NHL Draft: 5 Forwards New Jersey Devils Could Draft With 29th Pick
The New Jersey Devils got a second 1st-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by sending Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the New York Islanders a few days before the trade deadline. It was a deal that worked out for everyone. Palmieri played a key role in the Islanders run to the semi-finals, and Zajac added a veteran presence to the bottom six that could come in and out of the lineup at any time. The Devils ate half of Zajac and Palmieri’s salaries, and really only got the pick in the deal.
This isn’t the strongest draft, but as the scouting process has gone on, there is actually some really good value late in the 1st round. There are some players that could turn into something great. Some are late bloomers who have an interesting skill set, while others haven’t hit that peak yet but the tools are there.
When it comes to forwards, there are names that are moving up draft boards. Fabian Lysell was once mocked in the 20s, but now he’s more likely to go sometime between 15 and 19. Too many teams are talking about his upside to let him slip too far. Mason MacTavish rocketed up the NHL draft boards and now could be a top-10 pick. Two goalies are expected to go in the top 20, which will be the first time two goalies are drafted in the first round since the 2012 NHL Draft.
There is a lot going on here, but with so much changing at the last second, that is going to cause teams to miss on players that should have been drafted higher. This is where the Devils jump in. They should be able to get a really good player at 29 who might need a year or two of seasoning. These five players would be great additions to the Devils prospect pool if they fall to them at 29.
Aatu Räty
2020-21 Stats: 35 games, 3 goals, 3 assists, 18 PIMs
League: Liiga
Team: Karpat
Aatu Raty was once considered the best player in this class. He had the skill set to become an all-time great. However, he has fallen off the map harder than scouts have seen in a long time. He was not very good in the Finnish Liiga last season, only putting up six points in 35 games. His stock has steadily dropped, and a lot of it clearly has to do with the mental aspects of hockey. Räty is just overthinking every single decision.
Here’s the good news, that’s fixable. There are players who have figured it out, then turned into a monster on the ice. Once the confidence comes back, then the talent takes over. Räty is a clear nominee for this kind of turnaround.
The drop in expectations will actually help Raty. If he’s a top-ten pick, then it comes with top-ten pick expectations. It comes with top-ten pick pressure, and it comes with a fanbase calling on him to perform and turn around a struggling franchise. However, the Devils wouldn’t even make him their most important pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The guy they take fourth overall would do that.
Räty probably won’t be there for the Devils to pick at 29, but he fits so well with this team that we didn’t want to discount it entirely. The Devils might trade up a little if Räty falls, although losing the 2nd-round pick in the Ryan Graves trade doesn’t help that argument. Räty could still fall all the way to 29 if people believe there are issues they can’t fit. The Devils need Räty to play behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Asking him to be a productive third-line center who could move up as a wing is perfect for what he’s shown so far.
Oskar Olausson
2020-21 Stats: 16 games, 3 goals, 1 assist, 2 PIMs
League: SHL
Team: HV71
Oskar Olausson is a player that has been more regularly available when the Devils pick at 29th overall in many mock drafts. He played half of this season in Swedish juniors and the other half in the SHL. He played for HV71, who had a terrible season and was actually relegated from the main leagues and they will play in HockeyAllsvenskan next season. It’s the first time in 36 years that this happened to HV71.
Obviously, that can’t be blamed on Olausson, but it could impact a team’s decision to draft him since he will be playing against lesser competition next season. For the most part, however, the teams should look at Olausson as a player.
Teams are going to go after centers and defensemen in the 1st round, which will make Olausson, a right winger, fall down the draft a little bit. Olausson has a good combination of skills that can lead to offense. He can drive the puck towards the net with ease, and he tends to have an easy time entering the zone. His shot and ability to create space sometimes look elite, which could see teams draft him earlier, but there’s a good chance other players get drafted higher despite Olausson’s ranking.
