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Noesen, Coleman Come to Terms With Devils

Stefan Noesen and Blake Coleman, the “Texas Two,” have agreed to terms with the Devils. Both had filed for salary arbitration. The two forwards are now back in the Devils’ fold.

Noesen agreed to a one-year, $1,725,000 contract while Coleman gets a three-year contract worth $1,800,000 per season.

In the Devils’ press release on his signing, general manager Ray Shero had this to say about Noesen: “Since he arrived in New Jersey, Stefan has played smart, competitive hockey and has scored timely goals. He’s also a guy you can rely on to play in tough defensive situations and has really grown his all-around game.”

Noesen, 25-years-old, was claimed off of waivers by the Devils from the Ducks on January 25, 2017 according to the press release. The former first round pick (21st overall) of Ottawa in 2011 set NHL career highs for games played (72), goals (13), assists (14) and points (27) last season. The press release also says that he has played in 104 regular season games with the Devils and has “19 goals and 35 points” total.

The press release mentioned that Noesen made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut this season on April 12, 2018 against the Lightning. He scored his first Stanley Cup goal on April 16 in game three of the series.

Of Coleman, Shero said “Blake proved himself this season with his work ethic, intensity level and competitiveness. He worked throughout the year to become a strong penalty killer who also had a positive impact in the offensive zone. We look forward to him continuing his development in the next stage of his career.”

The 26-year-old played his first full NHL season last year after being the Devils’ third round choice, 75th overall in 2011. He is going into his fourth year with the New Jersey organization. The former Miami University (Ohio) Red Hawk scored 13 goals (three of which were shorthanded – which led the team in that category) and 12 assists totaling 25 points in 79 regular season games with the Devils last year. That, along with his 50 penalty minutes, were all career highs.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Coleman played in all five of the Devils’ games against the Lightning and had two goals and four PIMs. He made his playoff debut on April 12, 2018 in game one.

Congratulations to both men on coming back to the Devils and good luck to them in building on their progress from last season.

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Qualifying Offers Extended by Devils to Eight Players

According to articles written today by Abbey Mastracco of the North Jersey Record and Chris Ryan of The Star Ledger, the Devils have extended qualifying offers to eight players.

The players are all restricted free agents. They also declined “qualifying offers for two players, making them unrestricted free agents on July 1” according to Ryan. The players given qualifying offers were forwards Miles Wood, Blake Coleman and Stefan Noesen among those who played in the NHL last season and also defenseman Steven Santini. According to Ryan, “AHL players Nick Lappin, Kevin Rooney, Michael Kapla and Christoph Bertschy also received qualifying offers.”

Ryan also said that “(f)orward Mario Lucia and goalie Ken Appleby did not get qualifying offers.” Although the Devils could still re-sign them should they choose, they will be unrestricted free agents on July 1.

According to Mastracco, Noesen, Coleman, Lappin and Rooney are arbitration eligable. She said that “(t)he deadline to file for salary arbitration is July 5. Both Coleman and Noesen made $660,000 last season on one-year deals according to Mastracco.

In other news that you may have heard by now, the Devils were not one of the five teams that free agent superstar John Tavares has/will be meeting with this week. Several sources, including Arthur Staple, who covers the Islanders for The Athletic, in a tweet written on June 23, the Maple Leafs, Sharks, Stars, Bruins and Islanders were among the short list of teams that he has or will meet with. The Devils could always make an offer later on that Tavares and his agent would listen to, but most likely, New Jersey is not in on the Tavares sweepstakes.

Also, the Hockey Hall of Fame will be announcing their Class of 2018 members today at 3 PM. Martin Brodeur is in his first year of eligibility and will likely be a shoo in. We will have more information here as it becomes available today at 3 PM.