According to Everson, "One source suggests that Chicago's Robert Lang may be Lamoriello's rental quarry, unless, of course, he can pry Martin Havlat from the Hawks, although Havlat would not be a rental. Others who may be considered include Ladislav Nagy of the Kings, Olli Jokinen and Jozef Stumpel of the Panthers, Mats Sundin of Toronto, Marian Hossa of Atlanta, and the Tampa stars, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards. No-trade clauses cloud the picture, but Lang may be the one.

Lamoriello is surely intent on adding a Top Four defenseman, too. The Kings' Rob Blake and Brad Stuart, Buffalo's Brian Campbell, Derek Morris and Nick Boynton of Phoenix, Tampa's Dan Boyle, John-Michael Liles and Jordan Leopold of Colorado, Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe of Toronto, and especially, Joni Pitkanen of Edmonton are among the suspects."

In my opinion, Lou must be a buyer. There is no question about it. His team was not predicted to go far this season after losing Gomez and Rafalski in the off season. Although Lamoriello replaced them with Zubrus and a couple of defensemen, the Devils have too many liabilities to win the Cup. If he decides to keep the roster intact, Jay Pandolfo and Karel Rachunek are significant unrestricted free agents, while Asham, Mottau and Brookbank are other UFAs.

TSN reports that Wade Redden declined to waive his no-trade clause. I really hope the Senators make the Devils an offer for their blueliner. He would be a huge asset to New Jersey.

With Brodeur, Madden, Elias and Langenbrunner increasing in age, the time is now for the Devils to make a move, pick up a rental. That transition could make the difference in the Devils outcome this season. Lamoriello has done it before, trading for Langs and Joe Nieuwendyk in March 2002. The Devils wound up winning the Cup the following season, as Langs won a share of the postseason scoring leader with 18 points, tied with Scott Niedermayer.

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