Two-thirds of the Devils’ top line is set for the next nine years.
Team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced between the first and second periods of the Devils’ scrimmage yesterday that top-line center Travis Zajac had signed a long-term extension which begins next season.
While Lamoriello would not divulge terms, other than to say the deal was “long enough to keep him a Devil,” the deal is worth $46 million over eight years. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun first reported the terms, which were later confirmed by industry website CapGeek.com.
Zajac had signed a four-year, $15.5 million deal in July 2009, and was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
“It means a lot,” Zajac said. “I started my career here and I wanted to continue playing here. I feel it is a first-class organization from the top to the bottom. It’s the culture and environment I want to surround myself with. I think it fits my personality and style of play. I’m just happy to be part of it.”
The feeling from the organization is mutual.
“He’s one of our core leaders. Has been from Day 1,” Lamoriello said. According to both Lamoriello and Zajac, the franchise and his representation had been talking about an extension prior to the lockout.
“It’s great news,” said head coachPete DeBoer. “He’s such a prototypical New Jersey Devil. He’s a big, strong guy, [and] plays the right way [on both sides] of the rink. A centerman like that are very hard to find.”
Zajac is the first long-term contract signed under the new CBA. Eight years is the maximum length a team can re-sign one of its own players. If a team signs a player from another organization, the maximum length is seven years.
The 27-year-old center has spent his entire career with the Devils, totaling 91 goals and 255 points in 423 games. Zajac was limited to only 15 regular season games in 2011-12 due to an Achilles injury, but was a key contributor on the Devils’ run to the Stanley Cup final. He recorded 14 points (seven goals and seven assists) in 24 playoff games.
“I feel like this could be the year I could take my game to another level,” Zajac said. “I’m excited to get that chance.”
But he won’t have longtime linemate Zach Parise on wing anymore. Parise signed a 13-year, $98 million free agent deal with Minnesota in July. While Lamoriello dismissed the notion that the signing was important after losing Parise as a free agent last July, Zajac acknowledged that his deal and the one Ilya Kovalchuk signed in the summer of 2010 could be viewed by players around the league that the Devils are still committed to winning.
“Absolutely,” Zajac said. “A hundred percent. Lou’s mindset filters down to the players. Nothing is acceptable but winning. That made [signing] an easy decision, too. You know he’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure this team has success. I want to be a part of that and help out any way I can.”
Follow NHL beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
