Devils 2024 NHL Draft Profile: Cole Eiserman

Cole Eiserman has his flaws, but his elite goal-scoring potential could have him in the mix for the New Jersey Devils at 10th overall.

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Cole Eiserman is perhaps the most divisive prospect in this draft class, and for good reason. However, the one thing he does very well (goal-scoring) is the hardest thing to come by in the NHL. That's why he should still be a top half of the first round selection.

I've seen Eiserman get compared to Alexander Holtz plenty on Devils Twitter, and I understand why. There are some similarities for sure, but Eiserman seems to have some differences at this point of his development compared to Holtz when he was a draft-eligible prospect. Let’s look at why Eiserman could be a fit for the Devils at 10th overall.

Eiserman Rankings

• Elite Prospects: 13

• TSN/Bob McKenzie: 13

• TSN/Craig Button: 9

• FloHockey/Chris Peters: 14

• Daily Faceoff: 10

• Sportsnet/Cosentino: 12

• Sportsnet/Bukala: 15

• NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters): 12

Eiserman was once considered the favorite to be the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, with Macklin Celebrini and Aron Kiviharju in contention for the top three. But Eiserman's draft stock fell this season because there wasn't quite as much development in some of his flaws that scouts wanted to see from him.

First, let's start with the good with Eiserman, which there is plenty of. He broke Cole Caufield's all-time USNTDP scoring record of 126, scoring 127 goals in his two-year NTDP career. As you may have guessed, he has elite goal-scoring potential.

Eiserman has high-end shooting ability, just like Holtz. His shot is accurate and powerful, and he has a release as quick and deadly as lightning. He can pick a corner from anywhere on the ice, similar to Holtz when he was a draft-eligible prospect.

However, one area where Eiserman differentiates from Holtz is his hockey sense. Eiserman is very, very good at finding soft spots and open ice in high-danger areas in the offensive zone. He reads plays well and seems to know where the puck will be. His anticipation is quite good.

If you remember Will Scouch's video of Holtz in 2020, shot selection and not getting to high-danger areas were a concern for Holtz. Shot selection is also a concern for Eiserman. He gets too trigger-happy sometimes, but he finds soft spots and anticipates play in the offensive zone much better than Holtz.

Another area where Eiserman excels is scoring off passes, something David St. Louis examines in his prospect breakdown of Eiserman for Elite Prospects. He positions himself well so his teammates can set him up for scoring chances, and he'll usually convert on those chances.

The goal-scoring upside is undeniable, and there's no doubt that'll be Eiserman's bread and butter in the NHL, but he's also a decent passer. I don't think he'll ever become a high-end playmaker, but his passing is better than you think for someone with his makeup.