NHL News

New Jersey - On Tuesday signed forward Damien Brunner to a multiyear contract. Brunner's agent, Neil Sheehy, wrote on his Twitter account that the contract is two years for a total of $5 million. Brunner was invited to Devils training camp on a professional tryout and had two assists playing on a line with Patrik Elias and Jacob Josefson in the Devils' preseason win against the New York Islanders last Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The challenge for Lamoriello now is to pare the roster to 13 or 14 forwards, which he called "a good problem" to have. Brunner won't have to worry. He'll have a role in New Jersey for at least the next few years. Born in Oberlunkhofen, Switzerland, Brunner, 27, played 12 seasons in his home country before signing a one-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings in 2012. Following another stint with EV Zug during the lockout, Brunner finished with 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 games for the Red Wings, and added five goals and four assists in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"He came to camp without a contract and showed us what he can do," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said.

New Jersey Devils forward Jaromir Jagr returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since the opening of training camp on Sept. 12 after nursing a lower-body injury. Jagr had been skating on his own since last Wednesday. He was the first player on the ice with Tuesday's group. Jagr was among a group of players practicing, but not playing in Tuesday night's preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He skated at right wing with Michael Ryder on left wing and Adam Henrique at center, and is hoping to play in the Devils' final preseason game Thursday night against the Flyers at Prudential Center. Jagr added he's shooting for the Devils' season opener Oct. 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh.

"Back and hip muscles, they're all connected," Jagr said. "I'm glad I didn't get injured again. I guess that's the first step. I knew it wasn't good when it happened to me in the first practice. It probably had something to do with the plane ride. Traveling 15 hours is not easy. If I could, I'd like to. It's about me getting confidence when the season starts. Even though my (2012-13) season was so long, I'd like to play some games. If I have a good practice, maybe it'd be a good idea to play."

 

NY Rangers - General manager Glen Sather appears to be growing impatient with center Derek Stepan. The restricted free agent has yet to sign a contract with the club and has held out of training camp. Stepan, 23, led the Rangers with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 48 games last season. The New York Post is reporting Stepan is seeking a two-year contract worth $7 million, while the Rangers are offering just under $6 million over two years. The Post also reported the Rangers may be willing to increase the offer to $6.4 million. Stepan has appeared in 212 consecutive games for New York and has led Rangers forwards in ice time over the past three seasons.

"I don't think Derek is going to let this thing linger that long," Sather said in an interview on MSG Network during the Rangers' preseason game against the Calgary Flames on Monday night. "I don't think he is a big enough fool to think that he will sit out the year and it will do any good. He is in a gap contract and every one of our players has signed a gap contract. You look at the football players who are making minimum wage, they get paid after they go through that time. I find it frustrating that some teams are in a hurry to sign these guys to big contracts. I think it's because the owners or managers panic and it's unfortunate that he has listened to his agent and decided [to do] that. He is going to get paid, but it isn't today. I hope he gets wiser because every day he misses is a big deal. We have offered him a very good deal. When he turned down our qualifying offer, we have stuck with that. He has to start smelling the roses and figure out what is going on. I hope he does."

 

Montreal - Canadiens captain Brian Gionta is expected to play his team's final preseason game Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators, thereby assuring he will be ready to start the season on time Oct. 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gionta underwent surgery to repair a torn biceps muscle in his left arm in May and there was some question at the beginning of camp on whether or not he would be able to play on opening night. While nothing is set in stone, both Gionta and Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said Tuesday that the plan is to have him play Thursday night. Gionta practiced on what will be his regular line on the right wing with Tomas Plekanec and Rene Bourque on Tuesday, his third day of full contact practice after being cleared by team doctors on Sunday. Gionta will stay home as his teammates travel to Ottawa on Wednesday for the front end of the home and home before making his preseason debut the next day. Therrien revealed Tuesday that two other injured members of the Canadiens likely will not be back before the end of the preseason schedule. Forward George Parros, who was also cleared for contact Sunday as he recovers from offseason rotator cuff surgery, is unlikely to play in either of the two final preseason games for the Canadiens, Therrien said. He said Parros should be ready to play next week, though it would be surprising to see him dressed against Toronto on Tuesday. Therrien also said he would be surprised if defenseman Douglas Murray (lower body) were able to play this week, and it's unclear what the timetable would be for his return. Should Murray miss the start of the regular season it would open a door for rookie hopeful Jarred Tinordi, who has played in all five Canadiens preseason games and has impressed with his physical presence and poise.