Gionta On Trade Block As Devils Search For Defenseman
The New Jersey Devils may have won eight games in-a-row, but that does not mean that they are content with their current roster.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is rumored to be shopping Brian Gionta to shed some salary to add a veteran top four defenseman. Gionta, who is making $4 Million, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season end and could be the most valued trade commodity for the Devils.
The veteran forwards productivity has continued to decline since his 48 goal season in 2005-2006. This season, while playing on a line with Patrick Elias and Dainius Zubrus he has netted 11 goals and 30 assists but only has 2 goals in the last 14 games.
The addition of Brendan Shanahan has given the Devils some scoring depth upfront and the freedom to move a forward via a trade. The Devils have also been shopping forwards Jay Pandolfo and John Madden, both who earn just under $3 million this season, though Pandolfo has been a healthy scratch the past five games and Madden’s lack of offensive ability make them much less valuable than Gionta.
With several top line defenseman available like Scott Neidermeyer, Chris Pronger, Jay Bouwmeester, Tomas Kaberle, just to name a few, the Devils will need to shed some salary. Currently just sitting under the cap, the Devils will be forced to package a forward, defenseman and draft picks if they are to land one of the high priced veteran defenseman.
Author Bio
A true Devils fan from the beginning, from Mel Bridgman to Kirk Muller to Scott Steven to Marty Brodeur. I have been there with them through the good and the bad and the ugly. Whether it was John MacLean's OT goal in Chicago, or Jason Arnott's OT goal in Dallas or even the haunting Game 7 OT loss to the Rangers.
I am former college coach and athletic administrator, who just this year started writing my own Devils blog at http://njdevilslounge.blogspot.com for the true fans of hockey and the New Jersey Devils!
1995, 2000, 2003, TBD
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