Devils Sign Defenseman Greene To A Long-Term Extension

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A big part of the Devils' defense will be sticking around for years.

Eager to keep familiar and reliable faces in front of goaltender Cory Schneider, the Devils announced on Wednesday that they had signed veteran Andy Greene to a multi-year extension.

The Record reported the contract is for five years and $25 million, and includes a no-trade clause.

"No question, it was important for us to have Andy with us long term," said Lou Lamoriello, the Devils' president and general manager. "Everyone knows how much Andy means to our organization. He's our top defender. He carries the most time on the ice. He's on the ice for power play, penalty killing. We have to find ways to get him off the ice. That's how important he is. And he's a quiet leader, the way he handles the young defensemen. He's a pure Devil. We're the only team he's been with."

The 31-year-old defenseman will be paid $3.5 million in 2014-15, the final season of his current four-year contract. He would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

"It never really entered my mind," Greene said of testing the market. "I had one year left. After the season, Lou and I sat down and this is exactly what I wanted. I came in as a Devil and I'm fortunate to continue my career as a Devil."

Greene had 32 points, averaged 24:34 of ice time and had a plus-3 rating last season. He has played his entire eight-year career in New Jersey, registering 28 goals and 121 assists.

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