Alexander Command went 12th overall to the Devils in 2026, well ahead of most projections for the high-motor center.
2026 Draft Class Shapes Future Pipeline
The Devils selected Alexander Command 12th overall after their new GM took over; he recorded a strong two-way game and playmaking at Orebro Jr. Matias Vanhanen followed at 37th overall with 87 points in 62 WHL games, including 66 assists. Nikita Shcherbakov arrived at 44th overall as a 6-foot-5 defensive defenseman from Ufa Jr. Lavr Gashilov went 119th overall as a high-pace Russian playmaker. Daniil Rusakovich was picked 149th overall as an athletic Russian goaltender.
Command lacks elite skill but brings relentless motor and two-way reliability that projects as a middle-six center. Vanhanen heads to Boston College after showing rush-attack upside yet needs added strength. Shcherbakov offers a high floor with length and breakout passing that could develop into a top-four role. Gashilov’s elite passing stands out while defensive effort remains a project. Rusakovich bets on athletic tools from Russia’s goalie pipeline.
The class added two centers, a left winger, two defensemen and a goalie, addressing specific positional gaps. Luke Wilfley at 172nd and Quinn McKenzie at 222nd rounded out the seven picks with defensive-center and speedy-forward profiles respectively.
Trade and Roster Pieces Add Depth Options
The trade of Simon Nemec brought conditional 2027 and 2028 first-round picks plus Etienne Morin, a two-way puck-moving defenseman who spent most of last season in the AHL. Anton Silayev, 6-foot-7, arrives in the AHL after solid KHL seasons focused on defensive-zone play. Seamus Casey remains the top right-shot prospect after consistent AHL dominance.
Luke Hughes needs a bounce-back after last season’s dip while Lenni Hameenaho logged 33 NHL games with two goals and eight points. Benjamin Kevan posted 10 points in 34 NCAA games at Arizona State. Conrad Fondrk managed only 25 games as a freshman at Boston University after injuries. Gustav Hillstrom showed J-20 dominance but limited SHL offense.
Mikhail Yegorov posted a solid first full NCAA season after earlier stretches of dominance. The left-shot defense group now includes Silayev, Morin and Shcherbakov alongside Topias Vilen and Daniil Orlov.
Pipeline Strengths Contrast Clear Weaknesses
Left-shot defensemen provide the clearest organizational strength with Silayev’s size and shutdown ability, Morin’s puck-moving flashes and Shcherbakov’s mobility and length. Right-shot defense beyond Casey offers minimal NHL projection with only speculative names like Sigge Holmgren and Charlie Leddy.
Forward depth stays limited to a handful of names without surefire top-six bets. Goaltending rests heavily on Yegorov’s inconsistent but intriguing profile. The 2026 class improves center and left-wing options but does not dramatically raise the overall ceiling.
The Devils’ pool lacks the elite upside seen in stronger organizations yet supplies enough plausible depth pieces for bottom-six and third-pair roles if development continues on schedule.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.