Tagged: New Jersey Devils

matt-anderson-2

Undrafted, 5th year pro Matt Anderson(29) is just starting to get on folks radar.

Last season, his first with the Devils‘ organization, was spent entirely with their AHL affiliate, Albany.

He posted career highs all around (76 games, 23 goals and 32 assists) and appeared in the All-Star game.

He re-signed for 2011/2012 and it’s very possible if New Jersey suffers like they did last season he could earn himself a look.

Or with Travis Zajac out to start the season, maybe he’ll impress enough at camp to start the season in the NHL.


Undrafted center Michael Swift(16) comes off a disappointing 3rd pro season, being traded from Albany to Worcester in a minor league deal, as an unrestricted free agent. His signing options seemed somewhat limited with another team, which is surprising because just one year ago with Lowell Devils he looked to be breaking out and have good potential as a small-sized (5’9″) but skilled goal scorer.

What a difference a year makes. He skips the country and joins High 1 (along with Oren Eizenman) in the Asian League Ice Hockey for 2011/2012.

He’s still fairly young at age 24 and I would expect to see Swifty back in North America with another AHL team after a year or so away.

 

New Jersey didn’t qualify 4th year defenseman Tyler Eckford(7), who they drafted in 2004, round7  #217 overall. Free to go, Phoenix signed him to a 1-year, 2-way contract soon after free agency started.

He could play some more games in the NHL (he has 7 to his credit, 1 assist), but Portland Pirates are already using him as their lead image on their website, so he’ll likely be seeing more time in the AHL Eastern Conference for a third straight season. He’s appeared in 170 games with Albany and Lowell Devils, who played just an hour and a half down the highway from the Pirates.