Mehta's Gamble: Devils Draft Alexander Command
New Jersey prioritizes data over hype, taking Swedish center Alexander Command 12th overall.

New Jersey Devils GM Sunny Mehta defied consensus expectations at the 2026 NHL Draft, selecting Swedish center Command with the 12th overall pick. The move signals a distinct shift in organizational philosophy, prioritizing high-end processing and two-way reliability over the high-octane offensive wingers that dominated the pre-draft buzz. Command, an analytics standout hailing from Örebro HK, finished his recent junior campaign with 44 points in just 30 games.























