Brendan Shanahan seemed to be leaning in this direction since the Devils' season ended on April 28, but his agent Rick Curran confirmed today that the 40-year-old winger intends to play at least one more season in the NHL. It would be his 23rd season in the league.
That said, there have been no conversations so far between Curran and Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello about re-signing Shanahan, who is slated to become an unrestricted free on July 1 -- now only one week away. .
"I can't say that I've had any conversations with any club, but Brendan is definitely going to play hockey next year," Curran told me today.
Curran would not discuss whether Shanahan would be willing re-sign with the Devils if they reach out to him before July 1.
"In fairness, I really don't want to say too much," Curran said. "I haven't had an opportunity to talk with Lou, keeping in mind he is still the property of the Devils."
Shanahan, who was originally drafted second overall by the Devils in 1987 and has played for five different teams, is the NHL's active leader with 656 career goals in 1,524 regular season games. He put up six goals and eight assists in 34 games with the Devils after signing with the team as an unrestricted free agent on Jan. 15.
Bring him back!
Posted by: Tom | June 24, 2009 at 03:41 PM
I'll take Shanahan for another season. He can help the anemic PP if used correctly.
Posted by: Ruppamania | June 24, 2009 at 03:48 PM
For less than a million...how can you lose. His experience alone is worth that.
Posted by: Jack the Bear | June 24, 2009 at 03:49 PM
as long as it's under 750k, pref for league min.
Posted by: Pat | June 24, 2009 at 03:49 PM
He should be brought back ONLY if he's willing to play $1m or less. His leadership was important and he was a good player in the playoffs but if he plays a full season he's not going to stay healthy and if he does stay free of major injury he'll have to be rested anyway to stay effective so he'll probably only see 60 games anyway.
Posted by: JJ | June 24, 2009 at 03:50 PM
as much as i like
madden and think he does contribute i will definately take shanny over madden
Posted by: RG9 | June 24, 2009 at 04:04 PM
KEEP HIM.
Posted by: Shanahanigans | June 24, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Since its a new post:
JJ,
It just sounds like a frustrating theme. Why is he making these guys wait. Atleast tell him: We really want you, but i want to see whats going on with the cap and any draft day trades and then we can talk.. OR.. I dont think you are in our plans for next season (madden). It just seems like Lou cant talk to these guys who really want to come back. Lou should have never let Rafalski get that offer, because he was saying the same exact thing Gio is saying.. how badly he wants to return.. but he hears nothing from Lou. We got eliminated in the first round two years in a row. If we loose Gio/Oduya, and our coach who was top 5 in the Jack Adams for coach of the year, how can we reasonably expect to be a better team? I love Lou, I really do, but this is been a recurring theme. He loses these guys, then panicks and sign replacements to terrible contracts. malakov, Mogilny, Zubrus, Mcgill....
Posted by: mikeschoenf | June 24, 2009 at 04:08 PM
I don't think you can really compare Madden and Shanny as players...
I'd like to have him back but in a 4th line role for under $1 mil
Posted by: mpf | June 24, 2009 at 04:08 PM
I'd take him for 1.5 mil in a split second, it'll be a year-to-year contract, won't damage the cap at all. He's not here to score 30 goals, he's here for leadership. He can prime any future and present captain. I would think of him as an on-ice gametime coach. I get the geeling that the Devils lack leadership
Posted by: RickyM2 | June 24, 2009 at 04:09 PM
*feeling
Posted by: RickyM2 | June 24, 2009 at 04:20 PM
http://devils.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=njd_fan_fea_25s_1994-95
Good times, good times.
Posted by: Tom | June 24, 2009 at 04:29 PM
I'd def. take him back for a very low salary (under 1M)
Posted by: Rob | June 24, 2009 at 04:33 PM
he will probably be back for either 1 mil a season or just shy of....
Posted by: Pearl Jammed | June 24, 2009 at 04:35 PM
I would rather his 4th line spot go to a kid like Halischuk. It's time to get younger.
Posted by: frankied | June 24, 2009 at 04:35 PM
By the way, Jacques Lemaire reportedly will be introduced Thursday morning as one of the assistant coaches on the 2010 Canadian Olympic team. Lindy Ruff and Ken Hitchcock will be the other assistants to head coach Mike Babcock.
I added this to the Lemaire post below, but to clarify, Lemaire told me that he would only be interested in coaching next year in the NHL as a head coach. So, this assistant coach job with Team Canada appears to be unrelated to the "coaching situation" he told me today is "not moving."
Posted by: TG | June 24, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I'd take Shanny back at 1M or under for the year and only play him half the regular season games to keep him active but rested, and hopefully he can help in the post season. Easier said than done...since it would mean having another player around willing to split the season with him and probably have to sit out the playoffs...could be a good intro for one of our minor guys though...idk
Posted by: Scratch | June 24, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Shanahan is welcome to return in my book any day, he was a very very solid addition last year
Posted by: pando20rules | June 24, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Please don't sign Shanny. He will end up playing too much and get burned out and be even slower than he is when fresh.
Posted by: Scott731 | June 24, 2009 at 04:48 PM
I'd love to see Shanny back.
My money says that when Shanny retires playing hockey, he'll be an analyst. I think he's got the personality to do it.
Posted by: Sal from Garfield | June 24, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Ruppamania is runnin wild!!! Now I must ask you, sincer rupper won't be back, will you change your name? PL3ania doesn't have the same ring to it.
I was killed last year for wanting shanny before he signed. Glad to see we are all on the same page now. Bravo us
Posted by: nnjrules | June 24, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Sal, I have heard that Shanny is headed toward management once he retires.
Posted by: Scratch | June 24, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Sign him for a mill and lets get this ball rolling!!!
Posted by: Hot Dogs | June 24, 2009 at 05:06 PM
NNJrules
Maybe he will change his name to QQ-4-RUPP. I know I will have teary eyes (QQ) if he doesn't return.
Posted by: Zorin | June 24, 2009 at 05:12 PM
$1MM for Shanny is ok in my book. Scratch, I like you idea of rotating him in and out of the lineup for a younger player. Probably the best to keep him out of back to back games as much as possible
Posted by: Tom | June 24, 2009 at 05:14 PM