NJ Devils Sign Jordin Tootoo

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced that the New Jersey Devils signed forward Jordin Tootoo to a new contract.

As of today, there are no further details on the specifics of Tootoo’s contract.

The 31-year-old forward is entering is 12th season. He spent last two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, splitting time with the Grand Rapids AHL team. In his NHL career, he accumulated 49 goals and 85 assists for a total of 134 points. Tootoo has also notched three goals and seven assists in his 40 career playoff games.

Before signing with the Red Wings for the 2012-2013 season, Tootoo spent nine seasons with the Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals AHL team. Tootoo was orginially drafted by the Predators in the 2001 entry draft and made hsi NHL debut on Oct. 9, 2003.

Tootoo spent training camp with the Devils on a tryouts basis. Earlier this week, Ryan Carter left the Devils to sign with the Minnesota Wild, which opened up a roster spot to sign Tootoo.

In addition, the Devils have asked Scott Gomez to remain with the team without a contract. They are hoping another spot opens up on the roster  to fit in Gomez, but in the meantime, they have requested  he continue to practice with the team. Gomez has agreed to stick around, but is unsure of how long he will be able to wait for a contract, according to reports.

The Devils are searching for a bounce-back season after struggling for the past two years. There have been major holes in their offense that they are trying to fill with a few off-season transactions.

The Devils ended the preseason with a 4-1-1 record including a 3-0 shutout over the New York Rangers in their last game.

New Jersey’s first game of the 2014-2015 regular season will be Thursday, Oct. 9 against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. Their home opener won’t be until Saturday, Oct. 18 against the San Jose Sharks.

Photo Courtesy of  – Bridget Samuels