The New Jersey Devils have signed defenseman Adam Larsson, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, to a three-year, entry-level deal. The Devils had plenty of incentive to get the deal done Friday, given that they would have had to pay $100,000 if they hadn't.
Adam Larsson, No. 4 Overall Pick In 2011 NHL Draft, Signs With New Jersey Devils
The Devils had until 5 p.m. today to sign Larsson - the No, 4 overall selection—to avoid paying his team in the Swedish Elite League a $100,000 fee to sign him before Aug, 15. If they had been unable to sign him by 5 p.m. on Aug. 15, Larsson would have had to honor the final year on his contract in Sweden in 2011-12.
Tom Gulitti has published many more details of the signing at his Twitter page. Larsson will get $925,000, which is the top entry-level salary. Also, the Devils hope he will play in either the NHL or the AHL next year, although this comes as no surprise, since the Devils said on the day they drafted him that he would get a shot at an NHL job in 2011-12.
Larsson could have returned to play in the Swedish Elite League in 2011-12 for more money than he’ll be earning with the Devils, but it seems as though the allure of an NHL job kept him away from that.
Larsson has received many comparisons to Nicklas Lidstrom, who Larsson says is his hero. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello describes Larsson as "a complete defenseman. Defense and offense. He’s not one-dimensional. He can play physical."
For more on the New Jersey Devils, check out In Lou We Trust, which calls Larsson "the best Devils prospect since Zach Parise."
See More:
