It’s trade deadline day and of course the big move for the New Jersey Devils was done a month ago when the Devils acquired Ilya Kovalchuk and Anssi Salmela for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier and picks. But the Devils do have have needs to fill im my opinion, especially after almost giving away a 4-0 lead last night. Keep it right here to see if NJ makes any deals today.
March 3, 2010 10:59 am ET
Darren’s Analysis: Skoula, 30, has three goals and five assists in 33 games for the Penguins this season. The veteran blueliner will be joining his fifth NHL club after being drafted in the first round (17th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1998 draft. He also skated for Anaheim, Dallas, and Minnesota before signing a one-year contract with the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent last summer. Skoula is again eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He is earning $575,000 this season. In my opinion he’s just an average D-man and now the Devils are carrying too many D-men. I’m not sure what he brings to the table other than that Lemaire enjoyed having him in Minnesota where he played with Brian Rolston.
Last night it was Salvador-Greene; White-Mottau; Salmela-Fraser on Defense and at some point Paul Martin comes back so who will Skoula and Martin put on the healthy scratch list? White and Fraser?
AJ’s Analysis: I agree completely with Darren on this trade. What does Skoula bring to the team? He’s only recorded eight points, and it should be a negative sign that he played on 33 games for the Penguins this season. My guess would be that Lou traded for Skoula’s experience. Lemaire never seems comfortable giving Fraser too many responsibilities. Acquiring a veteran defenseman may make Lemaire feel more comfortable with his blue line. But after seeing the Devils almost collapse yesterday, I think someone better than Martin Skoula is needed to help the Devils. With Mottau and White already getting heavy minutes as average D-men, there’s really no need for another average position player. This may become similar to last year’s deal for Niclas Havelid.
*** 3PM Deadline has passed but as always, there are deals announced after the deadline bell rings. At this point though, I wouldn’t expect anything else from NJ ***
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