Jesper Boqvist Can Become Devils’ Bottom-Six Secret Weapon

In preparation for 2026-27, the New Jersey Devils have shifted their priorities, addressing a wide variety of needs since the start of the offseason. The team has made it clear that moving forward, making the playoffs is the new standard, the first step in a long road that will hopefully end with hoisting the Stanley Cup.

General manager Sunny Mehta has made all the right moves by clearing cap space, extending key players, and acquiring young talent. But his most significant move thus far has been trading Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers. Fans breathed a sigh of relief when the Devils shed his $6 million cap hit, but the deal also had a return that included Jesper Boqvist, Evan Rodrigues, and Ben Steeves.

This marks Boqvist’s second stint with the team, and now he has the chance to take the Devils one step closer to contention. Here are a few reasons why his return could have a positive impact in the near future.

Depth Scoring Revamp

First and foremost, Boqvist will provide an immediate upgrade to the Devils’ bottom six, which has been a weak spot for the last few seasons. After choosing not to tender a qualifying offer to Paul Cotter, they needed to fill a slot on the fourth line, and acquiring Boqvist offered the perfect solution. Based on early roster projections, it looks like he’ll be on a line with Nick Bjugstad and Stefan Noesen.

His biggest asset for the Devils will be his stability. With his strong two-way play and efficiency in 5-on-5 scenarios, there’s no doubt that he’s matured since spending the first four seasons of his career in New Jersey. He plays a smart, defense-heavy game, known for his skating speed and versatility.

After earning 13 points in 73 games last season, Boqvist will be looking to bounce back from a tough campaign, much like the rest of the Devils’ roster. But his talents can easily fit in with their current group, now that the team has shifted their focus toward consistency, tenacity, and depth. 

In particular, his time with the Panthers helped him develop an aggressive forecheck that can disrupt passing lanes and regain puck possession. Boqvist can put pressure on opponents to force turnovers and provide much-needed secondary scoring. But more importantly, having a stronger backbone on the Devils’ fourth line would help ease the workload of top players.

Valuable Playoff Experience

There’s no doubt that Boqvist’s status as a Stanley Cup champion will help bring a new level of competitiveness to the Devils’ lineup. He knows what it takes to win, with three trips to the postseason and 27 playoff games under his belt to prove it.

First, Boqvist was a part of the Devils’ lineup during their run in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, suiting up for a total of six games. Afterwards, he signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins, putting up one assist in the playoffs for them the following season. 

His third and most recent postseason appearance ended with Boqvist lifting the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2025. He tallied two goals and three assists across 13 games, alternating between center and wing as needed. 

The 27-year-old Swede can help the Devils adopt a winning mindset as a gritty veteran who understands the challenges and sacrifices of making a deep playoff run. Considering his discipline, toughness, and ability to see things through, Boqvist could easily become a secret weapon for the Devils’ bottom six in 2026-27. And after missing the playoffs last season, the New Jersey Devils will certainly be eager to battle their way back to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Familiarity is Key

Aside from being a dependable addition with postseason experience, Boqvist is already familiar with the Devils’ locker room, and his previous on-ice chemistry will come in handy. Fans are anxiously awaiting his return to Prudential Center, this time wearing red and black once more.

It’s clear that both the Devils and Boqvist have evolved for the better since their time apart. In a recent interview, he shared what it meant to be reunited with his former teammates and why he’s excited for this chapter in his career. “Watching them from afar has been a lot of fun. They’ve been growing a lot and how they can dominate games…They’re so hard to play against, so I’m happy to be back on the same side as them, for sure,” said Boqvist.

"Happy it was Jersey, excited to be back!," says #NJDevils Jesper Boqvist.

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) July 1, 2026

His second stretch with the Devils will be a far cry from the first. Boqvist has emerged as a versatile, reliable center in recent seasons, and the overall maturity of his game can have a massive impact. He also plays with a physical edge that should pack a punch on the fourth line, whether it be landing hits, blocking shots, or diving headfirst into board battles.

And with one year left in his contract, this will be an incredibly important season for Boqvist. If he can increase his point production and find consistency in a bottom-six role, he’ll be invaluable for the Devils moving forward. 

Offseason and Beyond

This upcoming season is already shaping up to look vastly different for the Devils. For starters, the team is in the market for a massive comeback, with only a few missing pieces left to acquire this offseason. Mehta is assembling a roster that prioritizes sustainability over flashiness, analytics over qualitative assessments, and long-term solutions over temporary fixes. Will they be able to come back better than ever?

In the meantime, there are a few important dates on the horizon. Fans can expect the date of the 2026-27 home opener on July 15, while the full regular-season schedule will be unveiled the following day.

As always, be sure to stay up to date on all of the latest breaking news, updates, and analysis with The Hockey Writers as the offseason continues.