Previewing The 2024 NHL Draft…Which Prospects Will Be Available For The Devils? (Ft. Jersey Joe)

Previewing The 2024 NHL Draft…Which Prospects Will Be Available For The Devils? (Ft. Jersey Joe)

Jersey Joe from pucks and pitchforks and draft Pro Hockey joined me on today’s episode we talked about the upcoming draft and some prospects that Jersey Joe has in mind there’s also some Rumblings happening within the devil’s organization there’s a lot to break down in today’s episode of Locked on Devils alongside Jersey Joe buckle up everybody you’re locked on Devils your daily podcast on the New Jersey Devils part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day day hi this is Bryce Salvador and you’re locked on devil betr Matthews oh Steven stepped up nailor got the PO what a shot the Devils win the all righty now what is up New Jersey welcome back to the lockon Devils podcast here on lockdown Network I’m your host College hockey club play announcer Del R Buck pitch forks and also part-time credential meia member Trey Matthews Jersey Joe my colleague over at pucks and pitchforks and draft Pro Hockey accompanied me on today’s episode we talked about the NHL draft what should the Devils do with their 10th overall pick and some potential prospects that Jersey Joe has his eyes on when you’re listening to this episode I might be making my way to Vegas to cover the NHL draft I want to thank you guys in advance for all your support because it doesn’t happen without your guys’ viewership on YouTube and your listenership on podcast streaming services there’s some rumors surrounding the devil’s organization that they might sign Brett pesy to a contract come July 1 once free agency hits it’s going to be a crazy crazy next few days because Jersey Joe and I recorded this episode shortly before puck drop for game seven of the Stanley Cup Final I will share my thoughts on the battle between the Oilers and Panthers in the next episode but for the time being we’re going to focus on the draft we’re going to talk about pesi and what he could potentially bring to the roster and we’re also going to hear Jersey Joe’s thoughts as to how the Devils have been approaching the off season so far right now I think they’re making steps in the right direction but without further Ado let’s jump into our conversation with Jersey Joe take it away jersey Joe how you doing doing great when it’s kind of windy today you know we talk about Rumblings you know it’s gain s evening uh with the Oilers and a for and a couple former Devils that are playing in tonight’s game so segue over where did Adam Henry come from years ago the wins are Spitfires so I will say this the devils are in a really unique situation when it comes to the 10th overall selection what are we going to do after two years ago when I was in Asbury Park I told you month in advance Shimon nets for second overall but this year I don’t have a clear-cut answer because it’s tightly contested yeah so it was rumored that the Devils would trade away their 10th overall pick for right now they still hold on to that that could change within the next few days we’ll see what happens let let me hear your thoughts on Brett pesy so far BR B is the kind of Veteran you want to have for a guy like let’s say Luke Hughes uh to be on that right side of him and having him being an older veteran he knows what to expect out of the Rangers the Flyers the Islanders everyone in the same division he doesn’t need to be introduced all that much he just has to get re acclimated to Sheldon ke system and when I talk about Sheldon Keef system I’m talking about not necessarily just fast but also attacks and is supportive but also is complimentary to Star players and role players yeah I think one of the things that you’ve always talked about is just adding more Sasquatch to this roster and PES he stands 6 fo three he weighs about a 200 pounds and while with the Hurricanes we know he’s not afraid to throw around his weight and I think that’s the big thing that the Devils need and not only that more je is essential on the blue line especially now that Kevin Ball your guy unfortunately is now heading to calary wait let me get your thoughts on that first like tell me about Kevin ball and then we’ll talk about uh pesy so when I first remember him getting through the trade he was a big big big Angry Sasquatch back with the Ottawa 67s he was throwing hits with his rear end on guys were smaller than him he was being a big time enforcer but as he got to the NHL level he started to kind of like simmer that down but I think the way that when he gets to Calgary he’s a Western Canadian Boy by heart and he’s going to definitely have to unleash that when he goes to the Flames because because in New Jersey the coaching staff simmered him down too much for my liking and if the Devils can get something like that out of pese where they can let him throw his weight around with uh their defensive coach uh oh my God Ryan McGill who came a few years ago from Las Vegas so if they can allow defenseman to be more assertive and aggressive it will help this Devil’s defense allow less goals allowed yeah so I think for Kevin ball he out of everyone on the roster