NJ Sports Talk

The New Jersey Devils were very busy on the first day of free agency in the NHL.  The team first re-signed impending free agents Jay Pandolfo and Bryce Salvador.  They didn’t even want Pandolfo to have a chance to test the market since he is arguably the best defensive forward in the league and is perfect for their system.  Salvador played well last year after being picked up in a trade with the Blues for Cam Janssen.  Along with these two signings, the Devils also brought back young forwards David Clarkson and Barry Tallackson.  On a sad note, long-time Devil Sergei Brylin wasn’t resigned and has seen his last days in Jersey.  Brylin spent his entire 13 year career in New Jersey and was an important part of three Stanley Cup titles with the club.  Always a classy and hard-working player, Brylin will definitely be missed by Devils fans like myself.  The team also will not re-sign fellow forward Aaron Asham.

The Devils then turned their attention to the free agency market and signed former members Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik.  Both were part of Stanley Cup winning teams in New Jersey and should fit right in.  Rolston, who signed a 4 year deal worth about 20 million, scored 31 goals last year for the Minnesota Wild and will bolster the teams offense and power play.  The veteran forward was being courted by more than 10 other teams but chose to return to the organization who drafted him in 1991.  Holik signed a 1 year deal and will look to add some toughness to the club and score some important goals as he did in the past for the red and black.

N.Y. Rangers Notes:  The Rangers addressed their defense by adding Wade Redden from the Ottawa Senators.  Redden signed a six-year deal that will average about $6.5 million per season.  The team also re-signed defenseman Michal Rozsival.

Mach