The New Jersey Devils have an abundance of talent and depth that they haven’t had organizationally in a long time. It’s a good problem to have. We’re seeing two talented young players who are fighting to make the team in Jesper Boqvist and Ty Smith. In terms of sheer talent alone, they should make the Devils a better team for the foreseeable future, but is 2019-20 too soon for them to make an impact?
It’s hard to pinpoint where exactly Jesper Boqvist fits in the mold of this team’s roster construction. He’ll be hard pressed to fill a top-six role where he is best suited to play. The third line in all likelihood will consist of Travis Zajac with Blake Coleman and Wayne Simmonds on his wings. The fourth line does not seem to be the most optimal place to play Boqvist as his ice time would be limited.
Coach John Hynes could opt to insert Boqvist in the top six, bump down Jesper Bratt to the third line and Simmonds to the fourth. Bratt is versatile and could probably be effective with Zajac and Coleman, and a fourth line of Pavel Zacha and Simmonds brings some size, physicality and could chip in with some goals.
To play Devil’s Adcocate, Hynes and the rest of the coaching staff wanting to play three rookies in the top six doesn’t sound like something they would do. Boqvist’s has amazing upside, but can the 2019-2020 team could get the most out of him with their logjam at the position?
You couldn’t entertain the thought of reading a Devils blog or message board this summer without seeing Ty Smith’s name. Smith had an amazing first training camp with the Devils and fans all but assumed he would be a lock to not only make the team, but provide a big impact on the ice.
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For whatever reason, his play has left a lot to be desired thus far into camp. The expectations for Smith has been really high, almost unfairly high having never played an NHL game. Every single time he steps on the ice and makes a mistake, it is magnified and critiqued.
In terms of raw talent, he is probably the second best in the organization behind P.K. Subban. Just like the forward position, the defensive core is pretty deep with guys like Subban, Andy Greene, Damon Severson, Sami Vatanen, Will Butcher, Mirco Mueller and Connor Carrick. The team has defensemen who could skate, move the puck and contribute on special teams; therefore you wonder what type of role Smith would ultimately have on the team.
For better or worse, Devils fans have to get used to seeing Mueller out there this season. Most of us would want to see the upside of Smith as opposed to a one dimensional defenseman like Mueller.
If Smith were to make the team, it could be a gamble worth taking as it could pay off as the season goes on. He has nothing to prove at any other level besides the NHL. With some extra practice time with the regulars, simplifying his game and confidence from the coaching staff, he could be a useful player sooner rather than later.
Jesper Boqvist and Ty Smith undoubtedly have the skill and hockey smarts to be key contributors for years to come. The question remains whether they would be given the opportunity on this year’s team. With the regular season less than two weeks away, we will find out soon enough.