similar to Alexander Holtz he was he’s the odd man out because John Marino Yoda sea ther they have modified no trade Clauses dou Hamilton he’s not going anywhere Luke Hughes and Ne they’re still on their entry level contracts and they just signed shortly before we start recording this episode Nick D Simone to a oneyear deal one way so that adds more depth and pesy he’ll he’ll be interesting once again it’s widely rumored that he will sign with the Devils widely rumored it’s not confirmed but July 1 will not it’s not July 1 yeah July 1 will be here before we know it but uh peshi I would love to add him to the roster I’ll do a full-fledged episode on it in the near future while I’m in Vegas but pesi right-handed defenseman 200 pounds won’t rack up that many points but the thing is the Devils need to replace the productivity of Damon Severson and Ryan Graves two guys who didn’t really see themselves in the score sheet all that often as we all know Damon Severson he used to be an offensive minded defenseman but in his last year with the Devils he kind of took a step back for the sake of the team became a bottom four defenseman and the advanced analytics showed that he improved defensively for the sake of the team and people started to realize that even though Damon cson at times would make mistakes he knew how to rebound and he knew how to improve on his game just based on my perspective and now he’s with the Blue Jackets with a much bigger role that was bound to happen and for someone like Ryan gray I think there’s rumors uh swirling from James Nichols saying that the Penguins and the and Ryan Graves might be looking for a buyout option because it it hasn’t really panned out too well in Pittsburgh but we knew that Ryan gra was going to get paid and now Kevin ball is off the roster depth is essential for this Devil’s team and I think uh pesy will definitely be an interesting ad if and when they do sign him I will I will say this you know the Dells needed an really reliable veteran right-handed defenseman besides douge Hamilton and dougy Hamilton’s more offensive base and there’s a kid in the NHL draft that reminds me of lot of him and Carter yakimchuk the way he plays is more so really good with stick handling graceful skater uh for the most part but these to work on the edge work but that bomb of a shot the snapshot that he has from the blue line is definitely GNA help if the Devils at him at the 10th overall selection I wouldn’t be surprised if the Devils went with him or Zane correct because they have really Elite vision and they’re not really meant to be defensive defenseman but you do have to acquire other pieces to be defensive minded players and you can do that on the second day of the draft and you can do that in free agency before we continue with today’s episode I want to tell you guys about FanDuel I love sports I love them so much I never want them to stop but as the playoffs wind down we get fewer games and the sports aren’t sportsing like I want them to but FanDuel lets me keep the sports going whenever I want all I have to do is open up the app and dream up bets any time I’m in the mood and this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily that’s right there’s something for everyone every day all summer long so head over to fanduel.com lockon and start making the most out of your summer FanDuel official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball visit fanduel.com to look at the odds please remember to gamble responsibly and I can’t wait the head to Vegas which is the mecca of gambling here in America but please remember to always gamble responsibly I can’t reiterate that enough all right let’s get back to our discussion with Jersey Joe take it away once again all right you just spoke on it the NHL draft we’re just a few days away from it I’m looking forward to it it’s taking place in the spear and you’re my draft expert let’s look at day one of the draft bir devils they have the 10th overall pick who do you think they’re going to select and before you answer that question I just have to ask you I’ve been seeing a lot of people conflicted is this draft class deep because we already know who’s going to go first overall celebrini is going to the Sharks no ANS ifs or butts about it but after that it seems like people are a little up in the air conflicted oh it’s a deep draft class oh no it’s not really that deep what are your thoughts and who do you think the devil should select at 10th overall at 10th overall all Devils need a Winger or Center at Wing there are a couple of guys I like Bret sen uh from the CHL a playmaker physical guy he he can definitely turn into a goal scorer look at what Seth Jarvis was uh in his draft year took him out of his draft year and he became a guy that the Carolina Hurricanes had right out of Camp definitely turn some heads I wouldn’t be surprised if Brett senek was the guy he has similar frame to Connor Bard but he’s not a Bard but he is a very good finisher playmaker and I can see him being a goal scorer however if the Devils want to go with physicality they want someone who is good on and off the puck but needs to improve a little bit on the skating and the edge work then you have a guy from Norway and Michael bransk nyard the Norseman he was very assertive in the international play at the uats in Finland and he certainly turned a lot of heads I would be very happy to get him because the way the Devils need that Sam Bennett style Sasquatch player they need to stand up some players in the neutral zone along the boards to be like teamm can’t do this all the time you need to have someone else doing the Dirty Work for the devils and that guy definitely is a Michael branc nyard player now if you want goal scoring we’re gonna go back to the usntdp with Cole iserman no relation to Stevie he’s my favorite player actually I don’t know how people feel about him but he’s actually I if he does fall the number 10 I really hope the devil select him I will say this I’ve been watching him all the time when I first started with Draft Prospects hockey last summer one of the first things I noticed I don’t care he has to be elite level skating his skating is good to be on let’s say a third second line for the time being and if he approves it a little bit you could be a first second line Winger and that’s that sniping shot that snapshot that slapshot screams and yells Austin Matthews to me well it’s actually funny you mentioned Austin Matthews here’s a fun fact for you I’m sure you already knew this but while he was playing for Shad St Mary’s which is considered the Harvard of hockey and I actually spoke to artam schlain who played with the same high school that’s how he describes it only two players Sydney Crosby and Jonathan Taves recorded more goals for shatti under 18 team at 15 years old because Eiserman scored 97 goals and 57 assists for 154 points in 50 games during the 2020 2021 season that’s incredible right I I will say this the more I watched icer the more I loved watching that shot and I I think to myself going man oh man th this kid would fit like a glove on the Devils he would absolutely fit on the Left Flank and if he could also play on the right wing and just you know stick to goal scoring and be like our poor man Stefan Reish but even better this would be huge for uh a guy like Shelton Keefe who already knows what an Austin Matthews looks like but also knows what a Cole icman can bring because he knows what Tom Fitzgerald those from the usntdp and the NCAA so let me ask you don’t everyone but I’m telling you the way that the wind blows with the Devils that toofus chald knows that con that not Connelly but you have Irishman is also going to be you could he forgo that I could see it but J pandal was being one a good coach with celebity so when you have a former devil’s head I mean player now is a head coach for be this helps grow someone like an icman for the New Jersey Devil if they do select him and Jay pendo I think a lot of people remember him on some of those Stan on some of those Stanley Cup teams for devils in 2000 and 2003 and now he’s doing big things with be as their head coach happy to see Pand Doo really succeed at the at the Collegiate scale and it’s funny I was I was seeing some of the Devils discourse saying maybe Pand doel could become the next head coach for devils and I said there’s no chance of that happening just no I I wasn’t feeling that I think that’s too big of a risk he does have some track history with the Devils a respectable track history but try to get an already established NHL coach and don’t take risk on pandoo you rebuilding that’s different but the devils are trying to get back to the playoffs and make it to the second round because everything after that is gravy I do like gravy on my fries and my cheese CS if you’re referred to pinee but that would be for another day when we celebrate I hate this is going to be controversial I’m not gonna be too well liked to Canada but I hate poutine I absolutely hate it it’s like I love it like a heart attack on a plate I can’t eat it it’s I can’t eat it I I tried it one time not not for me I I don’t like poutin I’m sorry sorry to anyone in Canada I just have a different taste I just have a just have different taste buds all right don’t don’t here but anyway let’s let’s move on before I get cancelled in Canada again you’re not again yeah let’s let’s talk about something else before I get canceled in Canada again now um who’s an underrated player that you think the Devils can select with their 10th overall pick or maybe not even their 10th overall sometime a little later in the draft a little later in the draft you’re talking about second round through seven yeah well you know they don’t they don’t have a second round pick but they have a they have two third round picks and they have a sixth round pick I think they have a fifth round pick like um who do you think the Devils could select a little later in the draft that might be very underrated very underrated well there’s a defenseman I like that’s right-handed uh supposed to go 40th supposed to go through 70 I really love this right-handed defenseman named Adam kber he’s from the Lincoln stars and he is absolutely screams Sasquatch like 6 fo5 22 225 pounds and this kid’s going to I think University of Minnesota duth or something like that I have to double