New Jersey Devils: Why Isn’t Reid Boucher Signed Yet?
Reid Boucher is the New Jersey Devils only restricted free agent who remains unsigned. When is this deal going to get done?
Yes, Reid Boucher received his qualifying offer back in June, so his contract will get done at some point before the season starts. But, what’s the hold-up? The Taylor Hall trade went down on June 29th. The free agent frenzy has come and been long gone for weeks, and Ray Shero has stated that the franchise will “sit still” on signing anyone else. The New Jersey Devils top priority this offseason was signing Kyle Palmieri to a long-term contract. That’s done. Restricted free agents Beau Bennett, Devante Smith-Pelley, Jacob Josefson and even Reece Scarlett already signed their deals. We are now at day 36 in free agency, and Boucher still hasn’t put the pen to the paper.
Even though the management that drafted Boucher is now gone, he should still be regarded as a big piece of the Devils future. Fans have had high hopes for the 2011 4th round pick since he scored 62 goals in 68 games for the Sarnia Sting in the OHL in 2012-13. When finally given the chance, Boucher made strides last season at the NHL level, contributing 19 points in 39 games. I expect him to build on that this coming season. Boucher’s situation can be compared to Smith-Pelley’s, who got a two year deal, as opposed to Bennett and Josefson, who got one-year “this is your last chance to show us if you actually belong in the NHL” contract. I wouldn’t call it a “make or break” year yet. He hasn’t gotten enough of an opportunity to prove himself and will need time to develop at just 22 years old.
I’d say he’s earned a full season in the NHL, but the Devils roster got much more talented this summer, so there are no guarantees, especially at left wing. With the acquisition of Hall, Mike Cammalleri coming back from injury and the possible return of Patrik Elias, Boucher will have more pressure on him to produce at that position. Devils training camp is going to be more competitive this year in than it has been in a long time. It’s possible that Boucher, Joe Blandisi and Pavel Zacha will all be competing for the same roster spot. As stands, it might be Boucher’s to lose.
Regardless, it just seems like a deal should have been done by now. It makes me feel like the two sides may not be close on the terms on the contract. But, since there really hasn’t been much news reported on Boucher’s negotiations, it’s hard to say. He made $725,000 last season on his entry-level deal, and will obviously be asking for a raise. How much is the question. I would think he’s pushing hard for a one-way deal for pro money, and the Devils are probably pushing the opposite direction for a two-way contract. The difference is that the two-way deal wouldn’t guarantee an NHL salary AND Boucher would have to clear waivers if the Devils wanted to send him down to Albany. So, it gets tricky.
The Devils have the money, that’s definitely not an issue. With the roster filling out with more options going into this season, you wonder what Ray Shero and management have in mind for Boucher. Do they see him as a full-time NHL player? That’s obviously playing a major factor in these negotiations. In a rebuilding year with tamed expectations, the Devils should give him that opportunity. They shouldn’t make him any promises playing-time wise, but they shouldn’t be cheap about it either. In the end, I see Boucher in the $900k to $1 million/year range for two years.
Next: The Future of Mike Cammalleri
Don’t worry, this deal will get done. No need to panic. Ray Shero has done pretty much everything right so far as Devils GM, and I have faith that he will make this work favorably for both sides. I’d just like it wrapped up sooner rather than later.