Without say it, the New Jersey Devils officially started looking to the future.
Over the weekend, the Devils unloaded age and brought in youth with a series of trades.
First up was Andy Greene moving across the river to the New York Islanders. In exchange, the Devils picked up a second round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and current defensive prospect, David Quenneville.
Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers plant himself in front of the net as Defenseman Andy Greene (#6) of the New Jersey Devils attempts to move him.
Greene goes from the Devils, who are not competing for a playoff spot, to the Isles, who are in the thick of the Metropolitan Division race and Stanley Cup Playoff positioning.
“I am very excited, you get reenergized right away,” Greene said. “You’re coming into the last six weeks here, you’re in the middle of a [Stanley Cup] Playoff race here, you’re playing meaningful games down the stretch. Just to be part of that with the team, just looking forward to meeting up with the guys and try to be a piece to the puzzle here.”
Greene, 37, has played all 14 seasons in his NHYL career with the Devils.
“Now to have the opportunity to acquire Andy brings a solid veteran into the lineup, one who has played on the No. 1 [defense] pair in New Jersey for a number of years, plays in all situations,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said.
“I know him well, certainly from being with him for a number of years. And I know how he will fit in the locker room without a question. … We’re just delighted he’s an Islander today.”
Greene had a no-trade clause in his contract.
“Andy was in the driver’s seat all along with his full no-trade,” Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. “This a situation that came to fruition, and at the end of the day he had to sign off on it. I’ve kept him abreast of where we were at all along. Today it just happened to come to fruition.
“I don’t think I’m going to say anything you don’t know [about Greene]. He’s a really good hockey player but a much better person. The amount of time he’s been here … the one place. Asking players like that to move their no-trade is tough. I’ve been asked to help push this organization forward, and this a time where you have to make some tough decisions, but at the end of the day it’s about looking ahead.”
The second move the Devils made was to trade Blake Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I’m familiar with their team as a whole and some of their star players. I’ve played against coach [Jon] Cooper since I was in juniors, so I’m familiar with how he runs his ship,” Coleman said. “I’ve always been a team-first player and team-first guy. Whatever spot they put me in, I’ll be willing and excited to help the team whatever way I can. I think I have a playoff-type game and a will to compete and a will to win. Obviously, they already have a lot of the pieces you need to win a championship, but any little extra I can bring, I’m happy to do it.”
In exchange for Coleman, 28, the Devils receive Lighting prospect, Nolan Foote, and a first-round pick in either the 2020 or 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Blake Coleman #20 of the New Jersey Devils battles for the puck against Philadelphia Flyers players in front of Goalie Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers
“He’s 6-foot-4, scores goals, has an NHL shot already,” Fitzgerald said. “He turns pro next year, so we’ll get to see him quicker. There’s a lot to like about this player.”
Coleman’s age and cap hit were appealing to the Lightning.
“There aren’t too many stars that bring as much value as he does that come with a cap hit of $1.8 million dollars. So obviously, that’s appealing,” Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said. “Like I said, I like our team, I believe in this group, and now I think we’re just all the more stronger because we’ve added Blake Coleman. Not only will he make us a better, more competitive team this year, but he’ll also make us a better, more competitive team next year as well. So for all those reasons, I think I was right when I mentioned in December that prices at this time of year were very high, and to acquire good players you have to pay a hefty premium, and we certainly did that today. But we could afford to do so. What I felt we could not afford to do is [not] give this group of players every chance to have as good a spring as possible. So that’s why I made the decision to pay the price and add the player to the group.”
Never underestimate one team’s willingness to rebuild, and another’s impetuous need for success today.
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