New Jersey Devils 2024 NHL Draft Profile 1.0 features one of the best playmakers in the class

The New Jersey Devils are prime candidates to trade their 10th overall pick at the 2024 NHL Draft, but if they can’t work out a deal, they will use that selection on a potentially elite talent. Berkly Catton is one player who could be there, and while a contingent of fans may express disappointment that general manager Tom Fitzgerald didn’t trade the pick, someone like Catton would at least ease that pain. 

Catton is undersized and likely a few seasons from playing even part-time in the NHL, but he’s a playmaker. Should he go to an organization like the Devils, as predicted in some NHL mock drafts, who would likely have Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier by the time he’s ready for the big club, there won’t be many teams in the league, whether at the current 32 or if the league expands to more by that time, equipped to stop Catton. 

If you haven’t heard of him yet, or if you’re just interested in taking a deep dive into learning more about this dynamic prospect currently playing for the Spokane Chiefs, keep reading and prepare for some entertainment. 

Who is Berkly Catton?

Berkly Catton doesn’t bring ideal NHL size, so for a potential top-10 pick, he must pack on at least 30 pounds between now and when he’s regularly playing in the big league. But his outrageous production vs. more than respectable competition is one major reason why Catton ranks so far up the draft boards. 

He had just 55 points and 23 goals in 2022-23 across 63 regular season games, which are good numbers for many players who spend their first full respective seasons in the WHL. Yet that doesn’t account for the leap in 2023-24, when he ended the year just shy of two points per game, with 116 in 68 regular season contests, in which 54 went for goals.