New Jersey remains without a first round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
NEWARK, N.J. --The NHL Entry Draft is exciting for fans, organizations, and of course, the prospects who await their future fate. On June 15, the NHL announced the official order of selection for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft.
As it stands, New Jersey has six picks, one in each round except for the first. During his end-of-season media availability, Devils' general manager Tom Fitzgerald said, "We don't have a first-round pick. That doesn't mean we won't get one."
The organization's current roster boasts plenty of first-round picks, including Nolan Foote, Nico Hischier, Alexander Holtz, Jack Hughes, Curtis Lazar, Michael McLeod, Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, and Brendan Smith.
Below is a breakdown of New Jersey's selections when they arrive in Nashville in two weeks.
Round 2: 58th Selection
The Devils previously owned the 58th overall pick in 2006 when they selected Alexander Vasyunov. He appeared in 18 games for New Jersey during the 2010-11 season and scored his first career NHL goal on November 12, 2010, against Devan Dubnyk of the Edmonton Oilers. Vasyunov was killed in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash. He was just 23 years old.
New Jersey's Notable Round 2 Picks: Sergei Brylin, Patrik Elias, Damon Severson
Current Devils Drafted in Round 2: Jesper Boqvist, Nathan Bastian, Mackenzie Blackwood, Tomas Tatar, Kevin Bahl, Jonas Siegenthaler, Vitek Vanecek.
Round 3: 80th Selection
This will mark the third time the Devils will select 80th overall. The first time was in 2016 when they chose Brandon Gignac, and most recently in 2019 when they picked Graeme Clarke.
Gignac made his Devils debut on March 9, 2019, versus the New York Rangers. He appeared in one game and spent most of his time with the Albany and Binghamton Devils. On July 29, 2021, he signed a one-year contract with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League. Clarke has not made his NHL debut in New Jersey yet but led the Utica Comets with 58 points in 68 games during the 2022-23 season.
New Jersey's Notable Round 3 Picks: Blake Coleman, Adam Henrique, Brian Gionta
Current Devils Drafted in Round 3: Reilly Walsh, Nico Daws
Round 4: 122nd Selection
The last time New Jersey selected 122 overall was in 1995. The organization selected goaltender Chris Mason. He never played a game in New Jersey.
New Jersey's Notable Round 4 Picks: Cam Janssen, Miles Wood
Current Devils Drafted in Round 4: Miles Wood, Tyce Thompson, Ryan Graves,
Round 5: 154th Selection
In 2002, the Devils drafted Krisjanis Redlihs 154th overall. He suited up for the Albany River Rats from the 2002-03 to 2005-06 season but never played an NHL game. Current defenseman John Marino was the Pittsburgh Penguins' 154th overall pick in 2015.
New Jersey's Notable Round 5 Picks: Mark Fayne, Chris Terreri
Current Devils Drafted in Round 5: Akira Schmid, Yegor Sharangovich, John Marino
Round 6: 186th Selection
The last time New Jersey owned the 186th overall pick was in 1992. They drafted Stéphane Yelle. He was traded to the Quebec Nordiques on June 1, 1994, and never appeared in a game for the Devils.
New Jersey's Notable Round 6 Picks: Jesper Bratt, Deryk Engelland
Current Devils Drafted in Round 6: Jesper Bratt, Josh Filmon
Round 7: 218th Selection
In 2002, the Devils selected Ilkka Pikkarainen with their 218th pick. He made his NHL debut in New Jersey during the 2009-10 season and scored his first career goal on December 16, 2009, against the Montreal Canadiens.
New Jersey's Notable Round 7 Picks: Anthony Brodeur, Jeremy Davies
Current Devils Drafted in Round 7: Erik Haula, Ondrej Palat
The 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, on June 28-29.