Watch CBS News

Devils Bring Back Defenseman Zidlicky

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- You can never have too many defensemen.

The New Jersey Devils know it and on Tuesday made sure they'd have one of their better ones back next season, signing Marek Zidlicky to a reported one-year, $4 million contract. The veteran rearguard followed the lead of Jaromir Jagr, who re-signed with the Devils last month.

Zidlicky, 37, will be entering his 11th NHL season and fourth with the Devils. He finished first among the club's defensemen and fifth overall with 42 points, including 30 assists, while appearing in 81 games last season.

"He wanted to come back and obviously we wanted him back," general manager Lou Lamoriello said of Zidlicky.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder also led the Devils with eight power play goals, 18 power play points and 60 penalty minutes.

"He had an outstanding year. He was the key ingredient to our power play. He was a 1-2 punch with (Jaromir) Jagr," Lamoriello said.

Since being acquired from Minnesota on Feb. 24, 2012, Zidlicky has 18 goals, 51 assists and 108 penalty minutes in 151 games.

For his career, Zidlicky has 78 goals, 289 assists and 604 penalty minutes in 699 games for Nashville, Minnesota and New Jersey.

Since entering the league in 2003-04, Zidlicky is tied for fourth among NHL defensemen with 53 power play goals.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.