Salvador wants no-movement clause

Bryce Salvador is looking for stability. That’s why the 32-year-old defenseman lists contract length and a no-movement clause as his top two priorities in negotiating his next deal.

Salvador will become an unrestricted free agent at noon on Tuesday if the Devils don’t sign him to a new deal before then.

"Definitely, the most important thing is term and then the no-movement (clause)," Salvador said today. "I'm looking for that stability, especially after going through being traded this past season. We have a young son and maybe looking to have another child down the road and that stability is a big thing. After the term and the no-movement clause, then comes the dollars."

Salvador, who came to the Devils in a Feb. 26 trade that sent Cam Janssen to St. Louis, did not discuss the dollar figures or length of contract he is seeking. He earned $1.5 million last season.

A no-movement clause could turn out to be a sticking point. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello hasn’t been one to hand out no-movement clauses easily, though he did give them to Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias.

Salvador didn't rule out accepting a limited no-movement clause, which gives the player the option of naming teams he would accept a trade to and/or gives the team a limited window in which it can trade the player.

"It's something you talk about,” Salvador said. “It depends upon what team it is."

Salvador said his agent, Carlos Sosa, has not talked to Lamoriello, “lately.”

“But we had some talks before the draft and I'm sure we'll be talking again soon," he said. "We'll definitely be in touch. There's a lot to talk about: What direction are they going? How do they view you? It's a big decision from both standpoints. You've got to make it the right one."

Although Salvador is fewer than five days away from being an unrestricted free agent and being able to field offers from other teams, he said he’s still willing to re-sign with the Devils before July 1 and also left open the window to re-sign after then.

"I'm still Devils' property and that's all I'm thinking about right now," he said. "And if I don't get a deal done before July 1, that doesn't mean I won't still sign with New Jersey."

Comments

[Pat D]

I don't know if I want to see Salvador next season in NJ, maybe if he stays healthy.

[Al]

I like Bryce, but he is solid at best and that will never be good enough for a no movement clause. We should look elsewhere and I am sure Lou is way ahead of us in this decision. Good luck Bryce.

[Xander Crews]

Wow im not sure many teams will give him a long term contract with a no movement clause. Id say he has to pick on or the other.

[modnarm]

i wouldn't mind keeping bryce either.. if i knew we'd get some or 1 top pairing dman. Martin and Oduya can stay together.. fine.
How bout Redden and Salvador as a top D line...
and White and Samala (sp?) as the 3rd pair.

[Hoosier]

TG, are you hearing anything about what Salvador might get on the open market? I'd ballpark it at 2.2-2.8 a year but I haven't looked carefully at comparables and have no idea how he's viewed around the league.

I thought Salvador matured as a player in St. Louis and showed some positives with the Devils (had some disastrous games early on but was solid later). But a NMC, even if it includes just a limited no-trade makes me think that Lou will have to pass. If Sal walks, I do think it hurts the Devils because he has the ability to be a reliable, physical, defensive d-man. Vish was pretty horrible and White was solid early but a disaster late in the season, and Brookbank is barely an NHL player. I doubt Corrente will be a reliable option next season and I think Fraser could fill that role in a few years but is still a bit raw.

Thanks for the updates TG. With so much player movement these days it's an exciting and nerve-wracking time of year for hockey fans. Can't imagine what it's like for the players, agents, and GM's.

[Jill]

Colin White was a great player for us, and still was this season after his eye injury, but he wasn't the same. I think that Salvador can fill that void that Colin White's eye injury has left us with.

[mikeford]

No thanks to Bryce. Spend that money on signing a puck moving defenseman, not the poor man's Colin White.

[Xander Crews]

Well why not let Bryce go and pick up Warrener? The Flames put him on waivers hes go i think 2 more years at 2.5mil.

He a steady stay at home Dman who can hit and shut people down... and best of all hes a RIGHT HANDED SHOT! Something we dont have ANY of except Brookbank (i think he shoots R) and hes a fringe player.

Devils better pick him up.

[Pat]

Very interesting point Xander. Same age, better +/-, 5 more years NHL experience, R shot, just slightly smaller, but that doesn't mean he's any less of a tough player or good hitter...remember that guy named Scott?? He's probably willing to sign for less $$ too.

I think Bryce would be a good value signing as opposed to someone like Orpik who is probably looking to break the bank. If you read into his comments, it sounds like he'd be willing to demand less salary for some security, which isn't crazy, especially b/c he said his motivation is his family and not trying to hamstring the team. A limited NTC wouldn't be terrible b/c it would still give him the security but give the team the ability to ask for trade partners.

Lou won't sign him for > $3M cap hit, especially with Captain Whitey still in the fold. Is there anything we can do to unload him? Lowell? Ask for ok to trade? Or are we locked into his contract for 4 more seasons?

Dream land is unloading Whitey and Vish, saving $4.8M in cap space and giving the flexibility to sign the scoring Dman and allow guys like Corrente to get a shot. SB should develop in Lowell this year.

[bobo]

TG...any word on Colin White's vision? Has his condition improved? Will it ever get better over time? There were times last season when he was lost out on the ice, like when he ran into Marty in the crease. With 4 yrs remaining on his contract at 3M/per, he can't be traded and I see him becoming our 7th on D.

[Devilswede]

Good riddance Bryce! Here's a guy that has been playing on the bottom pair throughout his career, got dealt at the deadline for a Cam Janssen and now he wants a long term, no movement clause?! What the heck are these wannabees thinking?! I like Bryce, but he's not a marquee player. I'm sick and tired of no movement clauses. I don't want him back now and I sure hope that Lou looks elsewhere!

[Gunther]

We can't handcuff ourselves to this guy. He's 32, which worries me.

Why are we not talking about Mark Fraser? Corrente will be a nice addition if he's ready, but I think Fraser is due to fill the defensive D man role next season for the team. He did well 2 years ago and seemed solid in Lowell last year.

[Marcos]

The "no movement" clause must be Sosa's scouting report on Salvador's skating ability.
Let him, he's another of what we already have, average stay at home defenseman. Mark Fraser is a more logical replacement if he's ready.
There's no need to rush Corrente, he hasn't played that much hockey over the last couple years b/c of injuries, though he is nasty.

[Hoosier]

I'd stay away from Warrener. He's a warrior but not effective anymore.

[JJ]

First of all, if Warriner got waived making $2.5M why would anyone give a long term no movement contract at $3M/yr to Salvador? $2M/yr over 4 years with a limited no movement from NJ. Sounds like he wants to stay anyway.

[JJ]

Unfortunately we never got to see the best of Salvador so be careful with the "poor man's Colin White" statements. He's a top 4 "stay at home" guy who is smart, plays a solid positional game and is a good presence in the room.

[Grant]

The Devils need to lock Bryce up. After his play in the playoffs, it is clear Lou needs to get the job done.

[segundo]

you're better of spending more to get a better player. the d will be fine without salvador.

[Mike from Elmwood Park]

Bryce is a solid 3 or 4 dman, sign him Lou!

[Afro Thunder]

I have no problem giving Salvador a limited NMC for 3 years/$7M.

[95Crash]

Hey TG, someone already mentioned this, but so will I:

If possible, can you get an update on how Colin White is doing? Maybe from Whitey, himself?

Many Devs fans are assuming that his vision is permanently shot, and his best days are over. But I'd like to hear what he has to say.

[Ali-P]

Whether or not his vision is good or bad, he will say it is fine. Colin is a guy who will play with one arm if he had too.

[Ali-P]

I like Bryce's commitment to the devils. After only a couple of months he likes what he sees and wants to stay.. Wish we had him when he was a bit younger which wouldn't make a deal with him such a hard decision. With White,Brookbank and younger guys in the system we may have enough of the stay at home type D-men that wouldn't require us to sign him at a less than ideal contract.

[mikeP]

interesting that Brian Burke waived his favorite player today, Todd Bertuzzi, and the Ducks will buy him out. TB hasn't been the same player since he cross-checked Steve Moore, but Burke gave him that ridiculous contract.

I won't agree with the move, but why do I see Lou calling Bertuzzi's agent July 1st so that he could play with Zajac and Gionta ?

[Matt M.]

Ali-P,

I think Salvador's commitment is more to his family. I can understand his desire to get a home for his family and a school for his kids for three or four years.