While I could see this being likely, I think the kids will burn out here in the end for no other reason than other teams will be fighting for spots and are more experienced by a large large margin
injuries such as Zacha only compound the problem
I see us, before lottery, being fourth. Id be happy with fifth, content with sixth, and meh with seventh.
I've said this a few times, but it bears repeating -- in most drafts the gulf between the #1 and #2 pick is larger than it is this year between the #1 and #7 pick. It's almost uncanny how tight the rankings -- both mine and the consensus -- are between the top 7 players: Beniers, Clarke, Eklund, Guenther, Hughes, Johnson & Power.
For instance, in the 2019 draft -- which most Devils fans remember -- the difference between my ranking of my #1 (Hughes) and my #2 (Kakko) was far more pronounced than the current difference between my #1 (Beniers) and my #7 (Guenther).
I cannot stress how unusual this is. These are all terrific prospects, and in the 2021 top 7 the argument is as much "what type of player do you want for your team" as it is "who is the best player?"
If I'm Ottawa, I'm probably picking Beniers first overall. If I'm Detroit, I'm probably picking Power or Hughes first overall. If I'm the Devils, I'm probably picking Clarke first overall. It's that crazy.
If the season ended today, the Devils would own the 6th overall pick in the draft. They are unlikely to move up, though it's possible. The Devils have 34 points in 40 games played, while the #5 pick belongs to Detroit -- also with 34 points but with two games in hand. The #4 pick belongs to Anaheim, with 31 points and two games in hand. The odds of the Ducks gaining 3 points on the Devils in two fewer games is extremely unlikely. If the Devils were to pass anyone, the likely culprit would be Detroit but again, the percentages are against New Jersey.
Unfortunately, it's more likely the Devils drop in the draft. While current #7 Vancouver is one point ahead with 35 with three games in hand, teams have shown a propensity to lose often after Covid goes through their team, much like with the Devils and Buffalo earlier this year. Calgary is #8 with 37 points, but the Devils have the game in hand there. The team I'm most worried about is actually #9 Columbus, 4 points ahead of the Devils with 38, but having played 3 more games with a total of 43. Tortorella has completely lost that team and they have some tough games remaining on their schedule.
Ultimately, I'm not going to worry too much about it. I watch the Devils and root for them to win. The standings tend to work themselves out. But I will say that in 2021 the difference between drafting 1st and 7th overall is smaller than I can ever remember, and I've been analyzing drafts for a mighty long time.