Previewing Draft Day For The New Jersey Devils

Juraj Slafkovský dominated the Olympic Games. (Photo Credits: Xinhua/Sipa USA)

Today is the day! After a long wait the 2022 NHL Entry Draft is finally upon us. The two-day event spanning seven rounds is always one of excitement and intrigue. That is no different his year, as the first round of this year’s draft is wide open. So, with that said, what can you expect tonight?

2022 NHL Draft

When: July 7th at 7:00 P.M. ET (Round 1), July 8th at 11 A.M. ET (Rounds 2-7)

Where: Bell Centre in Montreal

Coverage: ESPN for Round 1, NHL Network for Rounds 2-7, and our social media pages for both days!

Devils’ Picks:

The New Jersey Devils own nine draft picks in the seven-round draft this season:

  • Round 1: No. 2
  • Round 2: No. 37
  • Round 3: No. 70
  • Round 4: No. 102, No. 110 (via NYI), No. 126 (via EDM)
  • Round 5: No. 141 (via CBJ)
  • Round 6: No. 166
  • Round 7: No. 198

Our Draft Content

We have produced several articles regarding this year’s draft, and possible Devils’ choices at second overall:

What To Expect With Second Overall

The most exciting part of this draft is that no one really knows what to expect. That includes, allegedly, who Montreal is going to take at first overall. Of course, the first-overall pick SHOULD BE Shane Wright. However, you just never know this year.

With all that being said, what are the Devils’ options?

Shane Wright has been the consensus first-overall pick. (Photo via the OHL)

Shane Wright

Despite the rumors, it would be a pretty big surprise if Wright does not go first overall. He is arguably the safest player in this draft as he comes with a complete, two-way game. He finished the season extremely strong and was good for 94 points in 63 OHL games played.

Again, Wright should be off the board to Montreal. But, you just never know. If the Devils have a shot at Wright they should pounce on the opportunity, no questions asked.

Logan Cooley or Juraj Slafkovský

Ah, the big question that has been plaguing fans and most likely the team the past few months. Does New Jersey want the exciting six-foot-four winger who lit up International play? Or the safer, dynamic center?

Slafkovský sky-rocketed up the draft boards after dominating the Olympic tournament as well as the World Championships. He has also won fans over due to his six-foot-four and 218-pound frame. However, despite coming on late, he only had 10 points in 31 Liiga (top Finnish professional). Also, to the surprise of some, he profiles more as a playmaker than goal scorer and he doesn’t exactly play as a prototypical power forward does.

Logan Cooley is one of the more realistic options at second overall. (Photo via USDP)

Cooley, meanwhile, is a smooth-skating center who is arguably the top playmaker in the draft. The Pittsburgh-born Cooley lit it up for the U.S. National Under-18 team in the US Developmental Program this past season – totaling 75 points in only 51 games. However, he is a center and only listed at five-foot-ten and 181 pounds. Both aspects that have turned fans away and maybe even the Devils.

Either Cooley or Slafkovský should prove to be a great pick if New Jersey chooses to go down that route. It simply comes down to, does New Jersey want the safer guy in Cooley? Or the most exciting pick with potentially more risk in Slafkovský? We shall see.

Simon Nemec

Yes, certainly may not be exactly exciting option but you cannot write off New Jersey taking a defenseman at second overall. This especially given their prospect pool of right-handed defenseman is pretty bare. However, is it likely they go this route? Probably not, but it is worth familiarizing with the top defensive prospect.

Simon Nemec appears to be the consensus best defenseman in this draft. The right-handed, six-foot-one defenseman has been playing in Slovakia’s top professional league since he was a 16-year-old. He is a pretty complete player who just needs to iron some kinks out in his decision making and risk taking. However, once that is coached up your should be looking at a very solid two-way, top-four defenseman.

The Dark Horses

Three main names jump to mind when possible dark horse candidates are pondered at second overall. These being David Jiříček, Cutter Gauthier, and Marco Kasper.

Jiříček would be the least surprising of the dark horses. He is another right-handed defenseman, one that some have ranked above Nemec. Jiříček is a strong defenseman who leans more toward the defensive end but also is no slouch offensively. Like Nemec, the six-foot-three defenseman has professional experience already. As he has spent parts of the past three seasons in Czechia’s top professional league.

