LW Reid Boucher (2011, 99th overall, New Jersey)

[KlattNazty]

reminds me of matt frattin, booming shot, not the quickest skater, not the best release, but when its off and on target you have a dangerous shooter. question is if he can find the space to shoot at the next levels, which was matt frattins biggest challenge as well.

 

[Xokkeu]

This year in 47 games he has 63 points

But in terms of NHL readiness he was -19 last year and is +11 this year. Do you guys believe his game will translate well to the NHL? I watch the odd OHL game here and there but for those of you who watch them does he look that good?

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1002641&highlight=boucher

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

The guys has the build and shot of Brett Hull. Too bad he doesn't have the same hockey IQ.

 

[Classic Devil]

Whoa, I would put the brakes on that myself. I watched a lot of Sting last year and this year and I really like Boucher's game, but I don't see him as much more than a 3rd liner, maybe 2nd liner if everything goes well.

He reminds me a lot of Chris Higgins, and I could see him having a similar type of career. 30 goal scorer if the planets align but otherwise a useful player who can play on any line if need be.

I really don't see Boucher making the NHL at all if he's not a top-6 forward. He's going to have to be able to produce points to compensate for the other deficiencies in his game (which are problems that aren't going to just go away, I don't think). Higgins is bigger and has a better defensive and physical game, something Boucher is not likely ever to have.

I wanted to bump this, Boucher now has 44 goals and 24 assists in 51 games (and he's not done yet this afternoon).

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I really don't see Boucher making the NHL at all if he's not a top-6 forward. He's going to have to be able to produce points to compensate for the other deficiencies in his game (which are problems that aren't going to just go away, I don't think). Higgins is bigger and has a better defensive and physical game, something Boucher is not likely ever to have.

I wanted to bump this, Boucher now has 44 goals and 24 assists in 51 games (and he's not done yet this afternoon).

Finished it off with a hattrick . . 45 goals in 51 gp.

 

[Oroku Saki*]

If he improves his skating, no reason he can't be a poor mans Semin. Pure sniper.

 

[Xokkeu]

If he improves his skating, no reason he can't be a poor mans Semin. Pure sniper.

That's not really Semin's game. There's the problem with player comparisons. Yes Semin has an elite wrist shot, but he's also one of the best stick handlers in the world. Boucher is not.

 

[Ringing Iron]

Boucher has certainly improved this season and I have watched a ton of him in Sarnia. Previously, Boucher was hesitant to handle the puck and beat defenders one-on-one but now he has more confidence in his puck handling abilities. He still doesn' own the slickest puck control but it has improved. Boucher has been much MUCH more consistent this season (his biggest issue before IMO) and the team is leaning heavily on him and Charlie Sarault (a slick playmaker who has a real knack for feeding him the puck). I would say that Boucher has been given more opportunity and a longer leash this season and his stats reflect that as he has been able to battle through any slumps.

He still needs to improve his strength to win battles but he is showing more grittiness to his game and that's positive. His skating has never been great but it's not like he is a Michael Ryder type of skater either.

His shot will remain his biggest asset to getting to the NHL and if he can find the chemistry with a playmaker (like he has in Sarnia with Sarault) then that certainly improves his NHL chances. As a mentioned last year, Boucher is the definition of a "sniper". He has a ridiculous release, finds open areas with ease and the puck seems to follow him around the ice. If he can capitalize on his opportunities at the next level then his future looks bright but he will need to ensure he takes advantages of his opportunities.

I've tweeted this several times to New Jersey Devils fans when they ask, Reid Boucher will need to play in the top 6 (or top 9 on a team that employs three "modest offensive lines") or else he could toil in the minor leagues.

His development has been promising and Devils fans should be happy. Hopefully, Boucher has success at the AHL level next year (assumming that is where he will/should be).

 

[Lou is God]

His development has been promising and Devils fans should be happy. Hopefully, Boucher has success at the AHL level next year (assumming that is where he will/should be).

With how much he has to work on don't be surprised if he ends up in Trenton and not the AHL, he would probably get more playing time in the ECHL and then bring him up to the AHL level, the plus side on him is he still young and no need to rush him.

 

[Oroku Saki*]

That's not really Semin's game. There's the problem with player comparisons. Yes Semin has an elite wrist shot, but he's also one of the best stick handlers in the world. Boucher is not.

Which would make him a poor mans Semin.

 

[Xokkeu]

Which would make him a poor mans Semin.

Then he's also a poor mans Ovechkin, Crosby, Stamkos and any number of other players whose skill sets don't match up to Boucher's.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Which would make him a poor mans Semin.

They are not even close to comparable. Boucher gets a majority of his goals by timing cuts around the net and quick snappers below the circles. Semin carries the puck much more, is bigger and faster, has better vision, and plays in a completely different part of the ice, relying more on his wrist shot than his one-timer. Just because they both have a good shot, doesn't mean they are comparable players.

 

[Account Terminated]

They are not even close to comparable. Boucher gets a majority of his goals by timing cuts around the net and quick snappers below the circles. Semin carries the puck much more, is bigger and faster, has better vision, and plays in a completely different part of the ice, relying more on his wrist shot than his one-timer. Just because they both have a good shot, doesn't mean they are comparable players.

Agreed. For those that have watched him play in Sarnia this season, we know he is a closing player, who will make room for himself, wait for a pass and fire a shot into the net. Mainly a product of Galchenyuk - when he was playing in Sarnia - and Sarault, both who carried the puck a lot for that line. Not taking anything away from Boucher, he's quick and has a nice shot but comparing him to Semin is apples and oranges.

 

[AmericanDream]

great game last night between Saginaw and Sarnia.

Jimmy Lodge netted 2 goals and Reid Boucher scored 2 more as well.

It is sick how easy this kid makes scoring goals look. Boucher is going to be a NHLer I have little doubt in my mind about it, not sure when he gets that chance at a top 6 role with the Devils, but this kids shot is lethal, his accuracy is uncanny, and he is a right place right time player...he is in the mold of Brett Hull with those traits...and no I am not comparing him to Hull, just understand that people didnt think much of Hull either in his draft year..yet the dude scored almost 750 goals. Boucher just has that ability to score goals and pretty darn consistently as well, there will be a place for him in New Jersey in the next 2 years.

 

[Sean Monahan]

Matt Moulson in the making

 

[JackHughes86]

gets cut from team usa goes into beast mode

 

[Zippy316]

They are not even close to comparable. Boucher gets a majority of his goals by timing cuts around the net and quick snappers below the circles. Semin carries the puck much more, is bigger and faster, has better vision, and plays in a completely different part of the ice, relying more on his wrist shot than his one-timer. Just because they both have a good shot, doesn't mean they are comparable players.

Almost Gaborik without the skating.

Everything that is said reminds me of Gaborik.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Almost Gaborik without the skating.

Everything that is said reminds me of Gaborik.

No, not even close. In addition to his skating, Gaborik has much more composure and patience, with better vision to boot. Boucher might have better timing around net and a better release, but it remains to be seen if he can translate it to the NHL. The only similarity is that they both play hockey.

 

[Xokkeu]

Almost Gaborik without the skating.

Everything that is said reminds me of Gaborik.

These comparisons are getting really out of hand.

I play like Sidney Crosby, minus the skating, shot and passing! One of the major parts of Gaborik's game is his skating and speed. Saying a player is like Gaborik without that is basically saying, he isn't like Gaborik.

 

[GentlemanOfLeisure]

Possibly Luc Robitalle.

 

[MountainGoat]

crazy game on Sunday, Reid with the clutch OT game winner
I'm going to Friday's game vs Windsor, hopefully I can see him hit 50 goals, I think he's sitting on 48 or 49 right now

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

crazy game on Sunday, Reid with the clutch OT game winner
I'm going to Friday's game vs Windsor, hopefully I can see him hit 50 goals, I think he's sitting on 48 or 49 right now

49. How is it that his scoring pace has accelerated since losing Galchenyuk?

 

[AmericanDream]

49. How is it that his scoring pace has accelerated since losing Galchenyuk?

people said he was a product of his linemates...now whats the excuse?

 

[TaiMaiShu]

Sounds a lot like post Atl Dany Heatley. Right place, right time almost sneaky with a wicked shot and average skating and puck handling.

 

[PensFan6687]

No. 50 for Boucher. Anyone who can score at this clip and do it without just about anyone at this point as his linemate... you got to start thinking he's going to be a goodie.