3. Nathan Bastian
While we do think the Devils like what Nathan Bastian brings to the table, logic talks says they need more offensively from their third and fourth lines. Bastian has shown value at times, but this season, he didn't do nearly enough. The hits can be replaced, and his big body isn't enough to warrant a roster spot.
This season, Bastian had four goals and six assists on the season. The Devils just have no use for a player who finished the season with 10 points. They can get other players on the bottom six who can do everything that Bastian does with at least a little bit of offense.
Sheldon Keefe felt like the fourth line could do something, which is why he played them so much. Most teams shorten the bench in big games like Game 5. While the fourth line got fourth-line minutes (Bastian played just under 13 minutes), they had opportune times on the ice late in the game. Bastian just isn't going to be a part of the Devils' future plans.
Bastian is on his second stint with the Devils, returning after he was selected in the expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken. He was a second-round draft pick by the Devils in 2016, but the development has hit its peak in New Jersey.