Worth pointing out, for whatever it’s worth, Corey Pronman of the Athletic notes in his most recent mock that his “intel of late” has the Devils leaving towards Jiříček over Nemec if they do go the defensive route.

Cutter Gauthier played with Logan Cooley this past season. (Photo Credits: Rena Laverty / USA Hockey’s NTDP)

Gauthier and Kasper are both larger forwards, Gauthier checking in at six-foot-three and 201 pounds, while Kasper is listed at six-foot-two and 187 pounds. Each can play either the center or the wing. Gauthier has seemingly risen up draft boards recently and the USDP product is most likely going to be a top-seven, even top-five pick. Though would certainly be a reach at second overall.

Kasper, meanwhile, has been projected to go anywhere from the top-10 to the later part of the first round. There is no confirmation of Pronman’s claim that Kasper’s name should not be ruled out, nonetheless worth mentioning. Regardless, drafting Kasper second overall would not only be a horrific reach, but also a near-fixable offense. The only reason he is being listed here is due to Pronman’s claim from his recent mock draft.

A Trade?

The Devils have long been rumored of being open to moving the second overall pick. However, thus far, nothing has pointed to the fact it will be moved any point today. Though, you just never know. Certainly worth mentioning and keeping an eye on, nonetheless.

Staff Predictions

What’s a draft article without some predictions? Note, these are our predictions, not want we want to happen, per se:

  • Matt C. – Shane Wright
  • Kyle L. – Shane Wright
  • Tommy B. – Shane Wright
  • Garrett Z. – Logan Cooley
  • James V. – Juraj Slafkovský
  • Jordan K. – Juraj Slafkovský
General manager Tom Fitzgerald certainly has a tough decision to make. (Photo via NHL.com)

Closing Thoughts

With tomorrow night’s draft comes the chance for New Jersey to take another step in building the foundation for a team of sustained success. In almost every circumstance, whoever New Jersey selects at second overall will do just that.

If Wright falls to New Jersey? Instant win. If the Devils play it safe and take a potential game-changing playmaker in Cooley? Fantastic. How about if general manager Tom Fitzgerald choices to go with the exciting Slafkovský? A bit risky, sure, but has the chance to be a terrific addition.

If the Devils go in an opposite route than those three? Oh boy, buckle up. Nonetheless, should be a terrific night.

If you so chose, you can follow along with us via our social media platforms all night. We will also have articles recapping and analyzing any and all Devils’ moves. So, be on the look out for that.

1 comment on “Previewing Draft Day For The New Jersey Devils”

  1. Gio Reply

    95% chance we get Slafkovsky. If MTL takes him that’s where things change. Fitzy is a go go go endless motor guy. That’s why we took Stillman 2 rounds to early. Shane Wright is the exact opposite. Cooley needs to be at C. He’s gonna be just like Jack. Bad wing great C. He’s at least 2 years away. If Slafkovsky goes #1 I expect us to take Jiricek #2. Fitzy loves size, physicality, & calls RHD’s unicorns. It’s no secret Fitzy really likes Jiricek & he’s clearly not afraid to go off board like he did with Shakir & Stillman. So I’m saying it’s 100% Slafkovsky, if available, & if he’s not it’s Jiricek. He’s not going to trade back & take a chance of losing him & he’s not giving the pick up.

    It’s basically a forgone conclusion we’re taking Slafkovsky. Montreal wanted a center so bad they took Kotkeniemi even though everyone was saying don’t do it. They’re taking Wright

    Today I don’t think is the interesting day for us. It’s tomorrow. That #37 pick is very valuable & that’s where I can see us making a trade. Is tomorrow the day we move Zacha Johnsson Tatar Kuok’s for picks? That could be us getting a pick for a player or sending a pick for a team to take a player. Do we draft a goalie or 2 early?? Clearly the who the heck is that mid to late round every year isn’t working. Get to read about all of our future Devil’s. Get to discuss them & see what grades people are giving us.

    Then the real show is what we’re waiting for. Who are the free agents that are going to help right now that we land. Who’s gonna come off the board at the last second before becoming a free agent? Now that the draft will be over will we make a trade or 2? There’s a huge difference in needs when we’re drafting Slafkovsky Wright Cooley Nemec Jiricek. Teams want to make trades before free agency so they don’t lose buyers that have filled their needs in free agency. Gonna be an exciting 10 days & then stone quiet

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