Lamoriello: Devils won't be able to re-sign all of their unrestricted free agents

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello recognizes that the team has some unrestricted free agents that have been with the team for a long time, such as John Madden and Brian Gionta, and would like to re-sign them.

He didn't mention any player by name, though.

"I haven't had a chance to sit down and talk to them and we don't talk during the season, but we have more than a couple unrestricted free agents that have been an integral part of this team and we have to do everything we can to keep them if possible," Lamoriello said. "It still comes down to being able to afford certain situations under different circumstances, but you never lose what these players gave this year and what they have given. Everything will be addressed and very methodically looked at and we'll see."

Lamoriello admitted that he won't be able to re-sign all of the team's unrestricted free agents, though.

"We have a lot of unrestricted free agents," Lamoriello said. "I would be impossible for us to have all of our unrestricted free agents back whether we wanted to or didn't want to. That's the only way I can answer that question."

Lamoriello said he wants to re-sign all of the team's restricted free agents -- Travis Zajac, Andy Greene, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond.

The salary cap number for 2009-10 is still unknown. It was $56.7 million for 2008-09 and might go down, depending upon the final NHL revenue figures.

Lamoriello said not knowing the number yet does make it more difficult to make some decisions on players at this time.

"There's no question that's a factor and it's an important factor because you not only have to look at what the cap is this year, but potentially next year and the year after," he said. "So, you have to make a lot of decisions not for one year, but two years or three years."

Lamoriello said the cap next season, "certainly won't be more than it's at and in all likelihood will be a little less unless there's something that I'm not aware of."

***

Lamoriello made a point today of thanking the team's fans.

"Our fans were just tremendous and the support that they gave us this year and what they created in this building was not only appreciated, but noticed and extremley helpful to the players," Lamoriello said. "Their response to what the building has brought and the enjoyment that they've also had rubs off in every directions. I think this building is what we all thought it would be and the fan support is coming and couldn't have been better than it was in the playoffs. It can always get better, but I'm saying it was tremendous."

***

Defenseman Bryce Salvador admitted he had an MCL sprain in his left knee. Like Kevin Weekes, who also had an MCL sprain,He will not require surgery.

***

As I posted earlier, Patrik Elias (Czech Republic), Travis Zajac (Canada) and Johnny Oduya (Sweden) were the only Devils headed to joing their respective national teams at the World Championships in Switzerland.

The U.S. had a full roster and was unable to add Zach Parise or any of the American-born Devils.

"They called and said they already have a full roster, so they didn't need my services," said Parise, who was the NHL's leading American-born goal scorer with 45 this season. "I was looking forward to going over there. I always like going over there. I have a few budies on the team, so I was hoping to, but not this year, I guess."

Comments

[pando20rules]

Zach,

I'm sure you hope you NEVER go there....because going tot he World Championships, means you've lost in the first round, or haven't even made the playoffs

[Canadian Devils Fan]

Its time to re-tool this team... There is no need to Madden the kind of money he wants.. If he stays for a reduced salary then great, but this team should be focused on getting another top tier center.

[Z-Man]

I'm surprised Lou thinks the cap might go down next year.

Bye bye Gio, Madden, Holik, Rupp, Shanny, Havelid, Clemmensen, and Weekes.

Bring back Oduya.

[Steven]

Based on the tone, I think Lou is going to bring back only Gionta and maybe he'll save some money for Shanny. Madden is up in the air. And then he'll look to the UFA market to make some moves. So look for him to get at everything around Draft time to July 1st in terms of the team Free Agents.

[mpf]

It obviously hasn't occured to many people that there won't be many quality centers available this year. Regardless of whether or not you think Madden is over the hill, he's the best we can do at that price level. The idea that some of the names coming up in the free agent list appeals to people really surprises me. Keep Madden. Like he said, he'll prove he's not over the hill.

[Mike]

Oh for the love of God this team's never going to get rid of Greene once and for all, is it.

I yearn for the days when we actually had NHL-quality defensemen and not AHL-caliber scrubs like Greene and Mottau.

If Oduya isn't re-signed and properly compensated (as well as Martin in very short order) and the abysmal likes of Greene and Mottau continue to see ice time on this team, then expect more of the same mid-April failures we've seen the past couple of seasons.

Sigh.

[John B]

I can't stand this. We should be talking about stopping Ovechkin right now, not letting 10-year-mainstays go...

