NEWARK, NJ, – The New Jersey Devils returned to the NHL playoffs in 2018 after missing the playoffs five seasons prior. For a once proud franchise, it was a step in the right direction. Despite losing in the first round there is reason for optimism. In 2017, the ping pong balls finally went their way landing the first overall selection in the NHL Draft and the Devils selected Nico Hischier who was second on the team in scoring with 52 points, 20 of them were goals. 
Taylor Hall turned in an MVP candidate performance with 93 points and 39 goals. The Devils have always been defensive minded but the Devils lack any kind of blue chip prospects on the blueline. New Jersey has not drafted a defenseman in the first round since 2011 (Adam Larsson) and as fate would have it he was traded for Hall. This is one time the Devils have to star considering a defenseman in the draft and lucky for them this is a deep draft
The Devils could trade down in a year where there is no clear cut prospect at the top of the draft. That said New Jersey won’t be trading up or down since PHN does not do trades. On our draft board Jared McIsaac, Ty Smith, K’Andre Miller, are just one of many quality prospects the Devils could select.
They could still go forward, especially for a winger like Serron Noel, but PHN is sticking to its guns and we still see the New Jersey Devils going for a blueliner and making the following announcement in Dallas next Friday.
“With the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils select from the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, Ty Smith.”
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
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