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As a follow up to my fellow blogger, Todd Cordell's, piece titled "Why The New Jersey Devils Should Consider Trading David Clarkson" I thought Id share some info on my end.

More and more I am agreeing with Todd's suggestion of trying to move Clarkson. It was a very thought provoking piece.

Of all Devils (that could be moved - not many) Clarkson holds the most trade value despite a UFA status at season's end.
I do think that Clowe being moved (rumors swirling he may be moved today and to the Flyers) could set the price for a Clarkson type player.

I have been pretty adamant and speculating Uncle Lou make a trade for some scoring. Our scoring woes continue and 1-2 goals will not cut it!

As we get back injured players the trading deadline is around the corner.

We can speculate all we want but Uncle Lou is a master mind of keeping things on lock down. I once informed a source of mine that worked right outside of Uncle Lou that the Devils had made a trade. He didnt even know! He told me "...we dont know anything on the inside, we need to get out of the office to find out what is going on!". PS - He no longer works for the Devils.

I did have a chat with a hockey source I respect in regards to the Devils and Clarkson, here is what he said:
"The Devils will likely hold onto David and hope that a bigger role and a playoff birth will be enough for him to re-sign with the club at a slight discount to what he would get at free-agency."

Roll the dice... we know Uncle Lou does not talk contract during the season. We know what happened to players in this situation over the years: Driver, Niedermayer, Gomez, Rafalski, Elias, Parise, etc... Some stay and some go. But one thing is certain, the Devils have not gone through a rebuilding phase that usually comes along with losing one, or several, top notch players. I dont see this changing the course.

Another source I spoke to earlier today said something that makes sense:

"He will not make a trade and mortgage the future unless he thinks the team has a legitimate shot at going deep. If he does, a rental can be had without moving pieces of current lineup."

Now, I do believe the Devils can afford to trade one of their 3rd liners (they seem to have a first line and rest are third liners) mainly due to the fact that he stole Loktionov and D"Agostini without losing a lineup player.
Josefson, in my opinion, has been given plenty of opportunity and not closed the job.
Tedenby remains to be seen how he returns, but I would lump him in the Josefson category.
Urbom, in Albany, could also be a bargaining chip with Merrill signed up.

I do hope Uncle Lou strikes. I think Clarkson is expandable, but do not think he will be moved. But your guess is as good as mine...

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate

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