The Impact of the New Jersey Devils' 2010s Draft Picks

The New Jersey Devils entered the 2010s fresh off a surprise run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, but the franchise soon found itself mired in mediocrity and missed opportunities. The decade would prove to be transformational, not through immediate success, but through the careful accumulation and development of draft picks that would ultimately reshape the organization’s identity. Understanding the impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks reveals a story of initial struggles, patient rebuilding, and the eventual emergence of one of the NHL’s most exciting young cores.

The early years of the decade were marked by questionable decisions and missed opportunities at the draft table. While the Devils managed to secure some talent, inconsistency in player development and talent evaluation left the franchise searching for direction. However, the latter half of the 2010s saw a dramatic shift in philosophy under general manager Ray Shero, who committed to a comprehensive rebuild centered on stockpiling draft capital and developing homegrown talent. This transition period, though painful for fans, laid the foundation for what would become a competitive roster built on speed, skill, and youth.

The early 2010s: missed opportunities and the impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks

The beginning of the decade showcased both the potential and pitfalls of the Devils’ drafting strategy. In 2011, after winning the draft lottery, New Jersey selected Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson fourth overall. The pick represented the highest selection for the franchise since Scott Niedermayer went third overall two decades earlier, and expectations were sky-high for the young blueliner to anchor the defense for years to come.

Larsson’s time in New Jersey was marked by steady, if unspectacular, development. He became a reliable defensive presence but never quite reached the offensive ceiling many had projected. His NHL career saw him play 374 games for the Devils over five seasons, posting modest offensive numbers while providing solid defensive play. The true impact of this pick, however, came in 2016 when the Devils traded Larsson to the Edmonton Oilers for Taylor Hall, a move that would prove pivotal to the franchise’s future direction.

The 2012 draft saw the Devils select Russian forward Mikhail Grigorenko—except they didn’t. That year’s actual pick was Stefan Matteau, selected 29th overall, who managed just 37 NHL games with the Devils before fading from the organization. This pick epitomized the struggles of the era: reasonable prospects on paper who failed to translate their potential into NHL impact. The pattern would repeat itself through the middle years of the decade.

Pavel Zacha, selected sixth overall in 2015, represented another high-profile selection that yielded mixed results. The big Czech center showed flashes of the skill and hockey sense that made him a top-ten pick, but consistency remained elusive throughout his tenure in New Jersey. While Zacha eventually became a regular NHL player, his development didn’t match the expectations typically attached to a player drafted in that range. He played 368 games for the Devils, recording 130 points before being traded to Boston in 2022, where he found more consistent success.

The 2014 selection of John Quenneville 30th overall further illustrated the Devils’ drafting challenges during this period. Despite being a first-round selection, Quenneville managed just 23 NHL games with New Jersey before moving on. These early-to-mid decade selections demonstrated a pattern: the Devils were identifying talented players but struggling with either development or talent evaluation, resulting in a roster that lacked the young core necessary to compete.

The 2016 turning point in the impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks

The 2016 draft marked a watershed moment for the franchise, though nobody realized it at the time. While the Devils’ first-round pick that year didn’t materialize into a franchise cornerstone—they selected defenseman Mikhail Sergachev 9th overall before immediately trading him to Montreal for Jonathan Drouin—it was a sixth-round selection that would change everything.

With the 162nd overall pick, New Jersey selected Swedish winger Jesper Bratt. The Stockholm native immediately defied expectations, making the opening night roster in 2017 at just 19 years old—the lowest drafted teenager to play in the NHL since 1995-96. His professional debut included a goal, and by season’s end, the rookie had posted 35 points while earning consistent time alongside first-overall pick Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall on the top line.

Bratt’s development trajectory showcased exactly what the Devils had been missing in their earlier draft picks: not just talent, but consistency and steady improvement. His exceptional edgework, vision, and creativity off the rush made him increasingly dangerous as he matured. By the 2021-22 season, Bratt had cemented himself as a legitimate top-line winger, routinely producing at or near a point-per-game pace.

The impact of Bratt’s selection cannot be overstated. In his most recent seasons, he has pushed past 80 points, become the team’s leading assist producer, and established himself as the active points leader in franchise history with 447 career points—trailing only Devils legend Scott Gomez. His on-ice chemistry with Jack Hughes has become one of the most dynamic partnerships in the Eastern Conference, earning them the nickname “PB & J” after Hughes’ 2023 comments about their connection.

What makes Bratt’s impact even more significant is the value proposition he represents. Finding a consistent top-line producer in the sixth round is the kind of draft success that championship teams are built on. His quiet professionalism and consistent performance have made him a cornerstone of the Devils’ culture, proving that the impact of draft picks extends far beyond just on-ice production.

