Devils Trade Rumors

"It appears Sergei Brylin's 13-year Devils' career is all over but the signing in Russia, though sources say ink hasn't met paper yet. After passing up his option for another $1.53 million season with the Devils, Brylin is expected to sign a three-year deal with St. Petersburg of the Russian Continental league. The last of the Devils' three-Cup skaters, leaving just Martin Brodeur, Brylin remained with New Jersey last season when the Devils picked up their option on him last summer, triggering a dual option, player and team, for this coming season. Neither Brylin nor the Devils exercised their option by June 30, and Brylin became unrestricted."

"The Devils have re-signed left wing Jay Pandolfo and defenseman Bryce Salvador, the team announced this morning. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello also announced the team has passed on the option on Sergei Brylin's contract for $1.52 million. Lamoriello didn't rule out signing Brylin at a later date, but said Brylin will become an unrestricted free agent at noon. Arron Asham will also become an UFA."

"A free agent at noon today, Brendan Shanahan isn't going to glue a Bluetooth to his ear in anticipation of the call that probably won't come from the Blueshirts. Rather, The Post has been told to expect the 39-year-old winger to go home again - home to New Jersey to complete the circle of his first-ballot worthy Hall of Fame career that commenced with the Devils in 1987-88."

"If Lamoriello doesn't sign Salvador ("a distinct possibility," agent Carlos Sosa said last night), ex-Devil Mike Commodore is his likely target. In addition to a puck-moving defenseman such as Campbell, the Devils need a No. 1 center. Ex-Devil Brendan Morrison is a top possibility, and though he left New Jersey on less-than-happy terms, would consider a return. More likely, however, would be Blackhawk and former Red Wing Jason Williams, 27, coming back from a hernia-addled season. Montreal might chase ex-Devil Bobby Holik."

"Devil GM Lou Lamoriello has already made an early, sanctioned, start at trying to land a top star in today's opening of unrestricted free agency, where his team shipwrecked last year. The Post has learned that Lamoriello took advantage of permission San Jose granted last week to woo defenseman Brian Campbell, widely regarded as the top prize in today's unrestricted crop. "We did have discussions. I'm not sure if Lou is going to make an offer, but we'd be receptive to listening," agent Larry Kelly said..."

"Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello says he's going to take the same approach to unrestricted free agency he's always employed. Judging by his signings from the past three summers, which included such unsuccessful leftovers as Karel Rachunek, Vladimir Malakhov, Dan McGillis and Alexander Mogilny, that's not very encouraging. There are some indications, however, that Lamoriello will try to make a big splash after the free agent market opens at noon on Tuesday in an attempt to propel his team back into the Eastern Conference's elite. The big fish would be right wing Marian Hossa."

"Contract talks between Bryce Salvador and Lou Lamoriello yesterday produced significant progress yesterday, the agent for impending unrestricted defenseman told The Post yesterday. "We made progress on several items, and still have a few more to go," agent Carlos Sosa said. "We'll continue talking with the Devils through Tuesday, and after Tuesday, too, if we still have more to do.""

"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."

"There may be a second topic in the wings when Devils GM Lou Lamoriello talks contract with Bryce Salvador and his agent today. "Maybe Lou will ask about Darcy Tucker," said Carlos Sosa, agent for both Salvador and Tucker...Tucker has long been a Devils nemesis while playing with the Maple Leafs, who bought out the three remaining years on his deal earlier this week. Tucker, 33, fell out of favor in Toronto, but still looked good against New Jersey, which didn't have an answer for Ranger Sean Avery in the playoffs."

"While pointedly making no promises, GM Lou Lamoriello told The Post yesterday that he'd prefer to keep career Devils Jay Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin next season. Clearing up confusion, The Post has learned that the Devils hold a team option on Brylin for next season, besides the player option Brylin has, either of which would return him for another $1.52 million in salary. The deadline for exercising each option is June 30, one day before he could become an unrestricted free agent."

"Preventing two of their defensemen from becoming unrestricted free agents, the Devils have signed Mike Mottau and Sheldon Brookbank, each to two-year contracts, The Post has learned. Sources say Mottau will earn $750,000 and $775,000 in his deal, up from the 475G the 30-year-old made last season, his first full year in the NHL. Brookbank is believed to have signed for $500,000 and $550,000."

