New Jersey Devils: 5 Players In Jeopardy In Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft

Nathan Bastian

Now it’s time to go to the other half of the “Super Buddies”. The real-life friends have been going through the Devils’ ranks together all the way back to their days in junior. They both played for Mississauga, Binghamton, and now New Jersey. The Devils have been playing them on the same line for most of the season, spending just under 250 minutes together on the ice at even strength.

As far as Bastian goes, he brings a size component that McLeod does not. He’s 6’4 and a few ticks over 200 lbs. He can throw down with anyone, and the Devils don’t really have anyone that brings that combination of size and strength to the lineup. Bastian gives the Devils an edge that they really want. He can also keep up with his linemates.

Bastian might end up being the odd-man out, however. He’s a good prospect, but it’s hard to fathom he could be a lock in the lineup like other players on this list. His upside seems somewhat limited. Crazier things have happened, and again, Bastian brings something to the lineup that the coaching staff seems to like. He can argue that his size brings enough to the team that he has to be protected. It’s just someone the team can’t lose for nothing when they have a lot of prospects that mimic each other.