2015-16 Summary

After facing restricted free agency last summer, Josefson returned to the Devils on a one year deal. For the year, he tallied 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in fifty-eight games. He largely played a third/fourth line role for the team this season. However, Hynes added Josefson to the team’s power play and he found a good amount success there. Of his 14 points, 11 of them came on the power play. He also averaged 15:31 of ice time, which was a career high for him.

With the man advantage, Josefson was scoring at a rate of 4.38 points per 60 minutes. That’s better than teammate Mike Cammalleri, who scored at a rate of 4.26 points per 60. Josefson’s points per 60 was also good for fourth best on the team and in the top 100 in the league for forwards who played 100+ minutes on the power play. Considering he struggled to produce at even-strength, his production on the power play was a big positive for him as a player and for the team. Not only did he provide the team with production, he was calm along the half boards and made good decisions with the puck that allowed the Devils power play to be successful.

Upsides

Considering the Devils do not have a lot of depth right now, Josefson would most likely do best in a fourth line/power play specialist role; much like what he had in 2015-16. Despite not scoring very much at even-strength, he was one of the few Devils that had positive shot differentials and created more scoring chances than he gave up. He also provides the Devils with some skill in the shootout. He was 3/7 for the year (per Sporting Charts), which is something the Devils have struggled with mightily since the departures of Kovalchuk and Parise.

Downsides

If he’s not producing on the power play, he’s not scoring a whole lot. Considering the Devils struggle to score, especially at even-strength, it might be one deterrent that keeps Ray Shero from re-signing Josefson this summer. He’s also has been marred by a number of significant injuries, which have undoubtedly had an affect on his development. In six seasons, he’s never played a full eighty-two game season and the most he’s ever played in was sixty-two in 2014-15.

Devils Future

It’s hard to say whether Josefson will be back for sure. I think he did enough positive things to warrant playing at least one more year in New Jersey. His impact on the power play was an unexpected surprise and played a large role in the Devils success when up a man. Considering he’d most likely being playing a fourth line/power play specialist role again in 2016-17, he’d be a better option than say a Stephen Gionta or plugging in a young prospect who isn’t NHL ready yet. And while there are some good Tier A and B free agents, it doesn’t seem there’ll be many great depth options come July 1st, which may be a good enough reason for Shero to re-sign Josefson for one more year.