Could be a quiet deadline in New Jersey

VOORHEES, NJ – As the NHL’s trade deadline approaches, the New Jersey Devils may not have to look far to find the player they’ll need to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup this Spring.   This particular player has been there all season, yet many felt the Devils chances of even making the playoffs would take a hit with his absence.   Through February 25 though, the Devils currently lead the Atlantic division with 79 points and sit 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference, showing the rest of the league that they could overcome the loss of Martin Brodeur to an elbow injury that has kept him out of the lineup since early November.
 
With Brodeur set to return February 26 against the Colorado Avalanche, it’s time to look at the Devils roster and determine what moves, if any, they may look to make at the deadline.
 
GOALTENDING
 
Martin Brodeur – $5 million
Kevin Weekes – $687,500 ( UFA next season)
Scott Clemmensen – $500,000 ( UFA next season)
 
This is one position the Devils do not need to upgrade right now.   Brodeur’s return will put him in a rare position: to be well rested entering the playoff race.   The fact the Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes both played well during Brodeur’s absence gives Brent Sutter the option of giving the future Hall of Famer even more rest during the March and April rush and have him in mid-season form, which could spell trouble for the rest of the league come postseason time.
 
FORWARDS
 
Patrik Elias – $6 million
Brian Rolston – $5.0625 million
Brian Gionta – $4 million ( UFA next season)
Dainius Zubrus – $3.4 million
Zach Parise – $3.125 million
John Madden – $2.938 million ( UFA next season)
Jamie Langenbrunner – $2.8 million
Jay Pandolfo – $2.5 million
Bobby Holik – $2.5 million ( UFA next season)
Travis Zajac – $984,200 (Arbitration Eligible RFA)
David Clarkson – $837,500
Brendan Shanahan – $800,000 ( UFA next season)
Mike Rupp – $500,000 ( UFA next season)
 
Another position the Devils are not hurting at.   With a number of prospects at the AHL (Nicklas Bergfors, Matt Halischuk) and ECHL (Brad Snetsinger) levels, along with those playing either in college or juniors, the Devils are in good position.   Of the six potential free agents at forward, expect Gionta, Madden and Zajac to be back in the fold.   Holik could be used in a trade for an extra defenseman or forward.
 
DEFENSE
 
Paul Martin – $3.833 million
Colin White – $3 million
Bryce Salvador – $2.9 million
Anssi Salmela – $875,000 (Arbitration Eligible RFA)
Mike Mottau – $762,500
Andy Greene – $600,000 (Arbitration Eligible RFA)
Johnny Oduya – $600,000 ( UFA next season)
 
While the defense has been very good this season, as it usually seems to be, it would not be a surprise if the Devils made a run at Florida’s Jay Bouwmeester.   The Devils have just under $2 million available to play with in their cap and Bouwmeester would be owed little on the remainder of his $4.875 million dollar contract for this season.   Whether it would work out or not, New Jersey would not be on the hook for next year as Bouwmeester will be a UFA.   With 2006 #1 pick Matt Corrente playing well in Lowell, any deals here would likely be for a rental player anyway.
 
OUTLOOK
 
Not expecting a lot from the Devils on deadline day unless it’s a small tweak to an already solid lineup.
 
Contact the author at tom.hoffman@prohockeynews.com