The Devils signed 23-year-old defenseman Damon Severson to a six-year, $25 million contract Monday, carrying a hefty annual salary-cap hit of $4.167 million. The righty blueliner, who was a restricted free agent without arbitration rights, spent his first complete season in the NHL last season, registering three goals and 28 assists for the Devils.
General manager Ray Shero tried hard, but missed out on signing big-name free-agent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who inked a deal with the Rangers for less than the Devils offered. Yet the rebuilding continues in New Jersey, and Shero thinks Severson is part of the answer.
“This deal shows our ownership’s commitment in what we continue to build here,” Shero said. “We look forward to helping Damon continue to grow and develop as a player.”