Center Patrice Cormier, the Devils' third pick (54th overall) in the 2008 draft, confirmed to me this morning that he indeed did sign a three-year entry-level deal (for an average of $875,000 per season) with the team last month.
Cormier, who turned 19 on June 14 and is eligible to return to juniors next season, said Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello came up to watch him play for Rimouski in the Memorial Cup and spoke with his agent, Tim Cranston. An offer and the signing came shortly after that.
"It's a very good thing," Cormier told me this morning after the early session of drills at the Devils' development camp. "As a hockey player, the first step is getting drafted and then after that to play you've got to sign. I'm definitely happy. I had a good year. I worked hard and I'm happy that the Devils signed me."
Cormier said he was pleased that the Devils decided to sign him this year when they still had another year to do so.
(To right: Pascal Cormier firing a shot on goaltender Jeff Frazee while Eric Gelinas defends and Scott Stevens looks on)
"When the team offers you a contract, you don't wait for second one," he said. "It might not happen again. Maybe you get an injury next year. Who knows if it will happen again next year? It's a good step for me moving forward."
Does Cormier view this as a sign that maybe he has a chance to make the NHL team in training camp in September?
"I don't really know how to take it besides that, for me, it's a sign that I've taken another step," he said. "You want to sign as quickly as possible and I did. It shows that they're interested in me. They want me to be a part of the Devil organization. Moving forward, I don't know. I'll take it day by day."
Cormier improved his stock as a prospect significantly with a solid 2008-09 season with Rimouski and a strong performance for Canada's gold-medal winning team at the 2009 World Junior Championships. In 54 regular season games with Rimouski, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Moncton native put up 23 goals and 28 assists. He then added four goals and six assists in 13 playoff games to help the team reach the Memorial Cup.
With Team Canada, he had one goal and two assists in six games and stood out with his performance as the squad's checking center.
"Being part of Team Canada, being part of that team was an amazing feeling and winning it was even better," he said. "And we had a good year in Rimouski and we had a very good team. We went all the way to the Memorial Cup. We lost by a small margin, but we could have won. It was a good learning experience and a good overall year for me."
How did Cormier improve as a player in the last year.
"I got stronger and I got a little bit meaner," he said. "As a center, you've got to make sure that you do your job. My defensive game improved a lot and when I do that, the rest is going to come."
Cormier beleives the offensive side of his game will continue to improve as well.
"When you work hard and you try to do your best to help your team win, the offense will come," he said. "My biggest thing when I go out there is just to work hard and do the best that I can to help my team and, if I get a goal, I think that's a bonus."
Spoken like a true Devil.
Like other players who are here for their second rookie camp. Cormier feels more comfortable this time.
"Last year, I was amazed by everything, being with the older guys," he said. "You come here and you don't know what to expect. This year, I came and I knew all of the guys that were here last year and I knew the facility. I'm more comfortable and I think that helps. When your comfortable off the ice, I think that helps on the ice and you can just focus on playing hockey."
This is definately good news. However, I'm concerned with the roster that it looks like we're going to have this season. Lou, go out there, and get a center!
Posted by: Ben | July 16, 2009 at 11:26 AM
TG, LOL it's Patrice, not Pascal Cormier lol. And hey, can you find out if Stephen Gionta was qualified or let go to become a UFA? It's just a question I had, because we've been wondering about him.
Posted by: Vishal | July 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Hey Pearl Jammed, I just read your response..thats pretty awesome that they're coming out with a new album, you know if they're playing anywhere in Mass?
Posted by: Devs | July 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM
This is a great signing! I hope he makes the team. You gotta love the transformation that's taking place with this team. We are getting Bigger, younger, and meaner.
Maybe this guy could be the number 2 center?
Zajac
Cormier
Zubrus
Pelley
Posted by: Mike | July 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I saw a quick glimpse of this kid on TV against Harry Young and I liked what I saw, granted a very small sample, I have high hopes for him!
Posted by: pando20rules | July 16, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Look at Stevens and his stance. He still got it. Sign him up! We all can dream. LOL!
Posted by: Bill | July 16, 2009 at 11:37 AM
@Mike, it'd be a stretch, but anything is possible. The Devils usually don't rush prospects but who knows, if the kid has a good training camp he could be hard to ignore. I still think he'll be in the Q this year though just because of how the Devils normally are with prospects. He's not like Gomez who was putting together ridiculous seasons in junior.
