New Jersey Devils claim defenseman Nick DeSimone off waivers

A veteran blueliner has found a new home.

On Friday, the New Jersey Devils claimed defenseman Nick DeSimone off waivers.

The 29-year-old was placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames, along with teammate Adam Ruzicka, on Thursday.

Ruzicka was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes.

DeSimone had played 23 games with the Flames this year, scoring his first NHL goal on Dec. 21 against the Anaheim Ducks. The East Amherst N.Y. native also registered four assists.

He has also spent a little time with the Flames’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, playing 10 games this season, picking up eight helpers.

DeSimone is in the final year of a two-year contract with an AAV of $762,500.

He might see some considerable action with the Devils, given the fact the team is without a number of pieces on the back end. Colin Miller has been out of the lineup since late October, but is currently considered day-to-day. Brendan Smith was placed on injured reserve with a sprained knee a week ago.

This is the most NHL action the former Union College product has seen in his career. After spending five full seasons in the AHL, DeSimone made his debut in The National on Nov. 7, 2022, his first of four games with the Flames.

After a standout college career with the Dutchmen. DeSimone signed with the San Jose Sharks in March 2017, and spent the next four seasons with the Barracuda, their top farm team. After a brief loan with the Rochester Americans, he signed with the Flames in 2021, playing the entire 2021-22 season with the Stockton Heat.

When the Heat moved to Calgary, DeSimone spent the majority of the following season as a Wrangler. In 341 AHL games, the 6-foot-1 d-man has scored 38 goals and 176 assists.

The Devils (24-18-3) are set to take on a Metropolitan Division rival, the Carolina Hurricanes, on Thursday night. New Jersey is fourth in the division, five points back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third. They are two points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.