Posted on

Zacha Re-Signs

Restricted free agent Pavel Zacha has been brought back into the fold one day after Ray Shero was told by Zacha’s agent that the center could sign in the KHL.

Corey Masisak reported on Twitter yesterday that Zacha’s agent had told Shero his client would possibly sign in the Russian league if a deal could not get done.

Today the Devils announced that he has signed a three-year deal (running through 2021-22) with an annual average value of $2,250,000. That breaks down to $1,750,000 in 2019-20, $2,000,000 in 2020-21 and $3,000,000 in 2021-22 for a total of $6.75 million total.

Shero said in the press release that the team was “happy to have finalized this three-year agreement as Pavel is an important part of our team. He has established himself as someone who can play in any situation and we are looking forward to his continued growth as a player.”

Zacha had a career-high 13 goals last year and equaled his career-high point total with 25 according to the press release. Last year also saw him with a three-game goal scoring streak (from November 17 to 21, 2018) where he notched four. He also played in his 200th NHL game on April 4, 2019 at the Hurricanes.

The Brno, Czech Republic native who will turn 23 on April 6, 2020 was the Devils’ first round pick (sixth overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Posted on

Devils/Adirondack Thunder Renew Official Partnership

In a bit of news missed by me the other day, the Devils announced on Thursday that they have renewed their relationship with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL.

According to the Devils’ press release, “2019-20 will be the third season that the Devils and the Thunder have had an official partnership.” The term “official partnership” eludes to the fact that the teams had an “informal agreement” in 2015-16 and 2016-17 when Adirondack was officially a Calgary affiliate.

The press release included some quotes from key people, including Thunder Governor Ed Moore: “(o)ur relationship is great and now that we are entering year three, we believe that it will only get stronger. With the additions and improvements that New Jersey made this offseason, we are excited to see what this year has in store for the entire organization.”

Devils assistant general manager and GM of the Binghamton Devils also added: “(g)iving players consistent ice time and exposure in all situations at the ECHL (l)evel will help them develop throughout all levels of the New Jersey Devils organization and its affiliates. We are excited to work together with the management, players and coaches for our third consecutive season in Adirondack.”

The Thunder kick off their ECHL season in Portland, Maine when they take on the Maine Mariners (the Rangers’ ECHL affiliate) on October 11. They start their home schedule in Glens Falls, New York against the Worcester Railers on October 19 at Cool Insuring Arena.