Devils Sign Dainius Zubrus to Six-Year Deal

[MattBurger]

The Devils have signed free agent forward Dainius Zubrus, Devils' CEO/President/GM Lou Lamoriello announced Tuesday.

Zubrus, 29, recorded career highs last season in goals (24), assists (36), and points (60), in 79 games split between Washington and Buffalo.

"I knew that the decision [to sign with the Devils] would be a hockey decision." Zubrus said via conference call. "I want to win and that's why I wanted to come here. I believe in this team and the success they've had."

The 6-4, 225-lb. native of Lithuania played the final 19 games of the regular season with the Sabres, scoring four goals and four assists following a deadline deal that sent him to Buffalo with Timo Helbling in exchange for Jiri Novotny and a first-round selection in this year's draft.

He added eight assists in Buffalo's 2007 postseason run to the Eastern Conference final against Ottawa.

A veteran of 10 NHL seasons, Zubrus was Philadelphia's first-round pick, 15th overall, in the 1996 Entry Draft. He has 138 goals and 222 assists for 360 points in 689 career games.

[Smerri1029]

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Dainius Zubrus to a six-year deal.

^^^

[MattBurger]

Yeah I just found the press release now on TSN. For some reason the Devils put him on their roster before officially releasing the signing. The Canucks did the same thing with Isbister.

Here's the TSN link... http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212635&hubname=

No word yet on how much it cost New Jersey.

[Podollan]

6 years? how silly..
What the hell are they doing>?

[Lead]

6 years? Thats something to think about, when player like Zubrus gets 6 year contract.

[Jensen]

$3.4 mil. per year.

[HoliksGhost]

I like it.

Not earth shattering, but a good fit IMO.

Devs were getting knocked off the puck a bit in the playoffs so the added size to the line up can't hurt...

[Number 29]

Originally Posted by HoliksGhost

I like it.

Not earth shattering, but a good fit IMO.

Devs were getting knocked off the puck a bit in the playoffs so the added size to the line up can't hurt...

Funny.

When the Flyers and Rangers were signing people to outrageous contracts you were saying the league's become a 'joke'. Now that NJ finally jumped in the UFA market, you have no problems with the deal.

[hazard5]

thats because its a reasonable deal. its not 7 years for over $50 million with $10 million front loaded on the first season. there is a good argument that Zubrus is a veteran worthy of the money he was signed for.
Gomez has only played on one team his entire career and with virtually the same wings the entire time.
he's worth $10 million for a season?
you think?

Briere is an amazing player, but seven years? are you sure a 5'9" player will fit into your team when he is 36?... maybe. but if the answer is maybe not, then who is going to pick up that huge contract? when he's 34, he'll still have an annual salary higher than what we signed Zubrus to. there is no guarantee that the cap will keep rising, the GM can lower it as well you know. i like Briere, but his upside doesn't match the contract.

*and btw, the envy that i have is your signing of Jason Smith. that guy is a force out there.

[JKidd]

Good pick up - for a not bad price either.

[Isles4life]

He's a useful cog to any team, but 6 years makes it seem like you have him in your future plans to build around. I'm not sure he's that good of a player to warrant such a long-term contract. There's a good chance he might not even be a 20 goal guy by the end of his contract. Risky signing by Lou in my opinion.

[Snipes19]

Yeah, 6 years confuses me a little for a player like Dainius Zubrus. Sure, the price isn't bad, but that's way too long for this guy. New Jersey is making it seem like he's this superstar player that they are trying to build their team around. He's far from that. I'm sure in about 4 years or so, some of these GM's will be kicking themselves for signing players like Zubrus to 6 years. Now don't get me wrong, I think it was a good move to bring in Zubrus because he adds size and scoring, but the contract just baffles me.

[dp]

Lou doesn't overpay that often.

My guess is that in 5 years, the 3.4 million will look ok. At 29, he is in his prime. The eight assists in the playoffs made him look good. The last two seasons have been 57 and 60 points. If they get 3 years at 60 points or better, then declining to 50, 45 and 40 in the last year, then this will be a good deal.

[HoliksGhost]

Originally Posted by Number 29

Funny.

When the Flyers and Rangers were signing people to outrageous contracts you were saying the league's become a 'joke'. Now that NJ finally jumped in the UFA market, you have no problems with the deal.

Well after your teams roster gets raided what are you supposed to do ..?

Besides, they did not spend like drunken sailors on leave... this was a sound move they needed to make.

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by dp

Lou doesn't overpay that often.

My guess is that in 5 years, the 3.4 million will look ok. At 29, he is in his prime. The eight assists in the playoffs made him look good. The last two seasons have been 57 and 60 points. If they get 3 years at 60 points or better, then declining to 50, 45 and 40 in the last year, then this will be a good deal.

That's what I was thinking, in a few years if he's not working out on the Devils, there's a good chance that 3.4 million and his past reputation will make him good trade bait at the least for a team seeking a veteran around playoff time.