The New Jersey Devils organization will have a familiar face back for the next two seasons, as today the team announced a two-year, two-way extension for defenseman Brian Strait. Strait spent this season in the AHL with the Binghamton Devils, after previously seeing NHL time with Pittsburgh, New York and Winnipeg. The contract will carry an NHL average annual salary of $675K.
Strait, 30, is exactly the type of player every organization wants in their minor league system. Content to play regularly in the AHL and help the younger players, while also having enough NHL experience to fill in should injuries arise for the big club. With 187 games under his belt, most of which with the New York Islanders, Strait is no stranger to the NHL.
Though he had just eight points this season, the team thought enough of him to give him an “A” as an alternate captain and use him extensively in tough situations. He’ll likely return in a similar role, and be ready if needed by the Devils.