After working on the coaching staff yesterday, Lou Lamoriello and the New Jersey Devils are warming up for the free agency period with some moves. Here's whats happening today around Devils hockey:
Clarkson Re-signs for 3 yrs/$8 mil - Here's Gulitti's article with quotes from Clarkson. The Devils will have a cap hit of $2,666,666.67 for three seasons for David Clarkson. His salary will be $2 million next season, then $3 million the remaining two seasons. The hit is a little higher than what most of us guessed/wanted, but it's nowhere near unreasonable.
Pandolfo and Peters to Waivers - Cap space has been cleared. The Devils have placed Jay Pandolfo and Andrew Peters on waivers. They have 24 hours to clear waivers, and if no team claims them, they could be bought out. Pandolfo was in the last year of a 3 yr/$2.5mil contract, and Peters was on the second half of 2 year, minimum salary contract. If both are bought out, the Devils will have opened up exactly $2 million dollars in cap space.
Pandolfo Requests Buyout - Jay Pandolfo is no longer a New Jersey Devil. He was one of the best defensive wingers in the NHL during his prime and helped the Devils win two Cups. It's sad to see him leave, but at the time time, this opens up a lot of cap space.
Lamoriello on Pandolfo - Lou did the right thing, letting Jay go and giving him an opportunity to play elsewhere. He will be bought out (no team is picking up his contract). Hopefully a team needs a veteran defensive winger and he'll get signed. Lou noted the team is far from complete, and this move opens room for the free agency period and the prospects.
Paul Martin Update: Testing Market, Devils Not Out - Chere has some quotes from Paul Martin. The Devils haven't offered him anything. Will they? Martin also talked to Lou about the "changes" and "direction" of the Devils for the future. Martin's looking for the best fit, and hopefully it's still the Devils.