NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996 did have one positive for the New Jersey Devils.
With the help of the lottery, the Devils will have the No. 4 pick in the NHL draft Friday night.
The last time New Jersey drafted that early was in 1991, and general manager Lou Lamoriello added one of the cornerstones to the franchise’s three Stanley Cup championship teams. He took defenseman Scott Niedermayer with the third pick.
Lamoriello has had great success with other early picks, selecting John MacLean, Kirk Muller, Bill Guerin and Brendan Shanahan with selections in the top six.
