Confirmed with Link: Sami Vatanen signs with Devils 1yr 2m

[FooteBahl]

1 year $2 mil. Very movable deal. Can’t have a single complaint about that move.

Pre covid, what do you think a contract for him would look like? Probably 5 per right?

 

[Comparison Ford]

hmm good news? what's the catch?

he’s retiring tomorrow

 

[Devil X]

Just adds depth. I like the move. Pushes Kulikov and Carrick down the lineup. In a season where close contact could take out half your defense for a week or more its good to have some guys down in the A or on the taxi squad with NHL experience.

I think Smith gets the start, I think Kulikov and Carrick are on the outside looking in right now.

Once he able to play of course.

 

[FooteBahl]

he’s retiring tomorrow

I heard that during the signing the spring on his pen failed causing the grip portion of the pen to strike his head...out 4-6 weeks with a concussion.

 

[Guadana]

I love Vats. He was one of my top3 player of the last 3 years! I expect he will be great partner for Smith!

 

[FinnishDevil]

I remember watching him in Liiga. By the time he left he had been dominant, too good for this league. Especially offensively. I know he had few good seasons with Ducks in terms of points and PP usage, but that never really clicked with NJ. He was better overall player than I had ever seen him be, especially his first season here - but in my mind he lacked the offense and especially the qualities such as his slapshot that used to be very good.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Sami play under Ruff's system with familiar guys. I think he could have his best year offensively here. I think he still has pretty good puck skills and can get the puck through traffic (wrister/snapper) pretty well.

Plus there can never be too many Finns wearing that beautiful Devils jersey.

 

[Coachcorner]

Mucho respect here Is y'all thinking Vatanen gon play the first powerplay unit or the second now? Think he has a beauty of a shot though. Interesting to see sire.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Pre covid, what do you think a contract for him would look like? Probably 5 per right?

I thought he’d get like a 5x3 or 4x4

 

[Blackjack]

Mucho respect here Is y'all thinking Vatanen gon play the first powerplay unit or the second now? Think he has a beauty of a shot though. Interesting to see sire.

He'll probably get a chance. We have a bunch of defensemen that could get power play time, the front runners are Subban, Severson, and Smith. We may also be running 4 forwards on the powerplay.

 

[Nubmer6]

Cool. Maybe between Vats and Ryan Murray we can get a complete season out of them injury-wise.

 

[Coachcorner]

He'll probably get a chance. We have a bunch of defensemen that could get power play time, the front runners are Subban, Severson, and Smith. We may also be running 4 forwards on the powerplay.

Ok sire, that sounds real good and hot for the devils in today's NHL I love it. Since Lou Lamoriello and Jacques Lemaire, I've had the most biggest admiration and respect for y'alls organization for life sire. For LIFE. I'm like sentenced to do time with y'all because of lemaire's ice hockey and systematic change. He the biggest and hardest there is, With the Lou. Thanks for the list sire, I won't be expecting over the top like stallone in that film from vatanen now sire.

 

[My3Sons]

So a UFA chose NJ without NJ having to overpay? The main board must be imploding.

 

[Cheddabombs]

He's still in Finland eh? If we sign Bratt quickly he can get a flight that stops over in Sweden and they can come back together.

Or maybe it'll be a secret reveal? Sami's back, and he also brought Jesper back with a new contract too!

 

[Devils731]

He's still in Finland eh? If we sign Bratt quickly he can get a flight that stops over in Sweden and they can come back together.

Or maybe it'll be a secret reveal? Sami's back, and he also brought Jesper back with a new contract too!

Bratt is small enough to fit into Sami’s luggage. Bratt will need to save money any chance he gets.

 

[VoidCreature]

Happy to see him back. Sami's a quality defender.

Worst case we ship him out at the deadline again and recoup more assets.

 

[Bleedred]

I just brought up the other day that it’s surprising he didn’t sign anywhere. I actually forgot up to that point that he hadn’t signed anywhere yet.

I’m really getting an erection over the odds of seeing Carrick decrease even more. Why again did we sign a journeyman like him him to a two year deal? He don’t even average two years with the same team.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I like this

 

[NJDevs26]

Vatanen plus Murray make a whole season defenseman. I dig it.

Someone (maybe it was you) made that joke earlier this offseason, now that might actually happen for real

 

[NJDevs26]

or they don't like what they have seen from the youngsters in camp? either way I love these types of signings and we got a a good player for him in the trade last time. he is a legit #4 NHL defenseman from the right side and will play #6 on this team behind PK and severs. so to me a great move. leaving. Murry, kulikov, ....... and butcher, smith, bahl, and others battling for 6/7 spot.. I like it

What youngster is Vat replacing? The right side is Severson-Subban-Vat now instead of Severson-Subban-Carrick. If anything it helps that you have a legit guy on each RD for your questionable/young LD's.

 

[MadDevil]

Someone (maybe it was you) made that joke earlier this offseason, now that might actually happen for real

I joked that if they timed their injuries right we'd be okay having both of them. I never thought it would actually happen.

 

[MadDevil]

LD

Murray
Butcher
Smith
Kulikov

RD

Subban
Severson
Vatanen
Carrick

I'm okay rolling with this. There are at least options (even if they aren't the greatest). Plus anything that puts Tennyson further away from the NHL roster I'm good with.

 

[Nubmer6]

I joked that if they timed their injuries right we'd be okay having both of them. I never thought it would actually happen.

Quick! Joke that we're going to win the cup!!!

 

[NjDevsRR]

He’s also a big locker room guy. The guys LOVE him. He’s also not afraid to speak his mind when the team isn't performing.

 

[Cheddabombs]

He’s also a big locker room guy. The guys LOVE him. He’s also not afraid to speak his mind when the team isn't performing.

Guess he'll be speaking his mind a lot this year then

 

[Camille the Eel]

soooo

Murray-Severson
T. Smith-Subban
Butcher-Vatanen
Kulikov-Carrick

I guess?

Kulikov has to rate ahead of Butcher on a depth chart. Methinks anyway.