Devils interested in Sergei Zubov?; No head coach coming this week; Sestito acquired from Edmonton

Are the Devils really interested in Sergei Zubov?

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello would not comment when I asked him that question tonight. Zubov's agent, Jay Grossman, also would not comment.

(For what it's worth: Lamoriello said that he was not at Iberia today and doesn't even know where the restaurant is located in Newark. He apparently ate at an Italian restaurant -- as he usually does).

That said, I think there might be something to this -- though I can't tell you the extent of the Devils' interest. The Devils could use a defenseman that can run the power play and Zubov might come cheap on a one-year deal.

Grossman said that there has been considerable interest in the soon-to-be 39-year-old defenseman (his birthday is July 22).

"We've had quite a few inquiries, six to eight teams that I would say have legitimate interest," Grossman said. "It's a bit of a process on both ends finding a good fit."

The Rangers are also believed to be among the teams interested in Zubov. Dallas wanted him back, but was hoping he would accept a one-year deal with performance bonuses -- which is allowed for a player 35 or older that signs a one-year deal or a player coming off a long-term injury that signs a one-year contract. (If the Devils end up re-signing Brendan Shanahan, they will probably give him a one-year deal with reachable bonuses).

The obvious concern with Zubov, besides his age, is his hip. He had season-ending hip surgery in January after he played in only 10 games in 2008-09. That came after he played only 46 games in 2007-08 because of a broken foot and a sports hernia.

Grossman says Zubov is healthy now, but admits that teams "have had some questions about" his hip, which was repaired by Dr. Marc Phillipon, the surgeon from Vail, Colorado who also performed Marian Gaborik's hip surgery and the surgery on Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez's hip earlier this year.

"He's gotten a clean bill of health from the specialist, Dr. Phillipon, who is the No. 1 hip specialist in the country," Grossman said. "He did the surgery on both of Gaborik's hips, Rob Blake, Paul Kariya. Dr. Phillipon has been consistent throughout this process that Sergei will be able to play."

Grossman would not dicuss whether Zubov would be willing to take a one-year deal with performance bonuses. All he would say about what Zubov is looking for was: "The key is the fit, the right situation. He wants to play for a team that has a good chance to win and it's a process right now. We're just sorting through it. There's questions from both sides and I'm certain that the interest is with respect to the fact that people know what can do."

Grossman said it would probably take some time for before Zubov signs somewhere.

"It's not going to happen tomorrow," he said.

***

Another thing that won't happen tomorrow or this weekend -- according to Lamorielllo -- is a head coaching announcement. So, it appears that the Devils will begin their development camp on Monday without a head coach in place.

In the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a deal. Brent Sutter did not go on the ice for last year's development camp, but did watch a couple of days from the stands.

It would be nice if the new head coach were there to see the young players. Still, I don't have a list yet of the players that will attend and it's possible that guys such as Matt Corrente, Tyler Eckford, Matt Halischuk, Rod Pelley, Nicklas Bergfors, who all played in Lowell last season, won't be there.

If I do get a roster of the players attending, I will post it.

***

The Devils acquired minor league center Tim Sestito from the Edmonton Oilers for a conditional draft pick, the Oilers announced today (the Devils have not announced it, yet). Sestito, a 5-foot-11, 195 pound native of Rome, N.Y, had five goals, three assists and 77 penalty minutes 51 games with Springfield of the AHL last season. Sestito, who will turn 25 on Aug. 28, also played in one game for Edmonton in 2008-09 and did not register a point or any penalty minutes.

Comments

[elias#26]

PLEASE

[Mike O.]

hurry up and wait.

[crashlanding]

TG,
Do you have any idea if the prospect camp will be open to the public at all?

[Steven]

I am not expecting a coach next week either due to the developmental camp, which it looks like John MacLean and Tommy Albelin will run along with Bure and Vasalani. Oh, TG post some pictures on your blog or create a link for the photo album even though the Devils website should probably have photos. It will be fun to see Tedenby, Josefson, Cormier etc...

[Vishal]

LOL. TG I can't believe you asked him, therefore calling out the poster as a liar. Or maybe the poster just had the wrong restaurant, who knows.

[elias#26]

Can someone show me the comments? which article is it under?

[TG]

I don't know that Tedenby will be there. He wasn't last year. Josefson will be there because I don't think he went back to Sweden after the draft.

I plan to bring my camera and post some pictures.

[Vishal]

It's under the Zajac one. Like 8 pages in, I think. I can't remember. Just love the fact that Tom goes out and asks. TG you're like the superman of blogging. Zubov to Devils (TG1)

[TG]

No, Lamoriello said he didn't tell anyone anything about Zubov at any restaurant. I'm not calling the poster a liar. I'm just telling you what Lamoriello said. Make your own judgment.

[elias#26]

Thanks TG, your the best. Will someone tell me where these comments from that fan are?

[FOTC]

TG, in an article with a Swedish paper, Tedenby said he's leaving for NJ on July 11th and that Bergfors will be there.

[TG]

Then, I'm looking forward to seeing Tedenby. Hopefully, I'll get a roster of the players tomorrow, but I'm not counting on it.

I have heard nothing that the camp will be open to the public, so I'm assuming it won't be.

[Vishal]

I'm not saying you intentionally called him a liar. Just think it was funny. You're the greatest

[Pearl Jammed]

i am kinda shocked Lou is interested in bringing in Zubov in lieu of seeing what some of the younger guys can do... as our D stands right now

Martin, White, Oduya, Mottau, Salvadore, Greene.... then you have Corrente and Eckford who need to get a shot sooner or later one would think.

[Vishal]

Make your own judgment.

ha, and also vague like Lou. Hahaha.

[Tapiolevo09]

I don't think Eckford is quite ready yet. He has nice offensive skills but was a big - player for Lowell.

[Jim B]

Zubov seems like he would be a hit or a miss, he still has the skill, but his injuries would be a big concern. Seems like it would be similar to Marian Gaborik, when he is healthy he will help the rangers, but he is almost never healthy.

[Chris]

Love the part about the Italian restaurant TG, don't know why but that cracked me up...."as he usually does" especially.

Think you can get Lou to do a guest column in the Food section on Newark's best Italian joints?

[Tapiolevo09]

Why doesn't Lou pick up the phone and call Nieuwendyk. Robidas would look good on the Devils and is the ever needed righthanded shot. Nieuwendyk would probably want his buddy Langs though.

[elias#26]

which zajac thread is the comments from?

[Vishal]

Then we laugh at Nieuwendyk. Robidas can be had for a song, he's incredibly overrated. Put up points because Zubov was injured, flash in the pan. Plus he only had 26 points. He, like Komisarek, was a fake all-star this season. (Fake all-star = had no business being there)

[Pearl Jammed]

TG if you could, after the rookie camp if you could give a write up on who looked good during rookie camp and if it looked like anyone had the skill level to make it out of camp. I am excited to see what tedenby can do, it would be interesting to see him playing with Elias if we were to use Bergfors in a trade

[Tapiolevo09]

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli"

[Neil S]

@Tapiolevo09: That was immediately what came to mind too. The Godfather just fits Lou too perfectly.

[TG]

I'll give the best evaluation that I can. Tedenby is under contract to play in Sweden next season, so he won't be playing for the Devils in 2009-10.