Devils defenseman Marek Zidlicky getting feisty with a former Devil

On the eve of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Devils decided to make some rare (pre-draft) noise by re-signing vet defenseman Marek Zidlicky to a one-year, $3 million deal – not including another possible $1 million in bonuses.  Zidlicky led all Devils’ defensemen in goals, assists and points last year, putting up a nice 12-30-42 statline in 81 games played.  He was particularly important on the power play where he put up eight goals and eighteen points, helping the Devils’ man advantage finish 9th in the NHL.  After back-to-back offseasons of losing key players it appears GM Lou Lamoriello is ensuring that doesn’t happen this time.  Although re-signing Zidlicky and fellow Czech Jaromir Jagr doesn’t make the team any younger or faster, both signings were still neccesary, particularly given their short-term deals.

What this signing means at the moment for the Devils’ defense on the whole is unclear at the moment given the six players currently under contract – Jon Merrill on his ELC and Zidlicky, Andy Greene, Bryce Salvador, Anton Volchenkov and Peter Harrold all signed through at least next season.  Also, Adam Larsson and Eric Gelinas are both RFA’s, but barring a trade you can expect both to return.  That would give the team eight defensemen under control through next season, not including UFA-to-be Mark Fayne, who’s apparently not in the team’s plans according to his agent who admitted he hasn’t been approached about a new contract.  While I do think Fayne’s good for what he is and got shafted at times over the last two years here, he’s still kind of expendable with the Devils’ D the way it is now given the players under contract and the prospects who are right behind young guns Merrill, Larsson and Gelinas.

Given the fact Larsson and Gelinas are no longer waiver-exempt next season, maybe this is finally the offseason Lou does something to alleviate the army-sized logjam on D.  Most likely letting Fayne go and buying out either Volchenkov (compliance) or Salvador (standard) would be the easiest way to clear some space for the young guns already here and on the way.  Perhaps the upcoming draft in Philadelphia and what moves are – or aren’t – made will shed more light on the answers.