At some point last week I came to the realization that Pando might not be a Devil next season. The last few years Jay has started gaining more and more attention as one of the best defensive forwards in the league. I thought a team that was desperate for defense might offer JP some insane contract that he just couldn't refuse. I somehow got the right rum/beer combination in me that I actually thought the Devils would be better off without him. After all, it would be a waste a money to match this hypothetical offer for a 33 year old third line player who just suffered a major injury and wasn't the same after coming back from said injury. Eventually the buzz wore off though. I remembered how Pandolfo was leading the team in scoring before that injury. I started thinking that maybe coach Sutter's brand of hockey is a perfect fit for JP and that it was bringing out the scoring touch in him that he had in college. And after a full summer to recoup, what's to say that he won't be as good next season as he was at the start of the last. I started getting nervous and the closer it got to noon today the more nervous I became. But JP proved once again why he's winning so many awards in New Jersey by signing a three year deal with out even testing the UFA waters.
At the trade deadline the Devils acquired Bryce Salvador from the Blues for seldom used pugilist Cam Janssen. With the patchwork defense that the Devils were using, it was nice to see a solid veteran presence on the blue line. Due to an injury though, we never really got to see much of Bryce, at least not enough for me to form a strong opinion about him. However, from what I have read from Blues fans though, they were pretty high on him. And with eight D-men already the Devils staff must have saw something they liked to acquire him. Honestly, a feel a little better knowing he's going to be around for a few more years because rookie defensemen make me nervous. Bryce also signed before becoming a UFA so it seems that he is also drinking the Kool-aid, which I think is a good sign.
On to Sergie Brylin. Just look at all those years that he has been a Devil. The Devils without Sarge is like rum without Coke. It just doesn't seem right. Unfortunately though, it looks like we might have to get used to it:
“We had a sit-down sort of meeting and spent a considerable amount of time on all different types of alternatives and where he is as of today and the best scenario and what can and can’t be done and it was a conclusion it was in both (sides) best interest to see what he could do for his future,” Lamoriello said. “It’s no different than we’ve done in other cases with players of his status.”
The majority of comments from the blogosphere and hockey forums indicate that New Jersey fans want Brylin to retire and therefore end his career as a Devil and only a Devil. It's quite a romantic notion but I think that it is a little selfish. Sure, the door is still open for Brylin to sign a two-way contract (or minor league contract) and follow Grant Marshall's lead. It would be nice to see him down in Lowell mentoring the young players (specifically Russians) coming in, but would it really be so wrong for him to continue his NHL career for a couple/few more years on a different NHL team? I don't think so. Heck, I'd love to see him come down to Nashville. Reunite with Arnott, play with fellow countryman, Radulov. Bring that 3-time Stanley Cup experience to a young team. Well, as long as he doesn't go to a division rival, I'll be rooting for Sarge where ever he plays.
In case you didn't 'get' the title of the post:
0 comments:
Post a Comment