The 2026 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone. The first New Jersey Devils’ draft with new general manager Sunny Mehta at the helm is complete.
The Devils entered the two-day event with five draft selections and ended up making seven. Mehta and the Devils were able to trade back twice and recuperate some extra draft capital. New Jersey did make each of their three selections in the draft’s first two round that they owned before the draft began.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the seven newest members of the organization.
Alexander Command
Pick: No. 12 (first round)
Age: 18 (Jun. 2008) Height | Weight: 6-foot-1 | 187 pounds Position: C
Analysis:
The first pick in the Mehta era was an intriguing one, and one that was slightly off consensus. The team selected center Alexander Command with the 12th-overall pick.
Command, 6-foot-1, posted an admirable 44 points in 30 under-20 junior Swedish league games in 2025-26. He also made six appearances for Örebro HK’s SHL team, but did not register a point. Command led Sweden’s under-18 World Junior Championship team to a gold medal with seven points in seven games.
The Danderyd, Sweden-born forward is praised for a strong two-way game. He has a constant high-running motor and has advanced hockey intelligence. The 200-foot also excelled in the face-off dot this past season. He is said to have all the tools to excel at both ends of the ice at the next level.
Albeit it being a weaker league, Command graded off the charts analytically. As the above post shows, he graded above the 92nd percentile in expected goals impacts, individual offense, expected goals against impact, individual defense, and “team boost.”
With that being said, there are some concerns with the pick. Command was slightly against the consensus. According to Sound of Hockey’s consensus board, he ranked No. 17. Additionally, there are questions with how much he is going to be able to produce offensively. For that reason, his ceiling is limited some.
Regardless, all signs point to Command being able to establish himself into at least a third-line center who is extremely tough to play against. The high ceiling is certainly an enticing aspect and likely what drew the Devils to the hard-working center at 12th overall.
Quote:
“Every draft has one player whose name keeps popping up, and this year it’s Alexander Command.
I’ve now heard him mentioned by multiple evaluators as someone likely to go earlier than public rankings suggest.
The profile is easy to understand. Physical. Responsible. Powerful. A true two-way centre with enough offense to justify betting on the rest.
Sounds like it’ll be closer to 10 than 20.” (Cam Robinson, Elite Prospects)
Grade: B-
Matias Vanhanen
Pick: No. 37 (second round)
Age: 18 (Sept. 2007) Height | Weight: 5-foot-11 | 176 pounds Position: C/W
Analysis:
The Devils went all skill with their first of two second-round picks on Saturday. Matias Vanhanen was another selection a bit off consensus but has been described as one of the better playmakers in the draft.
He had a tremendous season for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL in 2025-26. He posted 87 points across 62 games; a Silvertips record for rookies. That point figure ranked ninth and his 66 assists was second in the league. The prior season, as a 17-year-old, he ranked eighth with 47 points in 42 under-20 Finnish junior league games.
As the gaudy assist totals show, Vanhanen is an elite chance creator. He has terrific vision and high hockey intelligence that helps that part of his offensive game thrive. The Finn is already a splendid offensive player.
Concerns with Vanhanen come in the form of a below-average 5-foot-11 and 176-pound frame. Additionally, some have concerns with his overall skating ability given that smaller size. Filling out, and adding additional weight should help alleviate some concerns. Lastly, he is technically an over-ager as he was passed on in last year’s draft. However, he is only a few months older than the Devils’ first-round pick, Command. So, the “overager” moniker, although technically correct, should not be too big of a concern.
Another piece worth mentioning, Sound of Hockey’s consensus board Vanhanen had him ranked 93rd; the Devils used pick No. 37 on him. This makes it appear as if New Jersey could have waited to take him a bit later.
Quote:
“Vanhanen was one of the WHL’s premier setup guys this year, showing excellent heads-up hockey sense every time he hit the ice. If it wasn’t for him, Everett’s offense would be significantly less lethal – Vanhanen seemed to be the primary play producer.
