Pre-Draft Moves and Draft Targets
Good afternoon Devils fans. We are less than 36 hours away from the 2023 NHL Draft. As the Devils approach the big night, they are making moves, both big and small. A Timo Meier extension is still pending, but rumored to be around 8 years, $8.5M AAV. Defenseman Reilly Walsh was traded to the Boston Bruins for Shane Bowers, a move that will most likely benefit Utica’s roster while placing Walsh in his home state as he tries to crack into regular NHL time, something that would have been nearly impossible with our depth. There are also rumors that the Devils are going after Tampa Bay pending RFA Ross Colton. The 26 year old utility forward played on the 3rd line for Tampa this year, posting 16G-16A-32P in 81 games while notching a goal and three assists in 6 playoff games. Not sure what the Devils will send their way but it could include one of the expiring RFAs we have.
New Jersey is also still in on the Hellebuyck trade talks. If the Devils approach this as simply a rental, they may not give out so much. While this might hurt our chances, there’s a good possibility most of the teams in on Hellebuyck are also hesitant to lock him up long term after this coming season at the price he’s asking. GM Tom Fitzgerald has shown aptness at navigating the free agency and trade market over the last few years. He acquired Nolan Foote as part of the Blake Coleman deal, dealt a 3rd Round Pick for Jonas Siegenthaler, exchanging Mikhail Maltsev and 2nd rounder for Ryan Graves, and swapping a 2nd and 3rd round pick for Vitek Vanacek and a 3rd round. Not to mention, we built a good portion of our current starting lineup through trades with Haula, Marino, and Meier. I trust Fitzgerald not to take a step backward for a massive gamble but to make a calculated play while constantly pushing the group into their next echelon.
Speaking of the draft, here are the picks the Devils currently have:
1st Round - None 2nd Round - 58th 3rd Round - 80th 4th Round - 122nd 5th Round - 154th 6th Round - 186th 7th Round - 218th
Looking at our current prospect pool, combining AHL, College, Canadian Juniors, Euro and American Youth / Minor / Development / Pro leagues, here are some key prospects at each position, per Elite Prospects:
Center - Artem Schlaine, Samu Salminen Left Wing - Nolan Foote, Brian Halonen, Timur Ibragimov, Arseni Gritsyuk, Josh Filmon Right Wing - Graeme Clark, Alexander Holtz, Petr Hauser, Chase Stillman Defenseman - Simon Nemec, Luke Hughes, Seamus Casey, Goalie - Nico Daws
That listing is in no particular order, just looking at how players stack up statistically in their respective leagues and competitions. Those to me are players who are at least in the discussion of the offseason camp with some who could legitimately carve a place for themselves if there are spots to be had. Looking at the grouping, I would rank needs for the team and prospect pool as the following order:
Center Defense Goalie Right Wing Left Wing
With that in mind here are some suggestions I would look at for each draft pick:
2nd Round, 58th Overall C Gracyn Sawchyn Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL 18G-40A-58P in 58 GP, +36
3rd Round, 80th Overall D Aram Minnetian US National U18 / Boston College 23-24 7G-24A-31P in 62 GP, +48
4th Round, 122nd Overall G Ian Blomquist Và¤sterà¥s IK, HockeyAllsvenskan 4-11-0, 2.97 GAA, .904 SV%
5th Round, 154th Overall LW Michael DeAngelo Green Bay Gamblers, USHL / Michigan State 23-24 11G-24A-35P in 52 GP, +2
6th Round, 186th Overall RW Cole Knuble Fargo Force, USHL / Notre Dame 23-24 30G-36A-66P in 57 GP, +31
7th Round, 218th Overall C Jonathan Castagna St Andrew’s College, CAHS / Cornell 23-24 29G-43A-72P in 50 GP
If you get a chance, Lines had a great mockup of all the draft rounds which I used as a reference while researching. Some picks I agreed with while others went in another direction.
What are your thoughts? Were there any prospects I left off you would include in a tryout camp or draft selection? Leave me your comments below. Raise Hell!
-Josh Biringer