This is my assessment of the future for the Devils as it stands one night after losing the Finals.
The financial state of the organization: According to multiple reports, Vanderbeek will clear his debt in with Bankruptcy and according to a CBS Sports story he already has an investor to make the team financially stable for the long term future. An announcement is expected in the coming weeks and will likely end any talk of an “internal salary cap”
Zach Parise: The Devils heart and soul and free agent come July 1. There are reports that he will garner a 10-12 year contract worth about 8-9 million a year. Can the Devils afford it? I hope so but another team will most likely offer the world to him. Keep in mind this is also the last year teams can front load a contract ala Richards with the Rangers. I expect him to sign with either the Red Wings, Wild or Maple Leafs. If LL doesn’t think he can sign him it is vital to trade his negotiating rights prior to July 1 and keep him away from the Rangers. Detroit just did this with Brad Stuart and received a winger and a fourth round pick.
Marty Brodeur: Hes coming back for another year but the real question is who do the Devils bring in as a backup? Do they sign a 40 year old Hedberg again or do they opt for an internal candidate like Keith Kinkaid or Jeff Frazee? Maybe they look outside the organization and bring back a guy like Clemmensen
The unrestricted free agents: The entire 4th line is unrestricted as are Ponikarovsky, Sykora, Salvador and Peter Harrold. I expect Gionta and Cater to be bought back along with Ponikarovsky. They need to start replacing some of the age with youth so I expect Salvador and Sykora to walk.
Next years free agents: Next year is the last year for a bunch of vital players: Elias, Zajac, Zubrus, Clarkson and Zidlicky. I would hope they use this years $ to extend Zajac and Clarkson and let Elias and Zidlicky play out their contracts.
Possible trade assests: If I were the Devils I would look to unload Zubrus and Tallinder and offer Tedenby in a deal. I have no idea what you can get, but Id like to see them pick up someone to try and replace Parise or a top 6 forward.
My best guess at what the Devils will look like next year:
Line 1- Kovalchuk-Zajac-Clarkson
Line 2- Free Agent/Parise replacement-Henrique-Elias
Line 3- Ponikoravsky- Josefson- Off season Acquisition
Line 4- Boulton-Carter-Gionta
Defense- Volchenkov/Zidlicky, Greene/Fayne, Larrson/Urbom or Corrente
Goalies: Brodeur/Kinkaid
The financial state of the organization: According to multiple reports, Vanderbeek will clear his debt in with Bankruptcy and according to a CBS Sports story he already has an investor to make the team financially stable for the long term future. An announcement is expected in the coming weeks and will likely end any talk of an “internal salary cap”
Zach Parise: The Devils heart and soul and free agent come July 1. There are reports that he will garner a 10-12 year contract worth about 8-9 million a year. Can the Devils afford it? I hope so but another team will most likely offer the world to him. Keep in mind this is also the last year teams can front load a contract ala Richards with the Rangers. I expect him to sign with either the Red Wings, Wild or Maple Leafs. If LL doesn’t think he can sign him it is vital to trade his negotiating rights prior to July 1 and keep him away from the Rangers. Detroit just did this with Brad Stuart and received a winger and a fourth round pick.
Marty Brodeur: Hes coming back for another year but the real question is who do the Devils bring in as a backup? Do they sign a 40 year old Hedberg again or do they opt for an internal candidate like Keith Kinkaid or Jeff Frazee? Maybe they look outside the organization and bring back a guy like Clemmensen
The unrestricted free agents: The entire 4th line is unrestricted as are Ponikarovsky, Sykora, Salvador and Peter Harrold. I expect Gionta and Cater to be bought back along with Ponikarovsky. They need to start replacing some of the age with youth so I expect Salvador and Sykora to walk.
Next years free agents: Next year is the last year for a bunch of vital players: Elias, Zajac, Zubrus, Clarkson and Zidlicky. I would hope they use this years $ to extend Zajac and Clarkson and let Elias and Zidlicky play out their contracts.
Possible trade assests: If I were the Devils I would look to unload Zubrus and Tallinder and offer Tedenby in a deal. I have no idea what you can get, but Id like to see them pick up someone to try and replace Parise or a top 6 forward.
My best guess at what the Devils will look like next year:
Line 1- Kovalchuk-Zajac-Clarkson
Line 2- Free Agent/Parise replacement-Henrique-Elias
Line 3- Ponikoravsky- Josefson- Off season Acquisition
Line 4- Boulton-Carter-Gionta
Defense- Volchenkov/Zidlicky, Greene/Fayne, Larrson/Urbom or Corrente
Goalies: Brodeur/Kinkaid
NOT LIKE...GOD NO NOT LIKE THIS...IM SICK.....GOD NO NOT LIKE THIS....WE'RE OUTTA TIME!!!!
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