Yesterday, Lou Lamoriello dropped a stunning bomb that completely changed the face of the New Jersey Devils.
Ilya Kovalchuk signed a 17 year contract worth $102 million. 17 years? That part is still going through my head.
17 years is such a long time, it's just hard to even clinch how far ahead that is.
But this is turning point for this franchise, and in my opinion about time. This is the first time since the salary cap era started after the lockout that the Devils did something like this, and Lou again showed how much of a genius he truly is. He took the hottest free agent in the league and made him a $6 million cap hit. That means that they can very easily sign RFA Zach Parise sometime before July 2011. This means that Lou is looking ahead to the future. This means that for the first time, that little team in New Jersey are actually on the center stage with more than just an all-star living legend goalie.
For the first time, the Devils have multiple offensive threats and even after Elias's contract expires in 2012, they will have two stars who can guide and lead this team into the future in this wide open league.
In a sport that is more prone to parody then any other than football, is it time for the Cup to come home to New Jersey for the first time in 8 years? I hope so! I want a reason to celebrate!!!!
I agree. A lot of people are saying the Devils won't be able to re-sign Parise, but I disagree. $6 million for the next two years for Kovalchuk isn't much over the cap. I think Lou needs to trim $3 to $4 million. Guys like White, Salvadore, Rolston, and Zubruis (sp) are expendable. I don't think Arnott will be signed past his contract expiration and who knows how long Brodeur will continue with the team. So with the possibility of some of the larger contracts coming off the books, guys like Parise, Elias, Zajak and Kovalchuk can stick with the team if it's heading in the right direction. The Devils have always been good about developing young players and working them into the lineup.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Rolston and Zubrus are expendable. I don't think you want to trade away White right now, he could help build up a younger defense for the future. As for Kovi, I'll make further comments on this when this whole debacle is over. It's like a real like soap opera.
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