The New Jersey Devils won their first playoff series in over a decade this past spring and now face the prospect of losing several key free agents in just under a month’s time. James Nichols of The Fourth Period reported today that Damon Severson’s camp isn’t sure whether the Devils want him to return or not. While it certainly doesn’t sound like the two sides are close to an agreement or even talking now, these types of agreements can be reached in a matter of days. Devils’ general manager Tom Fitzgerald has a lot of work to be done this summer and appears to have prioritized the Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier contract negotiations at this time.
Nichols reported yesterday that the Columbus Blue Jackets were interested in Severson’s services as well, and it isn’t a surprise given the players track record. Severson is sure to be in demand as he is a right defenseman coming off a season in which he put up 7 goals and 26 assists in 81 games. The veteran has spent his entire nine-year career with the Devils and could very well find himself in a different uniform come the fall.
In other Devils news:
- Nichols also reported that defenseman Ryan Graves sounds like a player that is on his way out of New Jersey. Nichols spoke with Graves agent Allain Roy who said that New Jersey needs to figure out if they have room for his client and that a lot will have to happen before they do. Graves is another defenseman that is sure to be in demand, the 28-year-old posted eight goals and 18 assists in 78 games this past season and was a big part of a Devils penalty kill that finished fifth in the league with a success rate of 82.5%.
- In positive news for New Jersey, Nichols reports that the Devils have engage in extension talks with Erik Haula. The left winger has stated his interest in returning to the Devils and Fitzgerald has said the Devils would like him back. While they are early in their discussions, Nichols says it would be hard to imagine them not working out a deal to bring the 32-year-old back into the fray. Haula came over from the Boston Bruins in a trade last summer and put up 14 goals and 27 assists in 80 games in his first year with the Devils.
Well, not at $4.1 AAV, perhaps, but other than that Severson might be looking for more than he’s worth, I can’t see why the Devils wouldn’t want him back. He’s a decent second-pairing defenseman in his prime, he’s improved from being mediocre on defense to being an asset. Might be the same deal as with Graves, though: New Jersey has piles of cap space, but a lot of people to sign, and they just can’t give $4-5 MM AAV to everyone.
With that, while I can’t complain about the return, I hated Boston losing Haula. He’s a good middle six man, and would be an asset to any team.
I think Severson and Graves have Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec as counter- balance to the Devils side of negotiating. Not that either is a perfect replacement for Severson and Graves, but both rookies will test those veterans desires to go all out for the money, or stay where things have finally righted themselves and look very promising moving forward. If he goes, it will not be to a team that needs to flip a losing history to a winning one. I’d imagine he just likes winning.now that he has tasted it.
Haula is a solid 3rd liner but with an injury history, And while I’m on the subject he shouldn’t be fighting anybody, That won’t end well.
Once again, you are completely unaware of your surroundings. Erik Haula has played 158 of 164 games the past two seasons, 80 of 82 and all twelve playoff games this past season. At this point you must be running a parody account.