The New jersey devils Warriors have just announced another unexpected great signing…
The Devils have been quiet on Sunday, so this round of free agent mania isn’t quite as intense in the Garden State. Defenseman Eric Gryba is the lone exception; the team announced that Gryba has signed a one-year, two-way contract.
In the opening period of an NHL hockey game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Edmonton, Alberta, Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils, top, checks Eric Gryba (62) of the Edmonton Oilers. (Source: AP via Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
With a $350,000 guarantee and an additional $300,000 if he plays in the American Hockey League, the deal is valued at $700,000.
Though some fans may have expected a top-four forward similar to Calvin de Haan, this wasn’t the kind of move they were expecting. This was a move to add some minor league depth at the position and strengthen the blue line’s rear end. Gryba could be the seventh defenseman on the roster since John Moore signed with the Boston Bruins, though it’s likely that he will begin the season with the AHL team in Binghamton or play a big role there.
The right-shot defenseman will probably fill the same function as Dalton Prout did for the Devils in the previous campaign, providing extra coverage and the ability to deliver hard hits when necessary to separate Binghamton and New Jersey.
During his 21 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season, the 30-year-old, six-year NHL veteran recorded two assists and a plus-four rating. Gryba played 24 games for Bakersfield of the AHL in December after clearing waivers. The last year of his contract was recently bought out by the Oilers.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound blue liner is a big, tough stay-at-home defenseman who plays a more physical game than any other Devils defenseman. Although he isn’t the traditional New Jersey defenseman, he is a good depth addition who has already won over the fans with a tweet featuring David Putty, a die-hard “Seinfeld” Devils fan.
Additional NHL news
FREE AGENCY: John Tavares, the star center, selects the Maple Leafs over the Islanders
ANALYSIS: The Islanders failed in signing John Tavares when he chose to sign with the Maple Leafs.
