Devils Trade Rumors

"John Madden: Signed through 2008-09. Because of his value as a two-way player, he needs to be locked up long term."

"The Edmonton Journal reported yesterday that Flyers captain Jason Smith will sign with New Jersey this summer as an unrestricted free agent. The Flyers have not extended his contract and, according to Western scouts, tried unsuccessfully to move the defenseman at the trade deadline."

"The New Jersey Devils will sign former Oilers captain Jason Smith this summer when he's an unrestricted free agent. Smith started his NHL career with the Devils."

"Rampant leaguewide speculation has the Jackets making a draft-day run at San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau, but it's possible -- even likely -- that Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will check on the availability of others, including Daniel Briere of Philadelphia, Patrick Elias of New Jersey, Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers."

"Meanwhile, the Rangers are believed looking elsewhere for help on defense, perhaps toward Edmonton's Joni Pitkanen, since Tampa's Dan Boyle yesterday signed a six-year, $40 million extension that removes him from the top of the rental market... With Boyle re-signing with the Lightning, Tampa is expected to have to deal former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards, who has a no-trade clause and may have the Rangers, and possibly the Devils, on his short list of acceptables."

"The Rangers believe they're a playoff team. But they're hardly secure enough in the standings - or loaded with so much future cap space - to trade high picks and prized prospects for a short-term rental or long-term contract... The Isles can't afford to trade more draft picks and prospects from a cupboard that already is thin and GM Garth Snow will spend much of today trying to sign centers Mike Comrie and Josef Vasicek to new contracts."

"When Blues defenseman Barret Jackman goes on the league-wide market today, it will be a signal that the Devils couldn't come up with a satisfactory package to land the 2003 Rookie of the Year, an upcoming unrestricted who doesn't turn 27 until March 5... They made the case that their most pressing need really is for a center such as Chicago's Robert Lang. "

"The Devils are looking for defense and a league source said they've been scouting St. Louis Blues defensemen Bryce Salvador and Barret Jackman."

"Buffalo's Brian Campbell and Colorado's John-Michael Liles, who would fill the Devils' need for a power-play point man, are available, as is Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa. Getting Toronto's Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade to come to New Jersey is a long shot, but a deal for Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina, who also would have to waive no-trades, might be doable."

"Lamoriello was back from the GM meetings in Florida in time to watch his Devils win a 20th home game for the eighth straight season, beating the Sharks 3-2 in Newark for a three-game winning streak. He intends to be a trade-deadline buyer, if he can find suitable sellers... Upcoming unrestricteds who could interest the Devils include Marian Hossa, Ladislav Nagy or Mats Sundin up front and Rob Blake, John Liles, Dan Boyle or Brian Campbell on defense."

"The Bruins, Rangers, Senators, Ducks, Sharks and Flyers have all made a pitch for D Brian Campbell, who the Sabres would prefer to keep... Devils D Karel Rachunek is about to be dealt. He was a healthy scratch yesterday vs. the Hurricanes."

"He's up for unrestricted free agency this summer, coming off a $1.52 million salary. There are teams who have noticed him, too, because he always is in the lineup, and there will be other bidders. Brylin wants to remain in New Jersey, finish his career there, but this may be his last chance at more of the kind of pay he's only just been making."

"Hawks general manager Dale Tallon has admitted involvement in the Forsberg negotiations, and two European news outlets reported during the weekend that Forsberg, 34, is weighing a three-year, $11 million offer from the Hawks. Hockey Night in Canada reported that a trade of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to Ottawa for Wade Redden was a possibility, and sources in New York believe the New Jersey Devils are after Martin Havlat. If they get him, Havlat could play with Patrick Elias, a longtime friend. Tallon reportedly has long been interested in defensemen Brian Campbell of Buffalo and Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay."

"The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 26, and the Blackhawks, for a change, are in the thick of rumors that are swirling around the league."

