NJ has a bunch of really good bottom six guys blossoming this season all basically 21-23 years old. They have Bratt, Hughes, Hischier and eventually you figure one or more of Foote, Mercer, and/or Holtz materializes. The current young top six guys are all essentially 19-23. A good prospect in the 20-22 year old range makes a lot more sense to me than pick 28. I don't think NJ is best served with a lottery ticket outside the top of the draft if it can get a good prospect. A potential second pair right defender for example would tick off several boxes. I'm sure that the team wants to get the first round pick and a good prospect, but if I had to choose only the first or the first and a meh prospect or the second and a good prospect I'd go with the second and a good prospect. Just an opinion and others will see it differently.