Devils remain hopeful of signing Hobey Baker finalist Kerfoot

The New Jersey Devils believe they are a good fit for Alexander Kerfoot.

A fifth-round pick by the Devils in 2012, Kerfoot has spent the past four years with Harvard University, where he tallied 16 goals and 29 assists in 36 games to tie for the team scoring lead this past season.

But the NCAA forward has yet to put pen to paper with the Devils, and given that he can become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15, Kerfoot now has more than one path forward.

"I hope Alex signs with us," Devils general manager Ray Shero told Chris Ryan of NJ.com. "He knows that. Would love to have him. I think what we're doing, he'd fit in the way he'd play. The speed he brings, the hockey sense, would love to have him. But I don't control that. He does."

Free agency certainly isn't unfamiliar to Kerfoot, as it was the route chosen by his former Harvard teammate, Jimmy Vesey, a Nashville Predators draft pick who signed with the New York Rangers last offseason.

Vesey was the 2016 Hobey Baker winner, presented to the NCAA's top hockey player. Kerfoot was a finalist this year, with the Hobey Baker ultimately going to defenseman Will Butcher, a Colorado Avalanche prospect who has already informed the team there is no need to "rush" into a contract.

As for Kerfoot, the Devils remain hopeful that he will sign on the dotted line, believing their organization provides a good opportunity for the college star.

"If it's meant to be, great, we'd love to have him," Shero added. "Nothing's changed on my part. He has a greater look at what we have now."

It's been an exciting offseason in New Jersey no doubt. Most recently, the Devils added Marcus Johansson in a deal with the Washington Capitals, just weeks after the team selected Swiss scorer Nico Hischier with the first pick in this year's draft.