Bastian signed a two-year contract worth $2,700,000 with an annual average value of $1,350,000.

By the end of the 2022-23 season, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald knew his team was on the fast track to becoming a Stanley Cup contender. His young core got a taste of postseason hockey and now understands how difficult it is to win a round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In this summer series, I will chronologically break down every move the organization made this offseason and discuss how it positively or negatively impacts the team for the 2023-24 season.

Unsurprisingly, the Devils announced the re-signing of Nathan Bastian and Michael McLeod in the same post. The two have been together since the 2014-15 season as members of the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League. Bastian even earned an assist on McLeod's first career NHL goal.

One area where I saw a vast improvement in Bastian's game was his time on the penalty kill. His average time on ice shorthanded during the 2021-22 campaign was 15 seconds. Last season? He was given more responsibility, averaging 1:13, which was fifth-most among forwards behind Nico Hischier, Yegor Sharangovich, Erik Haula, and Dawson Mercer.

"I think I almost have a little bit of a unique role," he said this past season. "I think I'm on a fourth line that's valued on this team. I don't think many fourth liners get a crack at the first power play unit. They use me there, and the penalty kill is something I've been working at and kind of all different areas of the ice. I think it's nice that Lindy (Ruff) trusts me. It's all kind of small areas that I have been trying to build on."

One thing that sticks out when it comes to Bastian is how much he wants to be a Devil. In an interview with Dan Rice last season, the 25-year-old spoke about how grateful he was that New Jersey claimed him off of waivers from the Seattle Kraken.

"I'm so grateful to be back (in New Jersey). To be on a team where you are respected and use you (on a nightly basis)," said Bastian to Rice. "Now I'm in a spot where I just have to do everything in my power to get better."

GM Fitzgerald has spoken in the past about wanting players who want to be part of his organization. Bastian has been very open about his experience of being unprotected in the expansion draft and not wanting to leave New Jersey. In fact, during his media availability after signing his two-year deal, he joked that "Fitzgerald knew (he) wanted to come back, so he had an advantage there."

The Kitchener, Ontario native is a player who makes an impact on the ice with his gritty and physical style of play. Per the official press release, Bastian has totaled 453 hits with the Devils, which leads all New Jersey skaters since the start of the 2018-19 season. Additionally, he is well-liked in the locker room, with many of his teammates citing him as one of the most entertaining guys.

Bastian's desire to play in New Jersey and popularity in the room make this signing good for the Devils. A fourth-line player must buy into his role, earn the coaching staff's trust, and be a great teammate. Bastian has all of those traits, making him the perfect depth player and glue guy for New Jersey as they look to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a second straight season.