The New Jersey Devils had interest in Damien Brunner during the summer, but at the time it looked like he was sign with another team. That obviously didn't work out. "When it looked like he hadn't got a contract, we communicated [again] and kept our word and he's here," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said after the team signed him to a tryout agreement. Brunner has the potential to be a solid top-six forward in the NHL, but teams might have been hesitant to hand him a multi-year deal given that he only has one shortened season under his belt. If he's willing to ink a one-year deal at this point, he'll probably get a contract from the Devils or another club.

Damien Brunner has reportedly accepted a tryout offer from the New Jersey Devils. GM Lou Lamoriello said Brunner will join the team for practice on Tuesday. Brunner had to settle for a tryout after going unsigned through unrestricted free agency. He had 12 goals and 26 points in 44 games with Detroit last season.

According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Damien Brunner is talking to a few NHL teams. She said that Dallas, New Jersey and possibly Vancouver may be in the hunt for the former Red Wings forward. There was some chatter last week that Brunner could end up signing with a Swiss League team on game-by-game basis.

If Damien Brunner returns to the Swiss League, it will reportedly be on a per game basis. Brunner still hopes to play in the NHL in 2013-14 and that's not an unreasonable goal after recording 26 points in 44 games last season. The only question is what kind of contract is he willing to accept. If he's willing to take a one-year deal at this point, then teams should feel far more comfortable taking a chance on him after his hot-and-cold debut.

Free agent winger Damien Brunner might be forced to sign a temporary contract in the Swiss League, according to Yahoo's Dmitry Chesnokov. The 27-year-old forward obviously doesn't have a huge NHL resume being that 2013 was his rookie year, but he did quite well, scoring 26 points in 44 regular season games and nine points in 14 playoff contests. It would be surprising if there wasn't an NHL team interested in his services, but it's been an odd free agent market in that regard.

Agent Neil Sheehy, who represents free agent forward Damien Brunner, says his client is prepared to wait for as long as it takes to find the right NHL deal. Sheehy claimed in an interview with a Swiss newspaper that there are NHL teams interested in the 27-year-old and that he remains confident his client will play in the NHL this coming season. Sheehy also dismissed speculation Brunner's salary demands are hampering efforts to find a new contract, insisting the he wants to play where he'll get the best opportunity. It's been rumored Brunner, who has only one season of NHL experience, is seeking a multi-year deal worth more than $3-million per season. The report speculated Colorado, Anaheim, Phoenix, Dallas or Buffalo were potential destinations but the Avalanche are top-heavy at forward while the Ducks won't have room for Brunner if they sign Teemu Selanne. Dallas and Buffalo could use depth on the right side, while Phoenix needs a top-six left winger.

Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News believes Damien Brunner could return to Switzerland unless he lowers his contract demands. Brunner was reportedly close to signing with the Devils, but New Jersey went out and signed Jaromir Jagr instead. Brunner is believed to be seeking roughly $4 million annually after potting 12 goals and 26 points in 44 games as a rookie last season. With training camps opening in a month, it's becoming clear Brunner is highly unlikely to get that sort of deal. Considering how long it took him to cover to North America, it wouldn't be a shock if his trip only last one season.

Damien Brunner is reportedly close to signing with the New Jersey Devils. Brunner is believed to be seeking $4 million annually after scoring 12 goals and 26 points in 44 games in his first NHL season. The Devils are looking for an offensive boost after Ilya Kovalchuk left them for the KHL.

Damien Brunner's agent said that nothing is imminent when it comes to his client signing. The New Jersey Devils have been linked to Brunner recently as they scramble to replace some of the offensive lost by Ilya Kovalchuk's move to the KHL. Brunner made the transition from European to North American hockey last season and he held his own with 12 goals and 26 points in 44 games.

With Ilya Kovalchuk out of the fold, Swiss newspaper Neue Luzerner Zeitung reports that the New Jersey Devils intensified their research on Damien Brunner. Brunner had an impressive (if streaky) debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 2013, but it appears that the team might have some trouble signing him. Like anyone else on the market, he isn't a total replacement for Kovalchuk, but could be a nice addition nonetheless.