Breaking down Brendan Shanahan's Devils' exit

I've been asked a lot of questions since first posting the news this morning that the Devils had let Brendan Shanahan go. I tried to address all of them either in the posts or the comments sections below, but that information is spread out, so I thought it would helpful to put it all in one place.

Hopefully, this was all of them.

Was Shanahan cut or did he leave the team? Shanahan is still on the Devils' roster, so, technically, he has not been cut. It's clear, however, that Shanahan was at least urged out the door when Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Jacques Lemaire told him during their Wednesday meeting that there was no room for him on the top three lines and that they intended to go with younger players. Shanahan is 40. Although Lamoriello would not discuss whether he wanted Shanahan to stay as a fourth-liner, a source told me today that Shanahan was no interested in a fourth line role.

If Shanahan is still on the roster, does his $1 million salary count against the Devils' salary cap? Yes. As Lamoriello said, today, if a player is on the roster, his salary counts against the cap.

Is Shanahan being paid? Lamoriello did not want to discuss this. There apparently is some way the Devils would not have to pay him, but I don't know for sure. Because the regular season begins today, I believe this was the first day players began being paid their NHL salaries

When will Shanahan be removed from the roster? Lamoriello said that would probably happen when Illka Pikkarainen is ready to come off injured reserve.

Does Shanahan have to be placed on waivers to come off the roster? Lamoriello said, "not necessarily." He said there are "several options," but would not discuss what they are. A trade is one, but it might be difficult to find a team willing to take Shanahan's $1 million salary. The Devils could place Shanahan on waivers and not send him down afterward to see if anyone is interested in picking him up. It's unlikely they'll send him down, however, unless they decide to do him a favor by quickly putting him on re-entry waivers (Dallas did that with Sean Avery last season). The Devils would have to pay half of his salary if another team claimed him off re-entry waivers and, at $500,000, it would be more likely that another team would want him. The Devils have the cap room to do it and might be willing to for Shanahan because of the strong feelings Lamoriello has repeatedly expressed.

Will Shanahan retire? That's unknown right now. In his statement, Shanahan said, "I am planning to spend the next couple of weeks with my family to reflect on and evaulate my plans for the future."

Why did Shanahan play on the top line with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise and even wear the 'C' that night if the Devils didn't think he could play on their top three lines? They were trying to find that out for sure and they believed he could do it. After the preseason, they believe that they will be better off using younger players such as Niclas Bergfors, Matt Halischuk and Ilkka Pikkarainen in those situations instead. Lamoriello did say this summer that Pikkarainen was signed to play on the top three lines. We'll see how that works out.

Who will be the healthy scratches on opening night? Friday's practice might provide some clues or maybe Lemaire will just give out that information afterward (I wouldn't count on it). LW Jay Pandolfo and Halischuk were the fifth line players today, but Pikkarainen, who is on IR, was skating on the third line with Rob Niedermayer and David Clarkson. It is also possible that Pikkarainen could be activated for Saturday's game because the move to put him on IR was made retroactively to the Sept. 16 preseason game against the Rangers.  

Did I miss anything?

Comments

[NJromano]

who is fillin in for frazee in lowell?? caruso or coleman?

[TG]

I don't know the answer for sure to that, but I'd imagine it's Coleman. He was definitely the better of the two goalies in camp.

[Frankie D]

TG, would you give your opinion on whether it is a good move or not and why?

[mikeschoenf]

wasnt shanny on the 4th line last year? I wonder if the Devils wanted him on the fourth line?

[Looch]

I have a feeling if Pikkarainen doesn't produce off the bat (whether it be in agitating opposing players or on the scoresheet) that he'll hear the boo birds before most do.

I'm very willing to give Bergfors a chance. I hope he does well and I'm willing to give him a longer leash. I think our future is more dependent on someone like Bergfors than Pikkarainen. I'm looking forward to the Swedish invasion over the next 4-5 years.

I really hope Rolston and Clarkson stick together one way or another. I've liked their chemistry. I have a lot of stock in Clarkson having a big year. Speaking of which, I wish there was a website for a hockey stock market where you could buy and sell stock in certain players and let the market decide the price..

[TG]

I think Shanahan could have helped this team. I thought he would be particularly helpful with Bergfors. Although Shanahan was a half a step or so slower than Berfors, I thought being on the same line would help the rookie. Shanahan could have taught the kid a lot and given him a pat on the back for his confidence for time to time when the coaches don't have the time to do it during a game. Maybe Elias can do that when he comes back.

It's funny, a year ago, I thought bringing in Shanahan was a bad idea. Then, when they did it halfway through the season, I thought it was a good idea because there was little risk involved.

[95-00-03]

Thanks for all the updates TG.

