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NHL free agent frenzy was in full force on Friday as more than $600 million was dished out to over a hundred different players.

While Ray Shero and co. didn't make any huge splashes, or wildly spend money like some other teams did, the New Jersey Devils did get involved as they signed defenseman Ben Lovejoy and forward Vern Fiddler.

Some notes:

1) I don't have strong feelings on the Lovejoy signing one way or the other. He's a right handed defenseman who can chew up some of the minutes lost when the team traded Adam Larsson. That's pretty much all he is, though. He doesn't bring anything special to the table in a good or bad way.

He is pretty much mediocre at everything whether that be moving the puck, suppressing shots or in possession.

Lovejoy was good enough to play almost 19 minutes per night on a team that won the Stanley Cup but the Penguins' blue line was the least spectacular thing about that team.

I don't love the three-year term but it's tough to get up in arms about this contract. He is a serviceable NHL blue liner and he fills a need.

As long as he can eat up some minutes and play average hockey he'll be worth the cost.

2) The more I think about it the more I like the addition of Vern Fiddler.

He is getting up there in age but it was just a one-year deal at a team friendly salary so there is no risk involved.

Fiddler brings a little grit and sand paper to the bottom-6 but at the same time he is a guy who can actually play.

Fiddler has recorded at least 20 points in three consecutive seasons and has scored 10+ goals twice in that span.

Beyond that he is a pretty good shot suppressor and is someone that can kill penalties. To me he is a big upgrade over Stephen Gionta and is definitely worth the $1.25 million he'll pull in next season.

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