Nick Bjugstad
Position: C
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 215 pounds
Age: 30
Statistics: 13 goals, 10 assists, 23 points (58 games played)
Player Profile
Nick Bjugstad has been in this league for quite some time now. Originally drafted in the first round in 2010 by the Florida Panthers, he has spent 11 seasons in the NHL. Bjugstad has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, and Arizona Coyotes.
Bjugstad has shown flashes of producing at a high rate. In the beginning of his career, he hit the double-digit goal mark four times, including a career-high 24 goals in 2014-15. In addition, he hit a career-high 49 points in 2017-18. But his production has dipped since then. However, this season things have took a turn for the better.
Namely, at five-on-five, Bjugstad owns a 1.63 points-per-60 rate. This figure, on a horrid Coyotes team, is very strong and reflects such as a middle-six forward. Further, relative to his teammates, the Coyotes are a much stronger unit with him on the ice rather than off. Every single relative statistics, from Corsi to scoring chance metrics, are in the positive. Further demonstrating the previous point.
Bjugstad is an efficient-bottom six forward who has actually had fringe line-two production at five-on-five. He comes with offensive upside while also not being a liability defensively (he has struggled immensely on the penalty kill). He would be a terrific get for any playoff team looking to bolster their bottom six.
Contract
Nick Bjugstad has a team-friendly contract. This past off-season, he signed a one-year deal worth $900,000 with the Arizona Coyotes. Any trade that is to be made for the veteran forward would come as a rental as he is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
How Does He Fit?
As currently constructed, the strength of the Devils’ forward group lies near the top. What needs fine tuning is the bottom-six and depth scoring. Bjugstad fits that mold perfectly.
He would not only bring decent five-on-five scoring, but also an element of size (six-foot-six) and physicality missing from the lineup. It’s all adding up to a potentially great fit.
Would A Trade Make Sense?
The simply answer, yes, a trade for Bjugstad would make a ton of sense. Not only would it makes sense, but he should be one of the team’s top targets.
His contract is affordable, so there is not issue there. In terms of what it would take to acquire him, the price for a perceived bottom-six rental shouldn’t break the bank. The Devils have the draft assets or prospect needed to get any deal done.
Overall, a deal for a player like Bjugstad would not be a flashy move. But, one that would make a ton of sense for a team wanting to contend and a team that needs depth scoring and size.