Even though there’s still work to be done up front, the Devils ensured the backline would remain intact by avoiding a potential arb hearing headache with defenseman Mark Fayne after coming to terms on a two year, $2.6 million deal.  A bargain quite frankly, with what the 6’3 215 pound Fayne has done in the last year and a half since coming up late in 2010.  Fayne’s current two-year deal takes him to UFA in two years, at least according to the terms of the current CBA which is probably going to be altered again one way or another.

A fifth-round pick in the 2005 NHL draft, Fayne played fifty-seven games in his rookie season, putting up fourteen points and a +10.  Fayne followed that up in his sophomore season by starting every game during the regular season and postseason and was used on a shutdown pairing with fellow American Andy Greene from midway through the season on.  During the postseason, both stepped up their game by shutting down the top lines of the Panthers, Flyers and Rangers at even strength and playing big minutes throughout.