TORONTO – Sounding as if he’s ready to start his playoff chase without a blockbuster splash, Lou Lamoriello yesterday firmed up his defense by acquiring veteran Niclas Havelid from Atlanta for Lowell rookie Anssi Salmela.
“We’re extremely pleased with our team. You have to be very careful at this time of year, about the character and type of players you bring to your team,” Lamoriello said.
“We think we have elite players, and we’re really happy with this addition.”
The Devils expect Havelid, 35, in his ninth NHL season, to be a regular on their backline.
He faced them in the 2003 Stanley Cup finals with Anaheim, the year he scored 11 regular-season goals for the Ducks.
“He’s a player we feel will come in and be seamless,” Lamoriello said. “We know his character.
“He’s sort of non-descript in that he does all things well.”
The Devils also received ECHL right wing Myles Stoesz and assigned him to Trenton.
Havelid, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, was not expected to join the Devils here for their game against the Maple Leafs tonight, the eve of tomorrow’s trade deadline.
Salmela was the Devils’ most-used rookie this season, playing 17 games with New Jersey, including two on last week’s road trip.
He had three NHL assists while going plus-1, and was 8-16-24 and minus-6 in 38 games in Lowell.
The Devils signed Salmela, 24, as an undrafted free agent last May.
Sources say Lamoriello is not part of the Chris Pronger sweepstakes, nor part of the chase for center Olli Jokinen.
The Devils were among a laundry list of teams bidding for righty defenseman Derek Morris.
Salmela represented one of his obvious trading chips, leaving Andy Greene, David Clarkson, Matt Halischuk and Scott Clemmensen as the sorts that might bring rental help.
The trade deadline was initially today, but was pushed back 24 hours because of all of tonight’s games and the logistical difficulties that would be involved.
In tonight’s last game before the deadline, the Devils will be trying to extend Martin Brodeur’s perfect (3-0) comeback after missing 50 games from elbow surgery.
Brodeur has two shutouts in those three games in four days, becoming only the second goalie in NHL history with 100 shutouts with Sunday’s 3-0 triumph over the Flyers.
Brodeur yesterday was named the NHL’s First Star of the week for his three victories.
New Jersey outscored its foes 14-2 in those three games.
In all, the Devils are 17-4 in their last 21 games.
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The Devils are 1-2 in their last three road games, blanked in each of those losses after winning seven straight away from home.
Jay Pandolfo is expected to play and Mike Rupp sit for the fourth straight game.
New Jersey has assured itself its 17th straight .500 season, tied for third most all-time, although it has been shootout-aided.