Just like that, the New Jersey Devils are set to be the center of attention this summer.
Coming off a season in which the Devils finished well down in the NHL standings, the team's fortunes appear to be shifting, as evidenced by Saturday's NHL draft lottery win. Couple that with the possible return of Ilya Kovalchuk, and New Jersey general manager Ray Shero is primed for a franchise-altering offseason.
Here's what's on deck for the Devils.
First for everything
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Thanks to the lottery win, the Devils will select first overall for the first time in team history.
While this year's draft doesn't feature the likes of Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, general manager Ray Shero is set to have his choice between two pretty good young centers in Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier.
Related: Shero never thought he'd get chance to draft Patrick or Hischier
And thanks to some other wheeling and dealing in recent years (and pending any moves made before the draft), the lottery pick will be the first of nine New Jersey selections in Rounds 1-6, per Cap Friendly.
Those prospects will be added to a haul of nine reeled in at last year's draft, and another five the year before.
All of this since Shero took over the job in 2015, leaving no doubt as to what his strategy is for revamping the Devils' lineup: build through the draft and add all the young talent.
Kovalchuk windfall
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
In an interview with Sportsnet's John Shannon in advance of Saturday's draft lottery, Shero confirmed he plans to reach out to Ilya Kovalchuk's agent to see if the "retired" Russian forward - who's been playing in the KHL for the past four seasons - is indeed interested in returning to the NHL.
Seeing as the Devils are indeed deep into the rebuilding process, it seems unlikely that Kovalchuk would want to resume playing in New Jersey.
As TSN's Bob McKenzie recently explained, in order for Kovalchuk to play for another team, he would first have to sign a new deal with the Devils and then be traded, according to the protocol laid out by the Voluntary Retirement List.
A sign-and-trade scenario, then, would allow the Devils to work out a deal with the highest bidder, with draft picks and prospects - and perhaps a much-needed young defenseman - no doubt serving as the base asking price.
The Devils, of course, already have some big pieces in place, namely Cory Schneider, Taylor Hall, and Pavel Zacha. But as a result of the lottery win and with a potential Kovalchuk deal on the horizon, an influx of talent appears imminent, thereby bringing Shero's Devils to a place of relevance faster than expected, if the cards are played right.
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