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The Rock, NJ • United States • 35 Years Old • Male

Brian Rolston knows that changes are coming for Devils

source nj.com

The signing of Ilya Kovalchuk isn't the last big move for the Devils this summer.

Now general manager Lou Lamoriello has to find a way to fit the left winger's salary under the cap. And that may not be easy without making some significant trades.
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"It looks like they're going to be over the cap, so (roster moves) that's the only thing that makes sense," forward Brian Rolston said from Michigan. "I don't know what my involvement in that is going to be, but we'll see."

Rolston knows he could be traded.

"I'm not concerned. It could happen, but it's just part of the business of hockey," he said. "Obviously someone is going to have to move."

Rolston has a no-trade clause in his contract, which has two seasons remaining with a $5 million salary but a cap hit of $5.062 million.

Nevertheless, Rolston endorsed the signing of Kovalchuk.

"I think it's great. I think it's going to be good for the team. I think it's good for the organization," he said. "I'm happy for him. He's a good kid. I don't know what he got, but he's a heck of a talented player."

Will Kovalchuk fit in as more than just an individual talent?

"I think so," Rolston said. "The thing about Ilya, he's a great guy. He's not selfish in the least bit. He just wants to win. I think that's all that it takes."

I asked Rolston if this makes the Devils the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

"You know what? I think the Devils have been the team to beat the last few years," he said. "Let's face it. We have to have better performances in the playoffs. That's what counts."

The Devils are extremely deep at left wing now that they've landed Kovalchuk. The depth chart at that position also includes Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, Rolston, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond and rookie prospects Mattias Tedenby and Alexander Vasyunov.

This summer the Devils bought out the contracts of left wingers Jay Pandolfo and Andrew Peters.