Last month, I wrote:

The Nikita Gusev trade could be seen as evidence of the organization making a ‘good bet’. Even though his NHL impact is currently unknown, most KHL to NHL models have him turning into a player capable of putting up 50-60 points. There is an element of risk to the signing, as Gusev now commands a $4.5 million AAV for two seasons, but the relative value to the Devils who could afford that cap hit, is more than manageable. The low trade cost of Gusev is worth the potential to add 50-60 points, especially at a critical turning point where the team is adding substantial talent in Hughes, Smith, Subban, and Simmonds. In the past five seasons, the Devils have only had seven 50+ point seasons from players. I would spend a second and third round pick for a decent chance at adding another.

Gusev is almost certainly going to fit into a top-6 role this season, whether in October or after an initial adjustment period. He joins a growing list of players that could fit into the top two lines, including:

Taylor Hall

Nico Hischier

Kyle Palmieri

Jack Hughes

Jesper Bratt

Wayne Simmonds

Jesper Boqvist likely belongs on this list. At the very least, he likely belongs on a shortlist of top-9 players that have the potential to grow into the top two lines. The problem is there simply aren’t enough spots.

The Roster

It is possible to construct a solid lineup that leaves no room for Boqvist. Here is my current thinking for a non-Boqvist roster:

Hall - Hischier - Bratt

Gusev - Hughes - Palmieri

Zacha - Zajac - Coleman

Wood - Rooney - Simmonds

Extra/Fringe: Hayden, Bastian



I think Kyle Palmieri would be an excellent partner for Jack Hughes, as he provides a consistent scoring threat, but also has an underrated two-way impact on the game. A third line of Zacha, Zajac, and Coleman would be one of the better shutdown lines in the league.

If we follow through with these lines, or at least the top-6, Boqvist’s spot doesn’t seem obvious. One possibility is to shift Zacha into a fourth line centre role, and place Boqvist on the third line:

Hall - Hischier - Bratt

Gusev - Hughes - Palmieri

Boqvist - Zajac - Coleman

Wood - Zacha - Simmonds

Extra/Fringe: Hayden, Bastain

As I wrote in an earlier edition of the future five, I’d love to give Zacha every opportunity to develop his offensive tools. The offensive parts of his game started to shine in the final stretch of the 2018/19 season with 20 points in 30 games. Putting him on the fourth line, and likely leaning on him for heavy penalty kill minutes, does little to give him an opportunity to develop that part of his game.

This is the crux of the Boqvist dilemma - we can fit him somewhere on the team, but will that spot (a) suit his style of play and (b) most benefit his development compared to another season in the SHL? Similarly, will the benefit of having him on the team (likely in a depleted role) outweigh the relative cost of pushing some (likely Zacha) down the lineup?

Some things to consider:

Boqvist has signed his entry-level contract, so the concern isn’t about losing him. Instead, we should focus on what would most benefit his game and the devils both this season and into the future.

Players in bottom-6 roles can earn more ice time on special teams. Zacha will likely play a major role on the Devils’ penalty kill. Simmonds will likely play lower in the lineup but play an essential role on the powerplay in front of the net. Boqvist could potentially feature on one of the powerplay units if he makes the team on one of the bottom lines.

As we know from the 2018/19 season, injuries are an inevitable part of hockey. If both Boqvist and Zacha are ready for a middle-6 role, injuries higher up the lineup may allow both players to earn more minutes as the season takes its toll on the roster. This consideration would help me cope with Zacha in a fourth line role to start the season.

We’ve talked at length about the possibility of Hughes centering a second line that plays fewer minutes (and is therefore more sheltered) than a typical second line. It’s possible that this distribution of ice time could benefit a third line with Boqvist and Zajac, and possibly a fourth line led by Zacha.

The Verdict

After a wild offseason, I think I’ve finally settled my thinking on Boqvist. I’d give him a 60-70% chance of making the NHL roster. A quick straw poll of Devils in the Details listeners shows that public opinion of his chances to make the team isn’t clear.