New Jersey Devils Should Shop Their First Round Pick Similar to 2022

A few weeks ago, the New Jersey Devils were awarded the 10th overall pick during an anticlimactic draft lottery. Many touted prospects, including Cole Eiserman, Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium, and Tij Iginla, could be available at 10. However, if the Devils are serious about getting back to the playoffs, they should seriously consider trading that pick away in a package deal.

This was a similar discussion a couple of summers ago when the Devils had the second overall pick in the 2022 Draft. Impactful players like Matthew Tkachuk, Alex DeBrincat, and Kevin Fiala were available via the trade market. While the Devils seemed to be in the mix for those players, none of the deals came to fruition. Ryan Novozinsky (Devils beat reporter for NJ.com) appeared on the Locked On Devils Podcast nearly two years ago and spoke about the trade speculations regarding the second overall pick.

“There was just a lot of tire kicking when it came to talks for the number two pick…I don’t think we’ll ever find out as to how close a deal was…He [Tom Fitzgerald] was interested in trading his first-rounder. Then when it became the number two pick, he was still emphasizing that… They definitely took some phone calls on it. “

– Ryan Novozinsky, Locked on Devils (2022)

Novozinsky also mentioned that the Minnesota Wild initially called the Devils regarding a possible Fiala trade for the number two pick. The Devils are currently in a unique situation. They’re not rebuilding. But they’re still a few pieces away from a deep playoff threat. Some of their priorities include adding defensive depth and a much better goalie.

While this year’s first-round pick isn’t as high as 2022, the Devils should have no intent of holding onto it. Tom Fitzgerald should continue to shop it in a package deal to acquire an impact player. Even if that player isn’t as impactful as, say, Brady Tkachuk.