The New Jersey Devils entered the 2026 NHL Draft with several options. Holding the 12th overall pick after an injury-plagued and disappointing season, many expected new general manager Sunny Mehta to package the selection in a trade for immediate NHL help. Instead, the Devils stayed put and selected one of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft class: Swedish center Alexander Command.
While Command may not have been the flashiest name available, he quickly became one of the draft’s biggest risers throughout the season. His complete 200-foot game, mature hockey sense, and relentless compete level made him an attractive option for a Devils organization looking to build a deeper, more balanced roster. Rather than drafting strictly for offensive upside, New Jersey added a player who projects as a dependable center capable of impacting the game in every situation.
A Fast-Rising Prospect
Command’s path to becoming the 12th overall pick wasn’t a typical one.
Entering the 2025-26 season, he wasn’t viewed as a consensus lottery prospect. However, as the year progressed, NHL scouts became increasingly impressed with his consistency and maturity. Every viewing seemed to reinforce the same conclusion: Command simply knows how to play winning hockey.
While public rankings of Command varied, many NHL teams reportedly valued him much higher because of his influence on games beyond the scoresheet. His strong performances in Sweden’s junior league and against older competition continued to elevate his stock, making it far less surprising when his name was called by New Jersey on draft night.
For a franchise that already boasts an elite two-way center in Nico Hischier, selecting another intelligent, dynamic center may not have been the obvious move. However, championship teams are built through depth down the middle, and Command gives the Devils another player who could eventually fill an important role.
Learning the Game in Sweden
Command developed through playing on Sweden’s Örebro HK, where he steadily improved against increasingly difficult competition.
During the 2025-26 season, he produced offensively while also earning praise for his work ethic and consistency. He finished with 17 goals and 44 points in 30 games for Örebro’s U20 team before continuing his development against professional competition, making his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut with the senior team. His production was impressive, but scouts were often more interested in how he created offense than the raw numbers themselves.
The best way to describe Command is simple: he does almost everything well.
Standing approximately 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, he already possesses solid NHL size. He competes hard, wins puck battles, supports teammates defensively, and pushes hard offensively. Scouting reports on Hockey Prospects graded him highly for both his compete level and hockey sense. He’s been described as a well-rounded center that can bring skills on both sides of the ice.
Command consistently makes smart decisions with the puck. He anticipates developing plays, arrives in good defensive positions, and understands when to pressure opponents or support his defensemen. His awareness allows him to disrupt plays before they become dangerous while quickly transitioning back toward the offensive zone.
His skating is another strength. While he may not have the speed of Jack Hughes, he moves well and stays involved in every play. His intelligence and hockey IQ often allow him to reach loose pucks before opponents, despite not being the fastest player on the ice.
Scouts believe there is room for offensive growth as he continues adding strength and confidence to his game. His shot can become more dangerous, and greater experience against professionals should only improve his overall offensive instincts.
If that progression continues, Command projects as far more than a defensive center. He could be a legitimate middle-six player, with the potential to become an effective second-line center capable of contributing on both special teams.
Why He Fits the Devils
The Devils have spent the last several seasons building around speed, skill, and offensive creativity. While that foundation remains one of the organization’s greatest strengths, recent seasons have also highlighted the need for greater physicality, defensive reliability, and a more consistent competitive edge. Command appears to check each of those boxes.
His game complements New Jersey’s current core well. Rather than duplicating the skill already found throughout the lineup, he brings a tough two-way style that can round out the roster. Just as importantly, his relentless work ethic and competitive mindset seem to fit the culture Mehta is trying to establish.
Throughout the draft process, Command earned widespread praise from scouts for his leadership, determination, and willingness to battle every time he stepped onto the ice. Those qualities often separate good prospects from players who eventually become trusted NHL contributors.
For Devils fans, talent alone is not enough. They want players who genuinely embrace being part of the organization—players who take pride in wearing the black and red and are willing to leave everything on the ice. Command’s first comments after being selected suggested exactly that mindset.
“You made a good choice,” Command said to Devils media at the Draft. “I’m happy to be here. I don’t think there’s much more to it. I’m just getting started.”
Command has confidence without arrogance, excitement without complacency, and perhaps most importantly, an understanding that being drafted is only the beginning. That mentality should energize Devils fans.
Patience Will Be Crucial
Devils fans shouldn’t expect to see Command wearing red and black this fall. He remains under contract with Örebro HK through the 2027-28 season, giving him additional time to continue developing in one of Europe’s strongest professional leagues. That timeline likely pushes his NHL arrival to the 2028-29 season at the earliest.
Spending additional seasons playing meaningful minutes in Sweden should help him refine his offensive game while continuing to build strength against elite talent.
When he eventually comes to North America, he’ll arrive as a far more polished player than he would by rushing into the NHL.
Command Is a Strong First Step for the Future
Draft picks are ultimately judged years after they’re made, but the early signs surrounding Command are encouraging.
Rather than selecting solely based on offensive upside, the Devils invested in a player whose complete game gives him an excellent chance of reaching the NHL. His intelligence, maturity, physicality, and two-way ability provide a high floor, while continued offensive development could raise his ceiling even further.
If his development continues on its current trajectory, Command could become one of the most important complementary pieces of New Jersey’s next championship contender.
For now, Devils fans can begin getting acquainted with the newest member of the organization—a smart, dependable Swedish center whose game is built to win.
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