It was a move Lou Lamoriello tried to make many years ago, but couldn’t. But Friday, at long last, Lamoriello brought Rob Niedermayer to New Jersey when he signed the free-agent forward to a one-year contact.

“I felt that we needed a little size and strength down the middle, and now, with Travis (Zajac) and Zubie (Dainius Zubrus) and Robbie, I think we’ve got three pretty good size-strength center icemen,’’ Lamoriello said in announcing the deal at the team’s practice at the Prudential Center. “And we know Robbie well, of course, played against him in Stanley Cups, and he’s had tremendous Stanley Cup experience, and can be used in different roles.’’

Niedermayer, 34, the younger brother of former Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer, had 14 goals and seven assists in 79 games last season for the Anaheim Ducks, and in 1,011 career games with Florida, Calgary and Anaheim, Rob Niedermayer has 171 goals and 257 assists.

The Ducks let him leave after his contract expired this summer, preferring to create roster room for some younger players, and with no appetizing contract offers awaiting him, Niedermayer contemplated going to Russia, to play in the KHL, with CSKA Moscow.

“I thought that was something we were going to have to entertain, was maybe going to Europe,’’ Niedermayer said on a conference call Friday afternoon. “It was close, but I’m happy to be a New Jersey Devil.’’

A half-decade ago, Lamoriello tried to acquire Rob Niedermayer in the hopes that might convince Scott Niedermayer to stay with the Devils. That didn’t happen, of course. Rob Niedermayer stayed in Anaheim, Scott Niedermayer signed there after the NHL lockout as a free agent, and the brothers won the Stanley Cup together with the Ducks in 2007.

Rob Niedermayer said he spoke to his brother Friday morning about his new contract.

“It was helpful, for sure,’’ he said.

Niedermayer, 6-2, 200, figures to help most as a checker for the Devils. He has made a living the past few years as a checking line forward.

“My role with Anaheim the past few years has been to try to shut down the other team’s top line,’’ Niedermayer said.

“He’s a good two-way pro, has been for a long time,’’ said Brendan Shanahan, who played against Niedermayer for years in the Western Conference. “I played against him — he’s an honest player, he works hard. I think he plays his best hockey in the playoffs.’’

Niedermayer has 17 goals and 39 points in 104 career playoff games.

Lamoriello said Niedermayer’s arrival would not necessarily affect the plan to move Patrik Elias from left wing to center. But coach Jacques Lemaire admitted that if Niedermayer, who has been a center for all but the last few years of his career, plays center for the Devils, that might affect the plans for Elias.

“Hmm. I don’t know now. A lot of things could change,’’ Lemaire said.

Lamoriello was asked whether Niedermayer’s arrival means Rod Pelley — who had been penciled in to take over the checking center position vacated by the departed John Madden — is out of the picture. Lamoriello insisted that was not the case.

“You know, he’s playing well,’’ Lamoriello said of Pelley. “When you have a chance to get better, you have to do that.’’

Niedermayer called it “ironic’’ that he is now in New Jersey, where his brother played 12 seasons before leaving to sign with Anaheim in 2005. Scott Niedermayer signed a one-year contract for this season with Anaheim.

But Rob Niedermayer said one of the reasons he chose to come to New Jersey was because he believes the team can be a Stanley Cup contender.

“That was something that really drew me to signing with Jersey,’’ he said. “I’m at a stage of my career where the Stanley Cup is the main concern. And I think New Jersey has a real chance. And that’s what drew me here.’’

NOTES



Lamoriello said tryout forward Andrew Peters

has agreed to a contract.

Mike Mottau and Mark Fraser,

who both left Thursday’s game because of injury, did not practice. Both were described as “sore’’ by Lamoriello.