After playing for six different teams over the past five seasons, Erik Haula has secured his future by extending his stay in New Jersey.
The Devils have offered the Finnish forward a new three-year, $9.45 million deal. This is a pay rise for someone destined to become a full free agent, with his annual salary increasing from $2.375 million to $3.15 million.
Haula, 32, was effective behind the team’s young stars. The veteran had 41 points in 80 games and added six points in 12 playoff games.
“At the end of the season he told me how much he would love to be a part of what we are building here in New Jersey and I’m glad we were able to come to an agreement that gives him the opportunity to do that.” “Rooted to his family,” general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a statement.
In July 2022, the Devils traded him for Pavel Zacha from the Boston Bruins. Since 2019, the left winger has also played for the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators.
“When I made a trade for Erik, we talked about what type of player we needed to progress,” Fitzgerald explained. He played important minutes in all sorts of situations during the season – power play, outnumbered, face-offs – and provided the lead.
In his career, Haula scored 281 points in 614 games. He was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the seventh round in 2009 (182nd overall).