Devils sign goaltender Vitek Vanecek to three-year, $10.2 million contract

The New Jersey Devils announced a three-year, $10.2 million contract for Vitek Vanecek on Tuesday, less than two weeks after acquiring the goaltender in a trade with the Washington Capitals.

Vanecek, 26, was traded to the Devils during the 2022 NHL Draft in exchange for a third-round pick and a swap of second-rounders. He became a restricted free agent less than a week later, but New Jersey was able to retain his services with the three-year deal.

A second-round pick for the Capitals in 2014, Vanecek didn't make his NHL debut until January 2021. After his first season with Washington, Vanecek was picked by the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft and traded back to the Capitals a week later.

In two seasons with Washington, Vanecek started 75 games and has a career record of 41-22-10. He allowed 2.68 goals per game and has six career shutouts.

Last season, the Devils relied on a rotation of goaltenders with Mackenzie Blackwood, Nico Daws, Jon Gillies and Jonathan Bernier all playing in at least 10 games each. Gillies joined the Arizona Coyotes in free agency earlier this month, and Bernier had hip surgery in January.

New Jersey allowed the fourth most goals in the NHL and finished the season with a 27-46-9 record.