Devils News
Devils Re-Sign Depth Defenseman to One-Year Contract
Nick DeSimone was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. However, he returns to the Devils for the 2024-25 season.
The New Jersey Devils announced on Monday that they’ve re-signed defenseman Nick DeSimone to a one-year, one-way contract. DeSimone’s contract is worth a league minimum $775,000.
The Devils claimed DeSimone off waivers on January 25th, 2024 from the Calgary Flames.
Despite being claimed in Janaury, it took DeSimone nearly two months to lace up his skates and play in his first game for New Jersey, finally hitting the ice with the Devils on March 14th, 2024.
DeSimone scored one goal and one assist in 11 games with the Devils last season and in 34 games including his time in Calgary, the 29-year-old defenseman collected two goals and seven points.
Upon acquisition, we learned that although DeSimone has all the tools from the blueline offensively, he struggles against the oppositions top players.
“DeSimone is heavy on the offence, although not great at boxing out players in front of the net. He’s your classic extra forward-style blue liner. DeSimone struggled off the rush against star players. He and Jordan Oesterle as a pairing was rough, but that’s because they’re both the same type of player.
“He struggled in his last game as a Calgary Flame. Auston Matthews blew past both him and Oesterle for a goal and later overpowered Nick in front of the net to complete a hat trick. DeSimone probably just needs an anchor to play with.”
Although it took the East Amherst, New York native some time to finally draw into the Devils’ lineup, he certainly impressed as a solid two-way defenseman who skates the puck very well in transition, facilitated offense, and was willing to sacrafice the body in the defensive end of the ice blocking 21 shots in 11 games.
DeSimone’s positive, albeit, short Devils tenure earned him a one-way deal for the 2024-25 season. He’s likely to be New Jersey’s seventh defenseman, barring injuries.
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