NHL

Secret payroll limit would damper Devils’ dealing

The Devils’ trade deadline shopping may be limited by more than just the salary cap. The team is believed to have another payroll budget to remain under, which may have been part of the deal by which the NHL is advancing it future anticipated revenue.

A secret limit on payroll might quiet complaints from opposing team officials that the league’s financial assistance constitutes an unfair competitive advantage for the Devils, never mind that the NHL is already helping other teams.

Sources have suggested that if Winnipeg loses hope of making the playoffs, the Devils could be in the market to reacquire defenseman Johnny Oduya, who was dealt to Atlanta in 2010 in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade. Oduya, an upcoming unrestricted free agent, has a cap hit of $3.5 million and a full-season salary of $4 million.

Specifically, at least one general manager has wondered aloud how a team that needs the league’s financial assistance is allowed to bring in Kurtis Foster at $1.8 million and Alex Ponikarovsky at $1.5 million, although their spots offset at least $1 million for two minimum salaries.

As the Devils visit the Sabres tonight trying to snap a two-game (0-1-1) losing streak, they have nearly $3 million in cap space, which could translate to some $9 million in full-season hits they could take on and remain compliant.

Whether the payroll budget will prevent GM Lou Lamoriello from making a big splash by Feb. 27 is uncertain. He has made major deadline moves in the past, although David Steckel for Jason Arnott last year doesn’t qualify as big. Lamoriello was an early shopper in 2010 when he acquired Kovalchuk on Feb. 4. In 2008, he dealt Cam Janssen to the Blues for Bryce Salvador.

General managers are saying that not enough teams have thrown in the towel on making the playoffs. They expect the market to heat up in the final week of trade time. Whether the Devils can be a part of it may hinge on how much payroll they can add.

If they can’t take on much salary, they may well view this as the season to not trade their first-round pick and forfeit it as part of the punishment for circumventing the CBA in the Kovalchuk signing. They must surrender their first-round pick either this June or next.

* Martin Brodeur is expected to be in the net tonight in Buffalo. … Coach Pete DeBoer had Adam Henrique again between Zach Parise and Kovalchuk, but said he isn’t “married” to any line combinations.