Devils GM calls Larsson's new contract a calculated risk: 'That's where the league is now'

Ray Shero knows he's paying for potential.

When the New Jersey Devils general manager signed Adam Larsson to a six-year, $25-million contract, he did so in hopes that the 22-year-old defenseman will indeed become a player worthy of such a deal.

"This (contract) is not based upon past performance. It's based on his future and potential moving forward," Shero told Rich Chere of NJ.com. "I know he has good value in the league. It's a calculated gamble/risk, but a lot of contracts are ... What you're buying is the potential of the player and unrestricted free agency. That's where the league is now."

Selected fourth overall by the Devils at the 2011 NHL Draft, set career highs in goals (3), assists (21), and average ice time (20:58) in 64 games during 2014-15, after bouncing between the NHL and AHL levels over the previous two seasons.

Larsson enters next season as the Devils' second-highest paid defenseman, behind veteran Andy Greene. It appears safe to say he'll be called upon more and more under new head coach John Hynes, thereby justifying the faith placed in him by the front office.

That's the plan, at least.

"Hopefully this is a contract he grows into," Shero said. "More importantly it solidifies an important position, which is defense. He's a young, right-handed D-man whose best days we think are going to be ahead of him."