Devils see big opportunity with two first-round picks in 2021 Draft

NHL.com's full draft coverage can be found here.The New Jersey Devils will be selecting in the top 10 of the NHL Draft for the fifth time in the past seven years and hope to add to what appears to be a promising young core and emerging group of prospects."It's a unique year," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. That comes down to hockey sense and being able to execute, and the more players you get that have that hockey sense and combination of everything, it's going to bode well for you." [RELATED: Complete coverage of 2021 NHL Draft] The Devils (19-30-7) finished seventh in the eight-team MassMutual East Division and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a third straight season and for the eighth time in the past nine.But there were positives, among them forwards Jack Hughes (No. 1, 2019 NHL Draft) and Nico Hischier (No. 1, 2017), defenseman Ty Smith (No. 17, 2018) and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood (No. 42, 2015) continuing to develop into the centerpieces of a young, foundational core group.Fitzgerald said he sees an opportunity to solidify that foundation and deepen the pool of prospects while overseeing his second NHL Draft as a general manager. I think it's probably a mix."Wallstedt (6-foot-3, 214 pounds), No. 1 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of International goalies, was 11-8 with three ties, a 2.23 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and two shutouts in 22 games with Lulea in the Swedish Hockey League.Cossa (6-6, 210), No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goalies, was 17-1-1 with a 1.57 GAA, .941 save percentage and four shutouts in 19 games with Edmonton of the Western Hockey League.One option for the Devils with the No. 4 pick could be Luke Hughes (6-2, 184), the younger brother of Jack Hughes and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes."It would be unbelievable to go to the Devils," Luke Hughes said. Forward Tyce Thompson, 22; and defenseman Kevin Bahl, 21, also could get more extensive NHL playing time next season."[The fans] have to know that the group they're watching grow right underneath their eyes is going to be a really good and exciting team in the future," Fitzgerald said.