check him but kleb ER he basically was on the same team as Chase cheslock uh who the doubles drafted last year and who I wanted and he does a really good Colin Miller Charlie makoy hybrid game but he does get a little aggressive out of position but he’s going to be one hell of a player he eats up a lot of minutes like 22 minutes on average a game I will say you don’t get him at least uh look into someone like Mikel yegorov from the United States Hockey League played with the Omaha Lancers really good goalie one of the best goalies in the draft and he’s got far much better rebound control uh of all the goalies that I’ve watched and yes he is a Russian citizen but he’s already been playing in the US so he has to probably have a work visa and from what I spoke with Jim buringer is that with uh players that have work visas that happen to be from Russia you know don’t worry about passport uh bans so I wouldn’t be worried because he’s also going to a uh NCAA D1 school okay so look for him uh there’s another kid uh I like as a goalie named Evan Gardner in his at his age 17 season he’s put up better numbers than Stuart Skinner did at that same time in his draft year and he has a couple of shutouts uh about 6 fo2 very flexible uh he’s really good to just do a really good job in net and to me he’s one of the more underrated players with Saskatoon with the blades and I really think the Devils if they’re looking for goalies they definitely should get them now if you’re looking for power forward right wing from a team like the Madison capitals I am all for Austin bernic big guy 6’4 200 plus pounds uh really good shot reminds me similar Nan foot but even bigger and stronger and bulkier he just has to work more on his footwork and he played on a really deep uh madis and capitals team who went into the first couple rounds of the playoffs all right so I I have one of your articles actually pulled up and you know I love my Michigan Wolverines go Blue at 139th overall for the Devils you have Gabriel Elias tell me more about Elias and what he could potentially bring to the devil’s roster because this is an article that you wrote basically conducting rounds 4 through seven so he’s a big guy he likes to hit but can also Drive offensive play and he’s not afraid of playing in big games he’s very calm under pressure and he’s definitely uh going into the United States Hockey League he’s not ready just yet to go to like an NCAA team just yet but he’s definitely going to get ACC costume to North America and then go to uh University of Michigan later uh The Following Season or Seasons uh depending on his age and his build and he’s just gonna build out that frame and anytime like a European comes over to uh a a USHL OHL League it helps them get accustom to North American Hockey on a on a more narrower surface okay so Elias is committed to play at the University of Michigan right that’s correct that’s why I put that there I would I would do the uh Michigan fight song but I don’t want to get flagged for copyright anyway um are there any other prospects that fans you keep an eye out for and then I’m gonna ask you a big question momentarily so another guy that I like uh in the draft uh his name is James Mackey left-handed defenseman he may not get drafted but he’s definitely a big boy skates well for a big left-handed defenseman then another kid is from New Jersey uh up in the top 100s named John Whipple from Morristown New Jersey he plays for the usn TDP team he reminds me of a bit of Paul Martin and a little bit of uh John Moore and definitely need as a player like him but there’s also a kid from bellarus that plays in the KHL named Pavel moich 6’4 uh about 190 pounds 185 give or take but he already has like a shut out or two uh this past season after coming up from either the vhl or the MHL and he’s been pretty solid besides uh fellow uh KHL rookie and uh Ilia Nabokov awesome all right before we continue even more let me tell you about eBay Motors passion drive and patience the formula for winning championships is also what keeps your ride or die alive eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and level up to Peak Performance superchargers roof racks exhaust kits LED headlights and more whether you’re into speed power style eBay Motors has got you covered with over 122 Mill parts for your number one ride or die you always find exactly what you’re looking for and with eBay guaranteed fit your part is guaranteed to fit your ride every time or your money back because with eBay Motors you’re burning rubber not cash with all the parts you need and the prices you want it’s easy to make your car the MVP and bring home huge wins keep your ride or die alive at ebaymotors.com eligible items only exclusions apply eBay guaranteed fit only available to us customers all right let’s close out our discussion with Jersey Joe take away once again big question I got for you I say The Best For Last should the Devils trade away that 10th overall pick they have a few days to do so if so who might they get if not why not if they do trade away is for Rucker mcity but I say no because you should trade Alexander Holtz for Rucker mity you swap two players that aren’t