Devils Bullets: Berube, Draft Lotto & More

Let's round up the latest New Jersey Devils bullets, including notes on the draft lottery, Craig Berube and some new ELCs

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Happy NHL Draft Lottery Day. Unfortunately, it's a day New Jersey Devils fans are too familiar with. But with them having the tenth overall pick, they could move up to first or second overall if they once again get some lotto luck. 

Plus, we'll look at the Devils signing prospects Seamus Casey and Jakub Málek to entry-level contracts and the latest on the Devils' coaching search with updates from Elliotte Friedman, Bruce Garrioch, etc. 

It's Draft Lotto Night, Baby

If you told me six to seven months ago that the Devils would be in the draft lottery again, I would've told you you're crazy. But here we are, though I suppose it isn't the worst thing. The Devils can add another high-end talent to an already promising core. 

Unlike previous years when the Devils were actively tanking, they don't have the best odds of moving up to first overall. They have only a 3.5 percent chance of moving up to first and drafting Macklin Celebrini and just a 3.7 percent chance of moving up to second. 

The Devils' most likely scenario is sticking at 10th overall, though they have an 18.4 percent chance of moving back to 11th. Either way, they will get a good player with their pick if they decide to keep it (more on that in a second). 

The 2024 draft isn't as strong as the 2023 class, but the top 20 is quite good. Let's say the Devils stick at ten or drop to 11, prospects such as Konsta Helenius, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Tij Iginla or Sam Dickinson would be a luxury the organization doesn't necessarily need but would love to have. 

General manager Tom Fitzgerald could also trade the pick if the right deal comes along, but that may be unlikely. Someone under team control and in their mid-20s would have to become available. That doesn't happen too often, but that's another option he has if the pick stays at ten or drops to 11. 

If the Devils get lucky and get a top-two selection, it's a no-brainer. Keep the pick and draft Celebrini first overall or Ivan Demidov at second. That's what's at stake for the Devils tonight. A little luck could go a long way to getting the summer off on the right note. 

Berube the Frontrunner to Succeed Ruff?

The Devils and Mike Sullivan smoke has subsided for now, but that could change if/when the Toronto Maple Leafs move on from Sheldon Keefe. In the meantime, it seems like there's a lot of smoke around Craig Berube and him being a frontrunner for the Devils' job.