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Who Should New Jersey Take First Overall?

The Devils won the NHL Draft Lottery. Where will they go with their pick?

By Kyle VandenbergPublished 7 years ago 5 min read
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New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero (Image via Twitter)

The NHL Draft lottery was full of surprises. Despite only an 8.8% chance of gaining the top overall pick, the New Jersey Devils jumped over four teams to claim the first spot. Before the NHL Draft kicks off on June 23, the Devils and general manager Ray Shero have some decisions to make about which young prospect they will select.

The team certainly has a lot of needs. For starters, the team ranked 28th in the league with an abysmal 2.20 goals per game. Despite contributions from top goal scorer Kyle Palmieri and former first overall pick Taylor Hall, the Devils just couldn’t make it happen. With the team in full rebuild mode, drafting young talent to support these players is a huge priority.

The team’s needs lie beyond their anemic offense, however. New Jersey was also tied for 25th in the league with 2.94 goals against per game. While goalie Cory Schneider certainly did not have his best season, the blame seems to fall more harshly on the defense in front of him, which was incapable of overcoming the loss of top blue-liner Adam Larsson. Perhaps the Devils can focus on strengthening their defense and try to reclaim their identity as one of the league’s toughest defensive teams.

Which way will the New Jersey Devils go? Let’s dissect the possibilities for the top draft pick:

Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings (Image via Twitter)

Nolan Patrick, C (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Wheat Kings Captain and the consensus favorite for the first overall pick, 18-year-old Nolan Patrick also has the benefit of an NHL pedigree. His father, Steve Patrick, and uncle, James Patrick, both spent time in the NHL; uncle James played 1,200+ games over the course of a productive 20-year career. Nolan has experienced some success of his own, being named the MVP of the WHL Playoffs a year ago after guiding Brandon to its first championship in 20 years. In 72 games that year, he amassed 102 points (41 G, 61 A) and was named team captain prior to 2016–17. He was also named WHL Rookie of the Year in 2015, after putting up 56 points (30 G, 26 A) in 55 games as a 16-year-old. Patrick missed significant time this season due to injuries, but that doesn’t seem to have affected his draft stock. He still grabbed 46 points (20 G, 26 A) in 33 games.

Patrick was the wire-to-wire favorite to go first overall despite his injuries. The question is whether these injuries will matter to GM Ray Shero when it comes time to make a decision. The Devils could benefit from a player of his talent level if he lives up to potential and would mirror the direction the team has gone over the last two drafts. New Jersey selected big, talented centermen each of the last two years, taking Mikey McLoed 12th in 2016 and Pavel Zacha 6th in 2015. Zacha saw significant NHL time this year and McLoed tore it up in the OHL Playoffs this season. Adding more playmaking talent at center could help turn around the team’s horrendous offense, and Patrick is the consensus favorite to fit that role.

Halifax Mooseheads Center Nico Hischier (Image via Twitter)

Nico Hischier, C (Halifax Mooseheads)

Another young man who mirrors the team’s recent selections is 18-year-old Nico Hischier. This Swiss native is projected to be the highest selected Swiss-born player in NHL history, regardless of whether the Devils take him with the top pick. If Nolan Patrick’s injury problems prove to be enough to force the Devils in another direction, Hischier is a worthy alternative.

Hischier spent the last two seasons playing with the Swiss national team and appeared in the WJC Championships and the U18 World Championships. During his time playing for Switzerland, he registered better than a point per game and was able to convert that into a stint with Halifax in the QMJHL this past year. All he did there was rake 86 points (38 G, 48 A) in just 57 games. The smaller North American ice was good for Hischier, who won the QMJHL Rookie of the Year award and the Mike Bossy Trophy. Hischier’s sample size is a lot smaller in North America, but he could be a nice option if New Jersey decides not to select Patrick.

Rogle Defenseman Timothy Liljegren (Image via Twitter)

Timothy Liljegren, D (Rogle BK)

The truth of the matter is that the Devils won’t likely be looking past Nolan or Nico, but defense is certainly another huge need the team has to address. They could potentially lose a defenseman in the expansion draft as well, with many predicting that Ben Lovejoy could be stolen away by Vegas. With yet another hole to fill on defense, what if the Devils chose to select a blue-liner?

One of the highest ranked defensemen coming into the draft is Timothy Liljegren of Sweden. While his size doesn’t seem to impress, he is known as a “world class skater who has agility mobility and great acceleration. He displays high hockey IQ and reads the ice as well as any NHL defender.” His scouting report reads similar to that of another Swedish defender the Devils took at 4th overall back in 2011 — Adam Larsson. Needing to add muscle upon being drafted but an outstanding skater and passer, Larsson is now enjoying wonderful success at the NHL level, and Liljegren could easily replace him on this defense.

Mississauga Steelheads Winger Owen Tippett (Image via Twitter)

Dark Horse Pick: Owen Tippett, RW (Mississauga Steelheads)

While he may lay a bit further outside the top two picks in the eyes of scouts, there’s a chance that the Devils would look at Mississauga Winger Owen Tippett. High on the list of reasons for this is that he’s a teammate of two Devils prospects in Mississauga: both Mikey McLeod and Nate Bastian were drafted by New Jersey in 2016. Their teammate Tippett boasts dynamic offensive ability and a great shot, and is touted as a dangerous sniper and one of the best pure scorers in the draft. There’s at least a chance.

The Verdict

Indications are that New Jersey won’t be looking far beyond either Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier, and this makes predicting the selection difficult. Patrick seems to be the more consistent, sure bet. If his injuries are a problem, the team could be tempted to lean towards Hischier. Patrick is bigger and has more experience in North American hockey. Hischier was excellent this year and has the option to play pro-level hockey in Switzerland or in the AHL if he doesn’t make the Devils roster after training camp. Pro-level development would be preferable to playing in the juniors another year.

My conclusion? At the moment I’m leaning towards Nolan Patrick, but I could be swayed very easily towards Nico Hischier. The upside seems very good on both players, but the experience and size make Patrick preferable in my eyes. This is a very close race, and if both players make the pros next season, it could lead to another Matthews vs. Laine situation.

That wouldn’t be bad for anyone.

hockey
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About the Creator

Kyle Vandenberg

NJ Resident, Hockey fanatic, Staff Writer for The Unbalanced.

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