In other news:

I am watching the habs game on center ice for free and it's great to have hockey season back :)

[TG]

One more thing on Shanahan: I have to admit that I wasn't sure if he would hold up over a full season. Even playing half a season last year he had some bumps and bruises that slowed him down. He was one of the Devils' better players in the playoffs, though.

[Tull]

thank you for this & everything today TG! really appreciate it. i have so much respect for Shanny and am sad to see him go. i remember him as a rookie and was happy when we got him back last year but i guess you can only go home again for so long...

[DH]

TG, who is going to get stuck on the 4th line? Pikka? The move is puzzling because Halischuk seems destined for the 4th line, unless he is going to alternate with Bergfors for one spot. Pelley seems to be the odd man out when Elias comes back. This move definitely makes for competition on the roster.

[Tull]

i thought he played with a lot of heart in the playoffs. i feel like i lost a friend. i was walking around work all day bummed. i wish the kids a lot of luck tho!

[Rush]

TG,

When Devils take him off the roster, will he still count against cap due to him being older than 35 or does that rule for some reason not apply to him?

[MikeR]

Shanahan is in my top 10 all-time favorite players list, but I think that the Devil's did the right thing. He is older and has lost a step and would probably have a tough time keeping his playing level high all season. The kids will be working very hard and add energy to the line-up. It's a tough division and the Devil's need some youthful energy and need to bring some players up that are ready for the NHL.

[NeilS]

The Devils have a diverse enough roster right now to tailor it to the team they're playing. They can mix it up physically or they can put in some better skilled/checking guys when needed. There probably isn't one place that Halischuk or Pikkarainen fit in just yet with Elias out, and when he comes back even then they have options. Niedermayer is a center right now, but could be moved to a wing if they need it. The last place I'd put Halischuk right now is the 4th line unless he's going to play with Pelley and Pandolfo against a weaker(less physical) team. He could very well play the 3rd line with Niedermayer and Clarkson.

I wouldn't put him on the 4th line against Philly, that'd be like throwing him to slaughter, he just doesn't have the size to play against their grinders every shift. If he goes on the 3rd line and plays with 2 bigger guys in Niedermayer and Clarkson, he might be alright.

We'll find out on Saturday though.

[MikeR]

Watching the Montreal game on CenterIce. Seems so funny to see Gomez and Gionta wearing Montreal uniforms.

[Frankie D]

I don't mind letting Shanny go, but that is a good point about Bergfors, who seemed like he was really learning a lot from him. Shanahan seemed to take him under his wing. But what is worth more, a mentor for Bergfors, or giving a promising young player NHL experience? Can't Rolston (who looks to be his new linemate) teach Bergfors a few things? What about Parise? Can't he talk to Bergfors in the locker room?

[Anthony]

you're the man, TG

[Faulksy]

I think an important question that has not been asked yet of you, TG, since so many people here are confused, like myself at what has transpired today is a simple one.

If you answer yes then all is well..Did Illka Pilkarrainen show you anything during training camp or preseason to suggest that he belongs in that spot over Shanahan. Other than the fact that Lou says he belongs there.

[DH]

NeilS, good point about Nieds playing the wing. It makes him seem like an upgrade over Pando because he has more scoring touch. It's all very confusing in a good way.

[TG]

Rush: The 35-or-older rule you're referring to applies only to any year beyond the first season of a contract. That's why most 35-and-older players get only one-year deals. So, the answer is no. If the Devils were to take him off their roster (without trading him or having him claimed by another team), he would not count against the cap.

And I think that when Elias comes back and if he looks good at center, that Niedermayer and/or Zubrus would move to wing on the third line and that Pelley would still be the fourth-line center --- unless Pelley demonstrates he can't handle that job.

I also think that on some nights they might balance out the lines so that they kind of have two third lines (sitting Peters and possibly PL3.).

That's why I think the Niedermayer signings was a good one. He helps them get by while Elias is out and then gives them a lot of flexibility.

[Craigwell]

Laraque was taking some punches from Orr, and then had enough and threw him to the ice like a rag doll.

[MikeR]

Everybody is bummed because Shanny is like the really great big brother that everyone would have like to have. But it's a business and as much as it sucks, it was probably the right thing at the end of the day.

[Craigwell]

Yes, hats off to coach and management for being able to make such a tough decision. I really do believe it was very difficult for them.

[Craigwell]

..and that's not to suggest I didn't want Shanny on the team, because I did. I think there are intangibles that would have made him worth keeping. I just really hope Pikkarainen makes us not regret the move.

[MikeR]

I don't think its so much about Pikkarainen. He was slated for the 4th line in all probability and that's a line Shanahan didn't want to play on. I think it's more about getting the young players more time on the second or third line where Shanahan would have taken a slot.