Devils' GM Fitzgerald to Make a Splash at NHL Draft?
For the first time in 10 years, the New Jersey Devils do not have a selection in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. That doesn't mean general manager Tom Fitzgerald won't do his due diligence and explore all options, including trading up for a first-round pick
Nov 30, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils executive vice president/general managerTom Fitzgerald, addresses the media about the contract extension of New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) before the start of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports - Devils' GM Fitzgerald to Make a Splash at NHL Draft?New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald held his end-of-season media availability on Wednesday, May 17, to address his season and potential summer plans. He discussed his goaltending, gave updates on contract negotiations, and confirmed Lindy Ruff would be back as his head coach.
Fitzgerald, usually candid during his interviews, made a cryptic remark when asked about the upcoming 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
"We don't have a first-round pick. That doesn't mean we won't get one."
The Devils currently have a pick in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds of this year's draft.
Their first-round pick was sent to the San Jose Sharks as part of the trade package for Timo Meier, and New Jersey's third-round pick belongs to the Pittsburgh Penguins since it was part of the trade for defenseman John Marino.
The 54-year-old Massachusetts native has previously said he will do whatever is necessary to improve his club and reiterated as much during an interview with Pierre LeBrun last year.
"For me, if I can make a hockey trade, and it betters our team today as well as tomorrow, that's my job." (from LeBrun: Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald discusses P.K. Subban, Damon Severson and his team's future, The Athletic, Mar 7, 2022).
His mindset remains the same as he continues to piece together a roster that can be competitive over multiple seasons.
"Putting the right pieces into place here is the most important thing to me," Fitzgerald said. "Keep building around the edges of what our core looks like and try to build the best possible team we can."
Would it be a shock to see the Devils trade up to ensure a first-round pick at Bridgestone Arena on June 28? Absolutely not. This year's draft class is being described as one that can only be rivaled by the 2015 draft class that included Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Mitch Marner. It is a deep prospect pool filled with elite talent, and Fitzgerald would not be doing his job if he did not explore every possible option this offseason.
During yesterday's availability, the general manager shared that his team is already hard at work preparing for the big event in Nashville next month.
"The mandate is to find the players with the highest upside and what those probabilities are of being able to hit their upside. The amateur draft is so hard to predict; it really is. I trust my team. They put in the work, they're on the road, through video. We have to be prepared that we do have a first-round pick and just continue to go through the right processes to find the right players."