The Signing: Mike Cammalleri, LW, 32, signs with the New Jersey Devils
The Deal: Five years, $25 million
The Cap Hit: $5 million
Where he fits: On the top line of a team that desperately needs scoring—only three clubs scored fewer goals-per-game than the Devils last year. In recent years, New Jersey has had to watch as offensive talents Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise and David Clarkson have left for nothing in return. Now, there are finally some goals coming back to Jersey.
The Good: Cammalleri is a cagey offensive guy who can both make plays and finish them. With almost zero talent around him the past two years in Calgary, he’s still managed to produce. This past season, he scored 26 goals in just 63 games. While he tends to line up on the wing, Cammalleri is also capable of playing centre. Best of all, he’s a clutch playoff performer, with 17 goals and 32 points in 32 career post-season games.
The Bad: He’s only five-foot-nine and has a heck of a time playing a full 82 games. In the past five seasons, Cammalleri has played basically one full year, and that was during the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign. While Cammalleri has front-line talent, he’s better deployed as a sneaky second scoring option. That won’t really be the case in Jersey, especially if Jaromir Jagr—who led the Devils in scoring last year—starts to show his age.
The Grade: A-. Jersey GM Lou Lammoriello added a legit scoring threat for a very reasonable dollar figure. However, if Cammalleri can’t shake his injury issues, this deal is going to look rough three years from now.