Devils Re-Sign Topias Vilen to a 1-Year Deal

On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils re-signed defenseman Topias Vilen to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract breakdown is as follows: $850,000 at the NHL level and $150,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level, with $175,000 guaranteed.

Vilen was drafted in the 5th round, 129th overall, by the Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft. He remained in his home country of Finland until the 2023-24 season, when he joined the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets, and their ECHL team, the Adirondack Thunder.

Vilen played six games with the Thunder and recorded 10 points. He spent most of the 2023-24 season with the Comets, playing 54 games and scoring 29 points (via two goals and 27 assists), a career high.

Vilen spent the entire 2024-25 season in Utica, playing 58 games, scoring one goal and 23 assists. Last season, he played 61 games with the Comets, with 27 points.

His dream was finally realized at the end of last season, when he played his first NHL contest on April 12 against the Ottawa Senators. Vilen took 12 shifts in 12:28 of ice time and finished the contest plus-1. He also played against the Boston Bruins on April 14, earning 18:27 of ice time. He has yet to record his first NHL point.

Vilen has been a staple of the Comets’ blue line for the past three seasons, playing responsible defense, while also finding scoring chances for his team. Scoring goals is not his strongest asset; however, he often records assists, making him a solid two-way defenseman.

While he doesn’t have a lot of NHL experience, he should get called up to the Devils this season when they need additional depth or help due to injuries. The Devils believe in Vilen, and the 2026-27 season is shaping up to be a big one for him.