[Murph]

i hope we bring back gionta madden and shanny, especially if shannahan takes the money he did this year..oduya stepped up in the playoffs but i hated watching him this year, i wouldnt mind seeing him go, rupp and havelid play good havelid does the little things right and nobody appreciates what he does and everybody criticizes him for some reason... and i agree with signing all the restricted free agents greene is a good Dman obviously zajac is good and leblond is a good 4th liner

[chris]

So nice to hear Lou appreciate the fan support. The only players that always do so are Elias and Parise, and it's always nice to hear. The crowd Tuesday was amazing.

[Mike]

Well, in light of Tuesday's debacle, I for one do appreciate your comedy.

[Mike]

Not directed at you, Chris, that was to the keen hockey observer above you.

[chris]

Thanks, Mike, I figured!

[G]

Imagine the added boost if Clarkson learned how to skate like a NHLer over the off-season?

I'd also like to see a new assistant coach or two. Tommy Albelein never wowed me as a player and I'm not too confident with the lessons he's drilling into an already suspect defense corps. Scott Stevens was doing special assignment work for the team, wasn't he? Think he'll eventually be given a chance to work as an assistant?

[Matt]

Mike, no offense, Greene is a good defenseman. He just hasn't gotten the playing time. White is getting older but white bloomed with Stevens, Rafalski and obviously Niedermeyer. Greene doesn't have that kind of leadership to learn from.

[Topshlf]

The US team has no room for the NHL's 5th leading scorer? That's pathetic! I guess they have no room for winning either? I hope they lose....

Speaking of losers, it won't be til the end of the 2013 season that we can say goodbye to Die On Us Zubust. That is unless Lou does the smart thing and finds a way to get rid of the big mope....

[Richard]

i think i have some sort of reason why we lost to the canes with 1:20 left, you see if the devils went on to win there would be no crosby vs. ovechkin match-up but then again there was no controversial moment near the end off the game so the reffs had nothing to do with it but still i think its something to look at

[Joey]

Yea Zubrus was a big mistake....

[Futureman]

I would love to see us go after Patrick Marleau if it is possible. I read an article today saying the Sharks are going to ask him to waive his no trade clause. He may be too big of a hit against the cap. He may be too old, i'm not sure of his age. Pretty sure the Sharks are going to have a garage sale this summer though.

[Zorin]

Only good thing with that 6 year ($20.4 million) deal Zubrus got is that it's not a lot of money over the course of the contract. Figure 2 seasons are done and a 3rd will mean someone will only have to pay the remainder. However at 3.4 million a year is a lot for this guy.

[modnarm]

trade for Marleau. Sharks may be trying to move him! Elias-Marleau-Gionta. perfect 2nd scoring line.

[Futureman]

I like the way you think Modnarm. Thats a scary second line, but the Sharks are definitely going to want players/picks/prospects in return.

[Kelly]

I can't even think about free agency and trades at this moment. That game is still has me steamed.

[Noam N. Kogen]

Devils should do what they can to keep Gionta, Oduya, Clemmensen and their restricted free agents, plus Paul Martin.

It's time to bid Madden and Havelid adieu, once and for all. If they can't sign Clemmensen, sign Weekes. Madden is washed up and is no longer a shut down center. Holik and Shanahan may still have some use yet. Holik at least hits and forechecks and is still good on faceoffs. Shanahan still seems to have it.

Devils do need a second line center who can play with Elias and, if they resign Gionta, which would be good. A few scoring wings would help. So would another crease clearing defenseman and another puck handling defenseman or two. Greene is a good one. Does anyone out there, other than Lou Lamoriello and Brent Sutter, still think Havelid is better than Greene, Leach, Brookbank (now gone), Corrente? I don't. Is Martin Brodeur still a dominant goaltender? If so, not for a long time to come. Signing Clemmensen gives them someone who can step in right away and play a lot of games and buys time for when Jeff Frazee is ready (probably in two years from now).

[Dan]

Any interesting quotes from the Captain, Parise, Elias, White or Martin?

Did Rolston say anything about his disappointing season? Maybe mention how the ankle sprain never allowed him to get going?

[BH]

Honestly if they can back Gionta for a much lower salary, than sign him. Oduya needs to be brought back, but other than that, I don't see the benefit in brining the others back. This teams needs to get younger. Madden can be replaced by Pelly, and quite frankly Shannahan and Holik never did enough to warrant them an extension at their age. I don't see Clemmer coming back just because he might get a better offer from someone to give him a shot at a number one spot. I'm not opposed to bringing Weekes back, but other than Oduya, i don't think any of the free agents are must needs.