While the New Jersey Devils are presently experiencing a lot of changes, they made sure to lock-down an important piece to their future Monday.
The Devils, after being purchased by Philadelphia 76ers owner Joshua Harris on Aug. 15, signed restricted free agent forward Adam Henrique to a six-year deal that is reportedly worth $24 million, according to NHL.com.
"It was an exciting day," Henrique told The Bergen Record about signing the deal. "My family and I are excited about it. It's something you've been working for for a long time. I'm extremely happy with what the deal is and how things are looking going forward."
Henrique, 23, scored 11 goals and notched five assists in 42 games last season for the Devils in the 48-game lockout-shortened season. Henrique was drafted by New Jersey in 2008 in the third round (82nd overall) and has played on the team for three seasons. He was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2011-12 after scoring 16 goals and netting 35 assists for a total of 51 points during the Devils march to the Stanley Cup that season before the team ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Kings in six games.
Henrique scored the Eastern Conference-clinching overtime goal against New York Rangers goalie Henrik Ludqvist in Game 6 to lead the Devils into the finals two seasons ago. A video of the goal can be seen below:
While those were happy times for New Jersey, last year was everything but. The Devils fell to last place in the Atlantic Division just one season removed from a Stanley Cup Final appearance, and plummeted to a 19-19-10 record and 11th place finish in the Eastern Conference, failing to make the playoffs.
The Devils lost former captain Zach Parise to the Minnesota Wild out of free agency prior to last season and then lost Ilya Kovalchuk, who scored 11 goals and had 20 assists for 31 total points last season and went 37-46-83 in 2012, to Russia's KHL prior to this season, so holding onto Henrique was a must.
In 117 career NHL games, Henrique has scored 27 goals and added 40 assists for a total of 67 points and also has five goals and 13 points in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.
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