Morreale Breaks Down 2023 Draft Prospects | FEATURE

On June 28 and 29 in Nashville, the next wave of prospects will start their journeys to the National Hockey League. Heading into this year's NHL Draft there's plenty of buzz and excitement over many prospects it's a deeper pool of candidates than in some years past.

NHL.com writer and co-host of the NHL Draft Class podcast Mike Morreale has spent years covering these prospects and is excited about the depth this year's draft class brings.

"This year, as far as on-ice play, I think you have a lot of exceptional forwards," Morreale shared on the Devils' Road to the Draft podcast. "It's very deep in centermen, obviously starting at the top with Connor Bedard of Regina in the Western Hockey League. "I think overall, forwards, it's a very deep draft class."

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"I think this one is going to be deeper than most draft years over the last three or four that we've seen," Morreale continued. "Going back to when (Jack) Eichel and Connor McDavid were going head-to-head in their draft year in 2016. That was an exceptional draft year and I think this one is going to be equally exciting for the fan bases of every NHL franchise that might have picked in the top two, three rounds … it does go that deep even after the top 32 (picks)."

Currently the Devils have picks in the Second Round, Fourth Round, Fifth Round, Sixth Round and Seventh Round. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald shared the team could potentially trade into the First-Round during his end of season media availability. Even if the Devils don't pick on the first night, there will be plenty of prospects to pick from.

Morreale writes about all NHL teams with NHL.com but has covered the Devils throughout his career. He shared several potential choices for the Devils when they're on the clock in Nashville.

"I think the Devils are in a good spot despite not having that First Round pick," Morreale explained. "Bradly Nadeau from Penticton in the British Columbia Hockey League, the best Canadian Junior-A player out there. He had 113 points this season, third most among U18 BCHLers since 2000.

"You can't ignore the BCHL," Morreale continued on Nadeau. "That's why I say Bradly because he kind of fits that mold: a very good, hard working type player."

According to Morreale, another prospect to watch is center Carey Terrance from the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League.

"Probably one of the better skaters available this year from any region," Morreale said. "Real dynamic mover, speed to burn, understands various pace in order to be more unpredictable when he has the puck on his stick. Dangerous coming off the wall with how quickly he can explode to the net, exploit gaps."

In addition to sharing more on other prospects the Devils could pick and who has stood out to him the most throughout the year, Morreale also revealed some of the interesting questions he's heard teams ask during Combine interviews.

"The one that I heard recently was one of the scouts asked," Morreale shared. "A 20-foot python hasn't eaten in five months and is in the hallway outside of the room you currently sit in. Which one of us is going out there to either get rid of the python and tell us when we can leave or what we should do?"

So what's the correct response to that question?

"The player that I spoke to that had this questions asked to him said I'd go out there because I'm the team player, I'll be the sacrificial lamb," Morreale revealed. "So that was the right response, I think that's what they wanted to see."

Hear Morreale's full interview on the latest edition of the Road to the Draft podcast