Devils' Best Option Is To Keep 10th Pick at 2024 Draft

Combining ELC value and player availability, the New Jersey Devils are likely best off making the 10th overall selection at the 2024 draft

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The NHL Draft Lottery was one of the most boring in years, with no teams moving up or down from their original draft slots. That means the New Jersey Devils will hold the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, which is a little less than two months from now. 

I've seen plenty of talk on social media saying the Devils should trade the pick ahead of the draft. While I'm certainly not against that, general manager Tom Fitzgerald will likely be better off hanging onto the pick and making the selection. 

ELC Value a Significant Factor

Entry-level contract value will only get more important for the Devils in the years to come. Dawson Mercer is a restricted free agent this summer and will get a modest bump from his six-figure cap hit, while Luke Hughes and Šimon Nemec will likely be looking at paydays in the next year or two. 

The Devils will need ELC cap hits to produce, even if it's just in depth roles. Arseni Gritsyuk looks like a good candidate to be someone who can provide production on an ELC contract. As does Seamus Casey. But after them, the Devils don't have too many high-end prospects left in their system since Hughes and Nemec have graduated to the NHL. 

Even though the 2024 draft isn't as strong as 2023, there are some legit prospects in the top 20, meaning the Devils are in a good spot. From the mock drafts I've seen circulating, they can add a high-end prospect to their system. 

Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News had defenseman Zayne Parekh mocked to the Devils at 10th overall. Parekh finished the OHL season with 33 goals and 96 points in 66 games and is considered a top-10 prospect by most public scouting services.

The Athletic had forward Berkly Catton mocked to the Devils at 10. Do the Devils need another small, skilled forward in their system? I'd argue yes since Catton finished the WHL season with 116 points in 68 games. He is a consensus top-10 prospect, and is in the top five of a handful of rankings. He'd probably be a steal for the Devils in their slot. 

Other prospects who could be options for the Devils are Konsta Helenius — who was outstanding in the Liiga as a 17-year-old — Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Tij Iginla, Cole Eiserman, and Sam Dickinson. Aside from Dickinson, those forwards could all complement the Devils' current core, while Dickinson could be a luxury on the blue line with Nemec, Hughes and Casey.