RELEASE: Devils Sign Sami Vatanen

The New Jersey Devils today signed defenseman Sami Vatanen to a one-year contract worth $2,000,000.
Vatanen previously played parts of three seasons with the Devils, 2017-18 through 2019-20. In 154 games with New Jersey, he scored 12 goals and 56 assists for 68 points while adding 76 penalty minutes. Last season, Vatanen scored five goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 47 regular-season games all with New Jersey. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for forward Janne Kuokkanen, defenseman Fredrik Claesson and Carolina's conditional fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (became third-round selection, 84th overall-Nico Daws). Vatanen had three assists in seven Stanley Cup Playoff contests with the Hurricanes.

In 434 career NHL games, with New Jersey and Anaheim, he has a career total 45 goals, 149 assists and 194 points with 192 penalty minutes. Vatanen was initially acquired by the Devils from the Anaheim Ducks on November 30, 2017. The 5'10", 185lb. blue-liner has skated in 40 Stanley Cup Playoff contests, contributing six goals and 20 assists for 26 points.
The native of Jyvaskyla, Finland, was Anaheim's fifth selection (fourth round), and the 106th overall choice in the 2009 NHL Draft. He was in the same Anaheim draft class as current Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri. Prior to the NHL, he played with JyP Jyvaskyla in the Finnish professional league. Vatanen represented his home country in international play at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, 2014 Olympic Winter Games, 2010 and 2011 World Junior Championships, and the 2010 World Championship.