5 Players At Development Camp That Could Make New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils welcome their development camp this week, as the youngsters in the system get to play in front of the big league coaches. There are some players who are on the cusp of making the Devils roster.
The New Jersey Devils welcome 33 hockey players to the Prudential Center this week in order to show their stuff and prove they have a future with this organization. Some of the players are former Devils draft picks, while others were invited to the camp, and looking to make something of their opportunity. No matter the circumstances, there are a few players we expect to see in the very near future. Some have been waiting for their shot in Binghamton, others have master Juniors and want another shot, then there’s the ones who played overseas prior to this year.
The Devils didn’t do much this offseason so far. That means, there are spots open that young players can take advantage of. There’s no way one could predict what will happen with the forwards or the defense. In fact, there’s a route for most of the players at development camp to make the jump to the main roster.
Just look at what Jesper Bratt did last season. He went from having no expectations to making the Opening Night roster. This came from a sixth-round pick coming into the NHL at just 19 years old. It all started with a strong showing at last year’s development camp.
Who could be that player this year? Here are five players who can use this week to make the jump.
Jesper Boqvist
This one is probably the least likely, but one the Devils should look into. Jesper Boqvist has skill for days. The 2017 second-round pick will spend his second straight season in the Devils development camp, giving head coach John Hynes a very good look at his skill set.
Boqvist has the ability to use his speed and skill to score beautiful goals. The Swedish winger could easily slot in on one of the open right wing slots.
Boqvist’s numbers are nothing to go home about. He was injured last season, which held him to just three goals in 23 games for Brynas IF in the Swedish league. It’s clear it was a lost season after wrist surgery took weeks off of his development.
Boqvist has to take the utmost advantage of this week’s teachings. His work overseas did not instill much confidence, so he has to prove he’s above that. Again, Bratt’s work overseas was not very good, but that didn’t stop him from breaking into the lineup. Boqvist could do the same thing.
Joey Anderson
This one is much more likely. Joey Anderson is an established American forward. He became a champion with Minnesota Duluth. Anderson was the captain for Team USA at the World Junior Championship, a team that went on to win the bronze medal.
Anderson has done it all at this current level, thus why he left college to sign with the Devils.
Anderson just signed a three-year deal, that now has two years left on it. That means the Devils have to get the most out of Anderson before he hits that next contract.
The thing about Anderson, is he’s not the typical 20 year old fighting for a spot on the roster. Most players at his age have ridiculous skill sets, and can score at will. That’s not Anderson’s game.
Anderson will do all the dirty things right. He’s get low, score from in front of the net, and can make the perfect pass. He also plays well defensively.
Anderson has the skills to break into Hynes lineup. He could do it as soon as opening night.
Michael McLeod
Michael McLeod is the 2016 first-round pick. After suffering an injury during training camp, McLeod was forced to go back to Mississauga to play another season of Juniors. This season did not go as well as the season prior.
The reason for the drop in production is unknown, but there are plenty of excuses. For one, he started the season with that knee injury we just mentioned. He also lost his best friend Nathan Bastian, who went to the Binghamton Devils. On top of all that, the Steelheads were much worse last season, ending the season fourth in the division after a run all the way to the OHL Finals.
This season, McLeod could easily make it to the Devils. Despite having a down season, McLeod still had 44 points in 38 games. It’s close to a 30 point drop, but it’s still a decent season.
McLeod showed his ability in the playoffs last season. He tried to send the Steelheads to the next round all by himself. He scored six goals in six games, and added four assists. He’s clearly on the cusp of greatness.
However, I was not a fan of what we saw from him in his short stint in the AHL. McLeod only recorded one assist in six games. Sure, Binghamton was very much out of it by that point, but one was hoping to see a little more.
McLeod could spend the beginning of the season in the AHL, but could easily break through to the NHL roster.
Blake Speers
Blake Speers spent the entire 2017-18 season in Binghamton. He scored 19 points in 62 games. It wasn’t a season to go home about, but it was a start to his career. The 2015 third-round pick is still just 21 years old. He has plenty of time to reach his potential.
However, he has the skills to reach that potential as early as this season. It just depends on what the Devils are expecting from this player. In 2015-16 in the OHL, he scored 74 points in 68 games.
He has a scoring touch that has yet to display itself in Binghamton. He’s taken a little while to adjust to the pro game, but a scorer should be able to score on any level. Speers just needs to learn how to gain space.
If he’s able to do that this offseason, it’s not out of the realm of possibility he could start the year on the Devils. He already plays right wing, and has time at center. He’s been a captain in the past, showing his leadership ability. It could be exactly what he needs to gain more confidence.
John Quenneville
This one may be the most obvious. John Quenneville was supposed to be on the roster last season, but Brian Gibbons and Jesper Bratt ended up getting the spots reserved for him.
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Quenneville hasn’t exactly made it an easy decision for the Devils, but he’s clearly ready to make it in the NHL. He just needs a spot.
Quenneville is not leaving it up to chance by playing in this year’s developmental camp. He was the first-round pick way back in 2014. It’s been four years of fighting for a roster spot, just to come up short every year.
He scored 14 goals for Binghamton last season. That’s despite fighting injuries. It makes the most sense for Quenneville to make it on the Devils this season. If he’s passed over again, it may be time for both sides to move on. But that’s a topic for a different day. For now, he needs to impress for the coaches at this week’s development camp.