The New Jersey Devils did not see their pick in the NHL Draft move during the NHL Draft Lottery, so the will pick 10th if they don’t decide to move the pick in a trade. This is one of the strangest drafts in a long time. While many analysts have said this isn’t the best draft in terms of talent, it seems like there are 14 players these analysts are talking themselves into.

The Devils might get a great player at 10. There is no consensus player available with the second-overall pick. That is why the top 10 is going to be so much fun to watch. Anyone could be available at any time, and anyone could be gone at any time. The Devils could get a huge star or they could be stuck with their favorite players off the board. So, let’s take a look at the predictions for who the Devils are going to take at 10th overall.

The Athletic put its two best prospect writers, Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler, on the task of drafting the first two rounds. They made an interesting choice. Cole Eiserman and Konsta Helenius were both available, but Wheeler chose Beckett Sennecke. The right winger has the size and strength the Devils will want, and as we profiled in our profile of Sennecke, he has rocketed up draft boards. We’ve seen those players succeed in the past. Sennecke is a risk because of his late-bloomer status, but it’s hard to find someone who is 6’2 with that much skill.

The New Jersey Devils have gone after the Spokane Chiefs in the first round before, but it didn’t exactly work. Ty Smith had a really good start to his career, but a switch flipped and he wasn’t very good after that rookie year in the NHL. Anyway, we can’t cry over that spilled milk. Friend of this blog Alex Chauvancy chose Chiefs’ center Berlky Catton. He also had a chance to take Eiserman, but he went with the center. Catton had 54 goals this season. He’s a smaller forward and might have to move to wing in the NHL, but his skill is undeniable.

Ah, we finally found someone who took the incredibly skilled Cole Eiserman out of the United States National Development Team Program. He’s here breaking or coming close to breaking records for the USNDTP. He is an incredibly talented player, but some question his motor and his motivation. Still, Steven Ellis can’t get past how great Eiserman would look next to Jack Hughes. He thinks this would have the same impact that Cole Caufield had on Hughes back when they were both with the USNDTP. If Hughes can finally find his winger that makes his one of the greats, the Devils have to take that at 10th overall.

We finally found someone bold enough to give the Devils a defenseman. This is a very interesting defensive draft. There is zero consensus about who goes where. Maybe Zeev Buium falls to 10 like Sam Cosentino is predicting, and maybe the Devils can’t deny his talent. The Devils already have young defensemen in Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, Kevin Bahl, Seamus Casey, and a long list of others. Will the Devils really use another pick on a defenseman? If the talent dictates it, then they will.

The New Jersey Devils could take a completely different defenseman who could fall in the draft. Sam Dickinson is huge, showcasing the size and impact the Devils have been prioritizing as of late. His skating is immaculate, which is another thing the Devils have and will continue to prioritize. Lyle Richardson also points out that Dickinson is left-handed, which means he would fill a need amongst the Devils prospect pool.

Last but not least, we go back to Pucks and Pitchforks to see who Todd Matthews believes the Devils will take. Cayden Lindstrom is as dynamic a player with his kind of size. Will Lindstrom fall to 10? We can’t stress enough how anything outside Macklin Celebrini falling past one can happen in this draft. Lindstrom could absolutely fall to 10, and we think Fitzgerald would run to the podium to make this pick. He can play center or wing, so the Devils could either use him as their glue guy or as a dynamic option on the top line. It would be a time for celebration if the Devils can take Lindstrom.