The franchise-altering selections: understanding the impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks

For the first time in franchise history, the New Jersey Devils held the first-overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After years of middling results and disappointing playoff performances, the lottery win represented a chance to secure a true franchise cornerstone. The Devils selected Swiss center Nico Hischier, making him the highest-drafted Swiss-born player in NHL history.

Hischier’s immediate impact was undeniable. His rookie campaign saw him post 52 points while establishing himself as an elite two-way center capable of playing in all situations. Unlike some of the Devils’ previous high picks, Hischier’s development followed a steady upward trajectory. His defensive responsibility, faceoff prowess, and tireless work ethic made him the perfect candidate to lead a young team searching for identity.

In 2021, at just 22 years old, Hischier was named team captain. The appointment signaled the organization’s complete faith in his character and abilities, and he responded by elevating his game to new heights. The 2022-23 season saw Hischier reach career-highs across the board, finishing with 80 points and a plus-33 rating. His ability to shut down opposing top lines while contributing offensively made him a Selke Trophy finalist, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier two-way centers.

Hischier’s impact extends beyond statistics. His leadership style—calm, professional, and lead-by-example—provided exactly what a young roster needed during turbulent times. His willingness to block shots, anchor the penalty kill, and take on the toughest defensive assignments night after night set the tone for an organization that had lacked consistent leadership. By the 2024-25 season, Hischier ranked second in the NHL in faceoff wins at 55.5%, trailing only Sidney Crosby, demonstrating his complete mastery of the center position.

The Devils’ draft fortune continued in 2019 when they again won the lottery, securing the first-overall pick for the second time in three years. With that selection, they chose American center Jack Hughes, instantly installing him as the face of the franchise moving forward.

Hughes’ early career showed glimpses of brilliance mixed with the growing pains typical of young skilled players adjusting to the NHL’s pace and physicality. His rookie season produced just 21 points in 61 games, leading some to question whether he could handle the league’s rigors. Those doubts were emphatically answered as Hughes matured both physically and mentally.

The explosive emergence and continued impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks

By the 2022-23 season, Jack Hughes had transformed into a bona fide superstar. His 99-point campaign shattered Patrik Elias’ longstanding single-season franchise record and announced Hughes as one of the NHL’s elite offensive talents. His skating ability—combining explosive acceleration, agility, and top-end speed—makes him nearly impossible to contain in open ice. Combined with elite puck skills and hockey sense, Hughes became the engine driving the Devils’ offensive resurgence.

Hughes’ emergence fundamentally altered how opponents approached the Devils. No longer could teams sell out defensively against one or two threats; Hughes’ ability to create scoring chances for himself and his linemates forced defensive adjustments that opened up opportunities across the roster. His partnership with Jesper Bratt became must-watch hockey, with the duo combining for 158 points in recent seasons and consistently ranking among the league’s most productive tandems.

The impact of securing two first-overall picks in three years cannot be overstated. Hischier and Hughes provide the Devils with elite talent down the middle—historically the most difficult position to fill through free agency or trades. Their complementary styles—Hischier’s two-way responsibility and Hughes’ offensive dynamism—give the Devils flexibility in matchups and strategic approaches that few teams can match.

The 2020 draft added another critical piece to the puzzle when the Devils selected Dawson Mercer 18th overall. While not carrying the same expectations as first-overall selections, Mercer’s impact on the team has been substantial. His rookie season saw him play all 82 games and post 42 points, immediately establishing himself as a reliable contributor. He improved to 56 points in his second season, helping drive the Devils back to playoff relevance.

Mercer’s greatest attribute might be his reliability and versatility. His 328-consecutive-game played streak ranks sixth in the NHL and stands as the longest in franchise history. His ability to play both wing and center, contribute on special teams, and provide consistent effort regardless of circumstances makes him invaluable to a team still developing its competitive identity. While his offensive production dipped slightly in recent seasons, his durability and two-way play continue to provide value that doesn’t always show up in point totals.

Building from the blue line: defensive impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks

While much of the attention focused on the Devils’ forward selections, the latter portion of the 2010s also saw significant investments in defensive prospects. The 2021 draft brought Luke Hughes, Jack’s younger brother, to New Jersey with the fourth-overall selection. Fresh from a dominant season at the University of Michigan where he posted 42 points as a defenseman, Luke represented the kind of dynamic, puck-moving blueliner that modern NHL teams covet.

