Brick native Jim Dowd won't be back with the Devils this season. Instead, the 38-year-old center has accepted an invitation to attend training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. A source said that though the Flyers did not sign Dowd, an unrestricted free agent, because they don't have salary cap room, they have promised him an opportunity to make the team as their fourth-line center. The Devils also did not offer a contract and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello admitted he could not promise Dowd a spot on the team because he wanted rookies Rod Pelley and David Clarkson to have a chance to make the team. "If Jimmy wanted to come to camp, he could have, but I could not make any guarantees," Lamoriello said.
It appears unrestricted free agent center Erik Rasmussen also will not be back with the Devils. Lamoriello also offered him a chance to come to camp without a contract, but with no guarantees.
Good on Lou for giving the kids a chance. I love Jimmy, but I wish he had just retired. Not sure how much he's expecting from the flyers.
Posted by: jules | September 11, 2007 at 01:05 AM
any team could use a jim dowd, as smart a player as their is nhl just ask the coaches he has played for. i remember jaques lemaire saying he was the smartest player he ever coached. philly did good on this one
Posted by: art | October 01, 2007 at 03:39 PM