default-cbs-image

University of Denver standout Will Butcher said he would pick from "as many as 10 teams" Sunday, and he delivered on that promise.

The New Jersey Devils announced Sunday night they have signed the former Colorado Avalanche draft pick to a two-year entry-level contract, ending the 22-year-old defenseman's brief but public free-agency tour.

And it's the Devils' addition of the Hobey Baker Award winner that headlines a recent flurry of activity in the NHL:

Devils add exactly what they need to a rebuilding core

If there's one thing New Jersey could've used more of entering the 2017-18 season, it was defense. And that's exactly what Butcher, a national champion with Denver, brings to the table. General manager Ray Shero swung and missed on Kevin Shattenkirk in free agency, but now at least has a prized young prospect to throw onto the blue line, not to mention opposite some other envious building blocks in the organization.

Butcher could've found an equally intriguing core with the Buffalo Sabres, but he's headed to a team that figures to be on the upswing over the next few seasons.

Rebuilding Canucks reportedly sniffing around Vanek

It's anyone's guess as to why "rebuilding" and "Thomas Vanek" continue to be used in the same sentences, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggests Vancouver is, in fact, checking into the 33-year-old free-agent forward. This shouldn't be too surprising, though, considering the Canucks spent some of their summer resources on bringing veterans like Sam Gagner and Michael Del Zotto into the building. At the end of the day, if Vanek does find a new home in Vancouver, it is what it is: Another short-term rental situation for a team needing some offensive juice.

Drew Stafford another low-risk, high-reward piece in N.J.

Credit Shero for making some noise in August. He entered the offseason with lots of salary cap space, and these late-summer tweaks aren't necessarily putting a big dent in the payroll, but they should warrant some praise. That includes landing Stafford on a one-year, $800,000 deal. The big takeaway: Why not? Stafford isn't likely to be more than a third- or fourth-line winger, but for that cost, the Devils could do a whole lot worse.

Penguins are still looking for third-line center help

This has been a talking point for almost two months. Ever since Nick Bonino fled for big bucks and a bigger role with the Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford has openly discussed the team's plan to acquire third-line depth. Matt Cullen taking his skates back to Minnesota didn't change much, but the pressure is still on for the Pens to bring someone in. The word now, as it has been for some time, is that Rutherford and Co. are willing to be patient as they scour for help.