NEWARK, NJ — The New Jersey Devils have suffered a painful setback in the BRHL, and this one falls squarely on General Manager Ken Hogan.

Hogan's failure to submit his roster before the waiver draft left two players exposed. Detroit Red Wings GM Dan Sanders immediately pounced, selecting defenseman Tom Willander with the first pick.

For Hogan, the loss is particularly painful. He originally selected Willander with a first-round pick a few years ago, envisioning the young Swede as a central piece of the Devils' future defense.

That projection still looks promising. Willander, selected 11th overall by Vancouver in 2023, has developed into a mobile, defensively responsible defenseman with strong skating, transition ability and the potential to become a dependable top-four NHL blueliner. He appeared in 70 NHL games during the 2025-26 season, recording 21 points.

After years of waiting for that investment to mature, Hogan instead watched another BRHL GM acquire him for nothing.

Then Came Blomqvist

The second blow came in Round 2.

The Ottawa Senators selected Joel Blomqvist, the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect Hogan had patiently developed for roughly five years.

Blomqvist, a 2020 second-round NHL pick, has long been viewed as a potential NHL goaltender. His AHL development has included strong numbers, and Pittsburgh continues to view him as part of its competition for an NHL job.

For Hogan, this one may sting just as much as losing Willander.

These weren't players acquired yesterday. They were long-term investments whose development Hogan had followed for years.

No One to Blame But Himself

There may be questions about how the deadline was missed, but ultimately there is nowhere for Hogan to hide.

The roster wasn't submitted.

Detroit took Willander first overall. Ottawa took Blomqvist in the second round. Both GMs simply took advantage of an opportunity presented to them.

Now Hogan has to watch two of his former prospects continue their careers elsewhere—and wonder what might have been.

For a fantasy GM, there are bad trades, unlucky injuries and disappointing prospects.

And then there are mistakes entirely of your own making.

This was one of those mistakes.