We are just one day from the commencement of Friday’s 2024 NHL Entry Draft. As is well documented, the New Jersey Devils own the 10th-overall pick in the first round. We analyzed who the options should be, offensively or defensively, when it comes to general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s decision. But, who do the “experts” expect the Devils to select?
We gathered a plethora of different mock drafts from the last week-plus and organized them below.
Note, article will be updated until the beginning of Friday night’s draft.
Corey Pronman of the Athletic
In Corey Pronman’s final mock draft, which was published Friday morning via the Athletic, he had the Devils selecting Berkly Catton. Interestingly enough, he had Beckett Sennecke, a popular Devils’ mock, going eighth to the Senators. Tij Iginla, Konsta Helenius, Zayne Parekh, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård all went after 10th overall. A dream scenario for New Jersey.
Scott Wheeler of the Athletic
One of the two main prospect writers for the Athletic turned in his final mock draft on June 23. In Scott Wheeler’s final mock, he had the Devils selecting Oshawa Generals (OHL) winger Beckett Sennecke. Wheeler explains his pick saying, “I could see the Devils fancying the wingers.” If that proves to not be true, Wheeler also said, “I’d expect them to consider Berkly Catton and Konsta Helenius here as well.”
Rachel Doerrie of ESPN
In ESPN’s final mock draft, conducted by former Devils’ employee Rachel Doerrie, the Devils select Beckett Sennecke. She mentions that she wouldn’t be surprised if either Sennecke is gone by this pick or the Devils trade it. Berkly Catton, Konsta Helenius, and Cole Eiserman are all still on the board at 10th overall in Doerrie’s mock.
Craig Button of TSN
In Craig Button’s final mock draft for TSN, he had New Jersey select six-foot-three winger Beckett Sennecke. Interestingly enough, he did not have Berkly Catton come off the board until pick 15. Meanwhile, Tij Iginla moved into the top five with Zeev Buium gong third to the Anaheim Ducks.
Mike Morreale and Adam Kimelman of NHL.com
In NHL.com’s final mock draft, which was conducted with two different writers, each had the Devils finally taking a first-round forward. Kimelman selects Jukurit center Konsta Helenius for New Jersey, while Morreale goes with tall winger Beckett Sennecke for New Jersey. Tij Iginla was selected by each writer to go ninth overall while each writer had the Devils passing on Spokane center Berkly Catton.
Chris Peters of FloHockey
in Chris Peters’, of FloHockey, final mock, he has the Devils selecting Finnish center Konsta Helenius. Like several of his peers, he mentioned he wouldn’t be surprised if New Kersey deals the pick. In Peters’ mock, Sennecke, Dickson, and Iginla all are selected right before the Devils’ pick.
Matt Hoover of Tankathon
The mock draft posted to everyone’s favorite website, Tankathon, has the Devils selecting American-born sniper Cole Eiserman at 10th overall. Sennecke, the most popular mocked Devils selection, goes right after Eiserman at 11 with Catton going 12th overall to Philadelphia.
Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report’s final mock draft has the Devils once again adding to their pipeline of young defensemen. A pick after forward Tij Iginla, and two picks after forward Berkly Catton, the Devils go with University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium. Defenseman Sam Dickinson follows, with forwards Konsta Helenius and Beckett Sennecke selected at picks No. 12 and 13.
Logan Horn of The Hockey Writers
In Logan Horn’s, of The Hockey Writers, final two-round mock draft, he has the Devils selecting Tij Iginla at 10th overall. Horn specifically mentions pure goal-scoring winger Cole Eiserman as a possibility as well. However, he references Iginla’s, “goal scoring, forechecking, and physicality,” winning out.
Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News
In Tony Ferrari’s final mock draft for The Hockey News, the Devils also went winger; taking Cole Eiserman at 10th overall. Interestingly enough, Zeev Buium fell all the way to 12th. Another intriguing winger, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, who might be a fit for the Devils, was selected a pick after New Jersey’s selection at 11th.