Devils Re-Sign Ben Steeves, Jakub Malek

The New Jersey Devils led a run of minor-league signings on Monday afternoon. Top of the list is forward Ben Steeves who has re-signed a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey. The deal will carry a $850K salary at the NHL level and $150K salary in the minors.

Steeves signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Devils in 2024. He spent both seasons of the deal on loan to the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where Steeves was able to carve out an impactful, middle-six role. He scored 28 points in 60 games of his AHL rookie season in 2024-25. With that baseline under him, Steeves emerged as a confident grinder this year. He racked up 23 goals and 45 points, while also chipping in 100 penalty minutes, through 72 games of the 2025-26 season.

Steeves was one of only three AHL players under 5’10” to reach the century-mark in penalty minutes. His mix of hard forechecking and rising scoring could be encouraging to the Devils, though his size may still limit his NHL upside. A one-year deal will give Steeves another chance to prove he’s worth an NHL call-up.

New Jersey also re-signed goaltender Jakub Malek to a two-year, two-way deal. Malek’s next contract will pay $850K at the NHL level and $175K at the AHL level next season, then grow to $900K at the NHL level and $275K at the AHL level in 2027-28. $300K of the deal is guaranteed. Malek played in his first season in North America this year. Most of his time was spent with the AHL’s Utica Comets, where he posted 13 wins and a .895 save percentage in 31 games. He also recorded one win and a .930 save percentage in two ECHL games.

Malek spent 2022 to 2025 playing with Ilves Tampere of the Liiga, Finland’s top league. He split starts in every season but still managed 40 wins and a .912 save percentage through 82 appearances. Malek had a solid start to his tenure in North America and will now receive the chance to push into Utica’s starting role. His chances at securing the spot over the next two years lean on Nico Daws, who should earn a promotion to the NHL by 2027 but could split time between leagues next season.