Given where the Devils have their three picks, it is safe to say that general manager Tom Fitzgerald is open to using one of the three in a trade. Given how the NHL playoffs and the recent Kasperi Kapanen trade went down, it will also effect the NHL Draft and other acquisitions that might take place on draft day. With Toronto picking 15th overall, I have them selecting backstop Yaroslav Askarov.
Given the fact that there is so much talent and upside in this draft class, if Fitzgerald decides to keep all three picks, these are my scenarios for October 9th and 10th for the New Jersey Devils.
1st) Alexis Lafreniere NYR, LW
2nd) Tim Stutzle LA Kings, C/LW
3) Quinton Byfield Ottawa, C
4th) Cole Perfetti LW/C, Detroit
5) Jake Sanderson LHD, Ottawa
6th) Jamie Drysdale RHD, Anaheim
7th) Alexander Holtz RW, New Jersey: The key reasons I see Holtz going to New Jersey is that he’s a primetime shooter like Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators, as pointed out by Craig Button. As well, the right-handed shooter has connections with winger Jesper Bratt. Holtz is the kind of player that will compliment Jack Hughes’ line and yield a lot of scoring. From what I have seen, he skates more fluid than Patrik Laine, however, he has a very similar shot.
18th) Braden Schneider from the Brandon Wheat Kings is a big two-way, right-handed defensemen. He is a big, physical guy with a similar structure similar to Ken Daneyko and Kevin Bahl. This is with both his play style and physicality. Schneider, a Prince Albert native, is the kind of guy that likes to prevent offensive breakouts.
19th) Czech winger and center Jan Mysak (Me Shack) is a very well-rounded forward who came to North America from HC Litvinov. He really jumped onto the scene, making a name for himself in Southern Ontario. He did so with the Hamilton Bulldogs, displaying his defensive capabilities in his own end. He also was strong with takeaways against opposing teams and converting under pressure.
He did have a very solid campaign through the 22 games he played in the Ontario Hockey League. Jan Jenik, who also contributed very well with the Czech National Team under Patrik Elias, seemed to mesh well with Mysak’s play style and this allowed him to easily form chemistry. Mysak must’ve learned a lot in the brief time he spent under Mr. Elias.
I believe Tom Fitzgerald will take him if he’s there with Elias, the forward legend, giving him insight. 19th overall is a very great value for a player like Mysak, who not only can score goals, but is an amazing puck distributor and very well-rounded.