style winger that has the potential to grow into a top NHL goal scorer. The Devils are going to put a lot of stock into making sure he develops. As of now, the hope is that he plays with one of their two franchise centers but he might also benefit from playing with his SHL centerman, William Eklund.
That could be a reality if the Devils select Eklund in the top five of the 2021 NHL Draft. These two played together for Team Sweden and for Djugardens of the SHL. They consider each other best friends off the ice as well so it would really be a great reunion for the two. Eklund is more known for being the playmaker while Holtz is the goal scorer. It makes a lot of sense when you think about the chemistry the two have had on the ice.
If the Devils really did draft Eklund, it might be a while before they share NHL ice as the organization would surely want to see them develop right. Holtz made his AHL debut at the end of the 2020-21 season but never got up to the NHL. He will have a chance to break camp with the team. If Eklund is there, it would surely be a lot of fun to watch them.
4. Brandt Clarke
Brandt Clarke would make a solid addition to the New Jersey Devils budding core.
Of course, when you think about the potential to bring two brothers together in the Devils organization, you think of the Clarke brothers. New Jersey selected Graeme Clarke, a winger, in the third round (80th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. It is looking like a great selection as he is a very good player when he is healthy. His season with the Binghamton Devils was nothing short of solid in 2020-21.
Graeme’s brother, Brandt Clarke is going to be a top pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. New Jersey might seriously consider him with whatever pick they are awarded in tonight’s lottery. He should be a top-five pick in this draft because he is so good. Unlike his brother, Brandt is a defenseman looking to make an impact at the NHL level.
Brandt is a member of the Barrie Colts but the OHL didn’t resume play in 2020-21 so he played over in Slovakia. Graeme got to come to play for the Binghamton Devils when they came back but his brother didn’t have that luxury. The hope is that playing over there didn’t have any negative effects on his play because he is surely one talented kid. If the Devils were lucky enough to draft Brandt Clarke, a lot of people would be happy.
5. Luke Hughes
Luke Hughes would help the New Jersey Devils in every way imaginable.
Of course, you were probably thinking the last pick was going to be Luke Hughes when we talked about brothers in the organization. Graeme Clarke is a solid young prospect but Jack Hughes has the potential to be a superstar centerman in this league. His younger brother, Luke Hughes, is a draft-eligible prospect for 2021 and could be New Jersey’s pick as well.
Luke, like his brother Quinn Hughes, is a defenseman. Jack is the only one of the three that ended up being a forward. Quinn is slowly turning into one of the best in the league so the hope is that Luke can do the same. Like Quinn, Luke is going to play for the University of Michigan in 2021-22 to develop further. It worked out for the former.
The New Jersey Devils finished with significantly higher draft lottery odds than the Vancouver Canucks so the hope is that they don’t land Luke. New Jersey drafting him would certainly keep their star centerman happy while also adding a really good young player. He won’t be a draft year player as he is committed to Michigan but he could be right there in 2022-23.
Draft rankings have Luke all over the place. You would have to think New Jersey at least thinks about drafting him if he is there when they are on the clock. He would be the third player either leaving or entering Michigan behind Power and Beniers to be drafted in the top ten if he is.
Related Story. Ty Smith was truly remarkable for the Devils in 2021. light
The lottery tonight will determine where in the order New Jersey picks. They are the fourth seed in the lottery but tied for third in percent chance with the expansion team, the Seattle Kraken, to land the first overall pick. The second overall pick will also be determined by lottery. There is a really good chance the pick lands in the top five and the lowest they can sit when it is over is sixth. Hopefully, regardless of what happens, New Jersey is able to have a successful draft.