Keep the First Rounder: After Years of Tom Fitzgerald’s Management, the Devils Need to Make More Picks, Not Fewer

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: New Jersey Devils introduce General Manager Sunny Mehta at Prudential Center on April 21, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI vis Getty Images With the NHL Draft Lottery coming and going with some boons to the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks, attention among Devils fans turned to what the team should do with their first-round pick. Thankfully, the Devils did not drop in position as a result of the Lottery since both the Leafs and Sharks finished with fewer standings points than them.

However, sitting at 12th overall and not expected to get an obvious first-year stud rookie, many fans and web-sphere Devils writers have argued that the team should trade the pick for forward help. In theory, that sounds great, right? Why not look for some top-line forward talent to acquire for a draft pick that might not impact the team for a few seasons?

The biggest issue for any NHL General Manager looking to swing a blockbuster trade on Draft Day is that teams around the league are largely managed with conservative approaches. While rebuilds can still happen naturally after star players age or sign elsewhere, teams almost invariably stick their rosters out to the bitter end. Teardowns are a rarity.

Admitting roster flaws and committing to retools are only slightly less so. As a result, true difference-makers are rarely on the table. I do not believe that the Devils should plan on moving this 12th overall pick.