Posted by: Neil S | July 16, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Neil I hope your wrong but your probably right. Lou does not like to rush his players. I am very excited about the new blood thats joing the team.
Posted by: Mike | July 16, 2009 at 11:47 AM
No way Mike. I'd be SHOCKED (and a little dismayed) if he became the #2 C this season because that would mean we are really desperate up the middle and a deal wasn't made. First of all, it's rare that a guy makes a jump from junior to the NHL without serious growing pains, esp. at a position that requires a little more between the ears defensively. Even top 5 picks have trouble making that jump (just look at Stamkos last year). Secondly, Cormier is expected/projected to be a checking line center (although he's made strides and had a great '08-09 season & may end up a little better than a prototypical 3rd liner). Just because he's doing well in junior doesn't mean he's gonna be scoring like that in the NHL ever, let alone first pro season out of junior (he could be offered a spot in Lowell however if he has an outstanding camp). I'm not being down on him, I would love to see him do well enough to make the team and excel but it's HIGHLY unlikely.
Posted by: JJ | July 16, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Looks like Albelin not Stevens
Posted by: TD | July 16, 2009 at 12:03 PM
TD: Trademark CCM gloves of Stevens.
Posted by: Vishal | July 16, 2009 at 12:06 PM
few items:
cormier is not eligible to play in the ahl this year.
stephen gionta is probably a type VI free agent - a type VI free agent is anyone who is 25 or older and has played 3 pro seasons, playing fewer than 80 NHL games. given that brian's term with the team is up and stephen scored 2 goals last year in lowell, i cannot see him being brought back.
Posted by: Triumph | July 16, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Good point Triumph, forgot about the eligibility issue w/PC. Thx.
Posted by: JJ | July 16, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Lou would not have to go out and get a center if BRIAN ROLSTON did not forget how to play center. He was paid to be a center....
Posted by: Lucifer's Truth | July 16, 2009 at 12:20 PM
He was paid to be a PP catalyst, not a C. He's a better LW anyway.
Posted by: Vishal | July 16, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Trademark Graf 705's of Albelin
Posted by: TD | July 16, 2009 at 12:46 PM
First, while TG may have trouble remembering Patrice Cormier's first name, I have no doubts he knows who he took pictures of. Unless TG says "my bad, it's Albelin" I'm inclinded to believe that is Stevens there.
Second, even if Brian Rolston were to move back to center, where he hasn't played in years, he's still not the kind of center the Devils need. He's a scorer, not a setup man. If he's more comfortable at the wing, leave him there.
Posted by: Neil S | July 16, 2009 at 12:49 PM
excited about the young guys coming up.... should be a nice youth movement soon!!!
any news on signing zajac??
Posted by: steve | July 16, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I agree with JJ, Cormier won't be up with us this season. That's a huge stride and he's good, but I don't think he quite has everything it takes to be an NHLer in 2 months.
I still think we need a big second line center. Someone similar to Arnott.
So what's the deal with Corrente? Does someone talk one bad word to him and he flips? Kid's got to learn some composure if he's going to make it in the NHL. Being hurt when its your turn to shine doesn't help the situation.
Posted by: Falcone | July 16, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Rolston is better RW then he is LW i believe.
Posted by: Nick | July 16, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Someone help me with this. So he signed for 3 years, but when does it officially start, is it when he lands on the roster of a Devils affiliate/Devils?
Posted by: Tom | July 16, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Falcone, it's hockey. Guys fight for a number of reasons, tempers flare. You guys are all making a mountain out of a mole hill. If the coaches didn't want players fighting they'd explicitly say "no fighting." Just like the sign in Caddy Shack.
Tom, the contract starts right away.
Posted by: Neil S | July 16, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Tom, Cormier's nhl contract takes effect when he either player 10 NHL games, or if he's eligible for the AHL and assigned to Lowell to play there
I'd like for Cormier to get a look for 9 games as the 4th line center, then let Pelley take over the rest of the time
Posted by: mikeP | July 16, 2009 at 01:41 PM
TG is there any chance that you could ask Cormier and Young about being in camp together just a couple months after playing against each other for the Memorial Cup? That has to be a somewhat strange feeling.
Posted by: Adam Schwartz | July 16, 2009 at 01:49 PM
how about trading for patrick Sharp?? he could be a pretty solid second line center, still young but has some good experience from chi town
Posted by: Ben | July 16, 2009 at 02:17 PM