Devils Secure Nick Bjugstad in Key Acquisition
The New Jersey Devils have made a significant move by acquiring center Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues. This transaction, first reported by former NHL player and podcaster Jordan Schmaltz, involves a mid-round draft pick and a prospect heading to St. Louis in return.
Details of the Nick Bjugstad Acquisition
The trade comes just before a league-wide trade moratorium, which will last through the Olympic break. With only 12 days until the trade deadline, there has been speculation about heightened activity among teams. While the Islanders made some early moves last week, New Jersey and St. Louis have initiated their trade discussions.
Bjugstad’s Performance This Season
This season has been particularly challenging for the 33-year-old Bjugstad. Injuries have plagued him throughout his 14-year NHL career. A significant upper-body injury sidelined him for nearly a month during December and January.
- Games played: 35
- Goals scored: 6
- Assists: 1
- Points per game: 0.20 (lowest of his career for a minimum of 25 games)
Moreover, Bjugstad has frequently found himself as a healthy scratch prior to his injury. Despite these setbacks, he has demonstrated strong defensive skills. While St. Louis faced numerous injury-related lineup changes, Bjugstad excelled as the center for the fourth line alongside Nathan Walker and Alexey Toropchenko.
Impact on Bjugstad’s Game
During his time on this line, Bjugstad’s trio managed to control 54.2% of expected goals, according to MoneyPuck, despite primarily starting in defensive zones. Additionally, he has surprised many with an improved performance in faceoffs, winning 51.1% of his draws, compared to his average of 49% over his career.
As the Devils finalize this acquisition, they will need to adjust their roster to accommodate Bjugstad. His offensive struggles will be something to monitor, but his defensive contributions and faceoff success may provide significant benefits for the team as they move forward in the season.
