The highest ceiling draft targets for the New Jersey Devils at 12th overall
JP Gambatese highlighted three high-upside prospects the Devils could and should target with their top pick.
By JP Gambatese (@JP_Gambatese)
The New Jersey Devils own the 12th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, a slot that has brought strong talent to the NHL in recent memory.
Matt Boldy, Anton Lundell, Zeev Buium, Martin Necas, and Noah Dobson have all been taken 12th at the draft in the last decade, with many others being highly touted prospects that have yet to make an impact in the big leagues.
Thus, it’s presumable that, if the Devils don’t choose to offload the pick for win-now help, there will be a prospect or five with legitimate, high-end upside.
Upside, to me, is a far more important trait than floor when it comes to the 12th overall pick.
Players with game-breaking ability aren’t typically found later in the draft, and it’s certainly a necessity for the Devils, who finished 32nd in the league in 5v5 scoring in 2025-26.
Let’s chat about three high-ceiling potential draftees the Devils can – and perhaps should – target if they’re still available come 12th overall.
Viggo Björck
I’m completely on the fence when it comes to my opinion of whether or not Björck will be available at 12th overall.
On one hand, he’s probably the best center in the draft class and has a work ethic that NHL GMs salivate over.
On the other hand, he’s listed at 5’9.5”, and we know how those very same GMs operate when it comes to prioritizing size over skill in almost every capacity.
Björck’s skillset is precisely what the Devils need injected into their lineup. Size be damned, his motor and work ethic are one-of-one in the class, as he has a Zach Benson-esque penchant for playing like a player with 6” and 40 pounds on him.
Björck is physical as can be for a player his size, activating relentlessly on the forecheck and being a demon along the boards.
Beyond that, his IQ is quite possibly the highest in the draft as well. Björck’s vision is immaculate, being able to find plays that other players wouldn’t have been capable of thinking of, and his playmaking chops are top notch to boot.
Defensively, his IQ lends itself to perfect positioning and timing, making him a constant threat for a pass interception and fast break the other way.
Watching Björck is an absolute treat. His processing speed and work ethic are unparalleled, with an exorbitantly mature two-way game that afforded him to get deployed in shutdown minutes and first-unit penalty killing responsibilities as a draft-eligible in the second-hardest league in the world (the SHL).
Should he be available at 12, the Devils should absolutely pounce on the opportunity to take advantage of the size queen GMs around the league.
