Devils Daily: The One Where New Jersey Didn’t Extend Qualifying Offers to Some

Newark, NJ – Yesterday at 5 PM was the deadline for NHL teams to extend qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. The New Jersey Devils only qualified Kevin Bahl. New Jersey opted not to qualify Nathan Bastian, Jesper Boqvist, & Michael McLeod. They also didn’t extend qualifiers to prospects Zachary Emond, Jeremy Groleau, Zackary Hayes, Timur Ibragimov, and Aarne Talvitie.

Leaving Bastian, Boqvist, and McLeod unqualified is a calculated move. The Devils explained to New Jersey Hockey Now that they still intend to sign all of Bastian, Boqvist, and Mcleod despite exercising the option to not extend qualifying offers. The reason they were left unqualified is because they all own arbitration rights. That leads us to believe New Jersey senses the trio of players have strong cases to win their arbitration hearings which could end up paying them more than their qualifying amount. According to the Devils, that’s too rich for their taste.

So instead of a third party getting involved, general manager Tom Fitzgerald is running the risk of Bastian, Boqvist, and McLeod becoming unrestricted free agents while trying to sign them to deals more to their liking. We’ll see how this plays out.

As for other news, there’s plenty to catch up on.

Let’s dive in.

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Hockey Now: When Timo Meier signed his extension, he knew he was shaving a couple of dollars off the top. His motivation to do so is a chance at lifting the Stanley Cup in New Jersey.

National Hockey Now

Nashville Predators

Nashville Hockey Now: The Barry Trotz era is officially underway. Yesterday, the Predators bought the remaining $24 million left on Matt Duchene’s contract.

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins are remodeling. Noah Hanifin wants out of Calgary. As a result, the Flames and Boston are talking about a potential trade that would send Hanifin to the Bruins.

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas Hockey Now: Adin Hill got the Stanley Cup and the bag. On Friday, the Golden Knights announced that Hill has been extended for two years carrying a $4.9 million AAV.

Philadelphia Flyers

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers fanbase has been through some hard times in recent history. That hardship has been eased immensely ever since Philadelphia drafted KHL Star Matvei Michkov.

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