Bahl signs 2-year, $2.1 million contract with Devils

Kevin Bahl signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on Monday. It has an average annual value of $1.05 million.

The 22-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent. He had eight points (two goals, six assists) in an NHL career-high 42 games last season and 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 66 games since he was acquired by the Devils in the trade that sent forward Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 16, 2019. Bahl also made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut with one assist in 11 games while averaging 13:31 of ice time per game to help New Jersey advance to the Eastern Conference Second Round, a five-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

"I want to come in with the same mindset I had last year where I had to fight for every inch, so while I do feel very prepared, I wouldn't say I'm comfortable," Bahl said. "I think there were some lessons to be learned about how to stay even-keel. I think I really progressed in that regard throughout the year."

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The Devils have signed all their free agents, including forwards Timo Meier (eight years, $70.4 million), Jesper Bratt (eight years, $63 million) and Erik Haula (three years, $9.45 million), after finishing with the most regular season wins (52) and points (112) in their history.

"I've said this before and I'll say it again, I truly believe you build your team in the summer," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said June 28. "They grow together. They win together. They lose together. They do everything together."