According to Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record, Devils free-agent defenseman Martin Skoula signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.

The Czech defenseman was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Devils’ fifth pick in this year’s draft. In 19 regular season games with the Devils, Skoula registered no goals, three assists and carried a plus seven rating. In four playoff games, he recorded no points.

Skoula reportedly began thinking about playing in Europe during last season, when he was traded from Pittsburgh to Toronto to New Jersey in less than 24 hours.

Skoula joins fellow Czech Jaromir Jagr on Avangard Omsk.

This isn’t a huge loss for the Devils, but with Mike Mottau and Paul Martin unrestricted free agents, the Devils are losing some depth on their blue line. I would expect them to fill the position with a rookie or possibly a low-priced veteran.