Blackwood signs an $8.4 million contract

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they've re-signed restricted free agent goalie MacKenzie Blackwood to a three year contract worth $8.4 million. Blackwood's new deal comes with a very reasonable $2.8 million cap hit.

Check it out:

"Mackenzie is going to be one of the key young, core pieces for this organization for a long time and we are excited and extremely happy to have him under contract," said Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald in a prepared statement. "He's obviously shown that he can be a number one goalie, and the sky's the limit for him."

The 24 year old goaltender posted a 22-14-8 record and 2.72 goals-against average in 47 games with the Devils this past season. He finished sixth in Calder Trophy voting and second in NHL All-Rookie Team voting at goaltender. The Devils are banking on him really emerging as the team's next starting goaltender over the course of this contract and help bring some stability back to the Devils' goal following the steep decline in Cory Schneider's play due to injuries. The door is wide open for Blackwood, here's hoping he takes advantage of it and establishes himself as a legit #1 NHL goaltender.