NHL analysis

Well, Lou pulled a fast one today, shipping Malakhov to the San Jose Sharks for two very cheap players, though neither is likely to play for the Devils this season.

I, like everyone else I’m sure, am very interested to learn the conditions placed on the first round pick NJ surrendered to get the Sharks take on Malakhov’s $3.6 million salary for Fahey and Korolyuk.

Near as I can tell, this puts NJ about $5.5 million under the salary cap as things stand. This, however, is without the following players on their active roster: Paul Martin (unsigned), David Hale (unsigned), Richard Matvichuk (injured), Jason Wiemer (injured), Brian Gionta (unsigned). That is also assuming Lou successfuly gets Alexander Mogilny’s $3.5 million off the salary cap.

When Matvichuk and Wiemer return the Devils jump to within $3.1 million of the cap. That’s still not nearly enough to sign Gionta (48 goals last year), Martin and Hale. Something has to be still in the cards for the Devils to get their full roster on the ice, under the cap, and competing. And while I have the utmost respect for Lou’s GM’ing mojo, the regular season is 2 days away! Something has to be done and fast if New Jersey wants to compete out of the gate.

The NHL Pre-Season for 2006-2007 has officially kicked off! The New Jersey Devils defeated the Boston Bruins 5-0 this afternoon to get things rolling.

While pre-season games are a poor indicator of the level of success teams can be expected to have during the regular season (in this game Boston did not play Zdeno Chara, Marc Savard or Phil Kessel, just for one point) it is always interesting to see who gets off to the right start (also, the last five Stanley Cup Championship teams had better than .500 records in preseason play the years they won).

Hannu Toivonen yielded 4 goals on the first 26 shots he faced (0.846 save percentage). Ha! I told you Boston’s goaltending would have difficulties this season.

The Devils scored four goals on 11 power play chances (36%). Tough luck if you were hoping for a decrease in penalties called this year.

Three other games tonight. Here we go!

Notable Additions: Michael Rupp

Subtractions: Bobby Allen

Analysis

After locking up a few key free agents - Brodeur midway through last season, Elias, White and Langenbrunner as early into free agency as Lou could manage - New Jersey has been quietly scrambling to get its affairs in order. And no wonder, with a team salary already over the $44 million dollar cap and several key players still unsigned. Gomez’s $5 million contract, awarded in arbitration, sure hurts, and Gomez will likely be dealt if NJ can find someone willing to take on his salary. Brian Gionta is easily the most important piece left to sign, but Paul Martin and David Hale are also still question marks.

On the plus side, Brodeur and Elias are solidly locked up for a long time to come. Tough to argue with any team built around those two. The way I see it NJ has salary cap issues for one more year. Then Alexander Mogilny and Vladmir Malakov’s salaries will be off the payroll. In today’s NHL, no team can afford to pay $7.1 million dollars to two players who played in the minors or faded into retirement last season. As well, Gomez’s days in NJ have to be numbered. Unless he shows next year that he deserves his $5 million and is willing to sign a deal for longer than one year.

Beyond salary cap issues, NJ is in pretty good shape. They proved that last year with their 10-0 finish and sweep of the rival Rangers in the first round. Brodeur alone is almost enough to get any decent team at least into the playoffs. However, the high salaries being paid out to players not playing or not producing enough will keep NJ from making a serious impact for at least one more year. They just don’t have the depth to compete with top teams. And they can’t acquire the depth they need with their hands tied.

I can see NJ missing the playoffs next year, though I don’t expect it to happen. Philly and the Rangers remain the only legitimate teams in the Atlantic Division, but Pittsburgh is young and getting stronger. But playoffs in the east are tough to get and getting tougher. If Brodeur gets injured, the Devils will have a very difficult time next year.