Introduction
The qualifying round of the NHL’s return-to-play initiative is complete. And, although home like the rest of us, the Devils’ organization had a ton riding on its results. The Devils could have had anywhere from one to three first-round picks in the upcoming NHL entry draft. This was all dependent on the results of the qualifying round.
Thanks to trades with the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks this was a possibility. The Devils acquired a top-three protected first-round pick from the Arizona Coyotes. The team also acquired a lottery-protected pick from the Vancouver Canucks via a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. So, let’s see what has happened with each of these picks.
The Arizona Coyotes’ Pick
As mentioned above, the Devils acquired the Coyotes’ 2020 first-round pick in the Taylor Hall trade. The pick would have been moved to 2021 if the Coyotes lost in the qualifying round and won the Phase II of the NHL Draft Lottery. However, ex-head coach John Hynes and his Nashville Predators were unable to defeat the Coyotes as the Predators fell in four games.
This result confirms the New Jersey Devils will receive a second first-round pick courtesy of the Arizona Coyotes. The question now turns to where that pick will be. As of right now, if the higher seed wins its respective matchups, the pick will be 18th. This of course contingent on the fact the Coyotes lose to the Colorado Avalanche.
Now, if the Canadiens upset the Flyers and the Blackhawks upset the Golden Knights, the Devils’ new pick can move as high as 16th. If the Coyotes pull an upset of its own, this pick can drop to 24th. Let’s hope this does not happen.
Prospect to Target with Coyotes’ Pick
This will presumably be the Devils’ second pick in the draft. As I have preached for months now, this draft is loaded with high caliber, and uber-talented forwards, something the Devils need to take advantage of.
Assuming the pick stands at 18th, these are the forwards the Devils should target: Dawson Mercer, Noah Gunler, Rodion Amirov, and Jack Quinn. If the team chooses to go the defensive route, which would be a major mistake if two of the team’s three first-round picks were defenseman, these are the prospect the Devils should target: Kaiden Guhle, Braden Schneider, and Ryan O’Roruke.
Note: for a full breakdown of each prospect click the hyperlink. Also, the prospects are listed in order of how I have ranked them through my analysis of each.
The Vancouver Canucks’ Pick
As was mentioned, the New Jersey Devils received the Vancouver Canucks first-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Blake Coleman trade earlier this year. The pick was originally traded from the Canucks to the Lightning in the J.T. Miller deal. The pick was dealt with a lottery protection and the NHL ultimately ruled that if the Canucks were to lose its qualifying series versus the Wild, the pick would transfer to 2021. However, the Canucks were able to down the Wild in four games, so the pick is officially New Jersey’s.
Much like the Coyotes’ pick, the question now turns to where the Canucks’ pick will be. If the higher seed in each matchup of the round of 16 wins, then the pick will slot in at 20th overall. However, if teams in front of the Canucks (Flames, Coyotes, Blackhawks, Canadiens) win the Canucks’ pick can move as high as 16th. Of course, 16th is wishful thinking but with some luck, the pick can creep up a couple of spots.
Now, if the Canucks pull an upset in its matchup with the St. Louis Blues, the pick can fall to anywhere between 24th and 27th. So, as Devils’ fans, we are all going to be huge St. Louis Blues’ supporters.
Prospect to Target with Canucks’ Pick
All signs point to this pick being the Devils’ final of the team’s three first-round selections. Now, with that being said, the Devils may be wise to move this pick. A trade would allow New Jersey to either instantly improve the team’s NHL roster or replenish the lack of early-to-mid round selections the team has available to them in this draft. More draft capital and the Devils can continue to load up on prospects or even look to move those picks.
However, if the team does not go that route there are still plenty of high-talented prospects in the later parts of round one. Forward prospects the Devils should target, assuming the pick stays at 20th, are Jacob Perrault, Maverick Bourque, Lukas Reichel, and Brendan Brisson. Defensive prospects the team can target are any of the three defenseman mentioned with the Coyotes’ pick above and William Wallinder.
Note: for a full breakdown of each prospect click the hyperlink. Also, the prospects are listed in order of how I have ranked them through my analysis of each.
Conclusion
The qualifying round of the NHL’s return-to-play format was, in a word, indifferent to New Jersey. The team was awarded two more first-round picks. But it saw the Coyotes’ pick go from a possible top-10 selection with a loss, to a pick that can only be as good as 16th, but more likely 18th.
Nonetheless, if there was an NHL Entry Draft a team would want three first-rounder in it would be this years. The first round is extremely deep and loaded with talent and prospects that will instantly boost a team’s system.
You can check out my top-30 at the bottom of this page. A deeper in-depth preview of the draft will be released once the two other picks the Devils own have a definite location.
Additionally, on our very own podcast — Devils Army Cast — we discuss upcoming prospects that the Devils can target, and other important draft related topics weekly. You can give a listen to any of our first 11 episodes via the tweet and link below.
My Top-30 Prospect Rankings
1. Alexis Lafrenière (06/09/2020)
2. Tim Stützle (05/07/2020)
3. Quinton Byfield (05/08/2020)
4. Marco Rossi (04/30/2020)
5. Lucas Raymond (04/28/2020)
6. Cole Perfetti (05/06/2020)
7. Jamie Drysdale (05/01/2020)
8. Alexander Holtz (04/29/2020)
9. Yaroslav Askarov (05/05/2020)
10. Anton Lundell (05/11/2020)
11. Seth Jarvis (05/13/2020)
12. Jake Sanderson (05/04/2020)
13. Dawson Mercer (05/16/2020)
14. Noah Gunler (05/19/2020)
15. Rodion Amirov (05/12/2020)
16. Jack Quinn (05/09/2020)
17. Kaiden Guhle (05/31/2020)
18. Braden Schneider (06/29/2020)
19. Ryan O’Rourke (07/01/2020)
20. Dylan Holloway (05/14/2020)
21. Connor Zary (05/15/2020)
22. Jacob Perreault (05/26/2020)
23. Maverik Bourque (05/20/2020)
24. Lukas Reichel (05/18/2020)
25. Brendan Brisson (07/18/2020)
26. Hendrix Lapierre (05/21/2020)
27. John-Jason Peterka (05/28/2020)
28. William Wallinder (05/23/2020)
29. Jan Mysak (06/02/2020)
30. Roni Hirvonen (06/05/2020)
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