New Jersey Devils Sign College Star Joey Anderson To Three-Year Contract
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils made a surprise announcement on their off day on Sunday. They signed recent NCAA champion Joey Anderson to a three-year contract.
A major announcement coming from the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. No, it’s not a lineup change for Monday’s first playoff game in Prudential Center since 2012. And no, it’s not an update on the status of Marcus Johansson (although, that should be incoming soon). This is the announcement of the signing of one of the Devils best young prospects.
Joey Anderson, the Devils third-round pick in 2016, accomplished a lot since he was drafted. He captained the USA hockey team in the World Juniors Classic. In that tournament he scored seven points, including four goals, in seven games. He willed his team to a bronze medal. The year before, he helped the team upset Canada to win gold. Then, he helped lead his hometown Minnesota-Duluth hockey team to the NCAA Championship.
Anderson is immediately ready to join the Devils team, that includes for the playoffs. He can find his way into the lineup against the Lightning, although that’s highly unlikely.
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Anderson had a “down” year for the Bulldogs this season. After scoring 37 goals last season, he dropped down to 27 this season. However, I’m sure he’ll trade those extra goals for a championship. We talked about Anderson being a winner just a week ago. Hopefully he can bring that winning attitude into the Devils locker room.
Joey Anderson is not the type of prospect that Nico Hischier or even Jesper Bratt is. He will never score 35 goals and he isn’t likely to play top-line minutes. However, he can be a great player on the second-fourth line.
Anderson could have gone back to college, but he’s clearly good enough to get his career started. He won the championship, and gets to end his college career on top. Now it’s time to start winning titles in the NHL.