New Jersey Devils: Top 5 Prospects On Roster Bubble This Offseason

Xavier Bernard

When it comes to Xavier Bernard, the decision is likely all up to the New Jersey Devils. He’s had a really good season playing with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL. Just a few weeks ago, he had a five point game. He’s played 62 games this season and has 29 points. He’s almost getting a half point per game from the blue line.

He’s now on his third team in the QMJHL, and he’s playing his best hockey with Sherbrooke. We always say that +/- is a bad stat unless it’s an absolute outlier, and his +35 in 29 games in exactly that. Bernard’s team was very good before the season ended, as they clinched the regular season championship. It’s pretty upsetting the season ended, because Bernard could have been on his way to playing for a championship if things went the way they were projected.

Bernard’s rights with the Devils expire on June 1st, which only gives the Devils two months to decide on Bernard’s future. We expect them to sign him once things calm down, and then bring him in to the AHL. There’s definitely room for him there, and he’s proven himself to be good enough to turn pro. He will have some issues at first, as most players do when jumping from juniors to the AHL, but he has the ability and the upside to make the NHL one day. At this point, the Devils cannot afford to just lose defensive pieces that have any chance to make the NHL, let alone one that is 20 years old.