The NHL draft is just about two months away the New Jersey Devils will likely have a top 10 pick.
The NHL playoffs have kicked off and unfortunately the Devils aren’t participating but what Devils fans can look forward to is the NHL Entry Draft.
The NHL draft Lottery will take place on May 6 or 7 and the Devils will have the 10th best odds (3.5%) at landing the first overall pick. This year's consensus number one pick is Macklin Celebrini and his skillset is ideal for all 32 teams in the NHL but Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News made his ideal picks for each team on a realistic scale.
His pick for the Devils was Finnish forward Konsta Helenius. Listed at 5’11 and 180lbs, Helenius spent this past season playing for Jukurit in Finland's top league. In Liiga he scored 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games. He also added two goals and six points in six playoff games. He represented Finland at the World Juniors this year as an underager. He scored a goal and added an assist in seven games.
Ferrari believes Helenius is the ideal pick for the Devils because the developmental situation for him is perfect.
"The Devils have plenty of young blueliners and some really intriguing young forwards. They are one of the best setup teams for the next few years when it comes to their prospects and young NHLers but adding Konsta Helenius to the fold would be a sneaky good addition. He wouldn’t have the pressure of playing in the top six with all-world center Jack Hughes and Devils’ captain Nico Hischier filling those roles, allowing Helenius to settle in as a depth center. It could create some insane long-term depth down the middle for the Devils.”
The 17-year-old doesn't have any physical traits that stand out but he does so many things well. He's a good skater and strong on his edges and uses that to put himself in good offensive situations. He has a capable shot and great vision to set up his teammates. His ability to see the ice and be one step ahead is his best attribute and allows him to be a 200-foot player.
This year's draft is one of the more unpredictable ones in recent memory. After Celebrini, there aren’t many players stapled to a certain spot. Different scouts and analysts have completely different mock drafts.
The Devils would of course love to move up in the draft but if they stay at pick 10 and Helenius is available, the Devils could be inclined to pick him.
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