The New Jersey Devils entered the 2026 NHL Draft with five picks but left with seven new prospects, thanks to some savvy maneuvering. The draft haul included a mix of forwards, a defenseman, and a goaltender, with a strong international presence as five of these players hail from overseas.
Mark Dennehy, the Devils' Chief Amateur Scout, expressed satisfaction with the draft's outcome, marking it as a success under the guidance of their new general manager, Sunny Mehta. Dennehy highlighted Mehta's collaborative approach, which combined insights from scouts, analytics, psychology, and strength and conditioning to identify players with the highest potential.
The Devils' selections included forwards Alexander Command (first round, 12th overall), Matias Vanhanen (second, 37th), Lavr Gashilov (fourth, 119th), Luke Wilfley (sixth, 172nd), and Quinn McKenzie (seventh, 222nd), along with defenseman Nikita Shcherbakov (second, 44th) and goalie Daniil Rusakovich (fifth, 149th).
Alexander Command, the first-round pick, is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound Swede known for his high energy and physical play. His determination and skill helped Sweden clinch a gold medal at the World Under-18 Junior Championship, where he was a standout on the first line.
Dennehy praised Command's skating, hockey IQ, and ability to support his defensemen and create scoring opportunities for his wingers. Command's heavy shot and face-off prowess further add to his profile as a true center with a 200-foot game.
The Devils made a strategic trade with Chicago, exchanging their 35th overall pick for the Blackhawks' 37th and 119th picks. This move allowed them to select Matias Vanhanen at 37th overall.
Vanhanen, a Finnish forward, made a significant impact in the Western Hockey League, tallying 87 points in 62 games for Everett. Passed over in the 2025 Draft, Vanhanen's transition to North America showcased his ability to adapt and thrive, impressing scouts with his rapid acclimation to the WHL style of play.
Dennehy noted that the Devils didn't initially plan to focus heavily on forwards, but the draft's progression led them down that path. The emphasis was on players who could process the game effectively, particularly in offensive scenarios, enhancing team dynamics with their vision and playmaking abilities.
The Devils' selections included five European players, two from Russia, highlighting their commitment to choosing the best talent regardless of geography. Dennehy emphasized that the team's strategy was driven by the availability of top players at each draft position, rather than geographic considerations.
In summary, the Devils' 2026 draft strategy was characterized by flexibility and a focus on high-ceiling players, resulting in a diverse and promising group of new prospects poised to make their mark in the NHL.
In Other News...
Devils May Have Just Made Jack Hughes Biggest Problem Harder To Fix
The Devils went into the draft needing more than just another prospect, and Sunny Mehta made sure they at least kept one premium chip in the pocket. New Jersey held onto the 12th overall pick and used it on Swedish forward Alexander Command, a move that kept the front office in position to keep searching for a top-six answer around Jack Hughes rather than spending every major asset in one swing.
Even after the roster shuffle, the larger issue is still staring back at Mehta. New Jersey wants a legitimate scoring wing to ease the burden on Hughes, but the path to landing one keeps getting narrower, and the clubs remaining trade currency is not as clean or simple as it looked before the draft. If the Devils are going to chase a real difference-maker, they may have to decide whether to keep waiting for the right market or finally push harder on a deal that can change the look of the top of the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Face A Massive Connor Hellebuyck Or Jacob Markstrom Decision
The Devils offseason has a familiar shape to it: Jack Hughes needs more help up front, and the goaltending situation has not settled the way the front office hoped when Jacob Markstrom arrived. New general manager Sunny Mehta inherits both problems at once, and the pressure to upgrade in goal could push New Jersey into a bigger swing than a usual summer shuffle.
One name hovering around that conversation is Connor Hellebuyck, a target whose availability could reshape the market if the Devils decide to press forward. The path there is not simple, though, because moving Markstroms contract may be part of the equation, and it is unclear how much extra value New Jersey would have to attach to make that kind of deal work. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Draft Weekend May Have Revealed A Bigger Plan
The Devils draft weekend already came with a clear headliner in Alexander Command at No. 12, but the rest of the class suggested New Jersey was chasing more than one type of future contributor. General manager Mehta kept coming back to the idea of adding productive players with dynamic qualities, and the later-round picks fit that broader search for skill rather than simply filling out a board.
For a team trying to keep building around a stronger talent base, that approach can matter just as much as the first name off the board. The draft also left enough room to wonder whether the Devils are keeping an eye on bigger roster movement elsewhere, with Winnipeg at least willing to hear trade ideas on its side of the goalie market, even if the full shape of that situation is still unclear. [Read more 🡒]