The next steps toward rebounding from a brutal 2023-24 season became more clear for the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
The Devils will have the No. 10 pick overall in the 2024 NHL Draft following the results of the draft lottery. New Jersey entered the night with the 10th-best odds to land the top pick.
The San Jose Sharks won the top overall pick, are expected to select Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini.
Following a breakthrough season where the Devils finished with a franchise-record 112 points and took down the rival New York Rangers in seven games in the first round of the postseason, this past year was anything but a success.
Shoddy defensive play and goaltending, coupled with long-term injuries to stars like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, contributed to a missed playoff berth. The team finished with 81 points, and saw veteran head coach Lindy Ruff lose his job midway through the campaign.
With their draft position now set, the Devils now await the NHL Draft and the ensuing free agency frenzy to make changes to the roster. The two-day draft is set to start on Friday, June 28 and free agency begins on July 1.
