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A few New Jersey Devils notes on yet another off-day:

1) The word out of Sweden: rookie forward Jesper Boqvist is not expected to return home this season. Put another way, he’s sticking with the Devils as he’s not AHL eligible. I think keeping him around is the right call. We’re dealing with a very small sample size but he was impressive in preseason, owns a 57 xGF% at 5v5 in the regular season, and has the skill set to be a factor on the power play. My only concern to this point is usage. A 20-year-old top prospect dressing in ~25% of the games is simply not enough. He has had a taste of NHL action. He has gotten a lot of time to practice and comb over video. Now let the kid dress. It’s not like the Devils are playing well enough that giving him a regular spot is going to make things come apart. The Devils have two wins and they came against teams unlikely to make the playoffs. Let’s be real here.

2) I know everyone is excited about the last couple of wins. It’s hard not to be given the way the Devils started the season. But – but! – it’s important to look at things objectively. The Devils were facing lesser competition and they didn’t necessarily play well. In aggregate, they were out-chanced 38-26 (40.62 SCF%) at 5v5. Discipline was also a big time problem (the Devils took 13 minors). Zero power play goals were conceded but that’s obviously not going to be the norm. The Devils beat New York and Vancouver because Mackenzie Blackwood provided fantastic goaltending, something that was severely lacking over the first handful of games. They can’t bank on getting that every night so if their play doesn’t improve significantly at full-strength – and they don’t do a better job of staying out of the box – they’re not going to be able to dig themselves out of this hole.

3) Nikita Gusev is a very talented player. He sees lanes not many players see, his hands are great, and he can really shoot. The offensive gifts are obvious. Unfortunately, he is an absolute trainwreck without the puck.

On the year, the Devils are allowing 71.27 shot attempts, 38.73 chances, and 3.73 goals per 60 minutes with Gusev on the ice at 5v5. Those are shockingly bad numbers.

For a little perspective, last year’s Ottawa Senators team was an abomination of epic proportions. They conceded 29 more goals at 5v5 than the next closest team. It was pathetic. And yet they allowed 65.43 attempts, 29.2 chances, and 3.24 goals per 60 minutes. So, defensively, the Devils have been ~6 attempts, ~9 chances, and ~.50 goals worse per 60 minutes with Gusev out there than last season’s 29-win Senators team.

I know it can be frustrating when skill players don’t get much ice but perhaps sheltered 4th line usage and some PP reps are all Gusev can handle right now. The numbers certainly suggest that to be the case.

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