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Devils Could Exploit NHL Draft Bias With This Selection
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- Devils Could Exploit NHL Draft Bias With This Selection
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Undersized prospects have been improperly valued since the dawn of time. Look no further than 5-foot-7 Montreal Canadiens ' 50-goal scorer, Cole Caufield , who fell all the way to 15th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. That was despite scoring 72 goals during the season, obliterating the previous U.S Development Team record ( Auston Matthews , 55).
The New Jersey Devils could exploit that bias against smaller players by selecting Viggo Bjorck if he's still available with their 12th overall pick in the first round on June 26th.
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Bjorck isn't even Caufield small. He stands at 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, and watching his playstyle in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) or recently at the IIHF World Championships should alleviate most size-related concerns anyways. He's drawn comparisons to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point .
Nonetheless, we've seen it time and time again. Far too many scouts are stubborn and outdated in their analysis of tinier skilled players, even though those players continue to prove them wrong..
The Athletic draft expert Corey Pronman has Bjorck heading to the Devils at #12 in his Mock Draft. It may be in the Devils' best interest to trade the pick. But if we've learned one thing about general manager Sunny Mehta, it's that he's unafraid to do what he feels is right, even if it's unpopular.
Thus, if nothing comes to fruition by the time the Devils are on the clock, using the pick on Bjorck could still be an incredible choice. Based on skill and talent alone, he profiles as a top-five pick.
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He has not looked out of place whatsoever whilst playing against NHL talent at the World Championships. Just take it from legend Sidney Crosby himself :
"It's not easy [being that young at Worlds] … you know, he's pretty poised and you can tell he's competitive. He's not the biggest guy but he sees the ice well, has a good shot, he does everything well. The way he competed, he was realy assertive with the puck."
Bjorck has two points (1G, 1A) in three games, plus a disallowed goal, and hasn't refrained from participating in (and winning) puck battles despite his youth. His playmaking abillity and general hockey IQ both seem well beyond his years.
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"Those doubts [related to size] should quickly fade," said Iván Ortiz of SMAHT Scouting . "He's a complete, intelligent player already managing the physical demands of professional hockey. Björck plays with nonstop energy and awareness, constantly scanning the ice and staying engaged in all three zones."
If the Devils retain Nico Hischier — which they should — a 1-2-3 punch of Hughes, Hischier and Bjorck could be absolutely lethal down the road.
Bjorck can also excel on the right wing, which may be a better option if he ends up a perennial 50+ point producer.
There's no guarantee Björck will still be on the board at pick No. 12. But if he is, which wouldn't be surprising given drafting history, the Devils shouldn't overthink it.
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History with Mehta says they probably wouldn't overthink it; he had Jesper Bratt , who was drafted #172 in 2016, ranked as the third-best player in the entire draft via his draft model .
As GM, Mehta is obviously in a much more influential spot than he was a decade ago. Fans should fully trust whatever direction Mehta and co. decide to pursue.
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