The 2026 NHL Draft is packed with premium defensive talent, but if the New Jersey Devils are sitting on the clock at #12 overall, they need to sprint to the podium to announce Ryan Lin.
For a franchise that relies heavily on speed, transition play, and quickly getting the puck onto the sticks of their dynamic centers, finding a defenseman who can effortlessly quarterback a breakout is mandatory. That is exactly what Ryan Lin brings to the table. As a standout right-shot defenseman for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL, Lin has drawn rave reviews from scouts and coaches alike, earning stylistic comparisons to elite modern blueliners including Minnesota Wild star Quinn Hughes and Colorado’s Cale Makar.
Lin isn’t just a smooth skater; he’s a highly intelligent facilitator who uses elite edgework and high-end vision to process the game two steps ahead of an opposing forecheck. While some scouts might overthink his 5-foot-11 frame, what they frequently miss is his refined defensive physicality, his superb gap control, and how efficiently he separates the man from the puck. If you want a modern, puck-moving defender who fits the Devils’ high-octane system perfectly, Ryan Lin is the undisputed answer at 12th overall.
Scouting Ryan Lin: The Modern Puck-Mover the Devils Need
When evaluating the current New Jersey Devils roster and their prospect pool, the mandate is clear: they need defensemen who can actively drive possession. You can never have too many right-shot defensemen who can walk the blue line with confidence, and Lin fits that profile to a tee.
Over the past two seasons in the WHL, Lin has evolved into a legitimate offensive engine. He commands the powerplay, rarely makes a poor passing read, and uses his lateral mobility to open up shooting lanes that heavier, static defensemen simply cannot access. During the 2025-26 WHL season, he became the fastest WHL defenseman under 18 to record his 100th career point since Scott Niedermayer, a legendary name Devils fans know intimately.
The criticism surrounding Lin mostly targets his size and a desire for him to fill out his frame, but his hockey IQ easily compensates for those physical limitations. He defends incredibly well with an active stick, anticipating plays and cutting off passing lanes before high-danger scoring chances materialize. For a Devils team that sometimes struggles with defensive consistency at five-on-five, Lin’s ability to orchestrate clean, controlled zone exits would alleviate massive pressure off their goaltending.
Ryan Lin Junior Career Stats & Vancouver Giants Production
Looking at the raw data, Lin’s progression in the WHL proves he isn’t just a flash in the pan; he’s a consistent producer who is only getting better.
| Season | Team (League) | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Vancouver Giants (WHL) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Vancouver Giants (WHL) | 60 | 5 | 48 | 53 |
| 2025-26 | Vancouver Giants (WHL) | 53 | 14 | 43 | 57 |
His massive jump in goal-scoring this past season highlights a player who has consciously worked on making himself a dual-threat weapon from the point, preventing goaltenders from simply cheating against the pass.
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