New Jersey Devils: Goalie Targets 2021 NHL Draft

New Jersey Devils Target: Benjamin Gaudreau

Benjamin in this video displays really solid reflexes and very sound lateral movement from post to post. He displays very sharp angles to cut down on his shooters, and one of the traits he has is his elite vision to maintain the ability to read the plays near and far from him. One downside was his team"s defense was a little too sloppy around his crease which cut into his ability to get into position on a Russian goal.

What Benjamin Gaudreau did that the New Jersey Devils would want out of him is the ability to allow his team to turn the tide against team Russia. He helped Hockey Canada win the U-18 Gold Medal and was the best U18 Goaltender. He has a lot of potential for a guy 6’2" and 174lb so I would keep an eye on him and the New Jersey Devils" former assistant coach Dave Barr was his Head Coach for Hockey Canada’s U-18 Gold medal team.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/475275/benjamin-gaudreau

New Jersey Devils Target: Alexei Kolosov

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/568347/alexei-kolosov

The 6’1" 185lb Minsk netminder out of Belarus, Alexei Kolosov is the number 2 goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s list right after Sweden’s very own Jesper Wallstedt at number 1. One of the things you will notice in this video is Kosolov’s ability to make not only sprawling saves like a true NHL netminder but the ability to be mobile, and able to cut down on shooters.

One of the keys to his near and long-term success is that he moved up from the Belarusian League to the KHL is a huge step forward against both up and coming high-end European, and Russian talents along with former NHL and European professionals is excellent exposure. The New Jersey Devils should look into the way he had to play against teams like SKA St. Petersburg and having to deal with the problems of Belarus in the IIHF.

If the New Jersey Devils Devils end up taking Alexei Kolosov he will provide a more highly experienced, very high-quality netminder I can see coming over when his time in the KHL is up. The New Jersey Devils having a very solid KHL staff being able to evaluate talent in that region alone could help them find a gem in Kolosov on draft day with the value he brings. The Devils brass did a great job keeping tabs on Yegor Sharangovich’s growth when he was with Dinamo Minsk on loan before the NHL shortened season started up.

New Jersey Devils Target: Tristan Lennox

Last year"s draft in 2020 The New Jersey Devils was one of the many teams that had the possibility of taking Cole Perfetti from the OHL, Saginaw Spirit. Tristan Lennox is 3rd overall on NHL Central Scouting’s North American Goalie List. He’s a 6’4" 190lb goalie who can win 20 games with his style of goaltending.

The way Tristan Lennox is able to utilize his size and athletic ability is pretty impressive and does a great job staying in front of shots on the net. He handles the pressure really well and does well reading the plays through traffic in front of him. He is very active using his goalie stick to knock pucks away and allows his defense core to regain positioning. Lennox does a solid job of holding the post and sealing it in this video. It’s a big plus when goalies take away those bad angles and trying to minimize the damage as possible.

Tristan is not afraid to play the puck and pass it up the sideboards to get the play-up ice. He’s the kind of goalie who can also make that desperation save when his team really needs him the most and is excellent in helping to kill off penalties. The New Jersey Devils would very wise to revisit last year"s draft and look into the notes of what their OHL scouts had on Tristan Lennox as a goalie and see how much growth has occurred in his game.

Goalie Conclusion:

The New Jersey Devils walk away with at least one goaltender on Draft Day getting the goalie of their liking on their draft board. Martin Brodeur, Scott Clemmensen, and the company grow and develop one of these top goalie targets in their pipeline. General Manager, Tom Fitzgerald, and his staff keep adding to guys on their way into the pipeline seeing who hits and who else they move on from. Goaltending when you hit it right is a huge bonus because you have a few more options for who to play in the NHL, and who can be an excellent option to move in a trade, or help succeed your other goalie who does move on in the hockey business.

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