New Jersey Devils added big 6’4″ 225 lbs. 8th year left wing Luke Gazdic(20) a few days into unrestricted free agency.
It was the first time the sizable forward was without a deal heading into a new season.
Originally a Dallas Stars‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft (#172 overall) he spent 4 years in the system mostly with affiliate Texas Stars but also did some time in the ECHL with Idaho Steelheads.
He’s never been a big point producer. His best campaign came in his third year and was only a modest 11 goals and 12 assists in a career high 76 AHL games.
Almost ironically it was when he had to clear waivers at the beginning of 2013/2014 that Edmonton Oilers spotted something that fit into their roster ideas.
He played his only full NHL season that year scoring a best 2 goals and 2 assists in 67 games with 15 fighting majors in his 127 penalty minutes.
For the next two runs he would skate most of his time at the highest level but did get reassigned on a couple occasions to the minors.
The 27-year started 2016/2017 on the injured list after breaking his foot blocking a shot in the opening game of the preseason.
When he returned, he was reassigned to Albany Devils, where he had a pair of assists in 13 contests before being recalled for his first appearance with his new club.
In his debut he skated a very conservative 7 shifts for only 3:49 of total ice but is being kept around so that time may see a quick increase.