Reid Boucher in the NHL next year?

[CerebralGenesis]

Wow he's not gonna be anything like Huberdeau last season. Yes I will bet on that.

 

[Classic Devil]

I think there's a tad bit of pessimism here. I'm in general agreement that he's probably not going to be in Newark for the duration of the season, but he's similar in size and age to RNH and Huberdeau. If he comes into camp and lights it up, then its not the worst thing that could happen if he's here. Slim chance, but can't be discounted yet.

If we are in that much trouble, they won't make him a sacrificial lamb. He'll have to overachieve to get any meaningful gametime.

We've repeatedly made the mistake of rushing our prospects the last few years. I'd much rather let him dominate the AHL (if he can) than come in and just get by in the NHL.

 

[BrodeursCups]

When the time comes it will be nice if he can adjust quickly because it'd be nice to have another legitimate shooting threat on the PP. That shot is absolutely lethal.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Unless he's STUPID good in camp he shouldn't be here.

 

[tsipka]

He will most likely get a shot at some point during the year and if he is not a liability, he has a chance to stick around. He has an NHL level shot and we could deff use that on the pp.

 

[HobokenIrish]

I believe Matteau, Boucher, and Merrill are all playing in Albany next year. Is Severson as well?

 

[Classic Devil]

I believe Matteau, Boucher, and Merrill are all playing in Albany next year. Is Severson as well?

I don't know about Severson. He's not met the age requirement, but he may meet the years played in the CHL requirement for the AHL.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

I believe Matteau, Boucher, and Merrill are all playing in Albany next year. Is Severson as well?

I don't know about Severson. He's not met the age requirement, but he may meet the years played in the CHL requirement for the AHL.

IMO Severson should be with Albany. He played 2 games with them last year after his Kelowna season ended and recorded 2 assists. Has already 3 full seasons of the WHL under his belt, I think he's ready to make the jump.

 

[ghdi]

We've repeatedly made the mistake of rushing our prospects the last few years. I'd much rather let him dominate the AHL (if he can) than come in and just get by in the NHL.

I agree generally, but I also think this is a bit of a blanket statement. Every player is different. I agree with the poster above that stated only if he's "stupid good". He's unquestionably going to be invited to training camp and going to get a good look and I would not be prepared to bet on him making it, but the possibility is there. Realistically, I think Matteau is probably the only forward prospect that has a high chance of being here for the majority of the season unless we are fortunate enough to grab Monahan or Nichushkin. I could see one of them having more of an impact here immediately compared to Reid.

 

[tsipka]

Which prospects did we rush the last few years?

 

[Classic Devil]

Which prospects did we rush the last few years?

Josefson, Matteau, Tedenby. All of them got little or no time in the AHL before being put straight into the NHL. The same arguably goes for Larsson, although he's one who probably really didn't need AHL time.

 

[NJDevs26]

Matteau was a first rounder and also had an NHL-ready body and wasn't going to improve much more in juniors. He was also ineligible for the AHL where I imagine he would have played.

None of this applies to Boucher.

As Classic pointed out, Matteau's hardly the only guy that's made the team before being truly ready the last few years though.

 

[tsipka]

Matteau I agree with, but Jojo and Teddy werent rushed. They were given the opportunity to play since we werent making the playoffs anyway. I wouldnt call that rushing. We did not rely on them to make an impact and it actually worked out nicely (at least that year).

 

[Bleedred]

I think Matteau will spend the year in Albany. It will probably take a long term injury to get him down in Newark.

 

[Classic Devil]

Matteau I agree with, but Jojo and Teddy werent rushed. They were given the opportunity to play since we werent making the playoffs anyway. I wouldnt call that rushing. We did not rely on them to make an impact and it actually worked out nicely (at least that year).

Both Josefson and Tedenby saw NHL time without even having played a full season on North American-sized ice, and this was despite the fact that neither had really torn up the AHL in their first 10-20 games in that league. Then they both basically got handed NHL spots in the next season despite never having really secured themselves as NHL players the season before.

Both of them needed more development time than they got.

 

[Bleedred]

Matteau I agree with, but Jojo and Teddy werent rushed. They were given the opportunity to play since we werent making the playoffs anyway. I wouldnt call that rushing. We did not rely on them to make an impact and it actually worked out nicely (at least that year).

Both of them played for us only a month into the 10-11 season. The playoffs were still well realistically in reach.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Conte recently spoke pretty highly of Boucher's efforts to improve his strength between CHL seasons. He also talked about seeing him over the summer and helping to prepare him for training camp.

I wouldn't say it's likely he makes the team, but we've already seen him make huge strides between seasons so far, and I don't think it would be some big disaster if he ends up in Newark on opening night. If he can play (and score goals), he can play. There's no denying the club is sorely missing his skillset.

Both Josefson and Tedenby saw NHL time without even having played a full season on North American-sized ice, and this was despite the fact that neither had really torn up the AHL in their first 10-20 games in that league. Then they both basically got handed NHL spots in the next season despite never having really secured themselves as NHL players the season before.

Both of them needed more development time than they got.

Josefson had 12 points in 18 games before being called up. Considering it was his first time on NA ice and his offense was questionable even before he was drafted, he had a pretty stellar start to his season.

 

[tsipka]

Josefson 28GP 10P
Tedenby 58GP 22P

Those are solid numbers for rookies. They were deff ready. In regards to their current development: Jojo is an NHL player, but cant stay healthy. That hurt his development more than playing games. Teddy was never given the same opportunities he was given in his first year. That also hurt his development. So it is not that they were thrown to the wolves too early. It's that they were thrown to the wolves in one season and then were playing with puppies the next.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I think it's pretty safe to say that Tedenby needed more time to work on his overall game. Even Lemaire was scratching him from time to time for his defensive play. The difference is that when Tedenby played under Jacque, he played with good players, and got powerplay time.

 

[elindholm]

Really hope not. Ideally he and Merrill should both get a full year in the AHL.

Ever stop to think the Dev brass might think Merrill/Larson=D.Keith/B. Seabrook??possibly drooling at the thought!

 

[tsipka]

I think it's pretty safe to say that Tedenby needed more time to work on his overall game. Even Lemaire was scratching him from time to time for his defensive play. The difference is that when Tedenby played under Jacque, he played with good players, and got powerplay time.

The problem with working on his overall game at the NHL level is that NHL coaches dont tolerate mistakes from little kids and bench them. It's totally okay when a vet does the same thing tho.

 

[Uli Hiemer]

i think a lot of it depends on free agency and trades

i wouldn't be shocked to see him rushed in just like matteau was if there are no other options.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

The problem with working on his overall game at the NHL level is that NHL coaches dont tolerate mistakes from little kids and bench them. It's totally okay when a vet does the same thing tho.

That's exactly why I think he should have been in the AHL. It's a chance to play a lot and learn more often.

 

[tsipka]

That's exactly why I think he should have been in the AHL. It's a chance to play a lot and learn more often.

But he did play alot in the first season. More so than in the following two.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

At best, he should be a late season call up if were out of it (gulp) or fills in a few times after injuries hit but yea I agree with everyone saying that if he makes it out of camp or is getting extended minutes then were FUBAR. Probably would mean Lou had a horrific summer.