Early Reactions from the First Day of NHL Free Agency Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTkwODgwNzUzNzIxMDI2MTI5/usatsi_18561422.jpg] The New Jersey Devils have landed one of the biggest UFAs on the market. After losing out on the Johnny Gaudreau sweepstakes, the New Jersey Devils signed forward Ondrej Palat to a five-year contract with an AAV of $6 million. Palat, 31, had 49 points in 77 regular season games and another 21 points in 23 playoff games. Considered to be a big-time playoff performer, Palat was a big part of Tampa's run to three consecutive Stanley Cup finals, winning two of them. Palat had a career-high 63 points in 2014-15, his second full season in the NHL. The Devils have a decent young core with Jack Hughes, Tomas Tatar and Nico Hischer, and while the team is still a true work in progress, Palat should be a nice addition to the team's top six.
