Today’s blog,picture in honor of former Devil, Adam Larsson
Sami Vatanen brought back to NJ. Vatanen signed a one year, 2,000,000 contract.
He joins Ryan Murray and Dmitry Kulikov as additions to the Devils blue line who resembled an AHL defense for most of last season.
I am not surprised he is back in Jersey, I am surprised there wasn’t much interest in him and that he signed a one year deal. With many one year deals teams, especially the Devils, may be looking to get this season out of the way and focus towards a year from now.
The D looks better today and Vatanen’s signing means Carrick and Tennyson will lose time and lessens the pressure for Ty Smith to be in the lineup prematurely. It gives the Devils needed flexibility. Sami can also find himself playing for another team come trade deadline and the Devils can get an asset or pick back.
Low risk signing in my opinion. Nice to have Vatanen AND Kuokkanen , who we got by trading Sami to the Canes. What would they give us for Sami again in a few months?
What do you think?
On another note, I am hoping we sign Bratt soon. We have to. He is a key piece of the youth movement and would be nice too avoid any bad blood that could happen in these situations. Not saying that’s the case, just want it avoided at all cost.
In Camp, Coach Ruff is focusing on special teams. And boy, do we need it! With many new faces, and a new system, Ruff has been mixing it up with units but too early to tell who and what sticks.
Corey Crawford has been AWOL after the first two days at Camp. And it’s pretty hush hush. The most e get it “he needs his space…, whatever that means so it is starting to raise questions about his health. Let’s see if any news comes out in the next couple of days.
Truly yours, The Devils Advocate