New Jersey Devils Sign Defenseman Mark Fayne to a 2-Year Contract

TSN reports that the New Jersey Devils have signed defenseman Mark Fayne, who was instrumental in their Stanley Cup run last year, to a new two-year contract worth $2.6 million, paying the young defensive stalwart $1.3 million per year.

Playing all 82 games during the regular season, and being arguably one of the steadiest defensemen over their entire postseason, Fayne defined himself as a key part of the Devils' defense all year long.

A former fifth-round pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Fayne defied the expectations of being a late-round pick and has cemented himself on the Devils' blue line. 

Now that the Devils have their entire defensive core back after re-signing Fayne and veteran Bryce Salvador for three years, New Jersey has a surplus of reliable defensemen.

With eight potential starting defensemen on the roster, chances are there will be a trade in the near future to alleviate the surplus and perhaps bring in some offensive help. 

Now, we are assured that Fayne will not be the name traded, and we can expect more or less the same from the New Hampshire native. If healthy, Fayne could see action in every single game again this year. 

Fayne's most important stat is not of the traditional variety such as goals, assists or even plus/minus rating. 

In the regular season, he compiled an average of 20:11 minutes of ice time per game, and 20:19 in the postseason. At the young age of 25, Fayne will assuredly be asked to keep or even increase his ice time as one of the Devils' most trusted defensemen.