Kurtis MacDermid began his career with the LA Kings in the 2017-18 season.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- On March 1, Kurtis MacDermid was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for signing rights to Zakhar Bardakov and a 2024 seventh-round pick. On March 3, MacDermid is making his Devils debut in the building where his NHL career began.
"He is here, and he is going to play," head coach Lindy Ruff said to the attending media this afternoon at Staples Center.
MacDermid went undrafted and, as a free agent, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on September 13, 2012. After spending two seasons with the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate, he made his NHL debut in October 2017.
Over four seasons, the Quebec City native appeared in 118 games for the Kings and finished his tenure with 17 points (six goals, 11 assists).
His time with the Kings came to an end when MacDermid was selected from the Kings at the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft by the Seattle Kraken. Days later, the Kraken traded him to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2023.
Known for his physical presence, MacDermid has been in 16 fights since the 2020-21 season. At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, he is now one of the largest players on New Jersey's roster and will add the toughness the team desperately needs.
"There is a physicality that he can bring," Ruff said. "We have some players out of the lineup who brought that to our team, and now he is going to add that to our team."
During line rushes, MacDermid skated on the team's fourth line alongside Tomas Nosek and Alexander Holtz.
Puck drop between the Devils and Kings will be at 3:30 P.M. The game will be broadcast on TNT.