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With Reece Scarlett recently putting pen to paper on a one-year contract extension Reid Boucher is the only restricted free agent yet to be signed.
New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero started contract negotiations with Boucher later than one would think because Kyle Palmieri, among others, were bigger priorities. That said, my understanding is contract talks have been ongoing for weeks and there's still nothing to show for it, obviously.
Why? You can bet this is over Boucher wanting a one-way contract and the Devils trying to hard ball their way into a two-way deal. This wouldn't impact his waiver status - I believe he'd need waivers regardless - but would guarantee NHL salary even if he's not on an NHL roster.
With the addition of Taylor Hall, Mike Cammalleri healthy (at least for now), the possibility of Patrik Elias returning for one more year, and Joseph Blandisi arguably ready for full-time duty there is little to no room on the left side.
The possibility exists of someone moving to the right side but even then it's somewhat crowded with Kyle Palmieri, Devante Smith-Pelly and Beau Bennett all locks to crack the opening night roster.
There is a lot of competition for spots this year - Boucher knows this - and his camp likely wants to ensure Boucher gets NHL money in the event he doesn't make the team. I can't blame him for that.
Boucher is coming off his best season as a professional. He produced at a point per game clip in the AHL and translated some of that offense to the big club contributing 19 points in 39 games. That's 40 points per 82 games.
What's encouraging is Boucher was able to produce at 5 v 5 as he averaged a respectable 1.54 points and 6.67 shots per 60 minutes in that game state. For comparison sake, Palmieri averaged 1.58 points and 6.59 shots per 60 at 5 v 5, although over a larger sample size.
Boucher is an offensive player and he put up respectable totals while seeing limited ice. He showed that he is an NHL player and he probably deserves to be compensated accordingly.
There is still plenty of time before training camp opens up so I wouldn't be surprised if this negotiation drags on a while longer.
When all is said and done I think Boucher will end up accepting a two-way deal but with his AHL salary coming close to what he'd make in the NHL.
Time will tell if that's the case.
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