As expected, Devils stand pat on July 1st, but re-sign Greene, Hedberg

While many teams like the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres kept busy and signed top-tier talent on Free Agency, the Devils were focused on signing their own players and locked up defenseman Andy Green to a 4 year contract for $12 million and brought back goaltender Johan "Moose" Hedberg to a 1 year contract for $1.25 million. Hedberg's deal is a $250K drop from last season. Bringing back Hedberg likely means, the Devils search for Marty Brodeur's successor is put on hold for another year. It also might mean that the Devils believe that one of the three goaltenders in Maxime Clermont, Scott Wedgewood, or Keith Kinkaid can develop into quality starting goaltenders. The Devils do have high hopes for Kinkaid though.

Lou Lamoriello has said that the Devils could sign a free agent or two, but will have to trade someone from their roster to make room for that potential free agent, but nothing is imminent at the moment. In fact if there is a quality player in the free agent market that is left come August, September, or maybe before the season starts and Lou likes him, he might take a chance on him. Players who could be traded are Colin White, Brian Rolston, Bryce Salvador, Dainius Zubrus, David Clarkson and Travis Zajac. Rolston could be placed on waivers and re-entry waivers like he was this past season and might actually be claimed for half of his $5.025 million dollar salary. Him having 1 year left in his deal could make it easier for teams to take a chance on him. However, Lou Lamoriello did acknowledge a need for a puck moving defenseman and might get one through a trade rather than free agency unless he makes a trade to cut a certain salary before. Before Brent Burns was traded to San Jose, it was believed the Devils had interest, but now Lou will need to go to a different route. Now, its believed that the Devils need for a puck moving defenseman will hinge on whether top pick Adam Larsson makes the team, but I think its two separate story lines.

The Devils also need a new coach and all indications are that one will be hired by the end of this week or definitely by next Monday, the day the Devils start their prospects camp. I do not know if a new coach would be needed for the prospects camp, but it seems to suggest it is just to get a feel for the Devils philosophy the new coach might bring. There is no word on who the Devils are targeting as their new coach and the field remains wide open.