Just as GM Ray Shero predicted, the New Jersey Devils were able to finalize their contract with free agent defenseman Egor Yakovlev today. The KHL import has signed a one-year entry-level contract.
Yakovlev, 26, has played the last three seasons on the powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg squad, and recently competed in both the Olympic Games and World Championship for Russia. Scoring just nine points in 35 games this season, he was another defenseman—like Igor Ozhiganov of Toronto—who saw his time on ice drop dramatically the last few seasons. While it’s not clear if that was because of his intention to leave for North America, the overall strengthening of the SKA blue line, or a combination of factors including time away from the team for the Olympics, his stats this year aren’t necessarily an indication of his upside in the future.
Still, by signing him at this age the Devils are likely to give him a chance to succeed at the NHL level quickly. Whether he makes the team out of camp will be a big indicator of his future in New Jersey, as few international players agree to play in the minor leagues at this point in their careers. With a relatively full blue line already under contract for next season, we’ll have to wait and see how the summer plays out before knowing exactly where Yakovlev fits in.