The New Jersey Devils have been quite good in the NHL Draft over the years. Of course, there were some stinkers like Alexander Holtz, Adrian Foster, and Neil Brady, but for the most part, the Devils have built Stanley Cup winners through the NHL Draft. They've had incredible draft picks, like Adam Henrique in the 2008 draft, Pat Verbeek in the third round of the 1982 draft, and Jesper Bratt in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. However, despite how well they all played, they weren't the best guys in those drafts.
The Devils have chosen all over the top and bottom of the draft. They have two first-overall picks, three second-overall picks, and three third-overall picks in team history. They did well on some (Jack Hughes, Brendan Shanahan, Scott Niedermayer) and failed on others (the aforementioned Brady and Craig Wolanin). Sometimes, the Devils picked the very best guy in the draft.
How many times have the New Jersey Devils picked the best guy in the NHL Draft?
5. Luke Hughes
2021 NHL Draft
We start with the most recent name on the list, but Luke Hughes has done a ton to establish himself as the best player in the 2021 NHL Draft. Just about every re-draft has the youngest Hughes brother at the top of the list. Some have Owen Power still, who went first in the actual draft, but he has a few things going for him. Luke Hughes is one of the youngest players in the 2021 NHL Draft, and he’s already turning into one of the fastest defensemen in the league.
It’s way early on this, and Power could still beat Hughes for the lead in this draft. There’s still time for Matty Beniers, Wyatt Johnston, Mason MacTavish and many others to become the best player in that draft, but they aren’t there right now. This is Hughes vs. Power at the top of the draft, and based on the scope of work and ceiling that’s still possible, we give a slight edge to Hughes.