The New Jersey Devils’ investment in goalkeeper Vitek Vanecek won’t be for nothing. The team just announced that Vanecek inked a three-year contract extension that is worth a total of $10.2 million and will keep him with the Devils through the 2024-25 NHL season.
Vanecek, who was a restricted free agent, joined the Devils on the 2022 NHL Entry Draft night in a trade with the Washington Capitals. The transaction included New Jersey giving up a third-rounder and teams swapping second-rounders.
“There is an opportunity for me to play lots of games,” said Vanecek after the news became official. “I am really happy for that.”
Vitek Vanecek made his NHL debut in 2020–21 and has since made 79 appearances. The 26-year-old has a 41-22-10 record with six shutouts, 2.68 goals against average, and a .908 save percentage in the past two seasons.
The New Jersey Devils made a move for Vanecek as a safety net after their starter Mackenzie Blackwood struggled with injuries last season, and veteran Jonathan Bernier was forced to undergo hip surgery. Blackwood is also in the last year of his contract, and having Vanecek under control for three years will allow the franchise to approach the negotiations more calmly.
