Devils Risk Big on Command

The New Jersey Devils stunned hockey fans by selecting Alexander Command, a Swedish center, with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft — a move that raises serious questions. Command, a two-way player with room to grow, wasn’t the most obvious choice, especially with higher-ranked forwards like Ethan Belchetz and Nikita Klepov still available. The Devils’ center depth is dangerously thin, with their top prospect, Matyas Melovsky, struggling in the AHL — possibly explaining the gamble. Though Command was ranked 12th among international skaters, many analysts believe better options were on the board. The team chose to hold onto the pick instead of trading it, hinting at strong faith in Command — or perhaps a missed opportunity to acquire more value. Whether this draft pick becomes a cornerstone or a costly misstep remains to be seen. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c9a3dc6088e1f522