The New Jersey Devils have brought in some young leadership, signing University of Massachusetts-Lowell captain Michael Kapla to a two-year, entry-level contract. Unlike most of the other college free agent signings, Kapla’s contract will kick in right away for the 2016-17 season, and the defenseman will report to New Jersey for the rest of the season.
Kapla, 22, has put together four solid seasons for U. Mass-Lowell, but broke out this season with 30 points in 41 games. His 27 assists put him first among defenders on his team, and he logged big minutes as part of their top pairing. Though he’s slightly undersized for the NHL, his puck moving ability and positioning in the defensive zone are both already at a professional level and should translate well to the league. Whether he can defend well enough against bigger, faster players is still a question mark, one he’ll get to answer down the stretch.
In burning a year of his two-year ELC, Kapla is now on pace to become a restricted free agent after just next season. He’ll try to make enough of an impression in the last handful of games to prove he deserves a spot on the roster for next year.