"Smith, 34, has two dislocated shoulders and possible cartilage tears that will require surgery. Hatcher, 35, has chronic inflammation in his right knee, and he suffered a fractured right tibia near the end of the season. The odds are that one or both won't be back next season, since Holmgren said this week that the team needs to be more mobile on defense. Hatcher couldn't skate well. Smith couldn't hit or take a slapshot and was vulnerable to the rush from the outside...It's about to get tougher for both. The Flyers could have re-signed Smith, their captain, during the season, but chose not to. It's not likely that he will be re-signed. Around the NHL, the talk is that he will sign with ..."

"The month since the Devils' season ended has helped Jay Pandolfo regain his fitness, but he hasn't yet heard from Lou Lamoriello about coming back to Newark next season. Agent Bob Murray confirmed yesterday that no talks have begun to keep the 11-year Devil vet from becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1. "There's really no rush," Pandolfo said. "I don't know what's going to happen. But we have a lot of time before July 1. "I expect to talk to [Lamoriello].""

"John Madden: Signed through 2008-09. Because of his value as a two-way player, he needs to be locked up long term."

"The Edmonton Journal reported yesterday that Flyers captain Jason Smith will sign with New Jersey this summer as an unrestricted free agent. The Flyers have not extended his contract and, according to Western scouts, tried unsuccessfully to move the defenseman at the trade deadline."

"The New Jersey Devils will sign former Oilers captain Jason Smith this summer when he's an unrestricted free agent. Smith started his NHL career with the Devils."

"Rampant leaguewide speculation has the Jackets making a draft-day run at San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau, but it's possible -- even likely -- that Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will check on the availability of others, including Daniel Briere of Philadelphia, Patrick Elias of New Jersey, Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers."

"Meanwhile, the Rangers are believed looking elsewhere for help on defense, perhaps toward Edmonton's Joni Pitkanen, since Tampa's Dan Boyle yesterday signed a six-year, $40 million extension that removes him from the top of the rental market... With Boyle re-signing with the Lightning, Tampa is expected to have to deal former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards, who has a no-trade clause and may have the Rangers, and possibly the Devils, on his short list of acceptables."

"The Rangers believe they're a playoff team. But they're hardly secure enough in the standings - or loaded with so much future cap space - to trade high picks and prized prospects for a short-term rental or long-term contract... The Isles can't afford to trade more draft picks and prospects from a cupboard that already is thin and GM Garth Snow will spend much of today trying to sign centers Mike Comrie and Josef Vasicek to new contracts."

"When Blues defenseman Barret Jackman goes on the league-wide market today, it will be a signal that the Devils couldn't come up with a satisfactory package to land the 2003 Rookie of the Year, an upcoming unrestricted who doesn't turn 27 until March 5... They made the case that their most pressing need really is for a center such as Chicago's Robert Lang."

"The Devils are looking for defense and a league source said they've been scouting St. Louis Blues defensemen Bryce Salvador and Barret Jackman."

"Buffalo's Brian Campbell and Colorado's John-Michael Liles, who would fill the Devils' need for a power-play point man, are available, as is Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa. Getting Toronto's Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade to come to New Jersey is a long shot, but a deal for Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina, who also would have to waive no-trades, might be doable."

"Lamoriello was back from the GM meetings in Florida in time to watch his Devils win a 20th home game for the eighth straight season, beating the Sharks 3-2 in Newark for a three-game winning streak. He intends to be a trade-deadline buyer, if he can find suitable sellers... Upcoming unrestricteds who could interest the Devils include Marian Hossa, Ladislav Nagy or Mats Sundin up front and Rob Blake, John Liles, Dan Boyle or Brian Campbell on defense."

"The Bruins, Rangers, Senators, Ducks, Sharks and Flyers have all made a pitch for D Brian Campbell, who the Sabres would prefer to keep... Devils D Karel Rachunek is about to be dealt. He was a healthy scratch yesterday vs. the Hurricanes."

"He's up for unrestricted free agency this summer, coming off a $1.52 million salary. There are teams who have noticed him, too, because he always is in the lineup, and there will be other bidders. Brylin wants to remain in New Jersey, finish his career there, but this may be his last chance at more of the kind of pay he's only just been making."

"Hawks general manager Dale Tallon has admitted involvement in the Forsberg negotiations, and two European news outlets reported during the weekend that Forsberg, 34, is weighing a three-year, $11 million offer from the Hawks. Hockey Night in Canada reported that a trade of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to Ottawa for Wade Redden was a possibility, and sources in New York believe the New Jersey Devils are after Martin Havlat. If they get him, Havlat could play with Patrick Elias, a longtime friend. Tallon reportedly has long been interested in defensemen Brian Campbell of Buffalo and Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay."

