VOORHEES, NJ – Does anyone remember Ari Ahonen? How about J.F. Damphousse?
If you’re a diehard New Jersey Devils fan, you may know that they were two of the three goaltenders that the Devils have drafted in the first round (Damphousse in 1997, Ahonen in 1999). You might even know that Damphousse played in six games for the Devils in the 2001-02 NHL season, but it’s the goalie that was taken in the first round in 1990, one Martin Brodeur, that makes some wonder why the Devils would consider taking a keeper in the first round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
Photos courtesy of the NHL
Brodeur is coming off of another solid season, one that had him winning his fourth Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender, is signed through the 2011-12 season, and hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down. So why consider a goalie with their #1 pick? Well, it wouldn’t hurt to be able to groom someone to eventually take his spot, after all Brodeur just turned 36, and as well as he’s done in recent years, he can’t go on forever. Goaltending is a weak spot in the Devils system. Only Trenton’s Jason Smith (6th round, 2003) is a homegrown product.
Yet another weak spot is in the forward category, where Petr Vrana (2nd round, 2003) was the Devils top forward in the minors while Matt Halischuk (4th round, 2007) had a successful run leading Kitchener to the finals of the Memorial Cup this spring.
Offense is an area where the Devils are hurting, as they finished 26th in the NHL in goals scored (206) while Lowell (183) was last in the AHL and Trenton (186) was next to last in the ECHL. Defense is a strong point for both the Devils and the 2008 draft as past draftee Matt Corrente (1st
round, 2006) will get a great shot in training camp to make the NHL squad.
Photos courtesy of the NHL
So who does New Jersey go with? On offense, Greg Nemisz would be an excellent choice, a player with size and a scoring touch, while defense isn’t a real priority, New Jersey born John Carlson would have been a project pick and a sentimental touch for the home state, but he is aleady off the board. But on draft night, the Devils will seek out the possible heir apparent to Marty Brodeur and will make the announcement:
“With the 21st pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils select from Sweden, goaltender Jacob Markstrom.”
Contact the author at Tom.Hoffman@prohockeynews.com
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