The New Jersey Devils head into the 2025 NHL Draft without a first-round pick after trading it to the Calgary Flames for Jacob Markstrom, but with six selections, they can still meaningfully bolster their organizational pipeline.
Two of those choices come in the second round. With head coach Sheldon Keefe at the helm, the Devils are shifting toward a system emphasizing speed, puck possession, and structured defensive play—ideal for a playoff-bound team hungry for deeper postseason runs.
This mock draft prioritizes players who fit that identity, offer long-term value, and could help deliver a Stanley Cup to Newark.
Building Toward a Stanley Cup Contender Under Sheldon Keefe’s Identity
🔴 2nd Round – Pick 50
Ivan Ryabkin (C)
• Ceiling: Elias Pettersson
• Floor: Alex Wennberg
• ⭐ Ratings: System Fit ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Dev Potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ceiling ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playoff Role ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Ivan Ryabkin brings elite puck skills, high-end offensive vision, and a strong motor to every shift. He was a key cog for the Muskegon Lumberjacks’ USHL championship run, showing dynamic offensive touch and a relentless forecheck. Ryabkin plays like a playoff gamer—aggressive behind the net, dangerous on odd-man rushes, and smart in tight spaces. Comparable to Ivan Barbashev in his two-way impact and edge, Ryabkin could become a top-six centerpiece in Keefe’s system. His drop to the second round likely hinges on the Russian-to-North America adjustment curve, but the Devils should pounce if he's available.
🔴 2nd Round – Pick 62–64 (via EDM)
Mikkel Eriksen (C)
• Ceiling: Anthony Cirelli
• Floor: Calle Järnkrok
• ⭐ Ratings: System Fit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Dev Potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ceiling ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playoff Role ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Mikkel Eriksen plays fast, thinks faster, and kills penalties with surgical efficiency. As a two-way center with top-nine versatility, he could thrive as a shutdown 3C who supports stars and contributes situationally. His high hockey IQ and structured habits mirror Cirelli’s impact in Tampa Bay. The Devils’ depth down the middle needs insulation, and Eriksen could stabilize a future “crash line” with defensive zone starts and late-game responsibilities.
🔴 3rd Round – Pick 90
Philippe Veilleux (LW/RW)
• Ceiling: Brad Marchand (lite)
• Floor: Blake Coleman
• ⭐ Ratings: System Fit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Dev Potential ⭐⭐⭐½ | Ceiling ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Playoff Role ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Phillippe Veilleux is exactly the type of player Devils fans adore—fast, fearless, and fierce. He's a menace on the forecheck, can play both wings, and loves to agitate opponents while making smart plays. Despite being only 5'9", he uses his frame effectively and draws comparisons to Marco Rossi with his tenacity and hockey sense. He has the grit and edge of a Marchand-lite with the versatility and dependability of a Coleman. A middle-six wrecking ball with upside—don’t let size fool you.
🔴 4th Round – Pick 114
William Moore (C)
• Ceiling: Brandon Montour
• Floor: Brett Kulak
• ⭐ Ratings: System Fit ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Dev Potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ceiling ⭐⭐⭐½ | Playoff Role ⭐⭐⭐½ | Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moore is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who plays like a hybrid between a center and a blueliner. At 6'2", he skates extremely well, retrieves pucks efficiently, and makes crisp, confident breakout passes. He’s got the mentality to join the forecheck, can jump into rushes, and doesn't shy away from gritty play. He even shows flashes of offensive creativity near the net. A potential Swiss Army knife for the bottom pairing or third pair power-play quarterback.
🔴 6th Round – Pick 161
Semyon Frolov (G)
• Ceiling: Ilya Samsonov
• Floor: Alex Nedeljkovic
• ⭐ Ratings: System Fit ⭐⭐⭐½ | Dev Potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ceiling ⭐⭐⭐½ | Playoff Role ⭐⭐⭐ | Overall ⭐⭐⭐½
Semyon Frolov has NHL-caliber athleticism, reflexes, and lateral quickness, but needs time to refine rebound control and positioning. He was occasionally hung out to dry behind suspect defense, but showed flashes of starter potential. He fits as a long-term project goalie to support the Devils’ depth pipeline behind Jakub Málek, Nico Daws, and Mikhail Yegorov. If developed patiently, Frolov could become a trusted rotational option or low-cost starter—key in today’s cap-driven NHL.
🔴 6th Round – Pick 178
Mateo Nobert (C)
• Ceiling: Nick Paul
• Floor: Cedric Paquette
• ⭐ Ratings: System Fit ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Dev Potential ⭐⭐⭐ | Ceiling ⭐⭐⭐ | Playoff Role ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Overall ⭐⭐⭐½
Nobert plays with smarts, edge, and tenacity. A puck battle demon and reliable penalty killer, he projects as a prototypical fourth-line center who elevates the bottom six. Think of a glue-guy like Nick Paul—he wins faceoffs, absorbs tough defensive zone assignments, and provides structure. For a 6th round pick, he’s the kind of player who makes coaches trust the depth chart and gives star players a breather during high-stakes playoff games.
Final Class Recap
With this class, the Devils secure a strong mix of skilled forwards, playoff-style depth players, and long-term developmental projects. While lacking a first-rounder, this group offers upside, grit, and system fit under Sheldon Keefe’s blueprint. If even a few pan out, New Jersey could have another wave of contributors en route to their Stanley Cup pursuit.