The Devils approached this draft with some top end prospects but rapidly thinning after the duo of Guenther and Lucius. 

1st Round: 12th Overall  - Lane Hutson (LD)

The Devils selected dimunuative supremely skilled defenceman Lane Hutson (MTL). This kid has massive skill and skating ability. A new age NHL defenceman he has a mix of Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. Led the NCAA in defebceman scoring with 48 points in 39 games. Lane scored an absolute gorgeous goal at the World Hockey Championship: (https://youtu.be/USRmFfUdOdY). Was it a reach? Maybe. He was drafted in the NHL late 2nd round 2022 but his D+1 season proved he would be warranted as a 1st round selection in a redraft.

2nd Round: 44th Overall Gleb Trikozov (F)

A big swing at a supremely skilled Russian forward in Gleb Trikozov. Great vision; compliments his linemates very well; would have been a star in the WJC if Russia was allowed to play. 

2nd Round: 54th Overall Michael Fisher (RD)

Another massive boom or bust prospect, Fisher absolutely dominated USHL and at 6'3" he blew away the 2022 combine with his athletism. He can damn near do it all. Drafted by the NHL Sharks he is a ways away from the NHL as he needs to polish his professional game. He could be one of the best defenceman of the draft or have his name never mentioned again in hockey circles. 

3rd Round: 87th Overall Sergei Murashov (G)

An opportune time to get ahead of Rex drafting every goalie in the latter rounds the Devils opted for one of the best skilled goaltenders in the draft. The big question mark being when we could see him in the NHL. It took a few extra years of KHL play before we saw Shesterkin or Sorokin in the NHL and I fully expect it to take some time for Murashov as well. But when the time comes an elite starting goalie could be walking right into the Devils crease.

During the early 3rd round the Devils also dealt their 3rd and 5th round picks in 2024 to the Carolina Hurricanes for five draft picks in this current draft (4th, 6th, 7th, 7th, 7th). 

More swings to come...