Scouts aren’t completely sure what type of player he’ll be at the next level. He lacks any sort of physical play, and he’s not all too quick, either. But, man, his puck play is truly remarkable, and he showed it off at the Memorial Cup.
One of my favorites.” (Steven Ellis, DailyFaceoff)
Grade: B
Nikita Shcherbakov
Pick: No. 44 (second round)
Age: 18 (Oct. 2007) Height | Weight: 6-foot-5 | 187 pounds Position: LHD
Analysis:
The first defenseman the Devils took came after they traded back slightly in the second-round. They landed 6-foot-5 Russian defenseman Nikita Shcherbakov which, based off consensus boards, provided the team with very solid value.
Shcherbakov split time at three different levels of the Russian hockey system last year. He spent most of his time in the VHL, which is the Russian minor league, where he played in 35 games posting 10 points. He also played in 15 MHL games, the Russian junior league, posting 10 points. Shcherbakov did get a quick look in the KHL as well, skating in seven games.
Shcherbakov is described as a two-way defender. The highest praised part of his games is his strong skating ability which is impressive given his size. His defensive game seems pretty well developed, it just now about how much he can chip in offensively.
Projections view Shcherbakov as either a second-or-third-pair defenseman. He should get a nice run in the KHL this season in what will be his first prolonged exposure to top professional league action.
Quote:
“The upside here is real. His frame suggests he could add 20–25 pounds….
We project him as a potential top-four two-way defenseman who can move pucks and skate.” (HockeyProspects Draft Guide)
Grade: A-
Lavr Gashilov
Pick: No. 119 (fourth round)
Age: 18 (Sept. 2007) Height | Weight: 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds Position: C
Analysis:
From a value perspective, the Devils nailed back-to-back picks. With their fourth-round selection, the team drafted more projectable skill in the form of Russian center Lavr Gashilov.
Gashilov had a sensational season in the Russian junior league (MHL), posting 69 points (53 assists) across 51 games. Overall, he led the league in assists and was sixth in overall scoring. Combining that output with last season, he has 109 points across 94 MHL games. This ranks seventh among 1,833 players to play in the league over the last two seasons.
Gashilov is a terrific offensive talent. He is a dynamic puck handler with great puck skills. As the assists totals show, he excels at creating chances for others. Concerns come with his size (originally listed as 6-foot-2, but was remeasured at 5-foot-11 prior to the draft) and troublesome play in the defensive end of the ice.
If he fills out into his frame and gets coached up in his own zone, there is a real chance the Devils can get meaningful NHL contributions from their fourth-round pick down the road. It will be interesting to see when he starts getting a real shot at the KHL level as he only have five professional league games under his belt.
Quote:
“My No. 12 prospect, Gashilov dominated the MHL this year, becoming the first ever draft-eligible prospect to lead the league in assists. He’s an entertaining dangler with playmaking flashes; speed and motor are concerns.” (Dylan Griffing, Elite Prospects)
Grade: A
Daniil Rusakovich
Pick: No. 149 (fifth round)
Age: 18 (Apr. 2008) Height | Weight: 6-foot-4 | 183 pounds Position: G
Analysis:
The Devils lone goaltender selection came in the fifth-round. The team selected Belarusian goalkeeper Daniil Rusakovich.
Rusakovich played in 20 games in the Russian junior league this season, posting a 1.94 goals against average and 0.913 save percentage. Among 81 goaltenders to play 10 or more games in the MHL this season, the save percentage figure ranked 56th and goals against average ranked 10th.
The young goaltender also played in the Tsyplakov Cup this past season. This event is a preseason and tournament championship for the Belarus Vysshaya Liga, which is the country’s second-tier professional and premier junior ice hockey league. His 0.923 save percentage and 1.58 goals against average were near the top of the tournaments goaltending performances across five games.
Like most mid-to-late goaltenders, there is not exactly a ton out there on Rusakovich. He has nice size at 6-foot-4 and seemingly playing in Russia/Belarus helps goaltenders develop better than ones that play in North America.