"The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 26, and the Blackhawks, for a change, are in the thick of rumors that are swirling around the league."

"There appears to be truth to the report that the Devils and Thrashers talked in preseason about a trade of John Madden for Bobby Holik. The discussion is believed to have fallen apart for good because of the significant deferred payments due Madden, which would have traveled to the Thrashers. ... The drumbeat increased on the possibilities of New Jersey obtaining either Robert Lang or Martin Havlat from Chicago, neither a rental."

"Within 24 hours, however, Asham was able to make up for his disappointment by scoring two goals and engaging in a fight as the Devils held on for a 3-2 triumph over the Ottawa Senators last night at Scotiabank Place... With the trade deadline looming, Asham is one of those players who wonders if his days with the Devils are numbered."

"Yet another source said yesterday the Devils are trying to deal one of their eight defensemen, probably Johnny Oduya or Andy Greene, for a Top Six rental forward, almost certainly a center. Another figure reiterated Chicago's Robert Lang as a possibility and good fit, although he has another year on his contract and would probably be more costly."

"Trade rumors have included Gionta as the veteran component of big deals, perhaps for Martin Havlat, Olli Jokinen or even Mats Sundin. It seems unlikely, though, that Lamoriello would deal such a goal-scorer at the bottom of his value."

"The Devils are believed trying to upgrade their team both on defense and at center. Brad Richards, Olli Jokinen, Ladislav Nagy, Robert Lang and Martin Havlat are names mentioned by inside figures up front, with Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Rob Blake, Joni Pitkanen and John-Michael Liles among the possibilities on defense."

"Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brad Stuart and Buffalo Sabres blue-liner Brian Campbell, both unrestricted free agents after this season, are said to be on the Devils' radar screen. So are forwards Ladislav Nagy of L.A. and Robert Lang of Chicago."

"Brodeur, whose current contract ends after the 2011-2012 season when he will turn 40, doesn't know if he'll want to play beyond that. He might have to. The Devils, once known for developing goalies, do not appear to have any top-quality successors in their farm system."

"Five weeks remain to complete the construction of a contender. Don't be surprised if Lou Lamoriello joins the Kings' auction of Rob Blake or perhaps grabs Brad Stuart to bolster his backline and power play... Another name advanced as a potential Devil target is John-Michael Liles, but Colorado is expected to be a buyer, not a seller. Other teams likely to be sellers are Phoenix, where Ed Jovanovski has two more seasons on his $6 million deal, and Edmonton, where pickings are slim."

"We picked eight potential trading partners for the Leafs, then asked eight hockey experts to play John Ferguson Jr., posing this question: As Leafs GM, what would your opening demand be in a trade for Mats Sundin?"

"Brick native Jim Dowd's NHL career may be over. The Flyers forward cleared waivers yesterday and is not likely to accept a demotion to the minors. Dowd remains with the Flyers but was scratched from last night's game against his former club."

"There's talk Senators president Roy Mlakar could be on the move. His contract expires at the end of the season and there hasn't been any announcement of an extension from owner Eugene Melnyk. There's whispers New Jersey Devils COO/president/GM Lou Lamoriello might be looking to shed one of his titles and could bring in Mlakar to act as president to help market the club in the New York area."

"Larry Robinson certainly did look good back in bleu-blanc-rouge last Monday night when the Canadiens retired his No. 19 jersey. He would look even better back in those colours full time after his contract as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils expires at the end of this season."

"Pat Burns, still doing well in his long battle with cancer and happily employed as a Devils scout in Florida, brushed aside rumors out of Toronto that the Maple Leafs were going to fire Paul Maurice and bring him back as coach."

"With his struggling club now three games under .500 following a 1-0 loss to Rick DiPietro and the Islanders last night at the Prudential Center, Lamoriello will almost certainly step up a search for a defenseman and he may also be shopping for a forward who can contribute some offense."

"Defenseman Richard Matvichuk, who was placed on waivers by the Devils yesterday morning, said he is hoping to be claimed by another team but will report to Lowell (AHL) if he clears and is assigned to the minor-league club."

"Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said he has not yet been able to work out a trade for defenseman Richard Matvichuk, who remains in New Jersey working out and skating on his own."

"Defenseman Richard Matvichuk thinks it will take awhile for general manager Lou Lamoriello to trade him."