Introduction
This article is a continuation of our series that looks back on recent drafts and how the New Jersey Devils’ prospects selected in them are shaping up. If you want to read our 2019 draft recap, click here.
In 2018, the New Jersey Devils qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the process of doing so, the team traded their third-round pick for Patrick Maroon and their second-round pick for Micheal Grabner. This caused the Devils to only have six picks, the least amount they’ve had in a single draft since 2015. In this article, we will examine those six picks and see what their futures may hold.
Ty Smith
Overview
Position: Defense
Draft Pick: round one, pick 17
NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils, ELC (three years remaining, $863,333 cap hit via CapFriendly)
Age: 20, born March 24, 2000
Quote
From the Athletic head scout Cory Pronman (via The Athletic):
“Smith has grown on me the more I’ve watched him. I see exceptional poise, skill, and elusiveness. When Smith has the puck on his stick, there is no panic in his game. He is looking to make a play and often finds seams to create offense. He weaves his way through traffic, making high-skill plays with the puck and showing great small-area skill and patience. Smith’s top speed is good, not great, but his edgework is fantastic. He dances on the blue line and his turns are great. He’s small but defends well due to his feet and IQ, often being trusted by coaches to play big minutes.”
Evaluation
Ty Smith has played for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL for the past four seasons where he’s collected numerous accolades. These include CHL defenseman of the year in 2019 and being two-time WHL defenseman of the year in 2019 and 2020.
He is an offensive dynamo on the blueline, scoring 233 points in 238 games during his WHL career. He has been the final cut at the Devils training camp each of the last two seasons.
With defensive improvements to go along with his offensive prowess, Smith should make the roster this season.
Xavier Bernard
Overview
Position: Defense
Draft Pick: round four, pick 110
NHL Rights: Unsigned, Free Agent
Age: 20, born 6 January 2000
Quote
Via Last Word on Hockey:
“Bernard has the potential to be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level. There are some areas that he will need to continue to improve. He needs more opportunities to see how his offensive tools will translate with more power play time. He also can stand to continue to add muscle to his frame and continue to refine his defensive game as he moves to higher levels. There is a potential top-four defender here. Bernard’s game is similar to Aaron Ekblad, however, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.”
Evaluation
The first non-signee on this list. After not signing with the Devils after the draft, Bernard has played in the QMJHL to sharpen his skills. He currently remains unsigned, though he has been playing decently for the Charlottetown Islanders and Sherbrooke Phoenix.
His biggest strength is his physicality, he is not afraid to use his body. He can definitely improve upon his skating, but he can find the open man rather than just clearing the puck.
Bernard has lots of potential but needs to show his true talent sooner rather than later. If he gets to the NHL, he could be a good defensive-defenseman who keeps the puck out of the net. Unfortunately, he will not play for the Devils.
Akira Schmid
Overview
Position: Goalie
Draft Pick: round 5, pick 136
NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils, unsigned
Age: 20, born 12 May 2000
Quote
Via Scott Clemmensen, NHL.com :
“Akira has good size, athleticism, and a solid technical game already in place,” he says. “I believe his best attribute is his ability to read plays and let it come to him. This is a sign of a cool demeanor and high-panic level. Therefore, he can play patient and not have to constantly be chasing after the play.”
Evaluation
As was the case in all drafts conducted by former general manager Ray Shero, the Devils selected a young, raw goaltender late in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Schmid has tons of potential coming out of the late rounds and still has lots of room to improve. He had a breakout year in 2018-19 with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL where he dominated through 37 games. He will look to improve upon this with the Sioux City Musketeers this season.
With Blackwood and Crawford suiting up in net, Schmid won’t make the roster this year, but his time will come soon.
Yegor Sharangovich
Overview
Position: Center
Draft Pick: round 5 pick 141
NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils, ELC (one year remaining, $775,833 cap hit via CapFriendly)
Age: 22, born 6 June 1998
Quote:
From James Villani (Devils Army Network)
“Sharangovich would be the biggest surprise to make the roster and crack the lineup on opening night. Maybe not so much now given his performance overseas, however, I expect his play to carry over in some fashion. And given the pedigree of the remaining candidates earning a spot out of camp should be a real possibility for the Belarusian.”
Evaluation
At this point, who has not heard this name? After hiding in the shadows for much of his career, Sharangovich has broken out big-time in the KHL. He totaled 17 goals and 25 points in 34 games playing in the second-toughest professional hockey league in the world.
I’m a realist so this might just be a flash in the pan and we will see if he can take this back to North America. On that thought, he will hopefully play with the Bingington Devils this season to keep the magic going.
At this pace, who knows where Sharangovich will end up. If he remains consistent he can reach for the stars. If not, maybe he’s a middle-six guy.
Mitchell Hoelscher
Overview
Position: Center
Draft Pick: round 6 pick 172
NHL Rights: Free Agent
Age: 20, born 27 January 2000
Evaluation
Mitchell Hoelscher is in a very strange situation. He was drafted in 2018 by the Devils, but over the past two years, he’s blossomed into a fantastic center in the OHL with 76 points in 62 games last year.
Now, this would usually be a good thing, however, the Devils are extremely deep at the center position, so Hoelscher wouldn’t really have a spot in the Devils roster anyway. This caused the Devils to choose not to sign him when his entry-level contract eligibility expired this past June. The Devils have still shown interest in signing Hoelscher, but it’s looking unlikely.
Nonetheless, it’s a real shame the Devils could not come to terms with Hoelscher. He’s looks to have the potential to be a solid NHL player. Maybe not a great player, but definitely a decent one.
Eetu Pakkila
Overview
Position: Left Wing
Draft Pick: round 7 pick 203
NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils
Age: 21, born 3 October 1999
Evaluation
Pakkila is a skilled Finnish forward who currently has two goals and eight points in 15 games for Ilves of the Liiga. He has definitely grown his game since his draft year, becoming more of a two-way forward. Pakkila has also improved in that statistics department in the past year, almost already matching his 11 points in 39 games in the Liiga last year.
Overall, he has potential, his statistics as a 21-year-old in a men’s league show that. However, he’s a very raw prospect who could be a complete bust or could be a solid top-six forward. We’ll just have to wait and see.