Although Travis Zajac filed for arbitration before Sunday's NHL deadline, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello remains hopeful of re-signing the restricted free agent center before the sides have to go to a hearing.
"Certainly we'll continue to talk with his representative to get something done, but he has every right to do that (file for arbitration)," Lamoriello said today.
When I asked Lamoriello if Zajac filing for arbitration was an indication that contract talks have not been going well, he replied, "No."
"It's part of the process," he said. "We're going to work as hard as we can to get it done, but if we can't come to an agreement, then it's arbitration. The bottom line is you know he'll be playing here one way or the other. No one is holding out or anything."
The NHL and NHLPA will announce the date for the arbitration hearing later this week. It will take place in Toronto between July 20 and Aug. 4.
Neither Zajac nor his agent, Kurt Overhardt, have returned numerous telephone messages that I have left for them.
Lamoriello did not sound bothered by Zajac utilizing the arbitration process.
"You don't get excited about these things," he said. "It's part of the business."
Lamoriello would not discuss whether the team would ask for a one-year or two-year award from the arbitartor if the sides did reach a hearing.
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Lamoriello said the team would be making a decision, "in the very near future" about whether rookie Jeff Frazee or someone else will serve as the team's backup goaltender in 2009-10.
If I had to guess, I'd say that the Devils will probably sign a veteran backup -- likely Kevin Weekes -- to a one-year deal and Frazee will play in Lowell again. That's just a guess by me, though.
Lou had nothing to say about the coaching situation?
Posted by: TD | July 07, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I agree TG. I think for this year it will be better to keep Weekes as backup and continue to let Frazee develop.
Posted by: Joey | July 07, 2009 at 12:16 PM
yea keep Frazee down there for ONE more year.. can u imagine if he has ANOTHER all-star season?? i'd be beyond stoked and relieved! .. we really dont have the assets and money 2 sign a free agent or trade for a #1 goalie when Marty retires.
Posted by: modnarm | July 07, 2009 at 12:18 PM
If the one cap site is right, the leafs are now over the cap by 700k. This is allowed, but I assume they will be trading one of their 8 dmen.
Posted by: nnjrules | July 07, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Looks like he didnt get any nice offer sheets...
Posted by: RickyM2 | July 07, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Nothing to report on the coaching situation other than that Lamoriello said that the team's offices being closed this week wouldn't prevent him from hiring and naming a coach this week.
That doesn't mean he will definitely name a coach this week, though.
Posted by: TG | July 07, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Jeff and his GF were wondering where they would live back in April after the T Devs wee knocked out. To hell with Weekes, we should sign Joey MacDonald from the Isles last year. Frazee will be MB's heir to the crease. No Question.
As far as TZ goes, he is selfish and to be honest Lou should trade him. He goes to Arb after one "SOLID" year. He is not untouchable, he is not in the top 20 centers from Canada currently in the NHL. He's average at best.
Posted by: Philly Devil | July 07, 2009 at 12:31 PM
It scares me that they are even considering letting Frazee rot on the bench behind Marty this year. He has been a pro for 1 year, let the kid stay in Lowell and be the starter and log 50 games before we rush him and stall his development. Sign Weekes (who is loved in the locker room) or a more capable back-up to play 10-15 games this year and maybe Frazee will be ready to take a good chunk of games from a 38 year old Marty the year after this one.
The leafs are/were trying hard to trade kaberle, not sure if that happened or not yet, but that will get about $4 mil off their books, nnjrules.
Posted by: maddening11 | July 07, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I like zajac, but who does this guy think he is? He is soft, and was blessed to play in between Parise and an energized langenbrunner, he contributes nothing to the powerplay, and has yet to be used on the PK, we should sign him definetly because his upside is enourmous, but so far he's proven nothing to me
Posted by: Shimmy | July 07, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Philly Devil, we don't know why Zajac went to arb. Maybe it was a formality so he can't get offer sheets, or he doesn't want to get low balled... who knows. Everyone's just getting jumpy and jumping to conclusions.
Posted by: Alien Life Form | July 07, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Actually, Zajac played a signficant amount on the PK last season.
