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Wednesday afternoon
the New Jersey Devils signed Marek Zidlicky to a one-year contract extension.
Despite Zidlicky leading Devils defenseman in points last season with 19 in 48 games and taking a pay cut to re-sign, many fans aren't happy with the signing.
I, however, have no issue with bringing Zidlicky back and think Lou Lamoriello got great value in bringing him back on a one-year deal worth just $3 million ($4 million if he earns his bonuses).
As I said, Zidlicky led Devils defenseman in scoring last season with his 19 points. In an 82 game season, his production translates to 35 points or so.
As you likely recall, at one point Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils best offensive player, missed 11 consecutive games. During that span the Devils struggled mightily to generate any offense. Had Kovalchuk not went down and Zidlicky produced as he did when Kovalchuk was in the lineup, his point totals would have likely equated to over 40 points in a full season.
With the Devils improving their offensive attack by bringing in the likes of Ryane Clowe, Michael Ryder and Rusty Olesz, there's no reason to believe Zidlicky can't produce as much or more offense than he did last season. If he can do that, he'll be well worth the money he's being given.
I know Zidlicky is highly mediocre defensively, but how many 35-40+ point defenseman who aren't on their entry level contracts make just $4 million (including bonuses) per season?
Zidlicky will make mistakes, but he's also the only proven offensive defenseman on the roster and he can do things offensively nobody else on the team can.
Another thing I like about Zidlicky: he's a very good puck possession player. He was a 57% possession player last season which is very impressive, to say the least. Only 11 defenseman had higher possession numbers and that list includes names like Drew Doughty, Erik Karlsson, etc. You know who else was a 57% possession defenseman? PK Subban. That's not bad company.
Zidlicky did all this possession driving despite his most consistent defense partner being Bryce Salvador, who was last on the Devils in possession with a 49% rating (49% is pretty darn good to be dead last on a team, by the way).
With Zidlicky, the good comes with the bad. That said, 35-40 point defenseman capable of eating 20 minutes a night don't grow on trees, and if you can keep one around on a short-term no-risk deal, you do it.
Most of the outcry from fans I saw wasn't about bringing Zidlicky back, but rather having him tie up a roster spot that one of the Devils young defenseman could take.
I could be wrong, but I still don't think Lamoriello is done. I think he's looking to move a defenseman out to clear a spot and if he is able to do that, I like the idea of bringing Zidlicky back even more.
Hold your complaints for now, folks. There's still lots of time for roster changes before the season begins.
Let's see what Lamoriello has in store.
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