Stay Informed on the Second Day of the NHL Draft | NOTEBOOK

Check out the Notebook below for all your 2026 Draft coverage!

Devils Swap Picks With Blackhawks

The Devils moved the 35th overall pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the 37th overall pick and 119th from this year's draft (which is the Ottawa Senators' selection),

Devils Select Vanhanen 37th Overall

After trading with Chicago, moving 35th overall for 37 and 119, the Devils selected Matias Vanhanen, a skilled Finnish forward from the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League.

Vanhanen brings high-end vision, playmaking touch, and a strong offensive feel to the Devils’ prospect pool. A left-shot forward from Nokia, Finland, Vanhanen made the move to North America this season and quickly became one of the WHL’s most productive first-year players.

After spending the 2024-25 season with HIFK’s U20 program in Finland, Vanhanen joined Everett and immediately became a major part of the Silvertips’ attack. He finished the regular season with 21 goals and 66 assists for 87 points in 62 games, setting a franchise rookie scoring record and leading the team in scoring.

Vanhanen’s game is built around his hockey sense. He sees the ice extremely well, finds seams through traffic, and has the patience to wait for plays to open rather than forcing offense. He is especially dangerous as a passer, using quick touches, deception, and smart positioning to create chances for his linemates.

While he entered the season with a pass-first reputation, Vanhanen also showed growth as a shooter. As the year progressed, he became more willing to attack the middle of the ice, trust his shot, and make himself a dual threat. That evolution made him harder to defend and helped drive his strong second half and postseason production.

Vanhanen also brings international experience with Finland. He represented his country at the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he recorded six assists in seven games, and previously played for Finland at the Under-18 level.

With Vanhanen, the Devils add a creative offensive winger with legitimate playmaking upside and a strong development story. After being passed over in his first year of draft eligibility, he used a breakout season in Everett to raise his stock and earn his way into the Devils’ prospect pipeline.

Devils Take Shcherbakov 44th Overall

With the 44th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Devils selected Nikita Shcherbakov, a big, mobile defenseman from Russia with the tools to develop into a dependable two-way presence on the blue line.

Standing 6-foot-5 and skating exceptionally well for his size, Shcherbakov combines reach, mobility, and defensive awareness in a package that is difficult to find. He spent the season playing against both professional and junior competition in Russia, continuing to round out a game built on poise, positioning, and efficient puck movement.

Shcherbakov's greatest strength is his defensive foundation. He uses his long reach to disrupt plays, closes gaps effectively, and consistently takes away time and space from opposing forwards. His skating allows him to defend off the rush, recover quickly, and maintain strong positioning without relying solely on his size.

While his offensive numbers don't immediately jump off the page with four goals and 10 points in 35 games with Toros Neftekamsk of the VHL and 10 assists in 15 games for Tolpar Ufa of the Russian Junior League, there is encouraging upside with the puck. He makes clean first passes, escapes pressure with composure, and shows the ability to move play up ice without forcing high-risk decisions. As he continues to gain confidence and experience, there is room for his offensive game to grow alongside his already polished defensive habits.

His development path has also included valuable experience against older competition as he also played seven games for Salavat of the KHL. This has helped accelerate his decision-making and preparing him for the physical demands of professional hockey. With additional strength and continued ice time, he projects as a defenseman capable of handling difficult matchups while contributing in transition.

Shcherbakov gives the Devils another high-upside piece on the back end. His combination of size, skating, and defensive intelligence provides an excellent foundation, and with continued development, he has the tools to become a reliable top-four NHL defenseman who can impact the game in all situations.

Devils Take Command 12th Overall

With the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Devils selected Alexander Command, a competitive, two-way center from Örebro HK in Sweden.

Command brings a mature, well-rounded game built on hockey sense, pace, and detail. A left-shot center with good size, he has earned attention as one of Sweden’s top draft-eligible forwards thanks to his ability to impact play in all three zones.

For Command, the moment was still sinking in after hearing his name called.

“I was just surprised and happy,” Command said. “Emotions all over the place. Grateful for the people who helped me there and I’m just getting started.”

Command spent the season with Örebro HK U20, where he led the team offensively with 17 goals and 44 points in 30 games. He also earned a taste of pro hockey, making his SHL debut with Örebro’s senior team. That combination of production at the junior level and exposure to professional competition speaks to both his current ability and his long-term upside.

Asked to describe his own game, Command kept it simple.

“Just hardworking, two-way center, 200-foot game,” he said. “Likes to compete. Plays with, I’d say, a little bit of a chip on the shoulder and pretty physical.”

That identity shows up throughout his game. Command is effective below the dots, strong along the wall, and willing to engage physically to win back possession. He reads the ice well, supports the puck in all three zones, and can be trusted to play responsible minutes while still helping drive offense.

His competitive edge is a major part of his profile.

“I think it’s pretty much built into the core,” Command said. “For me, it comes natural. I just want to win.”

Command also pointed to Patrice Bergeron and Sidney Crosby as two players he watched growing up, with Bergeron’s two-way game standing out in particular. He said he tried to “mimic his two-way game and be the winner he is.”

There is also a natural connection to the Devils’ current group. Command said he likes the comparison to Nico Hischier, another two-way center who plays with pace, detail, and responsibility.

“Love that comparable,” Command said. “From my point of view, we kind of have the same style also, in part how we skate and just how we play the game.”

Command also delivered on the international stage, helping Sweden win gold at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Championship. He finished the tournament with seven points in seven games and played an important role for a Swedish team that grew stronger as the tournament went on.

With his size, compete level, two-way habits, and offensive upside, Command gives the Devils a center prospect with a strong foundation and a clear development path. As he continues to grow in Sweden, he has the tools to become a dependable, impactful NHL forward.

His message to Devils fans was direct.

“You made a good choice,” Command said. “I’m happy to be here.”