With 2020 Draft being held in Montreal and 2020 looking like a similar, but different animal compared to the 2003 NHL Draft, there are a lot of ideal players the New Jersey Devils could pick from third overall if they stay there on lottery night. Also, the best the Devils can do is first overall and the worst case scenario is sixth overall.
It’s time to evaluate one through six and see some possible players who can really benefit the New Jersey Devils. This is before we get to the Arizona pick they received in the Taylor Hall trade. From what it seems after a stellar World Juniors and a phenomenal CHL Top Prospects game, left-winger and centreman Alexis Lafreniere will be a lock at first overall. In a previous article, he is described as extremely hard to contain, super intelligent, he loves to hit opponents cleanly and he likes to bring an edge every game.
Quinton Byfield had himself a pretty good showing, but not as stellar as Lafreniere. He is still growing and is adding more muscle mass, he’s a big physical specimen who can be this new decades version of Evgeni Malkin, but with more speed and a really amazing shot. He is also very composed mentally.
It wouldn’t shock me if he goes second still because other prospects like Perfetti, Stutzle, Rossi, Raymond and Holtz are all banging on the top-five doorway. Either way, New Jersey and the new full-time GM going forward under Gates Orlando, the Director of Amateur Scouting, and his boss Paul Castron (former DOA Scouting) will all have their group for when they make the pick. But I’m very confident that the Devils will make an amazing choice.
Marco Rossi, the Ottawa 67’s centre who has recorded 73 points this season, has jumped top-10 to top-five going to third overall in my rankings. What Rossi brings is speed, agility, skill, smarts, IQ and that extra hockey sense most scouts would bank on. He is one of the top forwards in my rankings and with the likes of Hughes and Hischier in New Jersey, having Marco Rossi starting on the third line to ease him into the lineup would be wise before they move someone else to the third line. Also with Austria now taking over Kazakstan’s spot in the World Juniors, this bodes well for a growing hockey power course in Austria.
Jamie Drysdale was the only 2020 Draft eligible defenseman that played for the U-20 Team Canada Gold Medal team. One of the many attributes and skills he used were his smarts, smooth skating and he was capable of being an offensive threat that added depth on a stacked Canadian defence. He’s capable of being a two-way defender in the NHL.
He reminds me of an updated North American version of Devils defender Sami Vatanen. With his intensity for the game and being able to limit his mistakes under very stressful situations, he can prove to be an excellent player.
Cole Perfetti has a very darn good stick handling game. He has some really good dekes that will get him around defensemen. He knows how to navigate via the neutral zone and his skating along with his lateral movement and clean passing is all part of his offensive distribution as a forward. Cole is also very supportive along the boards, looking for the loose puck and making himself available for a scoring opportunity.
Lucas Raymond is an amazing passer and sniper who typically scores from high danger areas. When given a little extra time in the mid-danger areas, Raymond will fire at will from there. He is a solid complimentary piece on the power play and enjoys being more of a sniper.
His smarts, skating and his IQ help him get open and make the clutch plays. He’s probably one of the best European forwards in this draft class that won’t be waiting long to hear his name called. He was part of Sweden’s success along with fellow countryman Alexander Holtz who both can easily fight for this spot.
New Jersey’s Arizona pick for Taylor Hall is gonna be a rather interesting take. Today, it currently sits at 14th overall which can’t go higher than fourth overall as it is lottery protected. At 14th overall, the New Jersey Devils could go pick up a very solid defensemen going off the boards in selecting Jake Sanderson. Sanderson had himself a field day for team Knuble at the USHL BioSteel in Plymouth, Michigan.
The New Jersey Devils having Martin Brodeur in their hockey ops and likely bringing back Scott Stevens to some sort of potential coaching capacity would be perfect for this pick. Sanderson, already committed to the University of North Dakota, is perfect if he isn’t rushed. Sanderson plays both a very smart and simple offence in playing with speed and power, but will make an outstanding pass.
He also plays very physical and does it cleanly with a lot of snarling with his play style. With this kind of defender that aggressive, he seems like the perfect target for the Devils.