Jesper Boqvist

September 2020 – Always have your eye on players with a long history of point-per-game seasons. A very smart player, Boqvist has the skillset to make it as an NHLer, but is inefficient on a checking line role. Much like Anthony Duclair, he can only thrive on scoring lines, accompanied by skilled playmakers. With Hischier and Hughes as the number one and two centers, he definitely has the teammates to put him to good use. If the Devils continue putting him in a defensive role, he may not ever reach his offensive ceiling. Hadi Kalakeche

March 2020 – Boqvist has 11 points in 19 games as a Binghamton Devil. Eight goals overall show potential and he grows in a top-six role. The pause in the season is not good but at least, the Swede is rising. Chris Wassel 

January 2020 – Boqvist just was not used right in New Jersey and it showed. It is hard to have an offensive threat receive fourth-line minutes then expect him to play responsibly on both ends of the ice. Once sent to Binghamton, the offense shined through almost instantly. He will be back up with New Jersey soon enough.  Chris Wassel

November 2019 – Boqvist had a great pre-season which resulted in him making the opening night roster. The problem is he has spent more time being a healthy scratch than anything else. He has shown in limited time how effective he can be on the fourth line. Boqvist has even shown some offensive spark — especially against Carolina on Saturday night. Chris Wassel

June 2019 – Something to add with Boqvist. With his consistency issues mostly behind him, do not be surprised if he makes the opening night roster. He is stronger on his skates than he looks. The center still maintained his shifty nature and speed despite bulking up a bit last season. Chris Wassel 

June 2019 – Boqvist has signed an entry-level contract with the Devils. His 35 points in 51 games were tied for second most amongst U21 players in the SHL last season. The 36th overall selection from 2017 is expected to cross the pond and vie for a spot on Devils in training camp. Pat Quinn

April 2019 – Boqvist expects to try and make the World Championship team in May. He is 100% and raring to go. Chris Wassel

March 2019 – An update on the Boqvist injury revealed a minor upper-body injury not believed to be serious. Boqvist remains focused on making the Swedish team for the Worlds. His agent and the New Jersey Devils are expected to meet soon according to Corey Masiask of The Athletic. Chris Wassel

March 2019 – Boqvist took another step in his development this year. The Swedish forward scored 13 goals and 35 points in 51 games for Brynas IF. Few should be surprised by the fact that he can play all three forward positions when pressed into duty. His ability to cut through defenses is top-notch in a league that possesses some elite talent. There are two bad pieces of news with the forward. One, he is now under contract through the 2019-20 season with Brynas so it will be an extra year before he makes the jump to North America. Second, he suffered an injury recently when tangled up in a teammate. That forced Boqvist to miss the final game of the regular season. However, Boqvist showed that top-six potential fans were starting to question. Chris Wassel

June 2018 – Boqvist’s development was unfortunately slowed by a wrist injury to start the 2017-2018 season. He came back just in time to be a largely invisible member of Sweden’s WJC team with only a single goal in six games. Boqvist did, however, display some positive signs with a decent showing in the second half of the SHL schedule by posting 13 points in 23 games as a teenager playing against men. He is a great skater and has a good raw skill set, but the wait will be at least another year if not two. The biggest key for him is an injury free 2018-2019 to see if he can develop and break out in the SHL. The Devils have high hopes for Boqvist and his attributes fit the type of player they have been drafting recently, which gives them the belief that they have themselves a top-nine forward. Kelly Bowler

August 2017 – Boqvist’s speeds and skills were on display in Plymouth last week as he tallied two goals in five games for Sweden at the World Junior Summer Showcase. New Jersey plans to develop Boqvist slowly and hopes he can play more minutes for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League this upcoming season. Boqvist should be a pivotal part of Sweden’s World Junior team that will be looking to win a medal for the first time since 2014. Grant Frey

June 2017 – Boqvist’s a cerebral and versatile, raw 18-year-old forward who continues to develop alongside adults in the Swedish Hockey League. His stealthy, shifty skating and puck skills complement a knack for scoring, particularly flashy goals in the clutch. First-step quickness and agility are especially dangerous on the rush, as he’s tough to contain both in open ice and heavy traffic situations. Difficult to disrupt his balance on skates, and boasts two-way hustle that should translate favorably both on the man advantage and penalty kill at the next levels. Money around the net. A fearless competitor, Boqvist has the right moxie to grow physically and skill-wise into a valued Devils’ pivot. Kevin Wickersham