Matvichuk on the move

Richard Matvichuk's Devils' career is about to come to an end. After meeting with Matvichuk this morning, team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced that he will try to trade the 34-year-old defenseman so he can have an opportunity to play elsewhere. Matvichuk was a healthy scratch for the team's first three regular season games.

Matvichuk did not practice today and will not accomany the team on its trip to Florida and Atlanta (Thursday and Saturday).

"We've already talked to (other teams) and more than likely something will be done in the near future," Lamoriello said.

Although Lamoriello said Matvichuk "can play" in the NHL, he wasn't a good fit for the new, puck possession system head coach Brent Sutter has installed.

"Every player is not fit for every system and every system is not fit for every player," Lamoriello said.

Lamoriello said he does not intend to place Matvichuk on waivers. That could change, however, if he isn't able to complete a trade. Matvichuk's $1.368 million salary might discourage some teams that would otherwise be interested in trading for him. It is possibly, but probably unlikely, that the Devils could use the money they save on Matvichuk toward signing another defenseman. Danny Markov is still available.

Rookie right wing Nicklas Bergfors did not practice today because of a sore left shoulder. Arron Asham was back after missing Tuesday's practice for personal reasons. Sutter kept the same line combinations in practice today that he finished with Monday afternoon in Ottawa. Martin Brodeur will start against the Panthers Thursday night.

Today's line combinations and defense pairings.

Forwards: Elias-Zajac-Gionta; Parise-Zubrus-Asham; Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson; Rupp-Pelley-Brylin.

Defense: Oduya-Martin; Greene-Rachunek; Vishnevski-Mottau; Brookbank (extra).

Comments

[jules]

This is rough and disheartening, although you could see it coming since he didn't play at all this year. Sad. Good luck to Matty, wherever else he may play (except against us).

[Bob]

That's a bummer. I still think Matty can play. It takes a lot of heart to throw yourself in front of a 100 mph shot and few did it better and more often. It's a shame the lockout and cap problems wasted his last couple years here.

[Shari]

Sorry to see Matty go, there are not too many Old School stay at Homers left these days. Best of Luck Matty, Excellent job Tom thanks for all of the great updates.

[Brian]

I wish Matvichuk the best wherever he goes. I always liked his style and attitude.

Tom, thanks for reporting this way before anyone else did. Do you have an idea where he could end up?

[jen]

It will be sad to see him leave. He was hard working and dedicated. He played with his heart on his sleeve every game.

[Rich]

another of Lou's recent acquisitions that has bombed.

What is it with these "M boys?" Malakhov, McGillis, Mogilny, and now Matvichuck.

All were a waste of precious cap dollars.

[crossbar]

Rich Chere, is that you? ;)

With the Devils defense obviously struggling, is this really the right move? I wonder why Matvichuk wasn't moved earlier...

[justin]

i dont understand this at all. dumb move. he is a great player and probably could have contributed a lot to defense. seeing as they are in a hole recently

[Magnus Spangberg]

This really sucks. I've always liked Matvichuk's style of play and was really pleased to see him move to the Devils. And I don't believe for a second he couldn't play on this team this season.
Oh well, Mr. Lamoriello usually knows what's best for the team, but if the Devils don't win the cup this year, I hope Matty's on the team that does.

[frankied]

This is not a good move in that Lou has lost serious leverage in potential trade talks, now that he has announced that Matvichuck has no place on this team.

[Bus]

Matvichuk was taken off the roster page on the Devils website. Maybe its just the webmasters tinkering w/ the page, maybe Matty has actually been traded. I'm sad to see him go, whether its done or about to be done. He deserved a chance.

[Jim]

I think that if the devils do trade matvichuk they should try and sign another foward, Jeff O'neill is still available and would help in the absence of Langenbrunner and create more depth when jamie comes back. O'neill can play the wing and he has played center as well, he is solid on faceoffs an area the Devils have been lacking in. This can give them the ability to roll 4 lines that can score and play any role needed

I still think matvichuk can play and adds great leadership to a team that doesnt have a lot of that. He took one for the team by sitting out for so long last year while he was healthy and should get a chance to prove he can help the devils

[jules]

@Jim: I have to disagree on both accounts. I think the Devils are already capable of rolling four lines, and it'll be even better once Jamie comes back. And there's already a glut of forwards. The defense, however, is weak, especially since White's been out.

Also, I think our current team has plenty of leadership - Madden, Pandolfo, Langenbrunner, Elias to name a few, and guys like Zajac and Parise are taking more responsibility. Matty might still be able to play, but I think he'd be even more of a liability than Oduya is in Sutter's system. Besides, Sutter clearly doesn't care about what happened last year.

[Mike]

Tom, any update on Matvichuk getting traded ? I see that Jacque Lemaire has benched Keith Carney recently. KC is a Rhode Island boy, how about any even swap of KC and RM, and the Devils would be bringing in another stable defensive presence ?

[Mike]

Tom, any update on Matvichuk getting traded ? I see that Jacque Lemaire has benched Keith Carney recently. KC is a Rhode Island boy, how about any even swap of KC and RM, and the Devils would be bringing in another stable defensive presence ?