The Newark departure lounge is full.
Devils captain Zach Parise chose to become an unrestricted free agent at noon today, spurning owner Lou Lamoriello despite a marathon bargaining session Saturday night.
Martin Brodeur, the face of the Devils’ franchise and the NHL’s all-time record-holder for victories, shutouts and games, is also considering joining today’s superstar supermarket, along with the team’s top defenseman, Bryce Salvador, and backup goalie Johan Hedberg.
Parise, like Brodeur, Salvador and Hedberg, may still re-sign with the Devils, but Parise will field dozens of offers from other teams as perhaps the most-sought free agent in NHL history.
The Devils’ first-round draft pick in 2003, Parise turns 28 July 28 and made $6 million last season, his comeback from knee surgery. He is expected to command $80-$100 million on an 8-12 year deal.
Martin Brodeur’s situation remained uncertain last night. Several sources believe Brodeur is headed towards today’s superstar supermarket because the Devils did not offer a deal approaching last year’s $5.2 million salary.
It is believed that D Bryce Salvador will hit the open market today, along with backup goalie Johan Hedberg.
After the playoffs ended, Brodeur did say he would go to today’s start of free agency, so perhaps his hiring of superagent Pat Brisson does not herald the end of his 19-year career with the Devils.
If the Devils fail to re-sign Parise, the left wing is expected to field a host of offers today with his agents outside Toronto. While teams will want a quick decision from the Devils captain so that the spurned can chase other quarry, Parise may take a day or two to weigh the offers.
Besides the term and salary, likely to be 8-12 years for $80-$100 million total, Parise is expected to include suitors’ chance of winning a Stanley Cup, along with their financial situation, among his criteria.
Parise is expected to receive inquiries and offers from half the league, or more, with the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Pirates likely bidders.
Brodeur indicated earlier this month that his focus was on returning to the Devils, without a backup plan. He may be looking at one today. Several observers believe the Devils would not offer anything near the $5.2 million he made last season.
The Devils are thought to have had preliminary talks towards re-signing Bryce Salvador yesterday, but it appeared that Lamoriello was working hard on Parise last night.
There are likely to be several bidders for Salvador if he becomes unrestricted today, with Detroit again among the interested.
Hedberg, whose locker-room influence may have been even greater than his superb 32-19-4 record in two seasons with New Jersey, also was not close to a deal yesterday afternoon. Hedberg actually accepted a pay cut, from $1.5 million to $1.25 million, including bonuses, after a Players’ Player season in 2010-11. The Hurricanes are likely to be looking at goalies, and Raleigh, North Carolina might be an attractive destination if Hedberg’s family is in Atlanta.
The Devils’ financial plight, an $80 million debt due this summer, remains a major issue for all considering signing with the Stanley Cup finalists.
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The Devils waived forward Eric Boulton for purposes of $500G buyout of final year on his $750G contract, leaving team with $250G cap hit this season and next.