fitting in um with their organization and You’ you’d be saying okay Alexander we want a bigger physical guy who can bring something to our team now but you can go out and play your thing out in Winnipeg so good luck to you so you you’re saying like unless it’s unless it’s involved in that sort of trade package hold on to it but even then you prefer Alexander hols I prer moving Alexander hols for Rucker MC at this time I just think you you come all this far why why not just use it I mean you could have traded a lot sooner I I I respect that and it’s definitely it’s definitely going to raise some eyebrows and it’s gonna be gonna be an interesting few days I can feel it for the devil’s organization I I will say this like you you already conditionally traded away next year’s pick and I said next year in 2025 is going to be deeper draft here’s here’s the thing the devils are focus on winning now yes and they needed to get a goalie so you might as well keep 2024 that makes sense and I I I do understand and I said this look this is gonna go one or two ways for devils in next year Draft when it comes to the first round pick if they’re absolutely awful once again then they can sort of tank to get that pick back if it lands in the top 10 but if they are competitive once again they’re not going to care about the draft remember right I I other than you has anyone really talked about Lenny hamino he was the first player selected in last year’s rord Devils they didn’t have a first round pick but no one’s really talked about Lenny hamino or an update as to how he’s doing how he could fit in I haven’t even heard anyone brought his bring his name up in trade discussions believe it or not yeah so it goes to show you that despite H naho being what relatable to Tyler to Foley is that the comparison you made okay despite yeah that’s what I said last year and I’m standing by it okay despite him being similar and playing a similar game at as to Tyler to Foley no one’s really talking about it no one’s really hyping him up in fact I hear more people talk about Sheamus Casey but than than Lenny hamino just it’s kind of funny how things shifted within a a year but a lot of people with the other Devil’s podcast I don’t need name a few but you know a few who switch their gears to a different setting so their mindsets towards another thing for me being the draft guy it’s my job to keep tabs but uh when I’m writing about these guys over at pucks of pitchforks you know cheap little little cheap plug there I’m going to do an update on U what the Devils do select I’m going to judge it and then I’m going to do what I could do later and see what happens with day two of the draft and I’m going to judge those final picks and what the Devils do do so um there’s that but the devil’s got to have a few cheap contracts when they hit and another guy I forgot to bring up is is Mar marav chatan Jr he’s a guy who is a center for Slovakia he plays in the Slovak uh Junior League I think tier one or two but he is a he’s a average Faceoff winner very good power forward big boy just like his father he may not pan out like his dad but he’s certainly if he’s if he does average out to be a good Center he would also be a wonderful power Winger and he’s a left-handed shot and he has a Long Reach but I would not be surprised if he becomes a goal scorer in the late rounds it’ll be interesting to see how things shake up Jersey Joe we’ve talked about about pretty much everything we talked about Silly Season we talked about potential trade outcomes for Devils we talked about the draft more importantly is there any final thoughts you want to share final thoughts are for those of you are watching the draft or not watching the draft you can follow me on lock on Devils here and there uh Puck and pitchforks and you can read my stuff over on uh Draft Prospects hockey I have the lva and the Slovakia tournament uh standouts right there and don’t be surprised if any of them this year and next year are mentioned in the upcoming draft and Adam uh Nets uh is the brother of Shimon Nets and he will be a draft eligible next year all right we’ll see if the Devils land uh Brett pesi we’ll see if that happens we’ll see who they select 10th overall fingers cross iscole eer that’s who I have my f that’s who I have my eyes set on and I will see all of you in Vegas within the next few days looking forward to ity Joe the pleasure is always mine my pleasure is always yours to enjoy and when you’re in Vegas what happens in Vegas stays Vegas unless it’s on video well we’re gonna have some video content within the next few days and like I do to close out every episode continue to stay safe have a wonderful day New Jersey go Devils I’ll catch you guys next episode thanks for listening once again

Jersey Joe (DraftPro Hockey) joined me on today’s episode to discuss the upcoming NHL Draft. Joe shared his thoughts as to which prospects might be available for the New Jersey Devils to select. Keep in mind the Devils could very well trade away their 10th overall pick. I will be in Las Vegas covering the draft.

Follow Jersey Joe on the “X” app: @JerseyJoe11_NJ

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