Pikkarainen was signed to play in New Jersey

Ilkka Pikkarainen never got a chance to play in New Jersey during his first stint with the Devils.

According to Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, Pikkarainen, 28, was signed today to play for the Devils and not in Lowell.

"He was signed for here," Lamoriello said.

Lamoriello said that the Pikkarainen, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound right wing, would "help" offset some of the free agent departures of Wednesday, but he wasn't necessarily signed to replace any of the individual players that left  -- John Madden, Brian Gionta and Mike Rupp (as well as goaltender Scott Clemmensen).

"He's big and strong and he helps our size factor," Lamoriello said.

Where Pikkarainen fits will be up to the incoming head coach, but Lamoriello said he probably wouldn't be on the first two lines.

"I think he's going to play on the third or fourth line, he said.

Lamoriello said an ankle injury that Pikkarainen suffered in training camp with the Devils cost him a chance to make the team during his first stint with the team.

"He went to the minors and was fine and then never got a chance to get back with the team we had," he said. "So, he went to Europe and he's had a couple of outstanding years there. He's really excited about coming back. He's a feisty player and brings size and strength and he's scoring touch there in an elite league. We're happy he's coming back."

Pikkarainen had 24 goals, 13 assists and 149 penalty minutes, in 54 games with HIFK Helsinki in Finland in 2008-09.

Lamoriello believes Pikkarainen has improved as a player while playing the last three seasons in Finland.

"There's no question in our mind that that's the case," he said.

So far, the Devils have not signed any free agents that were not already property of the team. They re-signed defenseman Andy Greene on Wednesday and, though Pikkarainen played in Finland the last three years, the Devils retained his NHL rights.

League-wise today has been much quieter after a flurry of free-agent signings Wednesday.

There have been a handful of players that signed today, including defenseman Rod Scuderi with Los Angeles, Nik Antropov with Atlanta and Adrian Aucoin with Phoenix.

Comments

[Alien Life Form]

WE WANT THE CUP!

[Grant M.]

Hey TG, who you see the Devils right now targeting to sign besides Zajac?

[Sauce from the Swamp]

TG - Anything on $ and # of years?

[Frankie D]

Interesting.... if they play him with Clarkson, that could be one feisty line.

[Tom]

Wtf.

[njosh]

okay...so put him on the third line with zubrus and clarkson. if he has as much grit as lou is saying he does, might as well put him and clarkson on energizer duty while decking people in the process.

[SonicDude]

you've got to be friggin kidding me lou.

[JimboJones]

I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised with Pikkarainen. I've seen him a lot in Albany and he left a good impression. He's not a soft European, that's for sure. The guy is fiesty and will get under the skin of his opponents. He doesn't make up for what we lost but he will be fun to watch.

[Brodie30]

Fedor Federov was supposed to play on the big club too. I hate to bring this up. But does this mean there is a chance that Clarkson gets traded?

[Puckster]

Clarkson, Zubrus and Pikkarainan might be a quality line. We'll have to wait and see.

[Alz]

You know who showed me something, and I really wish were coming back to NJ? Noah Clarke. He only played one game but he really stuck out, reminding me of David Clarkson when he was a rookie. In the lone game he played with the Devils, he even scored a goal.

He's off playing in the FNL now, but considering the hints that were dropped yesterday I guess I held out hope he might be the mystery player coming back to NJ.

[Neil S]

Brodie30, Federov was brought in to compete to play with the big club. He was not guarenteed a spot like Ilkka has been. When Federov was signed it was either earn a spot or go back to Europe. Considering where our forward situation is at right now, there's certainly a spot for him. Clarkson won't get traded unless it's part of some blockbuster deal. He's only getting better and any foward that is skilled enough to give you 17 goals and tough enough to give you 23 fights is a commodity in the NHL.

[Tomas]

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[NJSwampdragon]

A Clarkson Zubrus Pikkarainan line could be nice! But it also means we need a 2nd line center.
Seems like this guy is late bloomer. Maybe a bigger Ruutu type.

Koivu, Lang, Straka (he's a free agent technically), Jason Williams

[Sohl]

If we actually sign a #2 center where does Shanny go if we re-sign him? On the 4th line with Pelly and Pando?

[Steve]

i heard devils offered kovalev a contract, any truth to that rumor

[Puckster]

Sohl, yes that would be it. That would also mean there would be no room for Bergfors or Halischuk if Pikkalainen makes the club and they sign Shanny and a second line center.

[Neil S]

Koivu might work. Lang is too old and slow, no heart. I doubt Straka would come back to the NHL and he hasn't played center in a long time. Jason Williams? Interesting. I have a feeling however that Rolston is going to be asked to give center a try and see how it works while playing with Bergfors and Elias. Heck at this point I'm all for trying Clarkson out with Elias and Rolston. Playing on the 2nd line would mean more time, more responsibility, less fights and more chances to score goals.

[Neil S]

If a legit 2nd line center is signed, the 4th line likely becomes Leblond/Pando-Pelley-Shanny. There are some teams that obviously Leblond wouldn't necessarily have to play against. I think more likely though Pandolfo stays on the 3rd line and Leblond and Pikkarianen split time with Shanny on the 4th line. I think Bergfors or Halischuk are going to be able to stay up and given a good chance to win a spot in the lineup unless they totally tank during training camp and the preseason.

[Puckster]

I hate when people do this, but whatever...

Parise Zajac Langenbrunner
Elias Rolston Bergfors
Pikkalainen Zubrus Clarkson
Halischuk Pelley Pandolfo

I could live with it and see what happens.

[Neil S]

Puckster that lineup is just great except that is not the 4th line I want against certain teams. I also think putting Halischuk on the 4th line getting 5 minutes a night is a total disservice to him. In that case sign Shanahan, keep Leblond up and let Halischuk have a full healthy season in the AHL and see if he puts up some good numbers like he was doing last year in an injury shortened season. Perhaps Halischuk blows Bergfors out of the water in training camp and wins his spot, you never know.

[Mike O.]

hahahha

[ej3oa9]

No sh*t he is going to play on the 3rd or 4th line.

[lucky louie]

did someone say zubrus and quality line in the same sentence?

[SonicDude]

how's this for a theory...

lou talks to kevin lowe. lowe says edm needs size and scoring.
so lou signs pikky, packages him with a draft choice and sends him to oilers for o'sullivan.
this frees up cap room for oilers. oilers complete trade for heatley.

yeah right.