Ranking Every New Jersey Devils 1st-Round Draft Pick Part 3: Success Stories
By Mike Luci
The final installment of this deep dive into New Jersey Devils first-round picks contains all the names most readers are probably expecting. Part One listed the flops, Part Two contained some familiar faces. This section features the greatest names drafted by New Jersey in round one. From Hall of Famers and winners of multiple Stanley Cups to 50-goal scorers and retired numbers, these 12 players had profound impacts on the organization and played lengthy meaningful careers.
Aside from their contributions to the New Jersey Devils organization, many of these players also became household names and found success on other teams. Regardless of where they forged their legacies, this special group gives credence to the abundance of talented NHL players that came from New Jersey—who’ve won an aggregated total of 22 Stanley Cups.
Some more interesting facts about New Jersey Devils first-round draft picks:
Three Devils first-round picks have played over 1,000 games for the organization. Only one spent their entire career in New Jersey
Three Devils first-round picks had their numbers retired by the team, and just as many are Hall of Famers
Four New Jersey Devils first-round picks had multiple stints with the team
Only one player in these rankings has over 1,000 career points
Devils’ first-round picks have played for the New York Islanders (five) more than any other team besides New Jersey, and 28 different NHL franchises in total. No players in these rankings have ever played for the Los Angeles Kings or Washington Capitals