The New Jersey Devils invite 3 players to training camp on PTO's

With the offseason winding down and the last remaining UFA's seek new homes for the upcoming season, the likelihood increases of players willing to sign a PTO (professional try-out) in hopes of parlaying it into an actual contract.

On Tuesday, the Devils dipped into the free agent market and extended PTO offers to three free agents, who have all accepted try-outs in New Jersey.

Per the team's official website, the Devils have invited forwards Mark Jankowski and Jimmy Vesey, along with defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon to attend Devils training camp later this month on PTO's.

Jankowski, 27, suited up in 45 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, tallying 11 points over that span.


Vesey, 28, started last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, underwhelming in his short time there before ending up in Vancouver with the Canucks due to a waiver claim. The winger notched just 10 points in 50 games last season.

Wotherspoon, 28, is a former 2nd round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2011 and has played just 30 NHL games - all with the Flames. The Burnaby, BC native spent each of the last four seasons in the AHL with 3 different teams, most recently the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.

PTO's can work in a team's favor, allowing them to get a longer look at a player before deciding whether or not to commit a contract spot to that player. Low risk move, with the potential to carry a decent reward.