The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Jiri Tlusty to a one-year, one-way contract, the team announced on Wednesday. The contract is worth a reported $800,000, a notable decrease from the $2.95 million he made last year.
Tlsuty’s agent recently told reporters that he had multiple offers for a professional tryout, but that he wouldn’t be taking a tryout deal, particularly because he had received offers in the KHL.
Tlusty started last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and was traded to the Winnipeg JEts during the season. All told, he played 72 games, scoring 14 goals and 31 points. With a 2.3% score-adjusted CF%Rel while taking slightly negative relative zone starts, it’s easy to see how he can improve a team, particularly one as shallow on forward as New Jersey.
With just a single year on the contract and the opportunity for good ice time ahead, Tlusty has an opportunity to prove his worth and earn a bigger pay day next summer. At just 27 years old, it’s not a terrible situation, even if it’s significantly less money than he was making last year.
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Dustin Nelson is the News Editor for The Hockey Writers. He’s a contributor to Hockey Prospectus, Hockey Wilderness, and writes a column for Rotowire. He’s also written for Gone Puck Wild, Wild Xtra, InDigest, Electric Literature, The Rumpus, Tiny Mix Tapes, Prefix Magazine & other publications. Have a tip? Email him at dlukenelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
