The New Jersey Devils made what they probably thought was going to be considered a big deal on Tuesday, but it was quickly overshadowed by a drunk NHL evening. Jordan Kyrou was traded to the Washington Capitals, Bowen Byram was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, and William Eklund was traded to the Ottawa Senators. This is on top of the NHL saying they want to expand to Texas and Mike Babcock having his first press conference where he apologized for nothing. What a day in the NHL.
It also did something unexpected. Much of the top 10 is likely to be set after all of these trades. Of course, there could still be some craziness as we approach Friday’s NHL Draft, but most of the picks that everyone thought were being dangled have been traded. The best piece that was available was Chicago’s fourth-overall pick, and that went to Buffalo for Byram.
Now, Buffalo could flip that piece, but they could also make the pick and get another top-flight defenseman.Â
The other top-10 pick that was widely considered available was Florida’s ninth-overall pick. That pick has been traded twice. First, it was traded to Ottawa in part of the Brady Tkachuk trade, then it was sent to San Jose for Eklund.Â
The New Jersey Devils just saw their draft pick gain a ton of value by doing nothing
Now as we look at the first round, we can say with confidence that one, two and three are staying put. Number four might move, but that would only be for a very specific return. The Rangers and Flames aren’t moving their picks. Seattle and Winnipeg are very unlikely to move their picks unless it’s to trade up. We think that second San Jose pick at nine is important to them so they can take Ivar Stenberg at two and still get a premium defenseman. Nashville has no reason to trade 10, and there’s no way St. Louis trades 11.Â
And then, there’s New Jersey. Sitting at the 12th-overall pick, there is now a ton of value right there. Who else is trading above them? As we just laid out, unless it’s Buffalo moving the fourth pick again, it’s nobody.Â
That gives the Devils a leg up in multiple trade discussions. They have the best pick left after multiple teams let negotiations pass them by. There are still premium assets in trade rumors, including Dylan Larkin, Connor Hellebuyck, and Robert Thomas. If the Devils are looking to use their new assets that they got in the Simon Nemec trade, they just saw 12th overall get a ton more value, and they might have the best offer of the bunch.
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