The Devils would love to have Olausson as a project. He could provide secondary scoring for a team that will need it in a few years. The Devils prospect pool is full of complete players who aren’t great at one thing or the other, but Olausson brings a scoring touch the team could use. He needs to grow next season into his 6’2 frame, but that’s expected for a player his age. If Olausson is available at 29, it will be hard for the Devils to say no.
Logan Stankoven
2020-21 Stats: 6 games, 7 goals, 3 assists
League: WHL
Team: Kamloops Blazers
There are some scouts that absolutely love Logan Stankoven. Friend of the Let’s Go Devils Podcast Will Scouch couldn’t say nice enough words about the WHL product in his latest rankings video. His rankings are all over the place. Some people have him in the top 15 in the draft. Others think he’s not worth a look until the 2nd round.
The fact that he only played six games this past season doesn’t help, but those six games were absolutely electric. He scored more than a goal per game. It’s not his fault that the pandemic shortened seasons for most Canadian junior teams. Sure, playing six games in a full calendar year is concerning, but it isn’t his fault.
Stankoven is going to fall in this year’s draft because of the same thing that forced Alex DeBrincat and Brayden Point to fall. He’s not very big. Stankoven stands at 5’8 tall. Sure, that’s short for a hockey player, but this league isn’t where it used to be. Size doesn’t matter like it used to. Stankoven is the most exciting player in this draft. He gets the puck on his stick, and magic happens.
His ability in the offensive zone is something the Devils should crave. He finds space, he puts defenders on their back foot, and he knows how to put the puck in the back of the net. This is a player the Devils should target.
Simon Robertsson
2020-21 Stats: 22 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
League: SHL
Team: Skellefteå AIK
There have been multiple mock drafts that have the Devils taking Simon Robertsson. Robertsson is much different than the other players on this list because he is one that does a lot of things well, but he’s not elite at one skill or another. He’s probably not going to become elite at any of the main skills, either, but his floor is much higher than other players on the list. He’s a great forechecker, which usually gets players into the NHL.
The one thing that is closest to elite is his ability to shoot. His shot is explosive at times, and that could be an extra weapon as a middle-six forward. In fact, his shot should probably have him considered higher in the draft. With all the top draft picks in the past, the Devils need someone who can bring a consistent presence in the lineup. Robertsson could do that sooner rather than later. That shot alone, similar to current Devils prospect Nolan Foote, could have the Devils salivating over his possibilities.
Robertsson hasn’t really produced at the SHL level, but that isn’t uncommon for 1st-round picks. The SHL is hard on young players, and coaches usually have a short leash with them. In the J20 league, Robertsson was very, very good, scoring 20 points in 16 games. The Swedish winger showed he has something, and his ability to play both sides of the ice will have the Devils intrigued.
Sasha Pastujov
2020-21 Stats: 41 games, 30 goals, 35 assists, 18 PIMs
League: USDP
Team: U.S. National U18 Team
Sasha Pastujov is a creator that really makes his teammates better. He is one of those players that is rocketing up draft boards after he had himself a great season, but there are concerns with how fast he turned around his production value. His phenomenal U18 World Junior Championships put him on everyone’s radar. The American put up eight points in five games, and he is headed to the University of Notre Dame.
His skating needs work. You’ll see that in just about every mock draft talking about him. He’s not exactly skating in quicksand, but his form just isn’t there. Those mechanics can be fixed, however, and honestly they might happen in college. Jeff Jackson is a phenomenal coach, and he will find a way to turn Pastujov’s skill into production.
If you take out his skating, he’s probably a top-ten pick. His stick handling is so good. Watching him elevate the puck in places where it should be impossible is so impressive. This kid can be a human highlight reel. This is a great player for the social media era because a lot of his goals deserve the GIF treatment.
The Devils have so many players they can choose with this pick, but Pastujov would be an awesome prospect to add to this team’s pool. He has a skill set that needs time to grow, and the Devils have time to wait with so many young prospects quickly becoming NHL ready. The Devils could let Pastujov grow with the Fighting Irish and eventually turn him into a great scorer.