Likelihood Current New Jersey Devils Players Make Final Roster

35%: Jesper Boqvist

Jesper Boqvist is a player who could quickly get lost in the shuffle when it comes to Devils prospects. He’s a former second-round pick who the Devils once had high hopes for. When he came over from Sweden, many expected him to make an immediate impact. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. Boqvist did have his best run in the NHL last season, playing 56 games in the NHL and scoring 23 points. Some hope he could take a jump this season, but he hasn’t been impressive in the preseason.

The number is low. Boqvist is waivers eligible, and some other team would likely claim him. He’s still young, and he did show an ability to be an NHL player last season. However, the math is not in his favor. There are too many players who are waiver eligible and not enough spots on the NHL roster to go around. Unless someone gets injured, it will be hard to keep Boqvist on the roster.

40%: Andreas Johnsson

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but Andreas Johnsson doesn’t seem to have a spot on this roster. His contract situation tells a different story. He’s making $2.5 million in cash and his cap hit is $3.4 million. The Devils have given him a chance for three years now, and his inconsistency is a killer. Last season, he looked phenomenal alongside Mercer and Bratt. After that line got broken up, Johnsson looked lost.

We’ve talked about what Tom Fitzgerald needs to do. If he wants to keep his players where they are, he has to send someone down to the AHL who is on an NHL contract. Johnsson makes the most sense. He has the talent to bounce back with a wake-up call, and it’s very unlikely he’s getting claimed on waivers.