Jesper Boqvist
Jesper Boqvist is a very specific case. He’s signed to an entry-level contract, but he still has options elsewhere. He’s currently signed to a one-year deal with his SHL team as well, but does have an NHL out. He will be in Devils training camp based on everything we’ve seen. He might be the player many people want to be the final player on the roster.
Boqvist was really good playing for Brynas last year. He looked dominant in the Devils development camp, only really being outdone by Jack Hughes. Boqvist is NHL ready. The problem here is he may be NHL ready, but is he ready for the position the Devils have for him?
Like we said, the Devils have one spot open, and it’s the fourth-line right wing spot. Can Boqvist truly perform with just 8-12 minutes per night? This is a kid that will have to grow within the NHL game, and likely had to get used to everything that has to do with the North American style. The game is faster in the NHL, the players are bigger and the hits are harder. That’s not even considering playing on a completely different ice sheet.
Would it be good for Boqvist for now and the future to have him play fourth-line minutes? This might be a player better suited to get big minutes to start, especially since he’s already playing top-line minutes in a men’s league overseas. However, we’ve seen the issues that come with a young player consistently playing against lesser competition. A player of his ilk needs great competition to continue to grow. We don’t want him getting bored. Also, if he gets that last spot on the roster, he will be the first player moved up if there’s an injury.