Devils Off-Season Analysis [July Edition]

After a week in the Bahamas, and taking a much needed break from writing all together, I have taken the time to put together the first of my two Off-Season analysis, starting first with the Devils.

When free-agency opened on July 1st, many Devils fans wondered if this would truly be the year they have hoped for throughout their team’s existence, the year they make a big splash in the free agent market.

The result, however, was a combination of both anticipation and shock.

Rather than adding a shooter from the blue line, something desperately needed for this offensively anemic franchise, they opted to address size at the center position and added some semblance of a power play threat.

To fulfill these two desires, the Devils looked towards former players rather than introduce new blood into the locker room.

First, the Devils re-acquired Brian Rolston. Rolston, who won a Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995, just a year after being drafted, signed a four year deal worth over $20 million. The 6’2” winger has spent time with Boston, Colorado and most recently Minnesota since being traded by the Devils to the Avalanche in 1999. Rolston brings with him not only much needed size, leadership and experience, but also solid power play awareness as he will be looked upon to be the quarterback on the first power play unit.

Later in the evening on July 1st, the Devils made a surprising move in re-acquiring center Bobby Holik. Holik left the Devils in 2002, signing with the rival New York Rangers to chase a larger contract. The move failed miserably and Holik was traded by the Rangers before his third season with the squad to the Thrashers, where he as spent the last few seasons.

This move came to a shock for many fans, if not simply for the animosity felt by most for his jumping ship for the Rangers, but for the plummeting in Holik’s skills as his age increases. Now 37, Holik is signed for one season, presumably to take one more shot at winning the Cup before retiring.

The major question mark which the Devils still need to address is brining in not only size, but experience to a very small and very young defensive unit.

Passing on Jason Smith was a great move by Lou Lamoriello. Smith has phenomenal leadership capabilities, but his speed is a massive question mark and his age also would present a frailty possibility as well.

Keeping Bryce Salvador is a questionable move, but does have the potential to pay immediate dividends, if he can stay healthy. Salvador was acquired at the trading deadline for Cam Janssen, aka the equivalent of a bag of pucks. He was only able to play 8 regular season games, however, and was limited in the playoffs as well. Salvador is not an offensive threat, but he is a physical player who knows how to throw the body around. He will play a key role, as will Holik, in ensuring that players like Sean Avery do not harass Martin Brodeur on a regular basis.

The Devils have solidified their front four lines, but they need to make a move to address the lack of an offensive threat on the blue line. This will not be an easy task to achieve as they have been in search of a one since the loss of Scott Neidermyer in 2004. Former Devil and current Red Wing Brian Rafalski was looked upon to shoulder the burden of Neidermyer’s departure but that plan never fully worked out as planned.

Now with both players with other squads, Paul Martin looks to be the most viable offensive threat in the defense. Andy Greene has shown glimmers of offensive capabilities during the playoffs in 2007 and briefly in 2007-2008, but never caught fire. The same holds true for Johnny Oduya and Mike Mottau.

Oduya, however, has shown the most offensive promise behind Martin. During the home stretch of the 07-08 season, Oduya showed an awareness for joining rushes and even tallied a pair of goals in one game, including a diving goal that rivaled the brilliance of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

With a little over a month before training camp opens up for the Devils, expect a move or two, but not a big splash. The Devils do have a few NHL ready prospects who could be chips in a major deal, but with Lou Lamoriello at the helm, it is unlikely they will be dealt.