When the New Jersey Devils traded Wayne Simmonds to the Buffalo Sabres for a low return, one of the silvBrian Boyle type that was crucial in the current Devils system. Bastian had 20-goal upside while being a tough force in the middle.
This is a kid with a great head on his shoulders, but we thought he had a chance to make the team this season. After scoring three goals in seven games a year ago, it looked like there was a really good player in the making.
On September 27th, the Devils cut Bastian and his friend and draft mate Michael McLeod from the NHL roster, sending them both back to Binghamton.