New Jersey Devils re-sign Bryce Salvador to 3-year, $9.5 million contract -NHL Update
Bryce Salvador might not have been the player in the spotlight during the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but his breakthrough performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was more than enough to compel New Jersey Devils to re-sign the veteran defender to a three-year, $9.5 million contract.
After completing his third full season with the New Jersey Devils, it seems like Salvador is finally coming up in the ranks after he had just nine assists in 82 games played but contributed big time with 66 minutes in the penalty box.
Salvador missed the entire 2010-2011 regular season due to a severe concussion and made a significant comeback from nearly having to retire. Playing smart is something the veteran has learned to do and hopes to keep on playing in the league for years to come.
"To go through what I went through (missing the entire 2010-11 season with a cochlear concussion) and to have the interest around the league that there was is very flattering," Salvador said. "There was a considerable amount of interest. Half the league showed some kind of interest. To have the Devils value me as much as other teams made my decision easier.”
The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs were the best in his history for Bryce Salvador as he played in all 24 games, put up a considerable effort with his defensive play and potted 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) for a collective plus-minus rating of nine.
Salvador’s previous four-year contract was worth a total of $11.6 million with an annual salary cap hit of $2.9 million. According to him, there were a number of other teams that were making offers to him, which was definitely something he appreciated, but staying with New Jersey Devils was obviously the ultimate goal.
"There were three years on the table from other teams, that's what was flattering," Salvador said. "I'm very confident in my abilities to play beyond this contract."
Bryce Salvador was picked up as the 138th overall player back in 1994 during round-six of the entry draft by Tampa Bay Lightning. Up until now, he has a total of 692 games played under his belt with 102 points (23 goals, 79 assists).
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