Confirmed with Link: Devils sign Nathan Bastian to a 2 year deal

[glenwo2]

When comparing AJ and Bastian, try to remember the game against the Bruins when Marchand leveled Smith. AJ was there and watched what happened. He then skated away like absolutely nothing happened, I can assure you Bastian would have gone after Marchand had he been in the same spot. Should this matter? Well it does to me, and I bet a few of their teammates.

This.

And Jesper Bratt of all players went after Marchand later on(I don't know if it was the same game or a different one).

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Just curious. CapFriendly lists him on the "Non-Roster" list.

Is this a procedural thing or just an error?

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I hope they can keep him. Him and McLeod are a good 4th line. You can tell the other team hates playing against them.

Which in reality on most nights was the team's second (or at worst third) best line depending on how the Zajac or Hughes lines were playing that particular night.

 

[Smitty426]

Butcher and Thompson for Ristolainen is a very good trade for both teams. I think Ristolainen is the classic "change of scenery" guy -- Buffalo deployed him as a "shut down" guy, which is not his best role. He's far better defensively than the analytics crowd suggests and offers nice physicality, but he's really more of an offensive D who hits than a defensive-minded guy. Also, I think it's important to note that Buffalo is just a mess right now -- almost the entire team underperformed for two whole seasons -- they are poorly managed, poorly coached and the prospects are poorly developed. Any player leaving there right now should see a bump in the quality of their play.

Ristolainen is an interesting case scenario in that no one seems to understand him. The same people who claim he's one of the worst defensemen in the league are the same people who say Will Butcher is one of the best two D on the Devils, so it's safe to say we can discount their voices. Buffalo never deployed him correctly, I think most people would agree with that. He's a big kid who can skate and shoot very well. He's got a nice compete level, which makes up a bit for an average hockey IQ. He'll make some mistakes, but he'll also make some plays. I don't suggest bidding high for him, but the talked about offer of Butcher and Thompson is extremely reasonable for a player who could score around 40 points and add some much-needed physicality to the Devils back 6.

I think he could be had for less, but I agree on the reasoning

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I think he could be had for less, but I agree on the reasoning

Can't see the Devils getting a 26-year-old defenseman who has played over 500 NHL games for a defenseman that is the same age and played less than 30 games and a forward who played seven.

 

[My3Sons]

Can't see the Devils getting a 26-year-old defenseman who has played over 500 NHL games for a defenseman that is the same age and played less than 30 games and a forward who played seven.

Butcher played less than 30 games? If you mean last season sure but I’m not sure comparing Risto’s career to Butcher’s single season is apples to apples. Also I think you have to look at Risto as a rental. What does he return at the TDL? If he has a very good season it could be a first but if he mopes along on a bad team it might be a third. At this point I’m skeptical Risto ends up with NJ since he probably needs to go at the deadline to a contender and play on a lower pair to look good heading into UFA.

 

[Smitty426]

Can't see the Devils getting a 26-year-old defenseman who has played over 500 NHL games for a defenseman that is the same age and played less than 30 games and a forward who played seven.

He has diminished his return by basically stating he wants to be moved. He's a $5.4M d man going into FA. They are getting a dman back for $2M less in Butcher. They are a tire fire and to have hos full contract off the books has got to be good. Butcher and Seney/Jacobs etc sure, TT not giving up yet. Will not be too many cash strapped teams looking to add a guy at that rate without him being more. He fits our team need, that's why no retention and something going back but not overwhelming.

 

[NJDevs26]

We're way past talking about Bastian, might as well continue this in the team thread or at least a non-Bastian thread.