Devils Sign Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Palat to 5-Year Deal
The New Jersey Devils have signed winger Ondrej Palat, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, to a 5-year, $30 million deal.
Palat had played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Lightning, going back to the 2012-13 season. Last season, Palat scored 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points in 77 games. In his career, he has 143 goals and 280 assists for 423 points in 628 games.
Palat played in the top six of the Lightning’s potent offense, flipping between the first and second line. He always found a way to put the puck in the net or find that open teammate.
Not only is he good in the offensive zone he is also a 200-foot player, accounting for 1,083 hits and 448 blocked shots.
The Devils have signed two-time Stanley Cup champion Ondrej Palat.
In terms of the New Jersey Devils’ offense, Palat’s 49 points would have ranked fourth on the Devils during the 2021/22 season.
The Devils are blessed with young stars like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer and could use a veteran that can supply offense and defense like Palat.
His experience should come in handy as the Devils look to make the playoffs in 2022/23 and Palat has had plenty of playoff experience in the past three seasons. His 12 game-winning goals in the playoffs put him 3rd among active players.
Palat can fit on any of the top two lines and instantly be effective. He can create offense out of the smallest spaces and use his bullet of a shot to create offense. He is not shy about getting in the dirty areas either, making life difficult for opposing defensemen.
Palat is more than a two-way player or someone with playoff experience. With his years in the NHL, he can be a mentor to the young talent on this year’s roster, showing them what to expect and how to play in certain situations.
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In 2021/22 the Devils had an average team age of 25 years old, so they will have a young group heading into the season. They can use some veteran leadership to help them gain experience in hopes of getting into the Stanley Cup playoffs.