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Zach Parise COULD be traded, Brodeur to start Tues, other notes

January 23, 2012, 3:20 PM ET [146 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
There are many rumors out there suggesting Zach Parise will be traded; however, the fact is even with the Devils financial situation it remains unlikely more so than it is likely. With that said, there is a chance, and I stress chance, he is moved at or before the trade deadline on February 27th. Here are some notes on that as well as other Devils related topics.

Rumors

- The Devils are in a little bit of a situation. They are having some serious financial woes and they really need a solid playoff run to help gain some extra revenue and help attract investors. Can they go on a deep playoff run and earn a lot of extra revenue this year without Zach Parise? No, and that's why it's unlikely he will be traded.

With that said, depending on the offers Lou Lamoriello receives and how the Devils play up until the trade deadline, he could be moved. In all honesty I don't think the Devils can get Parise re-signed unless they get some new investors and have some playoff success. If they don't have playoff success, I doubt they attract many new investors so that's why I think Parise will stay. I just figured it's worth noting that there is a chance, and not a big one, that Parise is indeed moved.

I also want to make this clear: if he's traded it will not be a futures package so hold onto the offers that send New Jersey an unestablished young player and picks/prospects. I should also note that if he's traded it's strictly based on financial troubles.

News

- Earlier today the Devils announced that the they have recalled defenseman Peter Harrold from Albany. Harrold, who played with the Los Angeles Kings last season, will likely be used sparingly as the Devils 7th defenseman until Andy Greene returns. With that said, Pete DeBoer likes to give call-ups a chance to do something early so he could see a little bit of action here and there. It sounds like he'll play Tuesday and the Devils will go from there.

- According to Tom Gulitti, Pete DeBoer announced that Martin Brodeur will start Tuesday against the struggling Buffalo Sabres. I must say I'm a little surprised by this. Brodeur has lost two consecutive starts and Johan Hedberg hasn't started in a while now. I figured he'd get a chance Tuesday.

Thoughts

- The Devils could really use a win Tuesday against the Sabres. They've lost two in a row and are slowly falling down in the Eastern Conference standings. Not only would a win be huge for their confidence heading into the break, but it would obviously be huge in terms of moving up or staying put in the standings. It's worth noting that if the Leafs win tonight and tomorrow and the Devils lose in regulation they'll be on the outside looking in. A win clinches their spot in the top eight heading into the break.

- My last note for today is on Anton Volchenkov. I thought he played one of his best games of the season against the Flyers and he only played 15:26. He had four hits and a couple blocked shots in that limited amount of ice time. Hopefully, for the Devils, he can have a repeat performance Tuesday.

Here's a quick interesting stat I found on Volchenkov: He's only played 20 or more minutes five times the entire season. You'd think Pete DeBoer and the Devils coaching staff would lean on him more.

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