The New Jersey Devils have seven picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, with their first selection coming in the second round at 50th overall.
The organization previously traded its first-round pick to the Calgary Flames to acquire goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
There is always a chance the Devils could trade the pick. Still, if general manager Tom Fitzgerald and his front office decide to use it, the following are three players projected to be selected in the second round, 50th overall.
ESPN: Mason West, F, Edina High (USHS-MN)
The first thing that jumps out about Mason West is his size. At 17 years old, he is listed as 6-foot-6, 218 pounds. In addition to playing hockey, his resume includes being a star high school quarterback, which led ESPN to call him "the best overall athlete in the draft class."
After spending time playing high school hockey, West transitioned to the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Fargo Force. The Minnesota native is projected to be a middle-six power forward in the NHL.
"He's kind of the unicorn of the whole draft class because he's not hockey 24/7; he has been splitting his skills among two sports," NHL Central Scouting's Pat Cullen said on the latest edition of the "NHL Draft Class" podcast. "So I think there's room for a ton of growth in his game."
West is number 27 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, collecting 49 points in 31 high school games and nine points in 10 games with Fargo.
The Athletic: Jack Murtagh, F, USNTDP (USHL)
With the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Jack Murtagh collected 53 points (22 goals, 31 assists) in 56 games.
"He has an identity in the way he plays," Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo told NHL.com. "He will go to the net, and he is not afraid to play in traffic. He can be hard to play against, and I think all those things are what we really like about his game. He is competitive, and he is still young; I think sometimes younger players can get away from their identity a little bit at times, and for him, when he plays to his identity, he is a really effective player."
The 6-foot-1, 199-pound forward plays a simple physical game that could transition into a bottom-to-middle-six power forward.
TSN: Matthew Gard, F, Red Deer (WHL)
Like West, Matthew Gard's size is the first thing that you notice. The 18-year-old is listed as 6-foot-4, 192 pounds.
Playing for the Red Deer Rebels, Gard collected 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 66 games. Gard has shown versatility, playing both the wing and center positions.
"He moves well for a big, tall kid," Rebels President and General Manager Brent Sutter said. "He skates well. He's got the long stride, and he could play either center or wing. He's played both with us. Now he is putting some muscle on and stuff, you know, he just took it and ran with it. I thought he also matured a lot, just as a person."
The first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is set for Friday, June 27, with Rounds 2-7 set for Saturday, June 28.
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Photo Credit: Taylor Lachance/Red Deer Rebels/WHL