" There appears to be truth to the report that the Devils and Thrashers talked in preseason about a trade of John Madden for Bobby Holik. The discussion is believed to have fallen apart for good because of the significant deferred payments due Madden, which would have traveled to the Thrashers. ... The drumbeat increased on the possibilities of New Jersey obtaining either Robert Lang or Martin Havlat from Chicago, neither a rental. "

"Within 24 hours, however, Asham was able to make up for his disappointment by scoring two goals and engaging in a fight as the Devils held on for a 3-2 triumph over the Ottawa Senators last night at Scotiabank Place... With the trade deadline looming, Asham is one of those players who wonders if his days with the Devils are numbered."

"Yet another source said yesterday the Devils are trying to deal one of their eight defensemen, probably Johnny Oduya or Andy Greene, for a Top Six rental forward, almost certainly a center. Another figure reiterated Chicago's Robert Lang as a possibility and good fit, although he has another year on his contract and would probably be more costly."

"Trade rumors have included Gionta as the veteran component of big deals, perhaps for Martin Havlat, Olli Jokinen or even Mats Sundin. It seems unlikely, though, that Lamoriello would deal such a goal-scorer at the bottom of his value."

"The Devils are believed trying to upgrade their team both on defense and at center. Brad Richards, Olli Jokinen, Ladislav Nagy, Robert Lang and Martin Havlat are names mentioned by inside figures up front, with Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Rob Blake, Joni Pitkanen and John-Michael Liles among the possibilities on defense."

" Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brad Stuart and Buffalo Sabres blue-liner Brian Campbell, both unrestricted free agents after this season, are said to be on the Devils' radar screen. So are forwards Ladislav Nagy of L.A. and Robert Lang of Chicago. "

"Brodeur, whose current contract ends after the 2011-2012 season when he will turn 40, doesn't know if he'll want to play beyond that. He might have to. The Devils, once known for developing goalies, do not appear to have any top-quality successors in their farm system."

"Five weeks remain to complete the construction of a contender. Don't be surprised if Lou Lamoriello joins the Kings' auction of Rob Blake or perhaps grabs Brad Stuart to bolster his backline and power play... Another name advanced as a potential Devil target is John-Michael Liles, but Colorado is expected to be a buyer, not a seller. Other teams likely to be sellers are Phoenix, where Ed Jovanovski has two more seasons on his $6 million deal, and Edmonton, where pickings are slim."

"We picked eight potential trading partners for the Leafs, then asked eight hockey experts to play John Ferguson Jr., posing this question: As Leafs GM, what would your opening demand be in a trade for Mats Sundin?"

"Brick native Jim Dowd's NHL career may be over. The Flyers forward cleared waivers yesterday and is not likely to accept a demotion to the minors. Dowd remains with the Flyers but was scratched from last night's game against his former club."

"There's talk Senators president Roy Mlakar could be on the move. His contract expires at the end of the season and there hasn't been any announcement of an extension from owner Eugene Melnyk. There's whispers New Jersey Devils COO/president/GM Lou Lamoriello might be looking to shed one of his titles and could bring in Mlakar to act as president to help market the club in the New York area."

"Larry Robinson certainly did look good back in bleu-blanc-rouge last Monday night when the Canadiens retired his No. 19 jersey. He would look even better back in those colours full time after his contract as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils expires at the end of this season."

"Pat Burns, still doing well in his long battle with cancer and happily employed as a Devils scout in Florida, brushed aside rumors out of Toronto that the Maple Leafs were going to fire Paul Maurice and bring him back as coach."

"With his struggling club now three games under .500 following a 1-0 loss to Rick DiPietro and the Islanders last night at the Prudential Center, Lamoriello will almost certainly step up a search for a defenseman and he may also be shopping for a forward who can contribute some offense."

"Defenseman Richard Matvichuk, who was placed on waivers by the Devils yesterday morning, said he is hoping to be claimed by another team but will report to Lowell (AHL) if he clears and is assigned to the minor-league club."

"Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said he has not yet been able to work out a trade for defenseman Richard Matvichuk, who remains in New Jersey working out and skating on his own."

"Defenseman Richard Matvichuk thinks it will take awhile for general manager Lou Lamoriello to trade him."