Ranking Every New Jersey Devils 1st-Round Draft Pick Part 1: The Busts
By Mike Luci
If the New Jersey Devils use both 1st-round picks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, that makes 43 1st-round picks since relocating to the Garden State in 1982. From Stanley Cup Champions and Hall-of-Famers, to players whose numbers now hang in the Rock’s rafters, New Jersey has made some memorable 1st-round draft picks. Having said that, the Devils have also had their fair share of busts. Some never even played an NHL game.
From 1982-2017, the Devils made 36 1st-round selections, more than enough to provide an adequate all-time ranking list (too soon to judge 1st-round picks from 2018 to 2020). Some placings will be obvious, others not so much, and there might be a few names on here you don’t even recognize or knew the Devils drafted.
A few notable facts before beginning:
From 1982-2017, New Jersey selected 10 defensemen, three goalies, and 23 forwards
Four of those 1st-round picks never played for New Jersey, two never appeared in the NHL
Three players are NHL Hall of Famers, 11 won at least one Stanley Cup, seven won multiple times
Three are currently with New Jersey, seven still play in the NHL
16 played at least 400 NHL games, 13 appeared in at least 300 contests with the Devils