Payroll Issues...

[Jerrydevil]

I won't be happy to see White go, but I think it's remotely possible it could be him. He's a hell of a trade chip. Unfortunately, any trade the Devs make would likely have to be for prospects because of salary cap considerations, and I don't think White would go to another team for a prospect or two. But you never know.

[NJDevs4978]

I didn't really care that the Flyers could go over the cap in the pre-season, I was hoping the Kings and everyone else would stick it to them and I guess they got bribed off to the tune of a third-round pick (since the Flyers actually wound up having to deal a third-rounder with Roenick for 'future considerations'). As I'm sure Ez is hoping the league sticks it to us now that we're over the cap, though it'll be easier for us to get under it IMO because we don't have a dead weight $5 million contract we have to pawn off on someone, we can do a couple of smaller deals and pocket the money back.

BTW as much as I haven't thought White would be dealt now I could see a scenario where he gets packaged along with one or two others to clear cap room, if Stevens comes back then he'd be on the #1 pairing and the Devils would still have Hale/Brown (gak!) in reserve.

Edited August 17, 2005 by Hasan4978

[sundstrom]

1.  White is off limits, there is no way Lou is going to get rid of him. 

2.  We don't need forwards, especially with Almo back in the fold.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if you deal two forwards from the top line, then you do need forwards.

white makes the most sense to be traded based on the possible log jam at defense:

rafalski (just signed, not going anywhere)

Malakov (just signed, not going anywhere)

Martin (much too valuable to be dealt)

McGillis (just signed, not going anywhere)

Matvichuk (just signed, not going anywhere)

White (not expensive, solid young defenseman)

then you have Hale and Brown to consider, although Brown is useless to anybody IMO.

that's fine, but if Stevens does come back, then you have to find a place for him and none of the top 6 (or scotty) should be on the bench. white is the most logical to go.

[MantaRay]

White is the most experienced in the system, he is also the cheapest defensemen and I just don't see Lou getting rid of him for that reason.

[MantaRay]

In terms of forwards if we trade them its a salary dump, so Lou would be more likely to play Parise or Sluggo.

He will probably trade for draft picks or prospects so it doesn't affect our cap space.

[Jerrydevil]

Just wait until Malakhov falls and breaks his arm making pancakes for his kids. Then there won't be a logjam on defense.

[MantaRay]

Ouch

[Triumph]

Dealing White saves 600K at most.

I say Friesen and Kozlov should go. Matvichuk can be dealt - yes, he hasn't played a game and it would be quite unconventional, but I just don't see many other options.

Lou has something bizarre planned. Either that or Elias won't count against the cap because he will be on IR. The Devils could then, I think, keep Friesen until Elias was ready to return, then deal him.

This salary cap is too complicated.

[MantaRay]

Exactly, at 600K Whitey is cost effective in the age of salary cap.

[SueNJ97]

Actually, I didn't care that Clarke (or anyone) could be over in the off-season, if it is the rules. Like Hasan, I was shocked that LA or any team would let Clarke off so easily. Taking a $4.9M salary for an aging player who has had, what, 8 concussions off his hands instead of insisting that they wanted someone like Handzus instead? I still say, Clarke has incriminating pictures of Taylor. He has to.

Edited August 17, 2005 by SueNJ97

[insanity_gallops]

I feel like whatever Lou does next, I'm going to be completely blindsided by it.

So in other words, it's clear that hockey's back.

[Triumph]

How's about this for a trade offer:

Friesen and Kozlov to Washington for Dainius Zubrus

Washington needs to reach the salary floor, Kozlov can be a good right wing for Ovechkin, and Friesen would work well with Cassels. Neither is signed for more than one year and both should be UFA at the end of the year, but then again so should Zubrus.

[mddevsfan]

Matvichuk can be dealt - yes, he hasn't played a game and it would be quite unconventional, but I just don't see many other options.

Exactly,  at 600K Whitey is cost effective in the age of salary cap.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

White makes more than Matvichuk, as of the last numbers I saw:

White $1.8 million

Matvichuk $1.368 million

White has more experience in the system and is younger, so I see it as just about even. Other than Martin, these are the two most cost-effective D-men on the roster. I doesn't really make sense to dump either of these two to make cap room.

[sundstrom]

How's about this for a trade offer:

Friesen and Kozlov to Washington for Dainius Zubrus

Washington needs to reach the salary floor, Kozlov can be a good right wing for Ovechkin, and Friesen would work well with Cassels.  Neither is signed for more than one year and both should be UFA at the end of the year, but then again so should Zubrus.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i thought about zubrus too when i was making my list. washington does need to get to the floor.

[MantaRay]

Zubrus is a bust. Move on.

[Rock]

I don't know with the cap if Lou is going to be able to do the 2 for 1 trades anymore. I expect mulitple single player trades (Probably around 3) for draft picks or prospects who could play at Albany.

[Lou Miller]

I don't know with the cap if Lou is going to be able to do the 2 for 1 trades anymore.  I expect mulitple single player trades (Probably around 3) for draft picks or prospects who could play at Albany.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The only point of reference thus far is the Roenick to LA deal in which Clarke actually had to pay to have LA take JR. So it's unlikely that Lou is going to be able to bring much back in return for anyone he deals. The longer he waits, the less the returns could be too. The one big advantage he has in comparison to the JR trade however, is any Devils that end up being moved will have much more cap friendly salaries. It's not going to be easy to find teams willing to pick up 5 million in salary, but 1-3 million shouldn't be all that hard. You guys most likely will end up with mid round picks, which isn't bad really.