The Devils have won the Jack Hughes sweepstakes.
New Jersey took home the top pick at the 2019 NHL draft lottery on Tuesday, getting the chance to draft the American wunderkind long tabbed as the top pick. They’ll have some company at the top of the draft, however, with the Rangers selecting right behind them at No. 2 in Vancouver on June 21.
“The No. 1 thing we need is talent, and this is a huge part of getting more talent, obviously,” New Jersey GM Ray Shero told NBC Sports. “This is a huge day for the Devils. Two years ago, picking Nico [Hischier with the No. 1 pick] really was transformational for us.”
As for Hughes, the 17-year-old scorer, he’s already got himself a friend in New Jersey.
“I skate with Taylor Hall in the summers,” he said. “He’s been a really good guy, he’s really nice.”
The Post’s Greg Joyce got the scouting report on the Florida native:
The long-projected top pick recorded 23 goals and 86 points in 41 games this year to become the US National Team Development Program’s all-time points leader. A 5-foot-10, 170-pound lefty-shooting center, Hughes has drawn rave reviews for his high-end skill and skating and could be the first player to go straight from the program to the NHL.
For the Rangers, it marks the second time the franchise has come away with the No. 2 pick, after having taken Hall of Famer Brad Park in 1966. GM Jeff Gorton and Co. jumped up four spots from their end-of-season finish into the No. 2 pick, with the likely consolation prize being no slouch in the Finnish scorer Kaapo Kakko, who has climbed the draft charts with a strong season and international showings.
Here’s how Kakko projects:
The 6-foot-2, 194-pound right wing from Finland put together one of the best seasons from a 17-year-old in the professional Finnish Elite League, finishing with 22 goals and 16 assists in 45 games. Hailed as a physical two-way player with top skill, Kakko also impressed on the international stage while leading Finland to gold at world juniors.
2019 NHL draft order
1. New Jersey Devils
2. New York Rangers
3. Chicago Blackhawks
4. Colorado Avalanche
5. Los Angeles Kings
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Edmonton Oilers
9. Anaheim Ducks
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Philadelphia Flyers
12. Minnesota Wild
13. Florida Panthers
14. Arizona Coyotes
15. Montreal Canadiens