The New Jersey Devils entered this year's draft hoping to add quality forward prospects to the system, and while they drafted four, they didn't add much in terms of potential top-6 talent.
In large part because of that, I'm not crazy about the Devils draft, but I have warmed up to it a little after talking to a couple scouts who are more familiar with a few of these guys than I am.
Here are some thoughts on each pick:
1st round, 30th overall - C John Quenneville (Brandon Wheat Kings - WHL) I thought the Devils could have went a couple different directions here by selecting the sliding but very talented Russian forward Ivan Barbashev or Brendan Lemieux, who I'm quite high on, but I don't really have a problem with this pick.
Quenneville is a two-way forward who skates well and can effectively get around the ice. He has a good shot, is an underrated playmaker and doesn't shy away from physicality.
He averaged a point per game in a low-scoring league (WHL), and had a very impressive playoff run where he tallied 13 points in nine games.
I asked a WHL scout about Quenneville and he simply said "lots of tools."
Another scout familiar with Quenneville said his style should translate well to the NHL.
"Quenneville is your prototypical pro-style forward, generates O through the cycle, good all-around player, physical, can play any role."
Quenneville went around where expected - I believe Bob McKenzie had him ranked 32nd in his top-60 - and he's a well-rounded center who's drawn comparisons to Adam Henrique, so it's hard not to be on board with this pick.
Stat line: 25 goals, 33 assists, 58 points, 71PIMs, 61GP | Playoffs: 5G, 8A, 13P, 9GP
New Jersey drafts based on the best player available - a philosophy I agree with - and Lamoriello told Tom Gulitti that they felt he was the best player on the board.
Jacobs is a 6'2" almost 200lbs defenseman who makes a good first pass, can move the puck or skate it up ice himself. He likes to throw his body around, too, and is strong at both sides of the rink.
Again, there were some quality forwards available with top-6 upside that could have helped, but if the Devils had Jacobs highest on their board I agree with the decision to take him. They can trade a defenseman for forward help if need be.
Stat line: 5 goals, 18 assists, 23 points, 56 games played, 46PIMs, plus-36
3rd round, 71st overall - W Connor Chatham (Plymouth Whalers - OHL) I've written about Chatham in the past, so I'll defer to my own mini-scouting report here.
Via myself at TheHockeyGuys: Chatham is a big forward who skates very well for his size. His top speed is good, and he generates good speed while going in a straight line. He finishes his checks, is good in the cycle game and will go to the dirty areas of the ice. Chatham plays a very north south game, and when he tries to go east west or be fancy with the puck it tends to end in turnovers. To me Chatham projects to be a bottom-6 forward who can chip in offensively here and there.
5th round, 131st overall - D Ryan Rehill (Kamloops Blazers - WHL)
Rehill is a big, powerful defenseman who plays a physical style and likes to punish opposing forwards. At 6'3" and over 210lbs he certainly has the frame to do that. He compares himself to Douglas Murray, which is a little worrisome because Murray isn't good at hockey, but watching some tape Rehill seems to be a better skater and puck mover, thankfully.
He had 20 points and was only minus-4 on a horrible Kamloops team, which is encouraging, and his goals for data suggests he may not be a bad player, either.
A WHL scout had this to say about his game: "Rehill is a big defenseman, good fighter, obviously, pretty good skater as well. Not too much upside."
I believe 30+ goal scorer Spencer Watson who averaged over a point a game on Ryan Kujawinski's Kingston Frontenacs would have been a better pick here, but it is what it is.
I'll share data for Quenneville, Rehill and the rest of the CHL prospects the Devils drafted once we're into free agency and things start to settle down a little bit.
Stat line: 4 goals, 16 assists, 20 points, 182PIMs, 72GP
I've admittedly never seen Dudek play so I'll defer to SBNation's College Hockey blog here, but this report is quite encouraging.
"Joey has elite-level skill and skating. He's poised, sees the ice well and makes smart decisions with the puck," said Whitehead.Dudek, who battled through injuries, was the captain for Kimball Union's run to the New England Small School Prep Championship.
"He was our captain. He was an integral part of our team. He's the most dynamic center in New England. He really has an impact on the game," said Whitehead, who compared Dudek to Spencer Abbott, his former Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist at Maine who now plays in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
To me, Dudek is exactly the kind of guy you want to take a shot on late. A project who may never pan out, but if developed properly can turn into a top-6 forward and be a difference maker.
The Devils lack high-end skill up front in their system, so it's nice to see the team taking a shot on Dudek here.
Stat line: 9 goals, 35 assists, 44 points, 25 games played
17 points for a role player in 56 games wouldn't be bad if he was a 17-year-old first year draft eligible still finding his way, but at 19 being a depth player playing behind several younger players isn't very encouraging.
One scout thinks he'll produce more with a larger role next year.
"Baddock is a pesky forward, doesn't back down, disrupts a forecheck. He'll score more next year, I think, with added opportunity"
18-year-old Mads Eller, who I absolutely love, played for Edmonton and was still on the board. He's a 200-foot player who hits like a tank, skates like the wind and produced more offense.
Another 18-year-old forward on Edmonton in Memorial Cup MVP Edgars Kulda was also available. He's a very smart player who averaged over a point per game in the WHL.
To me, either of those would have been more appropriate picks. Even if they don't pan out and Baddock turns into a 4th line player, I think you draft for upside, especially late when it doesn't hurt if the pick fails to pan it.
That said, if Baddock develops into an NHL role player - he certainly has the frame for it - I'm sure the Devils will be quite happy with the choice.
Stat line: 6 goals, 11 assists, 17 points, 128PIMs, 56GP | Playoffs: 1G, 0A, 1P, 13GP
Overall I think the Devils did OK at this year's draft. There were a few examples I listed where I felt they could have had a player with more upside, but it's clear they were targeting size and depth up front this year.
All but one player they drafted is over 6'0", with the only exception (Dudek) 5'11" and three of the six picks standing 6'2" or taller.
**
Devils posts
Jackets posts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com