After watching the Atlantic Division improve by leaps and bounds, his own team being pillaged in the process, New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello must now surrender to UFA defenseman Sheldon Souray's demands.
It is believed Souray is seeking in excess of $6 million per season, which is well within the realm of what a player of his caliber should expect. After seeing aging and declining players at his respective position receive lucrative contracts, the soon-to-be 31 year old free agent who notched 26 goals at the point last season should get what he earned: a hefty contract. After Brian Rafalski, 33, signed for $30 million over a five year span and Mathieu Schneider, 38, ink eda 2 year deal worth $11.25 million, Souray should see a raise from his $2.43 million contract last season with the Montreal Canadiens.
It was believed Lamoriello had re-acquired Souray, the former Devils' defenseman who was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for Vladimir Malakhov in March of 2000. Rumors swirling throughout the NHL had Souray ready to sign a 5 year contract to an undisclosed amount, but the deal hit a snag and now the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders have emerged as serious players for the sharp-shooting defenseman's services.
This stalemate that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello finds himself in is entirely of his own doing. With just over $30 million in salary committed to next season's roster, Lamoriello has close to $20 million to fine-tune his group of warriors in any way he sees fit. With Scott Gomez bolting across the river to the rival Rangers and Brian Rafalski leaving to play for his hometown Red Wings, the Devils find themselves in a much deeper hole than the one they finished last season in, a five game exit in the second round at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. With $13 million and change leaving town, the ball is now in Lamoriello's court to restock this once feared eastern power.
With the Rangers adding Gomez and Buffalo's Chris Drury, the Flyers Daniel Briere, Joffrey Lupul, and Jason Smith, and The Islanders Mike Comrie and former Devil Bill Guerin, New Jersey is now forced to simply break even in an attempt to compete in the now fierce Atlantic Division. While Dainus Zubris, Karel Rachunek, and Kevin Weekes have all been shrewd signings, there will be no way to replace the offense the team lost earlier this week if Souray puts on a sweater with any colors other than red and black. The Devils will move into a new home next season in Newark, NJ, but will anyone come to see them in the Prudential Center if every other night provides a ####-hum 2-1 decision? The Devils saw Continental Airlines Arena fill up just once all of last season (including the playoffs) despite boasting a second seed in the eastern conference and another Atlantic Division championship. The Devils next season starts now, and so far Lamoriello's "fiscal responsibility" could hamper it before it even begins. The respected Devils' GM does not want to repeat history by overpaying for aging stars like he did when the lockout ended (Malakhov, McGillis, and Mogilny), but at this point, one star is better than no star. Brian Rafalski was deemed too expensive at $6 million per season, but Souray is a considerable upgrade over the smooth-skating Rafalski. He would also be a considerable upgrade over any offensive or defensive option the Devils could fathom after Souray poured in 26 goals and dished out 38 helpers last season with the Habs.
The New York Yankees could end up paying Roger Clemens millions for eight or nine wins this season in the AL east, but for the Devils, the difference between 10-15 wins may only be a few hundred thousand dollars away. Should Souray escape the Devils for a second time, the answer to New Jersey's offseason quandary next year will not lie behind the bench or in the roster, but quite possibly in the GM's seat.
