Possible Options For New Jersey Devils At Fourth Overall In NHL Draft

Tier 1: Who The Devils Should Draft

1. Brandt Clarke, RHD

Brandt Clarke is a gifted offensive-minded defenseman that spent his 2020-2021 season in a professional league in Slovakia. His offensive skills were on display scoring 15 points in 26 games. Clarke’s greatest assets are his hockey sense and vision. Dobber Prospects mentions that Clarke can see a man from a mile away. A couple of areas that need improvement are his straight-line skating and his overall defensive game.

Brandt Clarke is on the first tier because he can fill a huge hole in the Devils depth chart for a right-handed defenseman. The Devils only have four right-handed defensemen (RHD) in their prospect system, and only one of them is high quality (Reilly Walsh). In addition, Clarke showed that he can transition to playing at the pro level very well despite his young age. Also, Clarke is the younger brother of one of the Devils’ top prospects, Graeme Clarke. Drafting the younger Clarke will help fill the hole on the right side of the defense and he might be able to come up to the NHL sooner than some of the other top defensive prospects in this draft class thanks to his professional experience.

Trust the Devils coaching staff to help Clarke solidify his raw defensive game and straight-line skating, When those are improved, Clarke might be a force to be reckoned with if he is paired with Ty Smith or Kevin Bahl.

2. Owen Power, RHD

Owen Power is a formidable two-way LHD that has a huge frame. Power stands at 6’5″ and weighs around 209lbs. Power is praised for his smooth and fluent skating especially for his size and for his all-around game. He does a great job in his own end and can be an offensive threat.

Last season, Power entered his freshman year at the University of Michigan and put up a respectable 16 points in 26 games. To make it more impressive he did as a 17-18 year old. He was named to the second team All-Big 10 conference. Power has a lot more to prove as well when he enters his sophomore season.

Even though it is very unlikely that Power will fall to the Devils, it is still possible. It will be a dream come true if Power falls to the Devils. He is a complete package for a defenseman. The Devils will be extremely fortunate if the Devils draft Power because he can make the Devils defense much better when he makes the jump to the NHL. Even though Power does not have any siblings on the Devils and the fact that he is left handed, the Devils must consider drafting him if he somehow falls to the fourth spot.