Who stays, who goes? RFA edition

In the second and final part of this mini-series, we'll take a look at the New Jersey Devils' large RFA class and how things might play out.

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We started the week off by combing through the New Jersey Devils’ pending UFAs and examining which ones are, and aren’t, likely to be back.

Today we’re going to do the same with the loaded RFA class Tom Fitzgerald will soon start dealing with.

Let’s get right to it.

Nathan Bastian

Bastian quietly had a very strong year on 4th line. His impacts were once again rock solid, finishing with a total GAR of 6.6 over just 43 games. This after posting a GAR of 6.7 the season prior, albeit over 17 more appearances. An argument could be made for Bastian having the best season of his young career.

He played his role perfectly and provided value in a lot of different ways. He helped the Devils to a 59% goal share at 5v5, conceding only 11 goals over the course of 43 games. His high-danger chance share (61%) suggest those strong results were warranted.

In terms of individual metrics, Bastian turned the puck over less than anybody. He only registered 0.56 per 60 minutes, putting him a distant 1st on the team (2nd was 1.20 per 60). He laid hits at a higher rate than every Devils regular while drawing more penalties than he took.

He also produced at a near 30 point place, helped get the most out of the power play when given the chance, and averaged more than a minuter per game on the PK.

Not many 4th liners can be used on the power play, penalty kill, and play a brash game without taking penalties. He is very good at what he does and I don’t think the Devils will want to lose the elements he brings with Miles Wood likely heading out the door already.

Look for a two-year deal in the $1.5 million range.

Jesper Boqvist

While I like Boqvist as a depth piece, he is one of the guys I could see moving on if Tom Fitzgerald wants to change the mix a little bit. He’s a useful player but he doesn’t really excel or move the needle in any way.

He will produce some offense but he’s very streaky. His efficiency numbers are certainly nothing to write home about. He can play center or wing but you don’t really want him doing the former. He doesn’t contribute to either special teams unit.

He is kind of just a guy who can do this or that if needed but you don’t actually want to be in a scenario where that’s the case.

I don’t think Lindy Ruff is a huge fan – of the 14 forwards to dress in multiple playoff games, Boqvist ranked 13th in average time on ice at 5v5 – and I wouldn’t be surprised if Fitzgerald clears the deck and elects to use Boqvist’s slot in another way, whether he’s replaced with a different top-9 forward, Yegor Sharangovich re-enters that mix on a nightly basis, or Alexander Holtz is promoted into it.

Jesper Bratt

I know some soured on Bratt during the playoffs but I thought he was a lot better than given credit for. Even if he wasn’t, I’m not about to throw in the towel on a back-to-back 70+ point winger because he had a few less points than you’d hope in his first real taste of playoff hockey. The Devils aren’t either.

Bratt is a dynamic player whose on-ice impacts are great at both ends of the rink. He is the kind of guy who can break a game open on any given shift.

The Devils have gone through hell to try and keep him around in the past and I believe Fitzgerald has every intention of doing so again, if that’s what it takes.

I think the solution on a deal is going to be what we see with a lot of modern-day stars: less term.

I believe Bratt will get in the ballpark of ~$8 million per year on an extension – perhaps $7.963 or $7.63M – for, say, five years and then Bratt can strike gold again on his next deal.

Yes, he’d be around 30 by that point. But his production won’t have tailed off much and the salary cap will be quite a bit higher, allowing for him to punch another healthy ticket.

When all is said and done, though, I think he’ll come to terms on an extension with New Jersey that will cover the rest of his true prime years.