Devils sign center Rob Niedermayer to a one-year, $1 million contract; Mottau, Fraser not practicing

The Devils have finally added a center.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello announced this afternoon that the team has signed Rob Niedermayer, the younger brother or former Devil Scott Niedermayer, to a one-year contract.

"I felt that we needed a little size and strength down the middle and now with Travis [Zajac] and [Dainius Zubrus] and Robbie [6-2, 200] I think we've got three pretty good size-strength center icemen," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "We know Robbie very well, of course. We played against him in the Stanley Cup [in 2003 with Anaheim. He's one of those forwards that can be used in different roles."

Lamoriello said Niedermayer, 34, is in Kamloops, British Columbia right now, but should be in New Jersey for his first practice with the team by Monday.

Lamoriello said that the addition of Rob Niedermayer is not at all related to Patrik Elias' recovery from groin surgery last week and that Elias remains on schedule to return in three to six weeks [from his surgery]. Elias has been working out off the ice, but has not yet begun skating. 

"It doesn't say anything at all [about Elias' recovery]," Lamoriello said. "It just give us a better hockey team."

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Devils coach Jacques Lemaire intended to try Elias as the second line center. Lamoriello said that might still happen.

"That will be Jacques decision once he gets a look at Patrick, I'm sure, at center," Lamoriello said. "But what it does is it gives more flexibitility and more options."

Lamoriello also said Rod Pelley remains in the team's NHL plans. "He's playing well," Lamoriello said of Pelley.

It probably means that centers Tim Sestito and Ben Walter won't make the big club, though. 

Rob Niedermayer had 14 goals and seven assists in 79 games last season with Anaheim. He has 171 goals and 257 assists in 1,011 career NHL games with Florida, Calgary and Anaheim.

Lamoriello twice tried to trade for Rob (in 2003 and 2004), but was unable to complete a deal. Scott Niedermayer left the Devils in 2005 to sign with Anaheim so he could play with his younger brother.

Rob has played in a checking role previously and would likely get a similar job with the Devils.

"He's played against the top lines most of his career and has an edge to his game, which I like," Lamoriello said.

***

Lamoriello confirmed that the team has agreed to terms with left wing Andrew Peters, who was in camp on a tryout, said the contract has not been signed yet.

Peters contract pays $500,000 per season.

***

Neither defenseman Mike Mottau (upper body, not head) nor defensemen Mark Fraser (punched in the jaw in fight with Daniel Carcillo) are taking part in this afternoon's practice at Prudential Center after both were injured in the first period of Thursday's preseason game in Philadelphia. Lamoriello said  

Here's the players participating today. Olivier Magnan-Grenier is back on defense after playing right wing in Wednesday's game against the Islanders and scoring the winning goal. There is no sign of right wing Ilkka Pikkarainen, who, at last word, was ill.

Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Brian Rolston-Dainius Zubrus -David Clarkson; Brendan Shanahan-Tim Sestito-Niclas Bergfors; Andrew Peters-Rod Pelley-Jay Pandolfo; PLL Leblond-Ben Walter-Matt Halischuk/Vladimir Zharkov.

Defensemen: Johnny Oduya-Paul Martin; Bryce Salvador-Andy Greene; Colin White-Cory Muprhy; Jay Leach-Olivier Magnan-Grenier/Rob Davison

Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Yann Danis, Jeff Frazee.

Comments

[Maxwell]

Warren - how do you feel now? Is this okay with you?

TG - you are the man, dude.

[The Ugly Duckling]

YES!

[Admiral Akbar]

IT'S A TRAP!

[Dan]

Hey Let's get Scott back so he can play with his brother again!!!!

[killak]

Wow i was just talking to my buddy about signing him.Now time to get his brother back here:>. Thank you lou

[Calvin]

SWEET MOONS OF NEPTUNE!

[.B.C.]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I dig the Star Wars line

[Richer#44]

So much for the youngsters lol, not exactly the best choice of all the centers out there,how old is rob now?

[Kristen]

YYYAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!

[The Ugly Duckling]

34

[Rusty]

Any idea which line he'll be on? How does this change the outlook for our other centers?

[Marty's Better]

We should have traded for him in '05 when Scott wanted to play wherever his family was. Anything on contract length/price?

[Jason]

Wait...we sign Rob NOW?

[KB]

wow that's how many years too late ?

[Bassman]

Where did that come from?

[Maxwell]

Too bad he won't play tomorrow night vs. Philly.

[Jason]

Can he wear #27 so we can all break the jerseys out again?

[Speedz]

a few people here were calling for this to happen, if I'm not mistaken. He's got some scoring touch, I don't mind the signing. Certainly good for depth, though I guess that means Bergfors is going to have a tougher time making the team. I think he can do it.

[KB]

Wasn't necessarily saying it was a bad choice.. but it did make for a good loud 'wtf' moment for me.

[A Local Fan]

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Again Lou signs the cheap alternatives and again Lou will have a team that can't get to the 2nd round.

Niedermayer has been washed up for a few years now and he is painfully slow. Pelley is a better option. So is Peca. So is Moore. This will also be a reminder everyday to the Devils fans about one of the worst moments in Devils history when Scott left.

FIRE LOU!!!!!!!!!!!

[HF]

yesssssssssssssss

[steve]

if i remember correctly.. the devils basically had a deal done for rob a long time ago.. but right before it happened.. he had been shipped to anaheim. and referring to the "we should have done this in '05" comment... do you really think the ducks would give him up.. knowing by keeping him.. they would land scott? stop hating and start thinking realistically

[steve]

Peca is a better option?!?! can i get whatever you are smoking?

[KenF]

this is just getting silly.

I think this is a panic move by Lamoriello. Just let the kids play, stop signing players like Peters that are on track to score 1 goal and 1 assist for the season. let Niedermeyer play in Kamloops.

give the kids a chance to gain experience before signing someone from outside.

[MikeR]

Maybe Scott will come back for an encore.