Devils Add Another Old Face In Shanahan
Future Hall of Famer and ex-Devil Brendan Shanahan has agreed in principal in a contract with the New Jersey Devils.
Shanahan, who turns 40 years of age on January 23rd, was not re-signed by the Rangers after scoring 52 goals the past two seasons for the Blueshirts. Several other teams sought after the veterans services, including the Flyers, Blues and Penguins. In the end, salary cap issues and a willingness for Shanahan to stay in the New York area was his deciding factor in signing with the Devils.
The 8-time all-star has played in 1,490 career games and has accumulated 650 career goals, which ranks 11th all-time. Known as a power-play specialist, he is expected to help a struggling Devils power-play which currently ranks 20th in the NHL. A three time winner of the Stanley Cup, Shanhan brings even more experience and leadership to a Devils room stacked with veterans and is expected to see regular ice-time as a forward most likely on the third line with Brian Rolston and center John Madden.
Shanahan who was the Devils 1st round selection and 2nd overall selection in 1987, joins Brian Rolston, Bobby Holik and Scott Clemmensen as ex-Devils to sign with their former club this season. He is well remembered by Devils fans for his decision to leave the Devils in free agency to sign with the St. Louis Blues on July 25, 1991. A move that resulted in Hall-of-Famer Scott Stevens arriving in New Jersey for compensation.
Shanahan, who started skating in New Jersey on Saturday, will not join the team until the contract is settled. It is expected that he will eventually sign a pro-rated contract at a salary of 1.5M for this season.
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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