Nathan Bastian The Difference Maker I THREE THINGS

Nathan Bastian entered the 2020-21 Devils training camp with one hope, to prove himself as a valuable and consistent NHL player and stick with the big club through the season. He had just a few NHL games under his belt already, but this time he saw a different opportunity, a different maturity in his game and he ran with it.
Bastian played in 41 games with the Devils this past season, his campaign twice stopped due to a COVID-19 infection and a sprained right MCL, and his impact was felt through the lineup as he became more comfortable as an NHL regular.
On Tuesday he signed a two-year contract to remain with the club that drafted him in the second round (41st overall) in 2016 and continue building with the young group he has embedded himself within.
Today, we take a look at Nathan Bastian in Three Things:

1. Wise Words

Miles Wood tells the story best, and this story is as much about Miles taking on a leadership role as it is about Nathan Bastian
heeding the advice of a teammate
and turning it into a year of great personal success.
"He plays exactly like me," Wood said of his oft-linemate. "I remember during training camp I saw him down, and I think a coach had said something to him. And being five years into the league so far, I was like 'We need you on this team, don't ever get down on yourself. I've been in your shoes. I've been sent down; I've been called back up. I know how you play. If a coach says something to you, take it and build off of it. But don't ever be down because we need you. We need your strength; we need your size and more importantly, we need you on this team.'"
Clearly, the conversation resonated.
"We definitely spoke about the value that I bring to the hockey team, and that put me in a position, like I belonged," Bastian imparted, "And I've gotten to a point now where when I hear my name called and I get to play with Jack (Hughes) and (Jesper) Bratt … Let's go. And it's good and it's exactly where I want to be and I've dreamed of being able to play in the NHL for my whole life and it's just crazy the situation that getting thrown into this league, it can be a lot to handle, but I'm up for it."
Perhaps that conversation set up Bastian for all the success he would find in the coming months of his first full NHL season.

2. Up Against The Best

Bastian continuously earned the trust of the Devils coaching staff. What is so important to note is how he does not pretend to be a player he is not, knowing full well where his strengths are within the confines of any given hockey game. As he continued to settle into his role as a regular in the Devils lineup, he earned himself more opportunity and increased ice time. And not just any ice time, it was ice time during some of the most crucial points of an NHL hockey game. Whether it was the chance to shut down the opposition's top lines or defending a one-goal lead in the dying seconds of the game, Bastian was included in it all.
"Most nights we were playing against top lines," Bastian said of his rookie season. "At the end of games, if we're up, defending a 6-on-5, our line is probably out there. Earning that respect from your coach is everything."
It's the ultimate nod of respect and confidence, being on the ice in the biggest moments in the game. No matter how big the moment, Bastian was able to absorb the moment and appreciate what he was earning through his consistent play.
"I've always kind of struggled with having so much respect for these NHL players that they almost make me nervous being in a position like that."

3. Hits 'Em Where It Hurts

Bastian brings a level of robustness to the Devils lineup, and he is not afraid to use his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame to make room for himself or his linemates. This season, the NHL rookie laid out 136 hits in his 41 games played to lead the team, and of NHL rookies he ranked second, behind only Montreal defenseman Alexander Romanov, who had two more hits in 12 more games played.
It's something he relishes.
"There's certain things when you're a big guy, you kind of get forced into that role," Bastian said of being the big hulking forward who uses his body to create room for himself and his linemates. "I'm lucky enough that I enjoy the role. I love doing what I do out there."