Introduction
As many of you may know, the New Jersey Devils moved up three spots en route to obtaining the number two selection in the 2022 NHL draft. In the weeks since, there have been countless arguments throughout different platforms about what should be done with the pick. Some say they should trade it for a proven NHL player. Others say they should just use the pick. With the latter group in mind, let’s take a look at four players that the Devils could grab with the second pick.
Shane Wright
Wright is the consensus first overall pick in the draft. So, if he slips to two this should be the no-doubt pick for the Devils. Wright has been drawing a lot of comparisons to Patrice Bergeron and for good reason. He plays a game with a level of poise and defensive awareness, while still having the flash to make the highlight real every once in a while that Bergeron has been known for the past almost two decades.
He won’t be the next Connor McDavid. Although some thought this after he broke the OHL 15-year-old points-per-game record a couple years back. However, there is a firm belief among many NHL fans that Wright is the best player in the draft class, which is a compliment in its own.
Juraj Slafkovsky
Most Devils’ fans have fallen in love with the idea of having Juraj Slafkovsky, which definitely is warranted. His Olympics performance and everything following it impressed the entire hockey world. Slafkovsky won tournament MVP for men’s ice hockey at the 2022 Olympic Games. As well as posting nine points in eight games at the men’s World Hockey Championships. That was all on top of lightning up one of the top leagues in the world in the Finnish Liiga for the playoffs and second half of the season.
The eye test is there for Slafkovsky as well, with his high compete level, great hands, and wicked shot. Some say taking him at two is a slam dunk pick for the Devils. However, there are two other prospects who should not be written off.
Logan Cooley
If you’re the Devils, Slafkovsky fills a larger need at wing. However, Logan Cooley may just be the better player. When you watch Cooley, he just impresses you with his vision, evasiveness, and creativity in the offensive zone.
The one thing that might make the Devils hesitate is what was previously stated: position of need. Cooley plays center which is just not a spot the Devils need right now. At the end of the day though, the line between Slafkovsky and Cooley has become so thin that it’s not a reach to not pick Cooley at two.
Simon Nemec
So far we’ve discussed three forwards, whose the first defenseman that may be selected? Simon Nemec is believed by many to be one of the top defenseman in the draft, but why? He doesn’t drive offense at the level as some of the other top defenseman in the draft. The thing that has so many people hooked on the Slovakian defenseman is his pure instincts.
Almost everything about Nemec’s game is at least good. From his positioning in the defensive zone, to his movement at the blue line in the offensive zone. Nemec is just a solid defenseman that will get what you want done on a given shift.
Is he a fit for the Devils when they just spent a number four pick on defense last summer? Probably not. However, whatever team gets him will love his sturdy presence for the next decade plus.
Honorable Mentions: David Jiříček (D), Matthew Savoie (F)