Arseny Gritsyuk needs to be re-signed. He's coming off a one-year, entry-level contract, in which he produced 13 goals and 31 points. He's a guy the New Jersey Devils want to continue to have to improve their goal-scoring. The question will be what kind of deal both Gritsyuk and new GM Sunny Mehta will agree upon
There are two ways to go about this. The first is a short or brief deal. That would allow the Devils to keep him at a more affordable price while also giving Gritsyuk a chance to prove more consistency in his game. The other option is a long-term deal with a higher AAV, but the team will have him locked down as a core piece of the franchise moving forward. Let's take a closer look at what each kind of deal would look like.
Short-Term Deal Option
@EvolvingHockey’s contract projections came out today, and here’s what they’ve got the #NJDevils expiring RFAs at:
— JP Gambatese (@jp_gambatese) May 14, 2026
Simon Nemec: 6 x $6.2M
Arseny Gritsyuk: 3 x $4.13M
Paul Cotter: 2 x $1.92M
Evolving Hockey has broken down every RFA and UFA's options for different types of contracts. As shown above, Gritsyuk's projected short-term deal is for three years at a $4.13 million AAV. AFP Analytics has Gritsyuk at a two-year contract at just over $3 million. Considering that the Devils' winger made just $925,000 last year, either is a fair pay raise.
As mentioned before, a short-term deal like this would be much easier for Mehta and Co. to navigate. For one, the cap hit will allow them to still have room before moving other contracts to keep retooling the team. The other is that the Devils retain a top-six scorer who, in another full season, can eclipse 20 goals and 45 points.
Long-Term Deal Option
When it comes to a long-term deal, the difference from the short-term isn't that much. According to AFP Analytics, a longer deal for Gritsyuk is projected to be four years and $5.89 million AAV. The cap hit is obviously more and closer to $6 million per year. There is more security moving forward, though, given it's a four-year term.
While it's an option, the Devils and Mehta will likely want to go that high. Especially given the fact that Gritsyuk has just one year of NHL experience under his belt. Plus, going back to salary cap space, the Devils currently have only $11 million. They won't have much after a Gritsyuk deal like this, even before moving other money.
There are positives and negatives to either path both parties take. Either way, a deal will be done at some point. Mehta has his work cut out for him, and fortunately, he has options. How much more "Telegram Hockey" that Devils' fans get remains to be seen.
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