Cam Janssen.
With the Devils, no news is — well, to be expected, for one thing — but also news in its own way. There has been nothing new released on the status of Zach Parise’s contract, which seems to imply that he is deep in talks with the Devils. If he were to be beginning negotiations with a different club, there would likely be more than radio silence from the hockey world. The July 1 deadline is now two weeks away.
Ilya Kovalchuk, who played injured throughout the majority of the post season, is currently undergoing MRI testing. His back injury has been confirmed. Lamoriello recently said that Kovalchuk was not the only player to be given special attention during the usual after-season evaluations. Other players had been playing through injuries as well, though there has been no reports yet on who those players may be.
Inside: the NY Post’s ‘insider’ gaffe regarding the Devils’ ownership; a belated birthday tribute to Zubrus; defending Elias against puck-stealing accusations.
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A recent New York Post editorial reported that the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman could be taking over the Devils before the August deadline, provided Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek’s inability to locate a viable refinancier for the Devils’ money issues.
Fast forward a few hours, and the NHL has released a statement decrying that this will not be necessary.
“I don’t anticipate either the league having to take over the team, or the team having to file for bankruptcy,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told USA TODAY Sports in an email.
The Devils said they had no comment.
Excellent reporting as usual, NY Post.
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A happy belated birthday to one number 8, Dainius Zubrus! He turns 34 and has now played 1089 (regular and post season) games in the National Hockey League.
Many Devils fans have long enjoyed hearing the home announcer introduce the roster with a resounding Zuuuuuubruuuuus. Of course, it’s even sweeter when the call comes attached to a goal or an assist. This season, Zubrus had 44 points in the regular season (17G 27A, +7) and 10 in the post season (3G 7A, +0). He remained versatile between the 2nd and 3rd lines, playing both center and right wing.
He is also a coffee nut and his teammates regularly mock him for his terrible music tastes (see Video Roundup). Rock on for another year and more, Zubs.
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There is a theory out there that Patrik Elias took the game puck from the ice after the Game 6 loss to the Kings. For one thing, that wasn’t the Stanley Cup-winning puck anyway, so what’s the big deal? And for another, how dare anyone accuse St. Elias of such things?
Does this man look like a puck thief to you?
