Round 4: 98th Overall - Akito Hirose (RD)(Vancouver)

In his seven game audition last year in Vancouvers remaining meaningless games Hirose really impressed. While the stakes were not high for the team he was out to ensure he could show the team what he is capable of. As cool as the ice under his skates, Hirose was put in all situations and really showed he could could compete at the NHL level; exemplified by a beautiful breakaway pass to Kuzemenko in a game against the Anaheim Ducks on April 11th. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjlLfRhUm9g&t=189s)

4th Round: 115th Overall - Ondrej Pavel (C)(Colorado)

A bit of a scramble pick after accidently selecting a player already taken the previous draft. (Curse you Dan!). Pavel is a NCAA signee with the NHL Avalanche who projects to be a bottom 6 big bodied center. Very well could have drafted him in the late 7th round. Should have went with BPA but at least Pavel has an NHL contract already so hes a step ahead of most of the 2022 draftee crop.

6th Round: 172nd Overall - Kirill Kudryavtsev (LD)(Vancouver)

A 7th round pick last year, Kirill has shown some sneaky good development with the Soo to the point it has earned him an entry level NHL deal. He will return to the Soo for the upcoming season where he figures to be a top pairing defenceman for them. The 6' 200lbs left shot defenceman makes good reads and has good situational awareness to generate chances. The only non Canadian on the Soo Greyhounds, Kudryavtsev has shown perserverance to finish 3rd in team scoring on a relatively poor team. On the bright side playing for a poor team may help ease his transition to the NHL.

6th Round: 181st Overall - Petr Hauser (RW)(New Jersey)

Hauser isn't generally regarded as a high end talent and that goes against fantasy draft strategies to always draft skill and talent and trade for truculance; but I don't care. At 6'4" this big kid could become a really effective bottom 6 engery forward who can forcheck and come up clutch. His stand out statline was his playoff performance with the HC Sparta Praha U20; in 13 games Hauser had 10 goals, 19 asists for 29pts. He will not make the NHL on puck skills though. This is a big bodied kid who will hit, hustle, and forcheck. 

7th Round: 203rd Overall - Matt Davis (G)(NCAA)

The 7th round really is gamble time and this is true with the selection of Davis. Here is hoping his junior year impresses enough to warrant an NHL signing. The 6'1" Canadian currently playing for the University of Denver has put up two seasons with a save percentage north of .920 and a goals against under 2.00. One of his strengths is his ability to handle the puck. 

The Devils entered day two of the draft with two more 7th round picks (Calgary and San Jose back to back) but opted to trade them to the Golden Knights for some much needed cash to now focus on free agency.