DRAFT: Options, Options, Options

7

18

With two picks so close, the Devils should get two players who are about equally rated. Three forwards, two centers from the QMJHL's Chicoutimi Sagueneens and one Russian, would fit nicely here. Ten months after helping Canada win gold at the Word Junior, Dawson Mercer could fall to 18. Conversely, Mercer's teammate, Hendrix Lapierre, could move up to 18 (or 20) after overcoming injury issues from last season that would have hurt his stock had the Draft been held in June. Both had strong preseasons and opening weekends.
Russian left-winger Rodion Amirov (Ufa) has an air of mystery about him but anytime scouts have seen him, he's looked first-round worthy, somewhere in the late teens. An animal lover, apparently, Amirov recently used his club's social media feeds to give away a kitten
Past Devils selections: Ty Smith (17th), Zach Parise (17th), Petr Sykora (18th), Jason Smith (18th)

20

With three forwards profiled at 18, it makes sense to look at defensemen while projecting who could be taken two picks later. Jake Sanderson and Jamie Drysdale will be long gone by this point but Kaiden Guhle (Prince Albert) and Braden Schneider (Brandon), both WHL defensemen, should be available at either 18 or 20.
Guhle already skates like an NHL defenceman. The younger brother of Anaheim Duck Brendan, Guhle also has prototypical NHL size (6'2", 190 pounds). Schneider is slightly bigger than Guhle and plays a more physical game. Both players could slot into Team Canada's defense of its gold medal in the Edmonton bubble over Christmas.
A Russian defenseman who is rated in roughly the same bracket is Shakir Mukhamadulin. Amirov's teammate in Ufa. Both are taking a regular shift playing against men in the KHL.
Past Devils selections: Jacob Josefson (20th), Niklas Bergfors (23rd) Travis Zajac (20th), David Hale (22nd)

84

Samuel Johannesson - This sleek Rogle defenseman landed on one scout's radar when he was viewing video of another player, only to have Johannesson continually capture the scout's attention.
Tristen Robins - There is a wide range of opinion on the Saskatoon Blades forward. One scout had the smallish playmaker in the first round, others think he could still be available here.
Ty Tullio - Paradoxically, the Oshawa Generals forward had a solid OHL sophomore year but fell down the Draft charts after being rated in the top 50 entering last season.
Past Devils selections: Reilly Walsh (81st), Adam Henrique (82nd), Mark Fraser (84th), Brian Gionta (82nd)

99

Evan Vierling - A Barrie Colts center, he flourished after a midseason trade from Flint. Tall and lanky, Vierling needs to develop an edge and fill-out if he wants to play in the NHL.
Donovan Sebrango-A teammate of Devils prospect Michael Vukojevic on the Kitchener Rangers (both had 30 points last season), he plays a similar no-nonsense game at the back end.
Past Devils selections: Mikhail Maltsev (102nd), Colton White (97th), Miles Wood (100th), Reid Boucher (99th)

120

Mitchell Smith - A no-frills blueliner and teammate of Perfetti's, Smith is the youngest player in the class and could be ascending a steep learning curve.
Jakub Konecny - A speedy, skilled and undersized center, if he develops physically, this Czech could have a future in pro hockey in North America.
Past Devils selections: Matt Halischuk (117th), Cam Janssen (117th), Chris Mason (122nd)

130

Andrew Perrott - A defenseman for the Owen Sound Attack, he went through the Draft last year but had a break-out season in 2019-20. He is the son of former NHL enforcer Nathan Perrott, who the Devils took 44th overall in 1995.
Ethan Cardwell - Vierling's teammate in Barrie, Cardwell has pro-like puck skills. A champion amateur golfer, Cardwell has options away from the rink. His father (Justin) is a retired pro, his grandfather (Steve) is a former NHLer.
Past Devils selections: Gilles Senn (129th), Blake Pietila (129th), Mike Danton (135th)

161

Zach Uens - A mobile defender who blossomed in his first year of collegiate competition at Merrimack College. He's in his second year of Draft eligibility.
Adam Wilsby - Another defenseman in his second run through the Draft, he has looked comparable to other Swede blueliners his age (2020 birthdate) who have been selected. He plays for Skelleftea
Past Devils selections: Jesper Bratt (162nd), Mark Fayne (155th), Andreas Salomonsson (163rd), Sasha Goc (159th) Geordie Kinnear (162nd)

192

Tag Bertuzzi - Bertuzzi surged after a trade to Hamilton from Guelph, where he had significant injury issues. He's the son of Todd Bertuzzi.
Jake Ratzlaff - Like Cardwell, Ratzlaff is a two-sport (hockey and football) athlete. An NHL team will need assurances Ratzlaff intends to play hockey at the University of Minnesota next year for him to be selected.
Past Devils selections: Deryk Engelland (194th), Scott Clemmensen (215th), Willie Mitchell (199th)