Shanahan officially signed, will practice with team in Columbus (updated)

Brendan Shanahan officially signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Devils today, clearing the way for him to join the team for its practice in Columbus on Thursday.

Shanahan will earn a little less than $400,000 for the rest of this season.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed tonight that Shanahan flew with him to Columbus this evening.

"He's here in Columbus and he will practice with the team tomorrow," Lamoriello said.

Shanahan, who will turn 40 on Jan. 23, agreed in principle to sign with the Devils on Saturday and has been skating this week at the team's practice facility at Prudential Center.

The Devils play in Columbus on Friday night, but it appears unlikley that Shanahan will play in that game.

Comments

[Devilswede]

That's actually a pretty good deal for the Devils. Only $400,000 for a guy like Shanahan and we didn't give anyone up to get him.

[SonicDude]

Wow...a bargain... I guess he really wanted to play. TG I hope I'm not putting you on the spot but do you think more moves are coming?

[2600]

great deal! so did I miss anything about what number he will wear? 11, 14, 19, or a new one?

[Tom Gulitti]

I do think they will make more moves now. In fact, though I said last week that I thought they would add a defensman, I think they will also trade a forward.

[Tom Gulitti]

He was wearing No. 18 when he was skating earlier this week.

[Craigwell]

I'm wondering if there's incentives in the deal that could push the total higher.. that hasn't been Lou's style in the past though, has it?

[Craigwell]

What's the consensus on the need at D?? Puck moving offensive D, or better stay at home to maybe push one or more of Motts / Leach / Whitey or Brookbank out???

If the latter is the case, I say trade Bergfors and Brookbank for Bieksa.

[FOTC]

TG, are you going to re-join the team in Columbus? Chere just isn't cutting it for me.

[jules]

Excellent bargain.

[Tom Gulitti]

Yes, I'm supposed to fly to Columbus tomorrow morning, assuming the snow doesn't prevent my flight from taking off.

[njteech]

A BARGAIN......just the fact he's sportin' the Devs colors again....he will not be be another Peter McNab..for those Ol' school Devs fans....

[Nick]

Now I'm really liking this deal. This must mean he really wanted to play, and hopefully he will give 110% on the ice.

[John]

TG what are the chances of the Devils landing Jay Bo? I think we should trade Madden/Mottau/2nd round pick for him.

[jules]

The comments in the TSN story are hilarious:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=263183&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_main

[Kellyn]

It's sort of weird because in the beginning of the season, especially right after we knew Marty needed surgery and was going to be out for four months, there were a lot of rumors going around about how the Devils were going to trade for Nikolai Khabibulan (even though at the midway point of the season Khabi has been pretty much money for the Blackhawks and has proven why they call him the 'Bulin Wall' - I mean, seriously: who waives and/or trades a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Stanley Cup winning goaltender to make room for Cristobal Huet? Dale Tallon is a totaly idiot). But of all the rumors I heard at the time I thought one of the craziest ones was Shananhan coming back to the Devils.

Now that it has actually happened, though, I can see that it makes sense. Shanahan was a free agent, so the Devils didn't have to move any players, prospects or draft picks to get him. Last season he proved that he is still capable of playing well defensively and decent offensive production on the power play despite the fact that he's pushing forty, what a lot of people claim is his detracting factor. He has also established himself as a good leader who can use his veteran experience to help guide younger players, which could be extremely valuable in the post-season. And all for about $500k. This is a typically shrewd Lou Lamoriello. He creeps me out a little bit (every time I see a picture of him it feels like his eyes are burning a hole in my soul), but he's probably the best general manager in North American sports and is the reason why the Devils have three Stanley Cup titles.

[Tom Gulitti]

Well, my flight has already been cancelled. I was supposed to leave at 8:15 a.m.. Now, I'm on a 10:55 a.m. flight. If that takes off on time, I might make it there for practice.

We'll have to wait and see.

[jules]

Safe trip TG.

[Nick]

I love all the Sundin bashing and thing about Lou being a hypnotist, lol

[Just Some Guy]

I still think a Gionta for Ohlund trade makes sense. Both are upcoming UFA's. Vancouver needs some more offense and the Devils, while no offensive powerhouse, have a need on defense. Ohlund is a shut-down d-man who can score a bit. He was a minus 3 last night, but is plus 7 for the year. We'd give up some age (about 2-3 years), but save about $500k in salary. I think we have depth at forward on both the parent club and at Lowell.

[Pete]

Shanny should just wear #22, double his old number with us the first time around.

[Puckster]

That's a very good deal. Shanahan is going to cost us less in 1/2 a season than a full season of Mike Rupp.

[Brodeur30]

Hey TG, I was able to get free club seat tickets to the game on Friday so I will be there also. Was supposed to fly out tonight, but like you, my flight was canceled and I'll be flying out tomorrow AM instead. There's a big blizzard in chicago..

Would be nice to see Shanny play Friday but that seems unlikely..

[MW]

Can someone clarify this for me: Is Shannys cap hit 400K or 800K? I know that if he was traded it would be half, but I'm not sure how it works if the player is a FA.

[Brodeur30]

It'll be roughly a 400k cap hit...

[Devils Worshipper]

Didn't he wear #94 at some point? If he has the same "pull" as Mogilny or Gilmour, he might be only the 3rd Devil I can remember to wear a non-traditional high number.