The New Jersey Devils have signed one of their top prospects to an entry level deal on Monday and it is an exciting bit of news.
The New Jersey Devils announced that they have signed their number two prospect Jesper Boqvist to a three-year entry level contract on Monday afternoon. There was speculation that it was getting done beforehand, but it has officially been announced.
Boqvist was selected in the 2nd round, 36th overall, in the 2017 NHL Draft. He was the second pick for the Devils in the draft after they selected Nico Hischier first overall. If Boqvist does in fact turn out to be a contributor on this team, then this will prove to be an awesome draft for Ray Shero and the Devils.
Boqvist might start his NHL career in New Jersey’s bottom six with guys like Hischier, Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri, and the upcoming number-one overall pick in the mix for the top six. The hope however, is that someday he is in the top six and one of the core pieces of this team. If he turns out to be that guy this could be a very good top six or top nine group in very short order.
Boqvist played for Bryan’s IF of the SHL and had an awesome career. His 2018-19 is where he turned heads and showed that he has some serious offensive capabilities. In 51 games for them, he had 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points. Having .68 points per game that league is very impressive, as it is comparable to some very good players who are currently in the NHL that played in that league.
If this can translate to the NHL the Devils will have some awesome depth scoring and everyone will realize that the talent this team so badly needs according to everyone might be right there in front of them. This is a young fast team and it may be getting even more skilled.
Boqvist will have every opportunity to crack the big club out of camp. The bottom six needed help in the first half of last season and with all the injuries this team sustained, the entire forward group needed help. Hopefully, this is one of many moves made this summer that allows the Devils to improve and get where they belong.