Devils Trade Rumors, Updates

Jeremy Kenter's picture
Posted February 8th, 2008 by Jeremy Kenter
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As the clock ticks until Feb. 26 at 3 pm, the trade deadline rumors are sizzling. Eklund and Lyle "Spector" Richardson have been on the phones calling their contacts, trying to find something going on. I hear many things about Mats Sundin, Darcy, Tucker, Rob Blake, Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay from the rumor mills, but nothing is set in stone yet. Mark Everson of the NY Post reports that the Devils have over 3.5 million in cap space and are buyers in the market. The Devils are in need of a top center and puck-handling defeseman.

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.





Havlat

Submitted by Keith F (not verified) on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 00:49.
i understand havlat is injury prone but i would still love him to come to nj. he doesnt even want to play for chicago. he and elias are best buds and havlat elias and parise would be dynamite and could make it to at least confrence finals or stanley cup finals with him and another defencemen like cambell. i would much rather have havlat then lang. plus lang takes naps when playoffs come around.

Havlat

Submitted by Jay (not verified) on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 16:02.
I don't see why Lou would want to pick up Havlat. I understand that he is a great hockey player, but the problem is that the guy is NEVER healthy. What good is the guy going to do us while sitting on the IR half of each season. Rentals are other things that piss me off. Why would you want to give up premium prospects for Hossa when he is just gonna be on the team for a few months. I say get a guy we can hold on to. Or try to sign a big name superstar in the off season and try again next year. The Devils are getting old here. If we are gonna sign someone we gotta go out and get a younger star. I trust Lou. Lets see what he does.

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