New Jersey Devils Sign KHL Forward Sergey Kalinin
By Drew Ruscil
Last week, the New Jersey Devils announced the signing of Sergey Kalinin. Kalinin is really the first signing by Ray Shero that is all his own. Jordin Tootoo was already a Devil and his contract was already in the works per Lamoriello. Kujawinski and Peitila were already New Jersey Devils prospects so Shero didn’t actually have to sign them as free agents. So who is Sergey Kalinin and what does this tell us, if anything, about what Shero wants to bring to the New Jersey Devils?
The 24-year-old Kalinin has played the last few seasons for the Avangard Omsk in the KHL and last year was made the team captain. Elite Prospects lists Kalinin at 6’3” 190 lbs and as Center/Right Wing. He is a hometown boy as he was born in Omsk and has played in their system his whole career.
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Last season
scored 12 goals with 13 assists for 25 points in 58 games for Avangard with an average ice time of 16 minutes per game. He also had 95 hits and a face-off winning percentage of 50.3% in 569 face off attempts. Combine these stats with some clips from the highlight video and you get the feeling that Kalinin is a two-way center. He can be physical, isn’t afraid to go to the front of the net, is strong on face-offs and can chip in points here and there. I’d also say that being named captain at 24 says something about his character and work ethic as well.
Kalinin had a strong performance at the World Championships for Russia in 2014 contributing two goals and an assist. He ended the tournament with a +/- of +3 in 9 games as Russia won the gold medal. However he wasn’t included on this year’s World Championship for Russia for a good reason. Kalinin suffered a scary injury in a March 8th playoff game where after being hit along the boards his helmet fell off and his head hit the ice hard. He appeared to have a convulsion and had to be carried off in a stretcher (video of the hit is below). Even though he was stabilized and even posted to Instagram afterwards, the team doctor prescribed rest for 3 months meaning he would miss the World Championships.
While it is hard to predict whether Kalinin will be able to step in and make the New Jersey Devils it does appear he will be given every opportunity. One thing that is becoming evident, the New Jersey Devils are going through a change in culture and identity. Ray Shero has talked about creating competition for jobs in training camp (something Lamoriello discussed last season), but it appears he wants to go with younger players to drive up competition. This is a change from last season when Lamoriello brought in multiple veterans who were well past their prime, for camp try-outs.
In an interview after the press conference introducing John Hynes as the new head coach, Shero was asked if bringing in a younger coach signaled that the Devils want to get younger up front. Shero’s response was very telling:
"“That’s the way the game is going. Let’s be realistic. New Jersey had some guys that did a real good bounce-back job for themselves last year (i.e. Scott Gomez, Steve Bernier). I have not made and I don’t have any preconceived notions at this time.”"
I don’t think Kalinin is a lock to make the New Jersey Devils roster but I do believe that he will be given a fair chance to try, as will some of the younger players in the AHL and coming out of juniors and college. With a new coach and GM the slate is wiped clean a bit and I believe jobs in camp will have to be earned, especially up front. Let us know what you think of the Kalinin signing and what you think so far of Shero’s plan for the New Jersey Devils.