TAMPA – Figuring out what Lou Lamoriello is going to do at the trade deadline is a fool’s errand, so here goes. Dig we must.
Surely, the Devils’ general manager is in it if there’s any chance of prying Scott Niedermayer or Chris Pronger from the Ducks, but failing there, sources have touted Coyotes Derek Morris and Ed Jovanovski as his likely quarries.
By going 31-16-1 without Martin Brodeur as they visit the Lightning here tonight (7:30, MSG, WFAN), the Devils virtually have forced Lamoriello to pump his team for a run at the Cup, the 1-in-30 shot Jamie Langenbrunner says “would be a disappointment” if they didn’t win.
Even before the Canadiens opened the March 4 trade deadline season early by acquiring Mathieu Schneider from Atlanta this week, Morris was tabbed as the “defenseman most likely to move,” by one of the top talent-pluckers in the game.
Morris is unrestricted after this season, and others who would know say he would fit the Devils perfectly, his average speed being less of a problem in New Jersey than in the Wild West. Morris still owns all the skills that made him such a splash as a kid, a strong puck-mover, sharp on the power play, and possessor of a good shot. And oh, he’s a righty, and the Devils don’t have any of those, in case anyone hadn’t noticed.
Jovanovski has another $6 million year ahead, and the Coyotes probably want out from that financial hole. The big presence on the blue line the Devils need, and again, the massive shooter, Jovanovski would be a suitable substitute for Pronger. Toronto’s Tomas Kaberle also figures to be available.
The cost is what likely will determine what Lamoriello lands. He has an extremely good thing going with this bunch of players, and would be wise not to inject a jerk, or rip too many solid personalities from it. He may not have to shoot the moon, but he does have to take a shot.
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The Devils recalled defenseman Anssi Salmela from Lowell yesterday with Paul Martin still idled by the ailing back that hindered him in November. . . . Coach Brett Sutter gave the Devils a 4 p.m. practice yesterday after they suffered their fifth shutout of the season, 4-0 in Sunrise to the Panthers Tuesday. Brodeur saw drill duty, but still no real scrimmage work. Brodeur hedged on the Feb. 26 comeback date that an impeccable source says is now very unlikely to be his return game.