6 Draft Targets for Devils’ 2026 First & Second-Round Picks

The New Jersey Devils are entering a critical offseason after they were unable to catch up in the Metropolitan Division point race. Now, the team will have something to prove heading into 2026-27 under new general manager Sunny Mehta. Their core will remain the same — Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt — but the Devils need to find complementary talent for their top players. 

What better way to address this need than at the 2026 NHL Draft? The biggest difference this year is that the Devils will have a first-round pick, selecting 12th overall. (In 2025, they surrendered their pick to the Calgary Flames, as part of the trade for Jacob Markstrom.) In addition to their first-round pick, the organization will also have a pick in the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds.

Here are a few draft targets that the Devils should consider using their first and second-round selections on.

Round 1: 12th Overall

Viggo Björck (C/RW, Djurgardens IF, SHL & U20 Nationell)

After climbing the draft class, Viggo Björck is an intriguing player. Many organizations might overlook him due to his smaller stature — the Devils shouldn’t be one of them. In fact, he meets the criteria to become the 3C the team has been looking for.

Björck has received ample praise for his maturity, with a level of agility and competitiveness that sets him apart from others. Not only did he win gold for Team Sweden at the 2026 World Juniors, but he also made history as the youngest player on the Swedish Men’s National Team. What’s even more impressive? He served as a top-line center in both tournaments.

“Like most undersized players, his work ethic, motor and competitiveness are also strong suits of his game, along with being strong on his skates and a willingness to get involved in the dirty areas of the ice. His shot is described as accurate and deceptive, which has shown itself regularly on the power play. He is also exceptional defensively and a great penalty killer.”

— Matthew Zator, The Hockey Writers

He could provide much-needed center depth, while also offering strong defensive positioning and puck transition. Likewise, he could bolster their special teams, which was something the Devils struggled with this season.

There’s a high likelihood that Björck will be selected before their 12th overall pick, but if he isn’t, it should be an easy choice for Mehta.

Wyatt Cullen (LW, U.S. National Team Development Program)

If he is still available when it’s time for New Jersey to pick, left wing Wyatt Cullen should absolutely be on the Devils’ radar. His speed, high-end vision, and playmaking abilities would be a great fit with the team.

One of the most dynamic skaters in the draft class, he finished the season with 45 points (16 G, 29 A) in 40 games with the U.S. National U18 Team. Even after missing a good portion of the season after tearing his hip flexor off the bone, he established himself as a reliable, two-way player. He also stood out for Team USA at World Juniors, with three goals and six assists in five games.

Wyatt Cullen models his game after Jack Hughes and James Hagens

Wyatt Cullen has been flying up draft boards. No one has been higher on Wyatt than @LincZdancewicz https://t.co/4BFINNawac pic.twitter.com/0XfyG0mBP0

— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) May 16, 2026

His creative passes and elite edge work would make him an offensive threat alongside Hischier or Hughes — who Cullen has previously shared he models his game after. In particular, he excels at generating high-danger scoring opportunities and making tough shots to slide past defense. He could develop into a promising, versatile forward, making him a wise option for the Devils.

Adam Novotny (F, Peterborough Petes, OHL)

The third and final first-round draft target on my list is Adam Novotny, a power forward whose scoring capabilities could benefit the Devils. Frequently compared to Timo Meier, the 18-year-old has the size and speed necessary to win board battles and charge the net.

Novotny made the transition to North America and immediately found his footing, putting up 65 points (34 G, 31 A) in 58 games for the Peterborough Petes. A big part of his offensive production comes from his lethal shot, which some believe is already NHL-caliber. But aside from his impressive goalscoring, he’s also known for his physicality, blocking shots and using his strength to drive play. 

With an admirable work ethic and a wide range of skills, he could be the missing piece in the Devils adopting a high-stakes, heavy-hitting mentality. He’s also responsible in all three zones, which could become a major asset in the near future. All signs point to Novotny becoming a reliable scorer, making him a player they should consider taking a chance on.

Round 2: 44th Overall

Tommy Bleyl (RD, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

In the second round, the Devils should look to draft a right-handed defenseman. Enter Tommy Bleyl, whose mobility allows him to dominate a game by creating passing lanes and transitioning the puck up the ice. He also has an offensive upside, which has been a big part of the Devils’ current defensive identity.

This season, he led the Moncton Wildcats in points during his first season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He earned 81 points (13 G, 68 A) during the regular season, then went on to record another 28 in the playoffs. 

The NHL Team who will draft him in June will be soooooo happy! 🤩

Another masterpiece, courtesy of Tommy Bleyl! @monctonwildcats #QPlayoffs | #Proxi | #NHLProspect pic.twitter.com/NPMktKwPrF

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) May 2, 2026

Rather than relying on physicality, Bleyl’s smooth skating allows him to evade opponents, while slight movements let him fake out other players. He certainly fits the bill of what the team has been looking for, in terms of his ability to walk the blue line and his effectiveness in breaking up plays.

Again, it’s very possible that he’ll be taken before the Devils make their 44th overall pick. Bleyl is very capable in the defensive zone, but his offensive flair can boost their secondary scoring.

Egor Barabanov (F/C, Saginaw Spirit, OHL)

Another player who could be a good fit for the Devils is Egor Barabanov. Interestingly enough, he was overlooked in both the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and NHL drafts and joined the Saginaw Spirit as a free agent. His first season with the club was a major success, featuring 28 goals and 91 points.

Barabanov is an ideal center the Devils can take a risk with. At 20 years old, his age should be seen less as a disadvantage and more as an opportunity for further development. Aside from his scoring prowess, his vision and playmaking abilities are exceptional — maneuvering the space around the net and quickly finding passing lanes for his teammates. 

“Teams that draft Barabanov will see the tantalizing offense he brings as a center. While he’ll need to work on rounding out key aspects of his game such as play away from the puck and faceoffs, he’s the kind of player that teams looking for skill will covet.”

— Mark Scheig, The Hockey Writers

Adding a middle-six forward definitely wouldn’t be a bad idea. It’s no secret that the Devils’ depth scoring fell flat this season, and Barabanov could become their long-term solution. He’s already proven himself as a driven skater, strong in the offensive zone with a knack for finding the back of the net.

Samu Alalauri (RD, Pelicans U20, SM-sarja)

My final second-round target is Finnish defenseman Samu Alalauri. This season, he posted six goals and 19 assists with the Pelicans U20 of the SM-sarja. But he was also a critical part of Finland’s U18 international squad, notching 20 points across 18 games. 

The Devils could use an all-situations defenseman like Alalauri, who possesses both size and two-way maturity. His positioning in the defensive zone is top-tier, but he also understands how to guide the puck through traffic to generate scoring opportunities. Similarly, his fluid skating helps him disrupt plays, all while logging substantial ice time.

He facilitates play rather well, but he could benefit from some time spent within the Devils’ pipeline. In the event of an offseason trade, they’ll need to restructure their defense — preferably with players who can read the zone well and move the puck with consistency. The Devils could use someone like Alalauri, able to withstand pressure and retrieve the puck with a mixture of skill and physicality.

Looking Ahead

All in all, the 2026 Draft will be a very polarizing affair for the Devils. What kind of players Mehta selects will indicate the direction the team is headed, and it will be interesting to see how his analytics-based approach will influence his decisions. Of course, there’s also still the option of trading away their first-round pick for immediate roster help, to support a ‘win now’ mentality. Either way, the Devils will be an interesting team to watch in the near future.

Only time will tell what the offseason will bring, but as always, be sure to follow The Hockey Writers for all the latest news and updates.