The NJ Devils went into the draft with 3 picks and came out with 11 players and made 5 trades.
The first deal started with Adam Larsson being shipped to Tampa for 2 2nd round picks and 2 later round picks. Sucks losing Larsson but was nice to free up some cap.
The 2nd deal was a mid-draft deal with the Minnesota Wild. With Connor Geekie falling and hoping to grab him at #23. Vancouver swooped in at #21 to take him which meant I was able to move down 2 spots to #25 and pick up a 3rd round pick.
The 3rd deal was a big pick swap. Trading pick #53 to NYI for 64, 91, 92, 102, 115, 116, 127, and 138. I honestly didn't want to stay this long in the draft but this was a no brainer. Taking advantage of Scorps lack of time.
The 4th deal was a very simple pick swap with Vancouver trading #92 for a 4th and 5th next year.
The 5th deal was to turn some of the above picks into future picks. Trading my later round picks: Picks 115, 116, 127, 138 to Chicago for 107 and a 5th next year.
The theme of the draft was skill and pray. Now lets get to the notable Devils picks:
#25 - Jagger Firkus - C
This guy reminds me a ton of Trevor Zegras. Super cocky kid with insane amount of skill. Pulled a Michigan goal in the first round of the WHL playoffs. Outstanding shot as well.
#34 - Gleb Trikozov - RW
Russian wild card. Similar to Firkus in terms of dynamic skill. The big difference here is Trikozov has the size. A bit of a one-way player currently and who knows how Russians will be drafted this season. Absolutely dominated the MHL this season and in the playoffs. I have seen him all over the place in terms of mock drafts. Hope he slips into the 1st.
#43 - Calle Odelius - D
Once again, highly skilled player and is being labelled as the best skater in the draft. A bit undersized for a defenceman but I am hoping his skating and edgework is the difference in him making the NHL. Once again, all of the map in terms of mock drafts. I have seen him as high as #15 on mocks. Hope I stole a 1st here.
#47 - Mattias Havelid - D
NHL bloodline who is undersized but really steady on the back end. Similar to Calle, I have seen him all over the map in mock drafts. Hope he slides into the 1st round as well. Had an amazing U-18 and played significant games in the SHL which stood out to me as an 18 year old.
#64 - Tomas Hamara - D
Similar to Havelid he got a ton of pro reps this season as an 18 year old. Showed some offensive skill at the U-18s.
#67 - Bryce McConnell-Barker - C
This is the 3rd rounder I got from Grant for moving down 2 spots in the 1st. With that being said this guy is going to be a hall of famer just because it was Grant's pick he traded to me. Two-way center who turned it on later in the year. A bit of a late bloomer who just turned 18 so I am hoping he has a great season next year.
Then a bunch of random high risk, high reward guys. Probably all all-stars.
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