New Jersey Devils prospect Jesper Boqvist is skipping the team’s prospect challenge in Buffalo to head straight to Sweden. This is a massive missed opportunity to see where he is in his development.
Sometimes, this is how sports blogging works. Just yesterday, we talked about how we think Jesper Boqvist should make a move to try and make the New Jersey Devils. It was a long shot, because his agent said he needed another year in Sweden, but it was definitely worth a shot.
Then, today, not 24 hours after writing that, this happened.
Forward Jesper Boqvist will not be joining the @NJDevils at the Buffalo Prospects Challenge. He'll report directly to Brynas (SHL)
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) July 31, 2018
Boqvist won’t even attend Devils camp, or the team’s prospects challenge in Buffalo, so he could head straight to the Swedish Hockey League. He will spend camp with Brynas instead of spending time with NHL talent.
This is a massive mistake. Boqvist could be one of the cornerstone prospects in the Devils system. He’s so very talented, and can score with just about anyone. The Devils seem to have a steal on their hands with the 36th overall pick in 2017.
However, last year was a lost season for Boqvist. He fractured his wrist early in the season, missed about half of his team’s games, and wasn’t the same upon returning.
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This was a chance for Boqvist to showcase himself playing alongside the likes of John Quenneville and Michael McLeod. He’d play the best prospects from the competing teams, like Casey Mittelstadt of the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins Ryan Donato. Getting some licks in against that kind of competition is not something Boqvist will get in Sweden.
Even if Boqvist was to play in just the prospect challenge then head back to Sweden, at least the Devils can get an up-close look at someone who could soon become their top prospect. If McLeod heads to the big league club, Boqvist really just has to outshine Ty Smith, who will have some pressure after becoming a first-round pick. Now, Boqvist is a relative unknown. Even if he lights up the Swedish league, there’s no telling whether that can translate.
The decision has been made, so it is what it is at this point. Hopefully, Boqvist can recover his immense talents and push to make the roster next season.