Trading from 12th overall to 2nd overall sounds ridiculous at first, and most of the time it is. This Devils situation is different enough to at least consider it. If Ivar Stenberg is available at No. 2, New Jersey should call San Jose with a real offer. Something like 12th overall, Simon Nemec, and Seamus Casey for 2nd overall.
That package should feel uncomfortable, which is the point. Nemec is still a young right-shot defenseman with major pedigree. Casey is a real offensive defense prospect. The 12th pick should still get you a very good player. But the Devils have a roster-shape problem. They have Luke Hughes. They have Dougie Hamilton. They have Brett Pesce. They have Johnathan Kovacevic. They have Nemec needing a contract and Casey needing a path. At some point, defensive depth turns into blocked value, and the Devils are approaching that point now.
There is also a real big swing sitting in the distance: Quinn Hughes. New Jersey obviously cannot plan as if Quinn is guaranteed to sign there. That would be reckless. But they should keep the option alive. If the Hughes brothers situation ever becomes real, the Devils need cap flexibility and roster clarity. That is where Stenberg changes the math. A player like Stenberg gives New Jersey something it badly needs: cheap elite forward upside. If he becomes a true top-line winger, he fits perfectly next to Jack Hughes. He gives the Devils another high-end processor, another transition threat, and another player who can grow with the core without immediately crushing the cap.
San Jose would have to think hard about this too. They got lucky moving up to No. 2, but once you own the pick, it is not free value anymore. If the Sharks believe Stenberg is a franchise winger next to Macklin Celebrini, they should keep the pick and hang up. But if there is any real uncertainty about his ceiling, San Jose would get a top-12 pick, a former second-overall right-shot defenseman, and another high-end offensive RHD prospect. For a team still building out a young core, that is a real haul.
From New Jersey's side, the risk is obvious. If Stenberg is merely good, the trade probably looks bad. You cannot move Nemec, Casey, and 12th overall for a nice winger. You only do this if your scouts believe Stenberg is special. If the Devils believe that, they should not be afraid of the sticker shock. The safer move is to stay at 12, bridge Nemec, and hope the logjam sorts itself out. There is a case for that. But the Devils have spent too much time collecting good pieces without fully solving the roster, and patience has not been the answer.
If No. 2 overall is even remotely available, the Devils should make San Jose say no.
