Devils sign five players to AHL contracts

The Devils announced earlier today that they signed five players to AHL contracts: Defensemen Matt Cohen, Chris Murray, and Matt Taormina; and forwards Trevor Kell and Louis Robitaille. The announcement was made by Lowell Devils General Manager Chris Lamoriello.

Cohen, 23, has been in the organization for the last two years, splitting his time between Trenton and Lowell. Last season, Cohen (6-1, 200) had 12 goals and 48 points in 58 games.

Murray, 24, played last season for Hartford (AHL) and Charlotte (ECHL). The 6-2, 185-pound native of Dover, Mass. had no goals and three assists in 13 AHL games last season and had two goals and 13 assists in 53 games with Charlotte in the ECHL.

Taormina, 22, had two goals and three assists in 11 games with Binghamton of the AHL last season. He joined the Senators after completing his college career at Providence. He had 20 goals and 45 assists in 141 career games at Providence. He is listed at 5-11, 185.

Kell, 23, has split each of the last two seasons between Lowell and Trenton. He had 20 goals and 30 assists in 65 regular season games last season with Trenton.

Robitaille, 27, spent the 2008-09 season with St. Hyacinthe and Cortina (in Italy). The 6-2, 225-pound left wing has two NHL games on his resume from 2005-06 with Washington. He failed to register a point.

Sorry it took me a few hours to get to this. I was on the beach.

Comments

[goon5516]

just looking at the pics on njdevils.com. when do u think it might be feasible for us to get an all-star game here? do they have to do more work around the rock and clean it up?

[murph]

there are teams who are waiting for the allstar game to be in their city but i remember somebody saying after our home opener that it would be a great arena to have it at in a couple of years..it would be great to have it hopefully its sooner rather than later

[blue-eyed devil]

You deserve a beach vaycay, Tom. But thanks for reporting all the same.

[Maxwell]

Related to Luc?

[TG]

It will take longer than a couple of years. Bettman didn't actually say "a couple of years" on the arena's opening night either. There's a long waiting list for the all-star game.

[JPL]

So we went from random signing Friday to Random signing Thursday now that's some progress fro all you naysayer!

[Puckster]

It's okay, TG. These are not exactly the blockbuster moves of the offseason, although I am happy to see a new thread.

[MoonDragn]

Theses are not the Blockbuster moves you are looking for... *jedi mind trick*

[Steven]

TG, do you still expect Lou to add a center before the start of the season?

[Robbie]

I made Pittsburgh lose the cup lol.

[Falcone]

Ahh, at least its another post

[JJ]

Three more AHL depth defensemen on top of the signings of Davison & Murphy? We sure have a lot of guys on the blueline down there now. Hmmm, I smell a trade involving our defense prospect(s) coming.

[gambi99]

The Devils should look into Patrick Marleau. He can be had for cheap since San Jose can't take back any salary. Rumors had the Devils interested, maybe a player like Clarkson(875k) and/or Bergfors(500k) and maybe a pick (if we had to) could land Marleau for next season. He could really solidify the top two lines with Zach/Langs/Zajac and Rolston/Marleau/Elias. We would finally have TWO scoring lines!

[JT]

wouldn't want to see Clarkson gone in a trade. he keeps getting better and better and is a big asset to the team.

[HF]

clarkson is not getting moved, look for bergfors, halischuck, eckford to be in a package deal for our missing center....

[Devilsjab30]

TG - Thanks for the update. Question for you about your interview with Lemaire. From what I read it seemed like he was saying that Lou wasnt going to be making any deals or signings to fill the 2nd line center position and that they were going to go into the season with the hopes one of their prospects make the jump and that he thinks both Elias and Rolston are better off at wing. The Devs are really thin on "ready now" prospective centermen, and if Cormier isnt ready and has to go back to Juniors would they really give that spot to Vrana, he's really the only center that ready now? If Elias moves to the pivot it opens the door for a bunch of wingers to challenge for a spot though.

For all you craving a good hockey read in August, THN just came out with their annual yearbook. The cup winner they picked was in the Atlantic Division but was not from Pittsburgh. Thought hat would spark some conversation.

2 Devils players are in THN's top 50 players, Brodeur (#15) and Parise (#16).

Luongo (#6) and Thomas (#13) were the only goalies ahead of Brodeur. Queen Henry was #24.

Although Zach was #16 and I thought he got a little bit of a snub, only 2 wingers were ahead of him, Ovechkin and Inginla. The rest of the forwards ahead of him were all centers.

Was a little surprised Elias didnt make the list after an 80+ pt season. Always underrated IMO.

[TG]

Lemaire didn't say anything addressing whether there would be a trade for a center a not.

He said they'd be looking for a center. Then, he mentioned that Lamoriello told him that there were some young centers.

I wouldn't expect the head coach of any team -- and particularly the Devils -- to say he expected the GM to make a trade. So, don't read anything into it that he didn't say they would make a trade. That's not a coach's place.

[Robbie]

My condolences to the Theodore family. Jose's two month old son past away.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=288271

[Ct]

So how was the water?

[Stecev]

Quick comment... I love how nobodiesss talking about BEN WALTER , he is a center , n tore up ncaa .. He had 50 pts in AHL...

Does neone know if this kids for real.. Wat kinda nhl player can he be??

[Devilsjab30]

Thanks for the clarification TG. Enjoy the rest of your "vacation".

[Devilsjab30]

Never seen Walter play but I wouldn't say he ripped up the NCAA's. His best year he scored 39pts in 36 games in his Junior year with 26g. Just as comparison Parise scored 61 pts as a freshman at N Dakota. That would be considered ripping it up. At this point though if the devs don't sign anyone I'd want them to give them all a legit shot. He has put up respectable numbers in the A, how will it translate to the NHL? He's barely even gotten his feet wet. Putting up numbers in the A at 25 is also different than doing it at 18 - 20.

[lowelldevilsfan]

With the center question being asked again, still, it's only right if we ask if training camp will be open to the public.

[Futureman]

That is so sad about Jose's son. I had a baby almost a year ago and I couldn't imagine life without him now. Be strong Jose...

On a different note. I would't want to see Clarkson go for Marleau. They would be so dumb to let Clarkson go.

[Merms]

from what ive read about walter, he's a future 3rd liner. i would much rather see Cormier get a shot than him.