WASHINGTON — In order to avoid paying Brendan Shanahan his $1 million salary, and to wipe it off their books for salary cap purposes, the Devils assigned the NHL’s leading active goal-scorer to the minors, The Post has learned.
When Shanahan, who has never played a game in the minors in 21 pro seasons, did not report, the Devils were free to terminate the deal they signed with him Aug. 5. The Devils essentially cut the 40-year-old right wing on the eve of the season, making room on the 23-man roster for a rookie forward.
Rookies Illka Pikkarainen, Niclas Bergfors and Matt Halischuk have yet to make a major impact on the team, which will attempt to complete a perfect three-game road trip tonight when it visits the Capitals (7:00, MSG Plus, WFAN 660 AM).
Shanahan is an unrestricted free agent, but he wants to play near his family in Manhattan, limiting his options.
It seems a cold business maneuver, because the Devils surely knew the risk they took in re-signing Shanahan, a three-time Stanley Cup champ with the Red Wings. A secret payoff is not in the realm of possibility since that would violate collective bargaining provisions.
Shanahan waited and waited last season for the Devils to finally decide to bring him back Jan. 15, and he was a valuable addition, not just for his six goals and 14 points in 34 games but for the poise and proficiency he provided, as well.
In training camp, Shanahan skated on the team’s top line and was the temporary captain when Jamie Langenbrunner sat out an exhibition game. Then the Devils dropped him on Oct. 1, with Shanahan releasing a statement through the Devils saying the split was mutual and amicable, and that their agreement was that if “we were unable to find a suitable fit. . . . I would simply step aside.”
The Devils received non-roster status for Shanahan, then put him on unconditional waivers. A highly placed league source told The Post Saturday that Shanahan’s contract had been terminated, which general manager Lou Lamoriello later confirmed to other outlets. Now the Devils’ method is clear.
A first-round draft pick (second overall) of the Devils in 1987, Shanahan signed with the Blues as a free agent in 1991, with Scott Stevens coming as compensation. He also played for Hartford before going to the Red Wings, and played two seasons with the Rangers before re-joining New Jersey. He is 11th all-time with 1,524 games and 656 goals. He has amassed 1,354 points.
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The Devils beat the Panthers 3-2 in Florida Saturday, and head coach Jacques Lemaire set his sights on the next target for improvement. He moved $5 million man Brian Rolston to the checking line with Rob Niedermayer and Jay Pandolfo, and Rolston collected two assists.
“Rollie got a checking role, and in a checking role had two [assists],” Lemaire said. “You do need some goals from different lines. And it’s nice when your so-called checking line is getting points. Now we have to do the same with [Dainius] Zubrus’ line.”
Travis Zajac owns a three-game goal streak and leads the Devils at 3-2-5 in four games, topping the point-per-game benchmark of a No. 1 center. . . . Zajac, Niedermayer, Zach Parise and David Clarkson own three-game point streaks. . . . After completing the road trip tonight, the Devils play host to the Thrashers Friday and Hurricanes Saturday. . . . The Devils have scored a power-play goal in each of their four games. They also have allowed a power-play goal in each of the past three.