Todd Cordell – Devils sign former Kings defenseman Peter Harrold
The New Jersey Devils have signed defenseman Peter Harrold to a one-year, two-way contract. If Harrold plays in the NHL, he will make $550K. Harrold, 28, played 164 games with the Los Angeles Kings over the past five seasons. In that time, he tallied 26 points. Though Harrold didn’t show it in the NHL with the Kings, he does have some offensive ability. During the 06/07 season with the Manchester Monarchs (LA Kings AHL affiliate) Harrold tallied 43 points in just 49 games. I like the signing, but from what I can see, this is more likely a depth signing than anything else. If the Devils get banged up, they’ll have a defenseman with NHL experience ready to go.
Peter Harrold is an excellent “depth” defenseman and a pretty good depth forward, too. He is able to step in after weeks of sitting in the press box and play great without missing a beat. He does have some offensive upside, which is why Terry Murray played him on the wing as much as on the blueline season before last. He’s speedy. He’s not overly big or physical, but he plays within those limitations very well. In 19 games last year, his GA/60 (goals against per 60 minutes of ice time) was fifth lowest on the team, higher than only Alexei Ponikarovsky, Andrei Loktionov, Scott Parse and Alec Martinez. And his GFON/60 (goals-for he’s on ice for per 60 minutes) was sixth best on the team, behind Parse, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. That’s better than Ryan Smyth, Jarret Stoll, Jack Johnson and Wayne Simmonds, among others. With Jake Muzzin, Thomas Hickey, Viatcheslav Voynov and Nicolas Deslauriers all joining Davis Drewiske and Martinez in the battle for the one third-pairing spot and a spot (or two at most) in the press box, there simply wasn’t room for Harrold anymore. But he is extremely useful, a dependable Swiss Army knife, and he will score a timely goal or two for the Devils this year.
Also, locker room video has revealed that he’s pretty funny.
Good luck, Mr. Harrold.
I wonder who will take #5 now?
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