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New Jersey Devils: Expectations Remain Low For Nathan Bastian

By Nick Villano

LAVAL, QC - OCTOBER 13: Goaltender Charlie Lindgren #35 of the Laval Rocket makes a save on Nathan Bastian #42 of the Binghamton Devils during the AHL game at Place Bell on October 13, 2017 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - OCTOBER 13: Goaltender Charlie Lindgren #35 of the Laval Rocket makes a save on Nathan Bastian #42 of the Binghamton Devils during the AHL game at Place Bell on October 13, 2017 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils have some very interesting prospects in the pipeline. One that’s not getting very much recognition is Nathan Bastian.

Usually, when a team drafts a player in the second round of the NHL Draft, the expectations are pretty high. Obviously, they are nowhere near the expectations of a first-round pick, but still enough to expect some serious expectations. For the New Jersey Devils, that’s not the case.

Nathan Bastian is coming into the season with little to no chatter behind him. With an offseason without many moves to discuss, it seems like all prospects would be discussed, but Bastian has fallen under the radar.

It’s not hard to see why. Bastian was incredibly underwhelming in his first professional season. He only scored ten goals and eight assists despite playing on the first and second line for the Binghamton Devils. A second round pick in his 20 year old season is expected to do a little more than that.

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Bastian was never considered as one of the forwards to get a call up to the NHL. Maybe that had to do with contracts and maybe that had to do with his play.

Bastian needs to pick it up this season. His point production was not acceptable. He was basically average in every aspect of his game. He was an average point producer. Bastian was an average defensive player. He plays right wing, so it’s a position of need for the Devils, but he needs to prove he’s a capable winger.

There is one reason why Bastian may be on his way to a breakout season. He’s about to play with his Super Buddies teammate from Mississauga. Michael McLeod and Bastian were worse without each other last year. Together, they led the Steelheads to the OHL Finals. Apart, they both had worse seasons.

Hopefully, with McLeod likely going to the AHL, they can help each other. Obviously, their careers cannot be tied to each other, but if that helps them get a jump on things then all the better.

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