The New Jersey Devils Should Offer Jiri Tlusty A Contract (Devils)

Training camps open league-wide in just a couple days and there are still some pretty good players who remain unsigned.

Perhaps the best of the bunch is forward Jiri Tlusty.

Tlusty is drawing interest from as many as five teams - the Devils included - but is struggling to land anything more than a tryout.

Tlusty is reportedly very hesitant to accept any training camp invite and I don't blame him one bit.

He has scored 23 goals per 82 games played over the last three years and has shown that he is undoubtedly an NHL caliber forward. His production - particularly when it comes to scoring goals - rivals that of a top-6 forward.

That's why I think the Devils would be smart to pony up and give him a contract. If they sign him for cheap - preferably on a two-year deal - the Devils would have at worst a top-9 forward playing for peanuts.

Tlusty is only 27, too, and there are plenty of roster spots open up front so it's not like bringing him in would go against the youth movement.

We should find out what will happen with Tlusty within the next few days but when all is said and done I think an NHL team will give him a contract. The Devils would be smart to be that team.

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