First Round Picks: No. 22 (from Avalanche)
1999-2000 Record: 45-29-8 (5), 103 points (4th overall)
What they need
Having just dealt Krzysztof Oliwa to Columbus and with Randy McKay and unrestricted free
agent-to-be Claude Lemieux beginning to advance in years, a young, physical winger could be on the New Jersey
shopping list. Some youth on the blueline could also be a concern as the Devils prepare to defend their second Cup
Championship and get ready for a change in ownership.
In their system
A bruising presence on the blueline can be found in the form of 6'4", 235-pound defenseman Mike
Commodore (42nd overall in '99). In 1999-2000, he had 12 points and 154 PIM's in 38 games for NCAA Champion North
Dakota (WCHA). Another defender of note is Sascha Goc (159th overall in '97), who had 31 points (9 G, 22 A) and 35
PIM's in 64 games at Albany (AHL).
On the front lines, right wing Steve Brule (143rd overall in '93) led Albany in scoring with 76 points (30 G, 46 A) in 75 games. Another right winger with promise is Brian Gionta (82nd overall in '98).
Though just 5'7" and 160 pounds, Gionta continued to post big numbers at Boston College (NCAA-Hockey East), scoring
33 goals and 56 points in 42 games.
And while Martin Brodeur is the goalie of New Jersey's present and immediate future, Ari Ahonen (27th overall in '99) showed some promise of days to come while playing in Helsinki (Finland), going
11-7-1 with a 3.12 GAA in 24 appearances.
Recent draft history
New Jersey has tended to believe that the best offense is a good defense. Four of their last five first round choices have been defense-oriented (2 defensemen, 2 goaltenders) and of the last 11 opening round choices they have made, seven have had a defensive flavor to them (4 defensemen, 3 goalies). However, the notable exception over this span is center and 2000 Calder Trophy winner Scott Gomez (27th overall in '98), who led all NHL rookies in points this past season with 70 (19 G, 51 A).
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FIRST-ROUND SELECTIONS (LAST FIVE YEARS)
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| YEAR |
PICK |
PLAYER |
POS. |
'99 TEAM |
'99 G-A-Pts |
| 1999 |
27 |
Ari Ahonen |
G |
Helsinki-Finland |
11-7-1, 3.12 |
| 1998 |
26 |
Mike Van Ryn |
D |
Sarnia (OHL) |
6-35-41 |
| 1998 |
27 |
Scott Gomez |
C |
New Jersey (NHL) |
19-51-70 |
| 1997 |
24 |
J-F Damphousse |
G |
Albany (AHL) |
9-11-2, 2.81 |
| 1996 |
10 |
Lance Ward* |
D |
Louisville (Fla-AHL) |
4-16-20 |
| 1995 |
18 |
Petr Sykora |
C |
New Jersey (NHL) |
25-43-68 |
|
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ALSO SEE
Devils' first-round history
Team Needs: New York Islanders
Team needs: New York Rangers
Team needs: Philadelphia Flyers
Team needs: Pittsburgh Penguins
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