As far as rankings, Rusakovich ranked 13th in NHL Central Scoutings final European goaltender rankings. A few of the goalies ranked above him on the list went undrafted.
Quote:
“With Belarus sidelined from international competition, the Devils made him a conviction pick on club tape alone, drawn to his size and his tracking and rebound control.
NHL Central Scouting rated him among the class’s ranked International goaltenders — a big, projectable netminder with plenty of developmental runway.” (InGOALmag)
Grade: C+
Luke Wilfley
Pick: No. 172 (sixth round)
Age: 17 (Jun. 2008) Height | Weight: 6-foot-1 | 179 pounds Position: C
Analysis:
The Devils most confusing selection came in the sixth-round. The team selected power forward Luke Wilfley with their penultimate pick of the draft.
Wilfley, who is about to turn 18 years old, only posted 15 points (nine goals) in 66 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL last season. He did have 13 of those 15 points over the final 33 games of the season. The Winterhawks were not the strongest last season, barely sneaking into the playoffs then going winless in the postseason.
Wilfley is a power-forward type. He is praised for a high motor, his physicality, and a strong shot. As you can see, the lack of offensive production probably puts a cap on him as an AHL-level player. However, he still has a ton of time to go in his development as he is the youngest player the Devils selected. Wilfley is expected to be back for his second full season with Portland in the WHL in 2026-27.
The consensus was not high on Wilfley at all. According to Sound of Hockey consensus board, he ranked 364th.
Quote:
“A power forward with a heavy shot and a high compete level.” (Portland Winterhawks)
Grade: D
Quinn McKenzie
Pick: No. 222 (seventh round)
Age: 18 (Nov. 2007) Height | Weight: 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds Position: C
Analysis:
The Devils’ finally pick of the draft was an intriguing one. They selected another listed center, Quinn McKenzie, out of the OHL.
McKenzie had 51 points in 65 OHL games. That figure ranked third on a Soo Greyhounds team who featured nine NHL organizational members. McKenzie ranked second among those nine in total points.
McKenzie is a strong offensive player. Described as a good skater and terrific playmaker. Concerns certainly exist in regard to his size, listing at a mere 5-foot-10. However, certainly a nice shot to take in the seventh round as Patrick Bacon of TopDownHockey ranked him 219th in his model.
He is slated to join Penn State for the 2026-27 season.
Quote:
“Great to see Quinn McKenzie go. Small, but quick and a high end playmaker. Really good in transition. If you’re going to take a chance on a smaller player, this is the kind you roll the dice on like New Jersey did.” (Brock Otten, McKeens Hockey)
Grade: B+
Final Thoughts
It was interesting draft for rookie general manger Sunny Mehta. He seemingly prioritized skill, which is certainly the right approach. He also did what every general manager should look to do if the chance arises: trade down and accumulate additional capital.
New Jersey started out going with a more sure thing, and a player with a higher floor, in Command at 12th overall. Despite it being looked upon as a slight reach, it was a fine selection, especially given how the board fell. Vanhanen, an extremely skilled forward, was selected earlier than people thought as well. But the player is an extremely intriguing proposition and a risk worth taking given that skill.
The back-to-back picks of Russian players in Shcherbakov and Gashilov reached provided strong value based off the consensus. Each can be NHL-level players on day, especially the defenseman Shcherbakov. Gashilov brings loads of skill, much like Vanhanen.
Rusakovich, the mid-round goalie, was a fine selection. It is always worth taking a shot on a goaltender in the mid-rounds, especially one from Russia or Belarus. Meanwhile, Wilfley was by far the largest reach of the draft for the Devils, but there were some enocuraging signs as he ended the season strongly. Lastly, to end the draft, the Devils took another shot on a highly skilled player in McKenzie who is set to play college hockey at Penn State next season.
All in all, on the surface, it looks like a decent draft for Sunny Mehta and his staff in his debut season. The emphasis on skill is a nice change of pace compared to recent years.