One of the players acquired in a trade deadline move is staying in the Utica Comets fold.

The Comets announced Tuesday that forward Timur Ibragimov has been signed to a one-year American Hockey League deal for the 2023-24 season.

No other terms of the contract were released, which is usually the case with AHL contracts. According the Professional Hockey Players Association, the minimum compensation in the AHL for the 23-24 season is $52,725. 

Ibragimov, the speedy 22-year-old winger from Russia, was going to be among the restricted free agents for the New Jersey Devils, so he’ll remain with the organization. Ibragimov was coming off a three-year entry level contract signed with the San Jose Sharks.

He was a sixth-round pick in the NHL draft by the Sharks in 2019.

New Jersey has at least 10 other restricted free agents to make decisions on, including some key players from their record-breaking lineup.

Hockey operations personnel decisions are made by New Jersey Devils officials. Comets General Manager Dan MacKinnon is an assistant general manager for New Jersey.

Ibragimov joined Utica after New Jersey obtained him and defenseman Santeri Hatakka and goalie Zach Emond as part of a complicated trade involving standout Timo Meier at the NHL trade deadline Feb. 26.

Ibragimov was the lone player in the deal to appear in a game for the Comets during the 2022-23 season. Hatakka was still working his way back from an injury when the Comets’ season ended May 5 in the North Division semifinals against Toronto and Emond played all of four games at the pro level before missing a majority of the season because of an injury.

Ibragimov finished with three goals and six points in 15 games with the Comets while playing down the lineup. He also had an assist in two AHL playoff games.

A majority of Ibragimov’s two pro seasons have been spent in the ECHL (56 games), so it is possible he could see time with the organization’s ECHL affiliate in Glens Falls-based Adirondack Thunder and as a depth option for the Comets.

Ibragimov is among four forwards signed to AHL deals with the Comets for next season. The others are captain Ryan Schmelzer (second of a two-year deal), T.J. Friedmann and Erik Middendorf.

More players could be signed to AHL deals for next season as there were 10 forwards signed to such deals with Utica at one point during the 2022-23 season.

The Comets’ 2023-24 season will begin in October with a full schedule usually released in late-July.