Check another one off the list for Tom Fitzgerald. The Devils re-signed Erik Haula to a new three year contract. The average cap hit is a reasonable $3.15 million.

Credit Ryan Novozinsky for breaking the story earlier this afternoon. He was the first to have it. Eventually, Elliotte Friedman confirmed it.

Since acquiring the versatile center from Boston last summer for Pavel Zacha in a deal that worked out for both teams, the Devils benefited from the veteran’s experience. At times, he shifted to the wing to play with Jack Hughes and take face-offs.

Haula is a solid all-around player who is trusted at five-on-five and is a good penalty killer. He also played power play in his first year as a Devil. Lindy Ruff did a good job utilizing the 10-year veteran. Whether it was on a checking line or up with Hughes, Haula provided secondary scoring. In 80 games, he had 14 goals with 27 assists for 41 points and a plus-13 rating. He added a pair of shorthanded goals. He won 54.2 percent of draws.

In the first round series victory over the Rangers, Haula proved to be the x-factor by scoring four goals, including the one that put Game 7 away. All six of his points in the playoffs came in Round One.

Following a disappointing second round defeat to the Hurricanes, he indicated that he wanted to return at breakup day. Hughes enjoyed playing with him.

“He’s a guy that’s been a gamer for us and pretty much played all the games all year. He’s fighting, he’s scoring, he’s penalty killing, he’s (on the) power play. He’s just a character guy and he fit really well in our locker room.

“That’s a guy we should bring back for sure.” the star center said after the season.

By getting it done prior to him becoming an unrestricted free agent, Fitzgerald made keeping the valuable Haula a priority. A wise move considering what he adds.

With that order of business done, now he can turn towards working out a new contract for key restricted free agent Timo Meier. Both sides have indicated a strong interest in working it out. Fitzgerald seemed confident that they’d get an extension done for the key power forward they traded for.

Meier certainly is a difference maker. He can score 40 goals and is lethal on the power play. He also loves to finish checks and plays with edge. Only 26, the former Shark is entering his prime. The 40 goals he scored last season were a new career high. After getting 31 in San Jose, he added nine more with New Jersey. Although he didn’t produce a big postseason, he was a factor. You noticed him during shifts.

It’ll take between $9 to 9.5 million per year to keep him. If it comes down to a choice between him or Connor Hellebuyck, who the team has discussed with the Jets, I’d probably lean towards Meier. He’s a few years younger and has more upside than the 30-year-old Hellebuyck, who’ll command around the same price to be signed into his thirties.

That doesn’t include what the Jets would want in a deal for the former Vezina winner. Hellebuyck has a year left on his contract with a $6.166 million cap hit. There’s no doubting his ability. He’s the top American goalie. A workhorse who carried the Jets to the postseason, he went 37-25-2 with a 2.49 GAA, .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 64 games. Whoever trades for him knows the window to win should be in the first three to four years.

A good question for the Devils is, do they want to risk that when Akira Schmid proved he’s capable of having some success as a 22-year-old rookie? Fitzgerald has an interesting decision to make regarding veteran netminder Vitek Vanecek. He had a good season, setting personal bests in games played (52), wins (33), GAA (2.45), and save percentage (.911). His playoff showing wasn’t up to par. He has two years remaining with a $3.4 million cap hit.

Do they keep Vanecek or look to move him and acquire a different veteran goalie who has more experience? It’s an interesting decision for Fitzgerald. With $22.3 million left on the cap, he must decide on Meier. Then, look to re-sign RFA’s Mike McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Kevin Bahl, Jesper Boqvist, and possibly Yegor Sharangovich. He could be the odd man out.

Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood, and Ryan Graves are unrestricted. Of the three, Graves has the most value. He worked alongside John Marino on the shutdown pair. But with the arrival of Luke Hughes and potentially Simon Nemec, the Devils could move on.

It should be an intriguing off-season in Jersey. They announced the hiring of former Canucks coach Travis Green as a new assistant on the staff. He replaces Andrew Brunette, who took the job in Nashville. They still haven’t revealed anything with Ruff, who will return.