A quiet off season for New Jersey
Posted 9:02 PM ET | Comments 0
As the sixth day of NHL free agency comes to a close the Devils look nearly identical to the team that defeated the Boston Bruins on the final day of the regular season in front of a sell-out crowd full of the Nordique Nation. The Devils watched Arnott sign with the Blues today and they let Eckford sign with the Coyotes.
All Lou has done thus far is resign Defenseman Andy Green and backup goal tender Johan Hedberg. This strategy is not a new one as Lou is often not one to involve himself in the frenzy that is free agency which is why the signing of Kovalchuk came as such a surprise.
Usually the Devils are coming off a great playoff season and they often don't need any major changes, so this strategy is rarely questioned. However, this year the Devils are coming off their worst season in two decades having missed the playoffs for the first time since the 95-96 season. Drafting a top defender in Adam Larsson is not enough to bring a 12th place team up to playoff level.
Thought the Devils are low on cap space I admit I was hoping for a more active off season.
All Lou has done thus far is resign Defenseman Andy Green and backup goal tender Johan Hedberg. This strategy is not a new one as Lou is often not one to involve himself in the frenzy that is free agency which is why the signing of Kovalchuk came as such a surprise.
Usually the Devils are coming off a great playoff season and they often don't need any major changes, so this strategy is rarely questioned. However, this year the Devils are coming off their worst season in two decades having missed the playoffs for the first time since the 95-96 season. Drafting a top defender in Adam Larsson is not enough to bring a 12th place team up to playoff level.
Thought the Devils are low on cap space I admit I was hoping for a more active off season.