The New Jersey Devils are gearing up for the 2025 NHL Draft. This organization has intangible necessities they must address, especially at forward. The prospect group is no longer at the top of the league, but they have assets this year to upgrade their crop.
The New Jersey Devils released a video talking about their scouting philosophy and how they addrss needs through prospects. They are looking for " coachable players, looking at their floor and ceiling potential." There were mentions of guys who can be Stanley Cup caliber cuts of players, and handle the adversity rather well. Most people who think about the NHL Draft as just another event. That is not remotely close. Every team, every season, has a board of at least seasons on players from various regions that they specialize in.
In the video the Devils released, Martin Brodeur and a few others mentioned they are mixing the eye test with hockey analytics to form a blend of perspectives that can improve their hit rate on finding the next goal scorers, supporting centers, strong relentless wingers, and the next Sam Bennett/Brad Marchand type player that can help the Devils win Cups 4 and 5.
If you look back in time, the New Jersey Devils got Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Simon Nemec, and Anton Silayev who came via the first round. Jesper Bratt, Arseni Gritsyuk, Lenni Hameenaho, Mikhail Yegorov, and Kasperi Pikkarainen are names from mid-to-late rounds who are making a name for themselves. Jesper Bratt proved to be the steal of his draft, and Arseni Gritsyuk was the last real sure-fire bet former GM Ray Shero made in New Jersey that has his fingerprints on this roster.
As scouting teams get together, they have to reveal to their bosses who they believe not only are draftable, but also make a special mark in potentially getting a team via a rebuild, used via trades, or even become NHL stars, and every day support casts. Moments from a draft can help you get over the hump and into the next few rounds of the NHL playoffs. For seasons, the Florida Panthers harvested Aaron Ekblad, Anton Lundell, and other draft picks as a few key pieces that became mainstays that helped them win Lord Stanley's Cup. The New Jersey Devils are a few pieces away via the draft, and a few trades that can get them over the first and second round jitters.
The New Jersey Devils got Timo Meier and used their prospects as a solid investment, and it made room for Anton Silayev to fill in where Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Nikita Okhotyuk were traded to San Jose with Fabian Zetterlund. Paul Cotter was acquired for Alexander Holtz, and it has proven to be a solid pick up where the NJ Devils missed Blake Coleman's presence. According to the criteria that could potentially fit the New Jersey Devils criteria this is an update mock draft with reports.
50. Carter Amico, D
The tall physical defender skates well on his edges and is very sound positionally. One moment in this game, Carter had boxed out his opponent until he lost an edge, and two of his teammates on the blue line didn’t cut off Forward 1 on Sioux City Falls. At the same time, Amico fell literally out of position, and the top forward just dangled around the defensive zone and did nothing to bail out Carter supportively. Carter has the potential to be an intimidating defenseman who can box players out, pin players along the boards, and play an aggressive game.
60. Mason Moe, C
Mason Moe consistently creates space by skating his routes, battling in front of the net, and colliding with the defensive line according to the Elite Prospects NHL Draft Guide (paywall). He plays that two-way game that will really make him desirable to Sheldon Keefe as the Devils' head coach. We can see him pounding the table to draft this guy, similar to how Martin Brodeur advocated for second-round pick Mikhail Yegorov last year.
90. Bruno Idzan, LW
Idžan combines shooting skill with spurts of playmaking, checking skills, and defensive ability according to the Elite Prospects NHL Draft Guide (paywall). His ability with one timers and off the rush would be a perfect complement as a winger to Jack Hughes. His timing is quite good when looking at the other players in this time of the draft.
114. Mikkel Eriksen, C
Slightly undersized but very swift on his edges, very cerebral, offensive-minded center who knows how to evade defenders and isolate himself to get open. Very snappy wrist shot and snap shot. Makes quick decisions on his reads and uses a high motor to create separation on the fly. His ability to shoot further out and pick his spots looks a lot like a Jesper Bratt, and is a hybrid of a playmaker and a goal scorer. He is listed as a center, but analysts see him as a long-term winger. He was used on the power play and is picking up rather well. Mikkel had 43 points in 40 games for Farjestad BK J20 with 22 goals. Transitioned rather well, transferring his play from the Norwegian U20 leagues, where he had 19 goals and 47 points in 23 games played.
161. Noah Laberge D
Noah Laberge is an intelligent and mobile blueliner who specializes in suppressing opposing rushes. He plays a patient defensive game based mostly on his stick work according to the EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide
One of the first things you notice about Noah Laberge is that he is rather fleet of foot, but behaves more like a playmaking winger rather than a defender. The way he dangles, skates with speed, grace, and shoots from far out is exactly what the New Jersey Devils need in this organization, where they need someone who is assertive yet does take a few extra penalties.
178. Semyon Frolov, G
Unlike last year's draft, the New Jersey Devils may not land a starting goaltender like they did with Mikhail Yegorov at 49th overall, but they certainly need to hit on a backup, fringe starter. It never hurts to have someone like Semyon Frolov around who can get in net and give a starter some time off during the toughest of schedules. It wouldn't be surprising at all if the New Jersey Devils select another Russian netminder and take their time with a potential backup, especially with Veeti Louhivaara being a bit ahead from the last draft in 2024, and Jakub Malek on the way soon after the 2025-2026 season ends in Liiga. So that theoretical cookie sheet needs to keep moving. The 6'3, 203lb Russian netminder played well in the MHL for three other teams, and will likely start the season with MHK Spartak Moskva, the Major Junior team to Spartak Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL.