With all that's been on Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello's plate in the last week -- draft, coaching search, free agency -- defenseman Andy Greene was willing to be patient. It paid off today when the Devils re-signed Greene, 26, to a two-year deal for $1.475 million.
"I knew the process was going to take time with everything else that's going on with the coaching situation and the draft," Greene said in a phone conversation from his home Michigan. "So, I wasn't worried about it at all. I knew it was going to get done and wasn't really thinking about anything else."
Greene's deal pays him $725,000 in 2009-10 and $750,000 in 2010-11.
Greene became an unrestricted free agent at noon today. He would have been a restricted free agent if the Devils had made him the necessary one-year, $660,000 qualifying offer before Monday's 5 p.m. deadline, but they chose not to. Still, Greene said there was never a doubt in his mind that he wanted to be back.
"New Jersey is the place where I want to be," he said. "I want to play there. It's a great atmosphere to play in and to be in. They do everything they can to take care of us there. You know what your'e getting when you're there, so it's the place where I wanted to be and I knew going into it that everything was going to be fine."
I heard that Kevin Weekes wants to stay in NJ so bad, he just challenged the Zamboni guy for his job
Posted by: Henrik L | July 01, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Well good for him! Too bad he isn't eeally wanted!
Posted by: JPL | July 01, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Sign Chris Neil already!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Neilamania | July 01, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Maybe Clemmensen will see he can't get a no. 1 starting job and will re-sign with NJ!
Posted by: DevilsCapsGal | July 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Who is this clown trying to steal my screen name?
Posted by: Ruppamania | July 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Nieds on the phone on nhl network!
Posted by: Henrik L | July 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
I'm glad they resigned Greene. He's a solid d-man.
Posted by: Puckster | July 01, 2009 at 03:37 PM
Why Chris Neil? We have a better version in Clarkson...
Posted by: Kasey | July 01, 2009 at 03:38 PM
we don't need Neil. He plays the same game as Clarkie but scores less, and we already have PL3 to go head to head with "The Donald" (Brashear) and Cote
Posted by: maddening11 | July 01, 2009 at 03:38 PM
The biggest need for the Devils is a second line center. Second biggest need is a top four d-man.
Posted by: Puckster | July 01, 2009 at 03:41 PM
TG - we need an update on Madden.
Posted by: BishopQ | July 01, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Niedermayer on TSN2 right now. Says leaving Anaheim wasnt ever really considered.
Goaltender Brian Boucher has signed with Philadelphia - two years, $1.85 million.
Posted by: Zavior | July 01, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Right on Puckster. I have a feeling that if we get ANYTHING today it will be a Center to play with Elias and/or Rolston - I think TG hit it on the head when he mentioned Koivu. The D can hold their own...for now. Bring up some kids see who sticks, leave cap room & make a deadline deal.
Posted by: JJ | July 01, 2009 at 03:44 PM
HAHAHAHAHA BOUCHER!!!! Another erratic season of goaltending for the Flyers.
Posted by: JJ | July 01, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Clemmer is looking to be out of options.
Posted by: Jason | July 01, 2009 at 03:45 PM
TSN said Koivu is waiting to see what Montreal is going to do because he wants to go back there.
Posted by: TG | July 01, 2009 at 03:46 PM
And does Philly now have 4 goalies?
Posted by: Jason | July 01, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Maybe Clemmer can learn how to fight & get a big contract from Sather.
Posted by: JJ | July 01, 2009 at 03:46 PM
RSD is reporting the same TG
Posted by: Henrik L | July 01, 2009 at 03:47 PM
He could take lessons from Corey Schwab :)
Posted by: Number6 | July 01, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Philly has 4 goalies? I thought just Emery and Boucher...who else did they sign?
Posted by: DevilsCapsGal | July 01, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Exactly, JJ. Second line center is the biggest piece of the puzzle. It'd be nice to get a quality top four d-man like Komisarek, but it's not as essential.
I'd love to get Koivu, but I have a feeling he'll go to Minnesota. I'm not sure who else is out there that is a reality. Sullivan? Jason Williams?
Posted by: Puckster | July 01, 2009 at 03:49 PM
about Koivu
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.rds.ca/&ei=Xr1LSsefF8Wetge_o5mcDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRDS%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_enUS290US291
Posted by: Henrik L | July 01, 2009 at 03:49 PM
IMO Clemmer will re-sign with Devils before the end of the day.
Posted by: Zavior | July 01, 2009 at 03:49 PM
maybe the deals that the hawks made will lessen their ability to sign Havlat. I hear hes a great friend of Elias and would make a great replacement for Gionta.
Posted by: skly25 | July 01, 2009 at 03:50 PM