Confirmed with Link: Devils sign defenseman Gragnani 1 year, two-way contract for $575,000

[glenwo2]

Newark, NJ – The New Jersey Devils today signed free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani to a one-year, two-way contract for $575,000 at the NHL level. The announcement was made by Devils’ General Manager Ray Shero.

Gragnani, 28, joins the Devils’ organization after spending the last two seasons overseas, including this past one with Bern (Swi). He led the NLA in points by a defenseman with 37 (8g-29a) and was named to the league’s All-Star Team. The 6-2, 200-lb. blueliner played the 2013-14 season with Lev Praha (KHL) after six professional seasons in North America. He spent the 2012-13 campaign with the Carolina Hurricanes organization, and split 2011-12 between Buffalo and Vancouver.

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=773901


Another warm body for Albany?

Click to read more...

 

[Bleedred]

I'm all for whatever takes away a spot for Fraser in Albany.

Just taking away the option to even use him and have him on call for NHL duty.

Signings like this, ensure he's kept away because there isn't enough room in Albany for him with all the guys there now.

 

[MadDevil]

Another LHD? Good bye Gelinas or Merrill.

 

[Combat Koala]

Not sure if this was a necessary signing but I have absolutely nothing against this. Atleast there will be competition for the spots in both the NHL and AHL roster.

I think Shero has made good moves this summer. Hasn't wasted assets or overpayed for any meh-tier free agents. Keeping things simple and solid. I like it.

 

[Bologna 1]

AHL move here

 

[JimEIV]

Good to see them addressing the LHD depth it was needed.

But again this is another example of our scouts serving up exactly what the GM wants.

Interesting to see the 2015 draft choices and these signings with same exact scouting staff that was often maligned in the past-

Mozik, Kalinin and now Gragnani all out of international leagues, plus the style of players we just drafted, all with to my knowledge no scouting changes...this is interesting to me.

 

[Billdo]

Good to see them addressing the LHD depth it was needed.

But again this is another example of our scouts serving up exactly what the GM wants.

Interesting to see the 2015 draft choices and these signings with same exact scouting staff that was often maligned in the past-

Mozik, Kalinin and now Gragnani all out of international leagues, plus the style of players we just drafted, all with to my knowledge no scouting changes...this is interesting to me.

Isn't that what the scouts are supposed to do? The coach has a system, the coach tells the GM what type of players thrive in that system, the GM tells the scouts to find players that are fit for that system? What am I missing here? I've noticed you mention the signings are more from the GM than the scout but I'm confused as to why that's an issue.

 

[glenwo2]

Isn't that what the scouts are supposed to do? The coach has a system, the coach tells the GM what type of players thrive in that system, the GM tells the scouts to find players that are fit for that system? What am I missing here? I've noticed you mention the signings are more from the GM than the scout but I'm confused as to why that's an issue.

It's because Jim is saying that Lou is to blame more for past draft busts than the scouts. Except he's not saying it outright.

 

[Classic Devil]

Gragnani had a spectacular NHL playoffs a few years back and then fell off the face of the planet. This is solidifying the AHL, which I like. It would be nice if Albany were more competitive.

 

[Csonked Out]

Albany will have more quality than years past. Rays AHL teams were always good, players like Gragnani and O'brien are quality AHL players that can fill in if injuries hit.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Gragnani had a spectacular NHL playoffs a few years back and then fell off the face of the planet. This is solidifying the AHL, which I like. It would be nice if Albany were more competitive.

I don't know it's necessarily AHL. I see Shero stockpiling guys with solid fundamentals. He has chips and can deal. (Look at Danny Ainge rebuilding the Celtics). These are all good moves. Acquiring good young (or at least not old) players. Move some; save some; mix some in. You have the building blocks and a hopefully good young coach. Next season looking at least interesting, at least hopeful, whether for achievement now or for a competitive younger team with a future.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

I'm guessing this is an AHL signing, but welcome to the organization for him anyway.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Anyone under 30 is welcome here.

 

[Czech Trio]

Underrated signing I think for Albany. Albany has struggled with goal scoring in the past. Gragnani should really help create offense off the back end.

234 points in 325 games played in the AHL. Even if he has no impact on the NHL level he will, along with the new influx of recently turned pro forwards, help goal scoring in Albany.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Albany lost their best goal scorer in Whitney and possibly Thompson too.
They still have to replace him.

 

[JimEIV]

Albany lost their best goal scorer in Whitney and possibly Thompson too.
They still have to replace him.

But they are most likely getting Blandisi, Lorito, Kujawsinki and possibly even Coleman or Kalinin (probably for a few games anyway)

Last year Albany had to bench a lot of forwards. Ben Johnson hardly got any games so he may see an increased role. Graham Black started on the bench too and not for an injury to Kelly Zajac he may have not gotten much opportunity either. He should see an increased role as well...hopefully he can stay healthy this year.

 

[Billdo]

Albany should be pretty solid this year with the amount of forwards they might get, depending on who sticks with the NHL.

 

[Devils Dominion]

I expect Albany to be a fast team for sure.
It's important that they get off to a good start.

 

[JerryGigantic]

Good to see them addressing the LHD depth it was needed.

But again this is another example of our scouts serving up exactly what the GM wants.

Interesting to see the 2015 draft choices and these signings with same exact scouting staff that was often maligned in the past-

Mozik, Kalinin and now Gragnani all out of international leagues, plus the style of players we just drafted, all with to my knowledge no scouting changes...this is interesting to me.

It's because Jim is saying that Lou is to blame more for past draft busts than the scouts. Except he's not saying it outright.

I took Jim to mean that perhaps Conte and company won't be fired at some point, as has been widely rumored, as they are serving their GM perhaps better than he might have expected.

 

[JimEIV]

I took Jim to mean that perhaps Conte and company won't be fired at some point, as has been widely rumored, as they are serving their GM perhaps better than he might have expected.

Yup

 

[AfroThunder396]

I think it's pretty obvious that Conte's drafting philosophy didn't agree with DeBoer's coaching philosophy, It changed a bit. Many players we drafted pre-DeBoer didn't really succeed under him (speed/skill players didn't do well). Players drafted under DeBoer's system, Matteau and Quenneville namely, were of a certain mold. And as soon as Pete left, we went back to drafting speed/skill guys over size/grind guys.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I took Jim to mean that perhaps Conte and company won't be fired at some point, as has been widely rumored, as they are serving their GM perhaps better than he might have expected.

I tend to agree as things move on, but we shall see.

I do like depth signings because if some hit it off in Albany or in the NHL it gives us more trade chips along with a better team on both levels.

 

[Zippy316]

I tend to agree as things move on, but we shall see.

I do like depth signings because if some hit it off in Albany or in the NHL it gives us more trade chips along with a better team on both levels.

I think the smarter thing to do would be for Shero and Conte to hire scouts to slowly take over. Who knows maybe Conte wants to step down soon too.

 

[DirtyJerzey]

setting up for a trade ? by by gelly beans

 

[Hemsky001]

It was great to see him play here in Prague. Good for him.