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The Sporting News reported that New Jersey re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Andy Greene to a four-year contract.
Terms were not released.
"I'm really excited," Greene told Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record. "I was pretty confident it was going to get done, but, obviously, you never know until the last minute and until it's agreed upon I'm pretty fired up and excited."
Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello wanted to re-sign Greene, and made it a priority this offseason. He had talked with Greene's camp the past few weeks, but could not reach a deal before today. Greene's agent, Dan Plante, said four teams called about the defenseman today. Three were "Stanley Cup contenders." But Greene wanted to re-sign with New Jersey.
"It's nice to hear (other teams called), but in all reality New Jersey was where I wanted to be," he told Gulitti. "It's good to hear you're wanted, but this is where I wanted to be."
Greene played in all 82 games this season, recording just 23 points. He remains one of the only offensive threats along the Devils' blue line.
Last season, the last of a two-year deal, Greene made $750,000.
The free agency frenzy kicked off at noon Friday, and the New Jersey Devils entered with big holes to fill.
Defense remains the first area of need in New Jersey. The team lacks a true puck-moving defenseman, a need that's been present for the past few seasons. They bolstered the blueline with the big signings of Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder last year, but still need to fill holes. Their best offensive defenseman, Andy Greene, went unsigned and entered free agency as one of the top-10 defenseman today.
Despite a down season for Greene, where he recorded just 23 points, Devils' general manager Lou Lamoriello remains in talks to re-sign the defenseman.
"We're both kind of in a holding pattern here," Greene's agent, Dan Plante, told Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record Thursday. "We're going to speak again later on tonight or tomorrow. (Lamoriello) made it known that he'd like to keep Andy Around, so, hopefully, we can find some common ground on the whole thing and get something worked out. But, we'll see. There's nothing set in stone, that's for sure."
Even after drafting Adam Larsson fourth overall in last Friday's NHL Entry Draft, Lamoriello still wants to find a puck-moving defenseman.
"We'd still like too, if we can," Lamoriello told Gulitti.
New Jersey also enters today without a backup goalie. Johan Hedberg, who recorded one of his best statistical season last year, remains the best option for that spot. Like Greene, Lamoriello would like to bring him back despite him hitting the free agent market.
After the team opened the checkbook last season, Lamoriello doesn't figure to be a big player in free agency this season.
"I don't think so," he told Gulitti.
Many of the team's decisions are on their own roster. The Devils want to re-sign restricted free agent Zach Parise, and will enter July with an upcoming salary arbitration meeting. They enter free agency with just above $12 million in cap space, so they won't be competing for the likes of Brad Richards.
Devils Re-Sign Johan Hedberg
The New Jersey Devils re-signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Johan Hedberg today, bringing back a fan favorite and filling their need for a backup goalie.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hedberg made $1.5 million, including bonuses, last season.
Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello wanted to re-sign Hedberg, and opened talks a few weeks ago. The two sides couldn't reach an agreement, and Hedberg hit the free agent market. He had interest from several teams, but chose to remain in New Jersey.
"There was interest, which is great," Hedberg told Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record. "It's flattering, but with everything accounted for, I felt good about coming back here. That was my first choice and when everything worked out and it felt like we were able to find some good ground I felt good about coming back."
Hedberg went 15-12-2 with a career best 2.38 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and three shutouts. He received other offers for backup positions, and some could give him more playing time. He knew a healthy Martin Brodeur would significantly decrease his games played, but it didn't change his mind.
"I wouldn't say anyone called me to be their go-to guy, no," he told Gulitti. "But there were some options that were maybe in that category (of having a chance for more playing time). I never make predictions before a season starts about how many games. You never know."
Jul 01 5:16p by AJ Manderichio