Devils Secure Winger Riley Tufte with One-Year Contract

In a move that flew under the radar, the Devils have signed 28-year-old winger Riley Tufte to a one-year, one-way NHL contract. The announcement marks an intriguing addition to the roster as Tufte aims to transition his scoring prowess from the AHL to the NHL.

Standing at an imposing 6’6” and weighing 245 pounds, Tufte has made a name for himself in the AHL, where he tied for third in the league last season with 32 goals over just 64 games. His performance was noteworthy despite a brief call-up to the NHL, which limited his time on the ice. Throughout his career, Tufte has played a total of 28 games in the NHL, navigating through stints with the Stars, Avalanche, and most recently, the Bruins, where he accumulated three goals and an assist.

The signing presents minimal risk for the Devils. Should he not find his footing at the NHL level, Tufte will bolster the Utica Comets, who struggled offensively last season, failing to surpass 200 goals as a team. Conversely, the Devils may have unearthed a hidden gem in Tufte, a player who has yet to receive a fair opportunity to showcase his talents at the highest level.

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Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.