Posted by: TG | July 07, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Guys relax.. This is not him, its his agent. Sports is still a business. Why should play and not be as happy as he can? If Lou agrees, fine. If he feels its too much, then he'll let him sail. He, unlike others, is very replaceable (if he is asking 3M)
Posted by: RickyM2 | July 07, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Zajac doesn't have to sign an offer sheet. He wouldn't file for arbitration to avoid one. His agent knows he is our only viable center for a while and he had a great season last year. He was close to the league lead in +/- (albeit a tricky stat). He's a great two way player and I thought he deserved more recognition for the Selke. That said I'm disappointed he filed and I can't imagine he would want to be removed from one of the best forwards in the game. It's usually safe to blame the agent in these scenarios. Or, failing that, Scott Gomez' dad.
Posted by: Brodie30 | July 07, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I likewise am disappointed with the filing, but I'm hoping it was just a move by the agent really.
Posted by: Alien Life Form | July 07, 2009 at 12:54 PM
there's nothing to worry about here. Zajac will be a devil next season. However, I am concerned with the coaching vacancy and the lack of signings to account for the losses we've had. Like all of us, I'd like to see us get a solid second line center.
Posted by: Ben | July 07, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Lets face it, if you wanna be rich, sign with the rangers. If you wanna win cups, you sign with the devils. If they wanna walk on a fair offer, then ADIOS!!!!
Posted by: RickyM2 | July 07, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I'm not worried about this at all. Any ruling will still keep him a RFA after it's all said and done. And if it takes him getting a look at market value then no worries. Accept it and build on it. It's not like he's going so that he can be free sooner.
I don't see a big deal in this at all.
Posted by: LucasS | July 07, 2009 at 12:57 PM
i hate to say this, but right now we're not winning cups. And I don't see us winning a cup with the roster we have now.
Posted by: Ben | July 07, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Actually, the team has 48 hours to agree to the arbitration amt or he would be a UFA
Posted by: RickyM2 | July 07, 2009 at 01:01 PM
this is not a suprising development. it was a no brainer to bring him back
Posted by: Pearl Jammed | July 07, 2009 at 01:06 PM
I hope Frazee isnt backing up Brodeur, he needs the development he would get while starting in Lowell.
Posted by: Merms | July 07, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Can't blame TZ right now. For all we know, he's asking for 3.5 and Lou's only offering 2.5? It's not public like Zherdev asking for 4.5 mil when he's not worth it. The arbitration filing guarantees, there's no holdouts over bitter disputes, prevents TZ from getting an offer sheet, puts a finality to the process in that it will be done by August, before camp opens and I think he knows that he'll likely get something in the 3-3.25 mil range. The only thing is arbitration will give him 1 or 2 years when I think we all would like to see TZ locked up for 5 years at about 3.25 cap hit.
Just get it done. What's Lou doing? Toronto, Chicago, etc. all have been pretty busy. If Lou wasn;t satisfied with the end to our season, you would think he'd be doing something about it. Instead, all we get is silence. Thanks TG for keeping us all totally out of the dark!
Posted by: Mark | July 07, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Dont worry about Zajac he has a right to file. This isnt a disrespect to the team and its not like hes doing something shady or uncommon. Hes just getting some leverage so Lou has to get a new contract worked out before arbitration, if he didnt do this then he would be waiting all summer long while Lou slowly worked on everything hes doing. I cant blame him for wanting some security and actually getting a contract. How many of you would want to sit around all summer not knowing whats going on with your job? He still wants to be a Devil otherwise he wouldnt have filed and took out the chance of getting an offersheet.
I also wouldnt worry about who will be our goalie, once Broduer retires if we dont have anyone we will have a bunch on new cap room from Broduer leaving and there are ALWAYS teams looking to move a goalie to anyone who has the cap room to take one.
Posted by: Xander Crews | July 07, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Lamoriello was essentially saying the Devils won't walk away from the arbitration ruling by saying "you know he'll be playing here either way."
Posted by: TG | July 07, 2009 at 01:23 PM
I have a feeling this coach will be a surprise, one we didn't expect to be named Coach. Its lou after all
Posted by: Put it THIS way | July 07, 2009 at 01:23 PM