The NHL Entry Draft is just a few days away and Devils GM Ray Shero hasn't tipped his hand on what he's planning to do.
Still, I have a few thoughts on what the Devils could and should be thinking.
Let's get to those:
1) Since it became apparent that the Devils weren't going to be picking at the very top of the draft I've been on the Mathew Barzal train and the more I've watched and researched him the more I like him.
His point totals (57) won't 'wow' you like the guys at the top of the draft will but Barzal missed over 20 games with a knee injury - he suffered it while horsing around with a teammate - and didn't have a ton to work with in Seattle (they finished 14/20 in scoring).
Despite that he still had 57 points in 44 regular season games and led WHL draft eligibles in points per game with 1.3. A good chunk of that production came at even-strength as he also led WHL draft eligibles with .77 points per game, according to CHLStats.com.
He was able to do that while jumping back into the lineup midseason and having a very average supporting cast around him.
After a strong end to the season Barzal went overseas and led Team Canada in scoring with 12 points in seven games at the U18s, which certainly didn't hurt his draft stock.
He has high-end skating ability, high-end puck skills and, while he didn't score a ton of goals, his shot is well above average.
There are plenty of good options at six but he'd be my choice.
2) One sleeper pick that would make sense for the Devils is Barrie Colts forward Andrew Mangiapane. He spent a good portion of his season playing on a line with Joseph Blandisi. The Devils scouted Blandisi while determining if they want to sign him, which means they surely noticed Mangiapane in the process.
Mangiapane played big minutes in all situations and tallied over 100 points so it was probably hard not to.
He's projected to go 3rd or 4th round as a re-entry player and given the Devils need for offensive forwards, and his familiarity with Blandisi, Mangiapane could be a good pick.
3) I touched on this when the Devils re-signed Scott Wedgewood but I really wouldn't be surprised if the Devils use a draft pick - likely late in the draft - on a goaltender.
They're obviously set in the NHL with Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid but beyond Wedgewood there is nobody in the system with NHL potential.
Maxime Clermont struggled in the ECHL last season and Anthony Brodeur was let go so they're very thin in terms of goaltending depth.
Just something to keep your eye on this weekend.
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