Yesterday, in passing along news that Anaheim waived former first-rounder Stefan Noesen, we noted that -- because Noesen is only 24 and carrying a light cap hit -- there was a decent chance of him getting claimed.
Today, that exact scenario played out.
Noesen has been claimed by the New Jersey Devils, the club announced this afternoon. The move comes after they lost another forward, Reid Boucher, on waivers to Vancouver -- just one day after claiming him. The Devils are also currently without winger Beau Bennett, who’s on injured reserve with a lower-body ailment.
Noesen, 23, has appeared in 14 career NHL contests -- all coming with Anaheim, and 12 of them this season in what amounted to his first extended look at the NHL level. The 21st overall pick in 2011 scored two goals in those 12 games, but only averaged 6:33 TOI per night.
The biggest reason Noesen’s struggled to establish himself is his health -- or, specifically, the lack thereof. He missed almost all of the 2013-14 season with torn ligaments in his left knee, then missed four months during the ’14-15 campaign after an opponent’s skate blade nearly severed his right Achilles tendon.
When healthy, he’s shown to be an effective scorer at the AHL level. He had six goals and 15 points in 22 games for San Diego this season.
As for the financials, Noesen’s on a one-year, two-way deal worth $600,000 at the NHL level. That appears to be where he’ll stick for now, given the Devils have an open roster spot with Bennett on IR.