Lamoriello: It might not do Vrana harm to play in Czech Republic; Leblond signs for three years, $1.575 million

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said that he had been told that center Petr Vrana was considering playing in the Czech Republic next season, "but I have not been told anything official."

"It's not a suprise, though," Lamoriello said.

There are reports out of Czech that Vrana, the Devils' second-round pick, 42nd overall, in 2003, has signed a two-year deal to play for Vitkovice of the Czech Extraliga. Vrana's agent, Tim Cranston, has not yet returned a telephone message I left for him earlier today.

Vrana, 24, re-signed with the Devils as a restricted free agent last summer for one season at $475,000. He underwent season-ending surgery on Jan. 15 to repair a fractured leg he sustained in a Jan. 14 AHL game with Lowell against Providence. He had one goal and no assists in 16 games with the Devils in 2008-09 before clearing waivers and being sent down. He added five goals and four assists in 14 AHL games before being injured.

"He came back this year with the hope of playing and quite frankly with his injury I think, in my mind, he would probably want to go there," Lamoriello said. "I think he still would like to come back to the NHL. We still would retain his rights and it might not do him harm to go there and play."

***

Left wing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond's new contract is a three-year deal for $1.575 million. 

The breakdown:  2009-10: $500,000;  2010-11: $525,000; 2011-12: $550,000.

"He did extremely well, so he deserved it," Lamoriello said.

When I asked Lamoriello if he is making any progess in re-signing any of the team's other free agents, he replied, "No. Nothing yet."

Comments

[NJ Chris]

reasonable for PL3, now Rupp can leave

[Mikedeadworks]

Im sure i'll get good and bad responses on this. But they MUST lock up Oduya to a multi-year deal. Honestly, if you are against him... you aren't paying attention to the game at all and don't want whats best for this team, seriously. I don't care if you see him fall down once in a while or something but he IS a Top 4 D-man. Numbers don't lie and he is among the best we have. Last season and this season he has made extreme strides in becoming an amazing player. This post season he was the only +/- positive D-man. I can't stress enough how important he is to hold onto. We lost Neids, we lost Rafalski, we need to KEEP our top D-men. He plays 2nd fiddle to only Martin and it's a very, very slim margin at that.

[Pete]

Good deal! Glad to see one of the the pieces we needed to keep is returning. Blondie did amazing last year, and yeah I agree I think we can let Rupp walk now.

[Pete]

@Mikedeadworks: I completely agree, Oduya needs to be priority #1 as far as the UFAs go. Lose him and you're basically down to Paul Martin and the Lowell Devils.

[Xander Crews]

Mike i dont think anyone doesnt want us to keep Oduya... Im pretty sure were all in agreement hes an important part of our team. However i do think your over selling him a bit, Martin is our clear cut #1 D man and hes not only a "very very slim margin" better then Oduya.

Oduya isnt as great as you think he is but hes learning still so it shouldnt be expected for him to be.

Oduya will be resigned im sure and thats good but dont act like hes the best player we have.

[bobo]

@ TG

Your thoughts on the possibility of Big Bird coaching here next year if Sutter doesn't return. I hear he's rumored to be going to Montreal but he has had success here and is well appreciated.

[Will in Maine]

PL3 wasn't great in the game or two he played in the playoffs, but if he can consistently be on the roster in NJ, he might mature to something more than a hitter. As much as I like Carcillo, Rupp, PL3, Janssen, to name a few... they are marginal at anything other than hitting and fighting... I know everyone on this forum will cringe when I say this but... we need someone like Avery or Ott, someone who can agitate, hit, fight, AND score. I hope PL3 will up his game and really focus on his job and the team.

[skly25]

good. PL3 did a good job for the time he played. and yes oduya and another top 4 defensemen are the biggest things the devils need to sign this summer. after that, I say madden and either a scorer or bring a few players up from lowell. this team needs to get younger and faster. just look at what players like parise and zajac have done? i know theyre both 1st round picks but bringing up even a few younger players, coupled with older experience and brodeur backing them (hopefully with some new, stronger D), this team could be great.

[Xander Crews]

Lol couldnt you say someone like Lucic?

[Mikedeadworks]

Xander. I may have been over-bearing, I don't think he is the best player we have. But I just think of him as a top priority to keep on our bench at this point. Numerically over the last 2 seasons he's 2nd of d-men in almost all stat categories. So he's legit at what he does and he is only getting better. I'd like to see him held onto. It's a smart move, no doubt.

[Mikedeadworks]

As much as I hate to say it because after Holik left originally, he became one of my favorite players... But I don't see Madden coming back. It's been noted here and there that he isn't too happy with the level of youth hockey around New Jersey, (his son plays) and how he has family still in the Toronto area. It wouldn't shock me to see him in a Leafs jersey next season. Brian Burke im sure could recognize his leadership and drive, Madden is a staple to our lockeroom and would be anywhere he may go.

[Jason]

Are you all insane? What EXACTLY did PL3 do that was so amazing, aside from being a punching bag for anyone on the Flyers? I can't fathom what games some of you are watching a times.

[Jason]

Rupp is 3X the player PL3 is. This is an absolutely gonzo move.

[Strac]

Yea i agree. Oduya is a top priority. He is a great d-man and its a must to sign him. I think he may be the best d-man out there (besides Bouwmester(sp?). He has great potential too so long term deal i think is worth it. Vrana to Czech is a good move for him, i dont think he was quite NHL player

[Xander Crews]

Yea i remember at the end of the season Eklund had a list of the top 20 UFA DMen and Oduya was i think number 5 (at that time some of the UFA may have been re-signed since then im not sure).

Yea yea i know Eklund is stupid and always wrong about trades but he can still see talent and make a list of top UFAs.

[Strac]

I think PL3 is just a fill in for Rupp at a cheaper price (idk wat Rupps salary was so) but PL3 is young and has potential. it wasn't that PL3 was really impressive but IMO its like Rupp was scratched and maybe they think he is on the decline but idk i think he is a pretty good player, good 4th liner

[Jason]

Aside from being a fighter, Rupp can play adequate center, costs the same, and has size. PL3 has none of those qualities. He makes Cam Jannssen look like Sidney Crosby.

[troy]

I agree w/ keeping Oduya, and signing PL3 is ok, but we need to add another d-man(and I think Beauchamin would be a good fit)and find a center to play w/ Elias and Rolston if Gio isn't resigned.As for Madden, I think if he is willing to take less, he will stay if not he's gone and Zubrus is now our checking line center.This increases our need for a center, and if Rolston can't play there, then move him to the wing.If Gio comes back and we can get a center, then he would fit well w/ Pando & Zubrus on the chking. line.There are only a few centers that are avaliable Cammellari(UFA) and Lucic(RFA) that might make the fit.If we get Oduya and another d-man signed then, someone is expendable and we can maybe make a trade for a center.

[Jason]

The breakdown: 2009-10: $500,000; 2010-11: $525,000; 2011-12: $550,000.

"He did extremely well, so he deserved it," Lamoriello said.

I wish i worked for Louie Lams. Expectations must be quite low. Show up on time for 3 games and make 1.5M

[martysbetter86]

Sorry I'm double posting... I'm out of it.

I have to agree with a few people on here in stating I don't remember PL3 doing anything great for us. Granted he has size and knows how to hit and fight, but he did not stand out at all. Still I choose him over Rupp because he's got youth and he might develop into a good 3rd/4th liner. Devils need to get younger, and getting rid of guys like Rupp and Madden needs to happen during the offseason. Madden will always be one of my favorite players for his contribution to 2 cups, but times are changing and we need new life. Also I think Johnny Mac would be a fantastic replacement for Sutter if it comes down to it. Too bad Pat Burns isn't able to coach.

[Xander Crews]

@ Troy.... Lucic is not a center. Not sure if you meant someone else. Id LOVE LOVE LOVE to have Lucic on the team tho!

Anyway i also agree on what else you said. Let Madden walk and replace him with Zubes (who would make a GREAT 3rd line center) and put Rolston and Elias on the second line wing and get a center somehow. Id say let Gio walk aswell.

[bobo]

does PL3 have a 2 way contract?

[TG]

I believe Larry Robinson is done being a head coach in the NHL. He was probably done when he stepped down in 2005-06. The mental stress of the job was having a negative effect on his health.

Plus, he just didn't like being away from his wife and family that much.
He didn't even want to be a full-time assistant after last season.

He enjoys his role teaching the Devils' younger players and he also gets to spend more time with his family. I don't see that changing unless it was in a pinch where Lou Lamoriello asked him to take over at the end of a season and for the playoffs like he did in 2000.

The Montreal rumor proved to be untrue. Jacques Martin was hired today.

[TG]

Also, I was negligent in mentioning that $500,000 is actually the league's minimum salary for 2009-10 and 2010-11. The minimum goes up to $525,000 in 2011-12.

So, Leblond will make the minimum in 2009-10 and $25,000 more than the minimum the next two seasons. In other words, making it out like he got some huge contract would be incorrect.

[Leed's Retarded Bastard]

Im happy Leblond is signed. I would be more even more happy to see Zubrus gone and Rupp resigned to play center on Leblond's line.