Devils Acquire Defenseman Christian Jaros from San Jose I RELEASE

NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils today acquired defenseman Christian Jaros from San Jose in exchange for forward Nick Merkley. Additionally, the club has announced that it has agreed to terms with Jaros, a restricted free agent, to a one-year, two-way contract worth $800,000 at the NHL level and $275,000 at the AHL level.
Jaros, 25, split last season between San Jose's NHL club and AHL affiliate. In seven NHL games, the right-shot defenseman notched one assist, while tallying three assists in 11 AHL games with the Barracuda. He has spent the last four seasons between the NHL and AHL, with the prior three years being in the Ottawa Senators organization. In 2018-19, the 6'3", 220lbs. blueliner set career highs across the board with one goal, nine assists, 10 points and 27 penalty minutes in 61 games played with Ottawa. In 83 career NHL games over parts of four seasons with Ottawa and San Jose, he has scored one goal and 13 assists for 14 points with 35 penalty minutes. In 90 career American Hockey League games, he scored five goals and 29 assists for 34 points with 59 penalty minutes and a +16 rating.

Born April 2, 1996, the native of Kosice, Slovakia, was Ottawa's fifth round selection, 139th overall choice in the 2015 NHL Draft. Internationally, Jaros has represented his home country at the World Junior Championships in 2015 (winning a bronze medal) and 2016. He has also appeared in the World Championships for Slovakia in 2018 and 2019. Prior to turning pro, Jaros played in the Lulea program in Sweden and with HC Kosice organization in Slovakia.
Merkley split last season between New Jersey and Binghamton (AHL), scoring two goals and eight assists for 10 points and seven penalty minutes in 27 NHL contests.