The Devils have a few first round picks in the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft, so I thought we’d look at the top rated prospects in the system and see where we need to focus with our top picks.

Not the perennial prospect powerhouse of the Lamoriello and David Conte days, Devils fans have something to look forward especially with the youth we have in the pro roster with Hughes and Hischier leading the way.

Here are my top prospects

Ty Smith - Defender - This is the year for Smith to crack the lineup and stay. After spending some time in camp, the Devils need Smith to develop in the NHL and with Will Butcher and Kevin Bahl could give the Devils a nice young core to build round on the back end.

Janne Kuokkanen - LW - The prize in the Vatanen trade to Carolina landed an exciting forward that has excelled at every level he has played so far. His AHL play suggests he will compete for a job in a young Devils team and depending where he fits in, the question will be where his development is best served next season, wouldn’t make sense for a young player to slot into 4th line and rather continue developing int he AHL. I like this kid.

Nick Merkley - RW - Once a highly touted prospect barred with injuries in his young career, Merkley needed a change of address and seems to be healthy and seems to be determined to stick with what he showed in his brief time in New Jersey. A little older and not too end talent, he is a player any team need in their middle core.

Nolan Foote - LW - Coming with an NHL pedigree, Foote could be the Devils diamond and most dynamic prospect in the system. Big, physical, strong, and a monster shot he is one I am most excited about. He is a player that can complement your young skilled forwards. He needs to crack the lineup and build chemistry while earning experience.

Kevin Bahl -Defense - Tall, imposing, uses his body well, rather quick and a shut down D is exactly what the Devils and our system needs to fill out the back end. This resume gives Bahl a better chance to move up given the need we have.

Mikhail Maltsev- C - Still an enigma after an exciting preseason goal and one game excitement. We haven’t herd of him since being sent to play in the AHL. I call him an enigma because he is not the typical KHL excitement we look for he is a 3 zone player, responsible and a good forechecker. Another player that could be a Blake Coleman type that can slot up and down the middle of the lineup as needed.

Gilles Senn- Goalie - The Devils have always had great goalie prospect depth till the last few years. Blackwood has emerged but after he stuck, not much behind him in the system. Senn, who played one NHL game is the best we have in the minors. But is he good enough to give the Devils flexibility behind Blackwood should the Devils part with Schneider? My answer is no and the Devils go free agency to find a backup should they need one. Can anyone say Louie Domingue? Goalie depth is the biggest hole, and the hardest to address in a draft.

Honorable Mentions
Nikita Okhotyuk, Nathan Bastian, Reilly Walsh, Tyce Thompson, Brandon Gignac, Patrick Moynihan, Nikita Popugayev, Fabian Zetterund, Joey Anderson, Michael McLeod, Jesper Boqvist.

For McLeod, Boqvist, Bastian and Anderson 20-21 is the year for them to stick, or find a fresh start in my opinion, as the Devils need to make sure they develop the right players for the right timeline if they have a 2-4 year plan to be competitive.

So, where do the Devils go with their first round picks? Best player available with their first, no doubt and if available with their second pick, I would love to see the best goalie available land in a Devils Jersey - Yaroslav Askarov. He may be the only goalie in this draft class worthy of a first round pick.

What are your thoughts on the Devils youth and draft pick strategy?

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate.