Pandolfo happy to be back; So long Sarge?

Left wing Jay Pandolfo is glad to be staying in New Jersey and said he didn't have much interest in checking out what he could have made on the open market. That's why he passed on unrestricted free agency to sign a three-year contract at $2.5 million per season with the Devils.

"My first preference was to come back," he said. "I didn't want to leave. I know what I have in New Jersey. I know the organization. I just figured that if I could get what I wanted, I'd rather stay in New Jersey."

Pandolfo said the sides negotiated his deal "pretty much over the last week" finalized it late Monday night.

"These things just take time," he said.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello was pleased to re-sign Pandolfo. He said it came down to a picking betwen Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin. The Devils opted to keep Pandolfo and not exercise the option year on Brylin's contract. Brylin also passed on his option and decided to become an unrestricted free agent.

“It was certainly a time in (Pandolfo's) life where he had to make a decision and we had to make a decision," Lamoriello said. "We could not keep both Jay Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin in the roles that they play and also with the young players that have to be infused into this lineup. We’re delighted to have Jay back. He wanted to be back. We wanted him back and you find a way."

This could bring an end to Brylin's 13-season career with the Devils, but Lamoriello wouldn't rule out re-signing him at a later date -- after Brylin finds his value on the open market.

“We had a sit-down sort of meeting and spent a considerable amount of time on all different types of alternatives and where he is as of today and the best scenario and what can and can’t be done and it was a conclusion it was in both (sides) best interest to see what he could do for his future,” Lamoriello said. “It’s no different than we’ve done in other cases with players of his status.”

If Brylin does not return, Martin Brodeur would be the only remaining player from all three of the Devils' Stanley Cup-winning teams.

“It’s really disappointing," Pandolfo said of Brylin's probable departure. "I understand how everything works, I guess, but you can’t say anything but great things about that guy and what he’s done for the organization. He won three Stanley Cups. I’m going to miss a guy like that. It’s upsetting. But I’ve seen these things happen a lot.”

Pandolfo wasn't comfortable talking about Lamoriello's comment that he had chosen him over Brylin.

“I can’t really think about things like that," he said.

***

In case you missed it in the comments' section, David Clarkson signed a two-year contract for a total of $1,675,000 (a cap hit of $837,500 per season). It pays $800,000 in the first season and $875,000 in the second.

Comments

[lunchbox]

good work TG

[maddening11]

thanks TG. any idea if we have a shot at acquiring Jay Bouwmeester? If we could find a way to trade for him and sign rolston it would be a great way to get both a solid forward and defenseman...i think getting one of the top tier UFA's (hossa, campbell, redden) is doubtful.

[LuziferDevs]

now TG

CALL LOU ND TELL HIM THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR A SIGNING TO TAKE PLACE!

aha but seriously thanks for getting us his comments

[Mike from Elmwood Park]

Rolston would be a welcome addition, with Campbell and Cory Stillman

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

i like Jason Williams too, he was having an awesome season last year until he got hurt. i think if he came cheap it would be an incredible pick up

[Pat]

We could also throw a sheet at Patrick O'Sullivan from LA Kings.

[LuziferDevs]

yeah throw an offer sheet out there Lou!

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Doug Weight to the ISlanders

[mikeP]

good luck there Isles, Weight is washed up, he can a great shot playing on a line with Bertuzzi and Selanne in Anaheim, and would up being scratched several times in the playoffs. I guess he'll fit right in with the other scrubs in Long Island. Did Wang give Weight a 15-year contract :-)

[LuziferDevs]

confirmation on weight anyone?

[mikeP]

Good luck to Sarge, if he would come back at a reduced rated, we should be all arms, he's another good loyal soldier, but like others have noticed, he's shown that he's not much better than a 3rd/4th liner for a couple of seasons now, though he didn't play that badly with Madden and Pando in recent seasons. My guess is that Zubrus will play with Madden and Pando this year and Gio will be moved back with either Zajac or Elias

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

i think its only a 1 year deal

[mikeP]

TG, since TB won't be signing Rolston, have you heard if TB will now keep Boyle, or do they still plan on trading him ? Since Vrbata got $3M per instead of the $4M-$5M that Rolston wanted, they saved a couple million under the cap

[Adam]

Did Halischuk sign a typical entry-level contract? What are the details on that? and does that mean he'll be in Lowell next season?

[TeGraxe]

Thanks TG you are the only source for Devil info like this....

Now it's time to address our anemic offense and not ready for prime time defense

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

RUMOR!!!!!
Pens supposedly in heated discussions to bring in Jagr.

imagine crosby passing to him... it makes me sick with envy

[Pat D'Amico]

Good, now take off that visor Pando, you look ridiculous.

[Michael]

I agree, lose the visor.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

i think every player should wear a visor

[TG]

I have to apologize about my earlier cap number. I just recalculated a couple of times and I was off by a good bit before. The number I have now for total cap expenditures is $46,968,433 for 20 players. That leaves $9,731,467 in cap space. That will still be different than hockeybuzz's numbers because they're including Corrente and Bergfors. I won't count them until they're actually on the team.

As for Jagr, I've heard that Pitt has expressed interest, but aren't that serious. "Heated" would be much too strong a word.

Also, still no word on Halischuk's deal. It would have to be an entry-level deal, though, so there are limits on how much he would make.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Fan 590 in pittsburgh called it heated(i have a friend who lives in Pitt) sorry if i misled anyone.

but hey all the big names are still out there!

[TeGraxe]

I know everybody is looking for a big signing, but lets face the facts. There is nobody in this years FA's that are worth 6 years 7.5M and nobody that will elavate the team to contenders. We dont have any youth ready to make an impact next year and good teams are built with a mix of youth and veterans. Before we get excited over a big signing remember the Elias contract and what an anvil it has been for the past two years.

[SonicDude]

go over the cap lou, get hossa and soup, trade gio later for a pick...get some kevin lowe into you will ya!

[pando20rules]

Jose Theodore to the Washington Capitals to a 2-year deal

[Brodeur30]

TSN's reporting that the Rangers, habs, and canucks are all believe to have offered Sundin 10mill/yr. WOW

Please sign with the rags and cripple their cap!