2010
Many Question Marks…
The best way to describe this offseason for any person involved with the
Here is what we do know. The New Jersey Devils are negotiating a new contract after the 17 year, 102 million dollar deal was rejected by arbitrator, Richard Bloch on Monday. Ultimately it did not matter about anything else going on surrounding the matter (other contract offers, etc.). The deal was full of holes and unethical “circumventions”. Let’s face facts. The last six years of a contract at 550,000 per year was a bit excessive and did circumvent the cap in that sense. For the arbitrator to say that Ilya Kovalchuk would not play until he is 44 however is borderline age discrimination. Add in the fact that a green light was given to investigate other deals and there is a recipe for so many more problems.
Getting away from the league problems which seem to grow by the hour, the New Jersey Devils did actually have a nice offseason relatively speaking. They acquired Jason Arnott via trade, signed defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder, and finally inked a backup goalie that can step in with confidence. Johan Hedberg will be Martin Brodeur’s understudy of sorts but expect him to see more time than Yann Danis did last season.
Say Hello To New Jersey
Anton Volchenkov (D)
The jewel piece in what the Devils have actually finished this offseason is Anton Volchenkov, for now.
Henrik Tallinder had a twenty point season in an offense that was probably more challenged than
Johan Hedberg (G)
Johan Hedberg did get a 1.5 million dollar deal and a no trade clause which sounded a bit bizarre but not really. Hedberg is a solid 1A or 1B netminder who can take the lead role when needed. He never really has had much of a defense in front of him. The 2000-01 Penguins did not have much defensively. His .915 save percentage and 2.62 GAA on a below average
The Dearly Departed
Paul Martin (D)
To be fair and honest, Martin will not be missed as much in New Jersey as people may think. Andy Greene may be a better defenseman. Would you pay five million dollars to a defenseman who never topped 40 points? Lou Lamoriello most certainly was not going to. Yes it did hurt that he went to a division rival but that is how the business works sometimes.
Jay Pandolfo (F)
The buyout of the Boston College alum was not a surprise. Grit guys like him often fade the quickest. When you hit a certain age, it all seems to go away and Pandolfo was never known as a scorer. However, the healthy scratches last season were a sign and when he was bought out, the end was there. He will be missed.
Yann Danis (G)
This one may actually hurt more than some would think. Danis only appeared in 12 games last year but posted very solid numbers as in a 2.05 GAA and .923 save percentage. The fit seemed to be great in the dressing room and the price was right. However, it was clear the Devils were going in another direction and just like that, Danis was gone to the KHL. The Devils may miss him more than any of the other more prominent departures.
Prospectus Emeritus?
Prospects
Adam Henrique (C, OHL, Windsor Spitfires)
There was a bit of a lull in his production and yet in the end, Adam Henrique lived up to the billing. He scored 77 points in 54 games and posted an impressive +38 in that span. While Henrique led the Spitfires to another Memorial Cup, many thought he may have eased up on the gas pedal indicating it is time to make a push with New Jersey. It is time. Call me crazy but this may be the most complete Devils draft pick since Zach Parise.
Mattias Tedenby (LW, HV71, SEL)
Tedenby has finally figured out how to score in the SEL. His stickhandling and moves around the net were on full display as he scored 12 goals last year for HV71 and many were of the hightlight reel variety. What Tedenby really needs is a year or so in the AHL to get maximim ice time (something he does not always get with HV71). The extra ice time and training will help Tedenby develop a more versatile game so that he will have a better chance to succeed in the NHL. Do not be surprised to see him in Albany come October.
Jacob Josefson (C, Djurgardens, SEL)
He will not floor you but he plays hard and exhibits that two way game so many Devils forwards have posessed. Watching grainy video on those sites that most can not advocate, it is clear that Josefson will only get better and some even think will trump Tedenby in a few years. Josefson has a shot when he wants to use it and that tenacity to go to the net will serve him well in time. This is the European prospect to keep an eye on Jersey fans.
Matt Corrente (D, Lowell)
When you watch Corrente, a fan forgets about Patrice Cormier very quickly. The pit bull mentality is very refreshing but the consistency in his game still is lacking when it comes to playing with the big boys. This is the one guy that I think really just needs a chance to stick with New Jersey. At 200 pounds he is big enough to hit and has hands that aid him on the offensive end. If the potential is realized, Corrente could score 40 points in New Jersey. The problem now becomes does Coach MacLean finally instill that in him now the Coach is with the big club? That is a question that needs to be answered.
This Year’s Draft Class (A Quick Overview)
This year’s class is tough to figure out because it is so early in their development. Everyone says that they are full of hope with these prospects. That is the norm. However the Devils took two goalies in a draft for the first time since 1997. Maybe they think Jeff Frazee (former Minnesota Golden Gopher) is not the guy but one cannot be so sure about that. The player to keep an on will be Jon Merrill from the US NDTP. What Merrill brings is a unique skill set that the Devils have not seen in awhile. He has the ability to be a #2 or #3 defenseman who can excel on the man advantage. The key will be focus like with Corrente. If a guy like Merrill can just stick to playing with fire on the ice and not off, the talented prospect could be on the Devils’ blueline for years to come.
The Miscellaneous And Sublime
This all brings us back to Kovalchuk. What would make this a great offseason for
