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Let’s Get Nasty, Bastian Is Back | BLOG |
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New Jersey Devils claimed Nathan Bastian off of waivers from the Seattle Kraken. Bastian had a solid stint last season with the Devils and was part of the BMW line (Bastian-McLeod-Wood) that gave the team spark and energy when needed. Later, Bastian was left unprotected in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft and he was selected.
Now, Bastian is back with the team that originally selected him 41st overall in the 2016 NHL Entry draft and reunites with his friend Michael McLeod. However, the family reunion of the BMW will take longer as Miles Wood will be out indefinite period of time due to hip surgery. Expect Jimmy Vesey, who is having a solid season on the 4th line, to contribute alongside Bastian and McLeod. Mason Geersten most likely will have a reduced role on the team.
It is great to see Bastian back with the Devils. That 4th line last season had chemistry and energy. They were physical, fast, and effective in being disruptive enough to change the momentum of the game.
The Devils will need Vesey, McLeod, and Bastian to bring that level of energy especially in a competitive Metropolitan Division. Last offseason, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald promised to beef up the blueline and he did. Now he added back Bastian into the mix. You can make an argument that the Devils have one of the best bottom six forwards in the NHL right now.
This move gives Devils head coach Lindy Ruff many options at his disposal when matching up with other teams. The Devils are young team that will not be pushed around physically anymore. They got Bastian back.
Time to get nasty.
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Sam Woo is co-host and executive producer of the Let's Go Devils Podcast which can be heard live every Sunday at 9pm ET and Wednesday at 8:30pm ET. You can follow Sam on Twitter: @PrimetimeSamWoo
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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