Devils Sign Defenseman Murphy to One-Year Contract

The New Jersey Devils have added some depth to their defense by signing defenseman Cory Murphy to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Murphy played in 32 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers after being claimed off waivers by the Lightning from the Panthers in January, scoring five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. He missed a combined total of 42 games last season with a shoulder injury and a broken foot. In 79 career games with the Lightning and Panthers, he has seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points. Not a bad signing for the Devils, as Murphy has lots of offensive skill on the blueline, especially on the power play. Despite being on a two-way contract, I think Murphy will probably spend most of the season with the Devils as a top-six defenseman.