Luke Hughes made an immediate impression upon joining the Devils for the final games of the 2022-23 regular season. In just his second-career NHL game, he scored the overtime game-winner against Washington with a spectacular wrap-around finish that showcased his skating ability and offensive instincts. His effortless skating—fluid, powerful, and agile—ranks among the best in the league and allows him to impact games in multiple ways.

Hughes’ ability to escape forechecks, activate in the rush, and join offensive plays dynamically changed the Devils’ defensive structure. No longer were defensemen simply supporting the attack; with Hughes on the ice, the blue line became another source of offensive creation. His mobility allows New Jersey to play at the pace they prefer while maintaining defensive structure, a combination that’s difficult for opponents to counter. Through his first two full NHL seasons, Hughes posted 91 points—exceptional production for such a young defenseman.

The 2022 draft added another high-end defensive prospect when the Devils selected Slovakian blueliner Šimon Nemec second overall. While his impact has been less immediate than some other high picks due to development time split between the AHL and NHL, Nemec represents the kind of long-term defensive stability every contending team needs. His mature decision-making, clean zone exits, and polished puck movement suggest a future top-pairing defenseman.

Nemec’s playoff performance in 2024 offered a glimpse of his potential. His double-overtime game-winning goal against Carolina and consistent 20-plus minute performances demonstrated his readiness for high-leverage situations. As he continues gaining experience and physical maturity, Nemec projects as a reliable, two-way defenseman capable of playing in all situations—exactly the kind of player championship rosters require on their blue line.

Measuring the comprehensive impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks

The cumulative effect of the Devils’ 2010s drafting strategy reveals itself most clearly when examining the current roster composition. Unlike the early 2010s when Travis Zajac stood as virtually the only long-tenured Devil, the current team features a core built almost entirely through the draft. Hischier, Hughes, Bratt, Mercer, Luke Hughes, and Nemec provide talent, depth, and cost certainty that allows the organization to supplement through free agency and trades rather than depending on those avenues for core pieces.

This homegrown foundation has created a sustainable competitive model. Young players entering the organization now join an established culture built around speed, skill, and two-way commitment. The leadership provided by Hischier, combined with the star power of Hughes and the professional consistency of players like Bratt, creates an environment conducive to development in a way the early 2010s Devils could never provide.

The financial implications also matter significantly. Having elite talent on entry-level and bridge contracts allowed the Devils to add established veterans like Dougie Hamilton through free agency, accelerating the competitive timeline. As these young players sign long-term extensions, their reasonable cap hits—secured while they were still developing—provide continued financial flexibility that teams depending on free agent acquisitions rarely enjoy.

Perhaps most importantly, the success of these draft picks has restored credibility to the franchise. For years, the Devils struggled to attract top free agents or convince players to waive trade protection to join a rebuilding organization. Now, with a young core demonstrating legitimate championship potential, New Jersey has become a destination rather than a waystation, fundamentally altering the organization’s ability to add complementary pieces.

The transformation from lottery team to playoff contender occurred remarkably quickly once the draft picks began reaching their potential. After years wandering in the wilderness, the Devils returned to the playoffs in 2023 and again in 2025, with their young core leading the charge. The speed-based, skill-oriented identity they’ve established makes them dangerous opponents for any team, and the continued development of players like Luke Hughes and Nemec suggests the competitive window is just opening.

---

The journey through the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft history illustrates both the challenges and opportunities inherent in building through the draft. The early portion of the decade featured missed opportunities and questionable decisions that left the franchise rudderless and lacking direction. Adam Larsson, Pavel Zacha, and John Quenneville represented reasonable selections that simply didn’t develop as hoped, leaving the Devils without the young core necessary to compete.

The transformation began in earnest with the 2016 selection of Jesper Bratt—a sixth-round pick who became a first-line star—and accelerated with consecutive first-overall selections of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. These picks, combined with solid selections like Dawson Mercer and high-end defensive prospects Luke Hughes and Šimon Nemec, completely reshaped the franchise’s trajectory. The Devils didn’t take shortcuts or chase quick fixes; they committed to patient development and allowed their young players to grow into their roles.

Today’s New Jersey Devils bear little resemblance to the struggling teams of the early 2010s. They’re fast, skilled, and deep down the middle—built on a foundation of homegrown talent that should keep them competitive for years to come. The impact of the New Jersey Devils’ 2010s draft picks extends beyond individual player contributions; these selections restored organizational credibility, created a winning culture, and established a sustainable model for success. As the decade’s draft picks enter their prime years, the franchise that once seemed lost in mediocrity now stands as one of the NHL’s most exciting young teams with legitimate championship aspirations.