New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is taking care of some housecleaning business on his roster before he has to address larger contracts this summer. Between Monday and Tuesday, the Devils announced multiple depth signings to help solidify the depth of their team.
Earlier this week, Devils prospect defenseman, Seamus Casey, opted to turn pro by signing a three-year, entry-level contract. After the Devils GM convinced the highly touted prospect to leave the University of Michigan, he inked Czech goaltender Jakub Malek to a two-year, entry-level contract starting in 2024-25.
The Devils selected the 6-foot-4 goaltender in the 2021 NHL Draft in the fourth-round selection, 100th overall. The 22-year-old netminder just completed his second season in the Liiga (Finland) with Ilves and recorded a 16-4-5 record, registering a 2.32 goals-against average (GAA), a .915 save percentage, and earned two shutouts. It was certainly a breakout year for the Devils’ newest goaltender.
Malek has another year on his contract in Finland. Ben Birnell of the Daily Sentinel confirmed that Malek will return to play in Europe for the 2024-25 season.
On Tuesday, the Devils announced two more signings, extending both Max Willman and Nathan Légaré.
Willman came to New Jersey last summer on a professional tryout and earned a one-year contract with an impressive training camp displaying his skills as a defensive forward with speed and occasional scoring touch. He’s an ideal depth forward who can serve on the fourth line and play top minutes in the American Hockey League.
The Devils counted on Willman more than they realized they would last season. As a result, Willman scored three goals and four points in 18 games. His reliability earned Willman another one-year, two-way contract in 2024-25. Willman will earn $775,000 at the NHL level and $275,000 at the AHL level with $300,000 guaranteed.
Lastly, the Devils didn’t let their March acquisition get away by extending Légaré. On March 11th, a Devils trade sent Arnaud Durandeu to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Légaré. In 39 games with the Laval Rocket before he was traded, Légaré scored six goals and nine points in 39 games. In the remaining 15 games during the season with the Utica Comets, Légaré potted two goals and three points.
Légaré will earn $775,000 at the NHL level and $85,000 at the AHL level. The 23-year-old is a former third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, 74th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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