With the New Jersey Devils having eight NHL defenseman and a few others from Albany expected to push for a spot this season, it looks like it's not a matter of if a Devils defenseman is moved but when. Whether Lou Lamoriello makes a move now or later, at some point someone is going to be the odd man out. Today I look at who that may be.

There is a lot to attack so I'm going to break it down into sections to make it easier for myself to write and for you guys to read.

Adam Larsson

If the Devils were to move Larsson, they could get a boat load for him but that is absolutely not happening. No chance. Larsson, 19, is the cornerstone of the Devils back end and is expected to continue to be for a long, long time. Larsson will be the best defenseman on the team within the next year or two if he continues to develop so moving him doesn't make any sense.

Lamoriello said earlier in the off-season that he will be a regular this year and he's excited to see him develop, so I think it's safe to assume that whether the Devils move a defenseman (or two) or not, he's going to play night-in night-out.

Anton Volchenkov

Volchenkov hasn't been as good as many Devils fans expected since the team signed him to a long-term contract, but he has played fairly well. The problem with him is he has trouble staying healthy due to his fearless style of play. The Devils wouldn't get a ton for him, but they shouldn't have a problem getting a top-9 forward for him if they were to move him. His length of contract and 4.25 million dollar salary likely makes him a good candidate to be moved. That is if the Devils do move a defenseman and if he's willing to waive his no-trade clause, of course.

Bryce Salvador

He was very good last year and has been pretty consistent for the Devils since being acquired from the St. Louis Blues a few years back. His consistent play, leadership skills and the fact that he just signed a three-year contract extension a few weeks back means he's a sure bet to stay.

Marek Zidlicky

Zidlicky was good for the Devils in their stretch run after they acquired him from the Minnesota Wild last year. He's one of a few defenseman on the team who can move the puck out of the zone quickly and put on the tape of the skilled forwards, so I don't think he is an option to move. The fact he's a free agent at the end of the upcoming season likely means that his value would be lower, too, which would essentially take away the point of moving him. He's more valuable to the Devils than would they would get for him in a trade, so I think he's safe for that reason.

Mark Fayne

He's 25 years old, just signed a two-year extension for less than market value and he averages over 20 minutes a night. While the Devils could likely get good value for him, I think it's pretty safe to say he's not going anywhere.

Peter Harrold

He's a good depth defenseman, he's versatile and he won't complain if he has to sit for stretches of games. Take into the fact that he's making league minimum, is experienced but still moderately young and that he will play forward if needed and he's way more valuable to the team than anything they would get back for him.

Henrik Tallinder

The Devils really like Tallinder, but I'm sure he would interest some other teams, too. He's a good, steady veteran defenseman who can play about 20 minutes a night and he comes in it a fairly good price at 3.375 million dollars. If the Devils move someone, I think Tallinder would be a pretty good candidate. I think they would be able to get something of value in return for him.

Andy Greene

Though I wouldn't move Greene, I think he's probably one most likely defenseman on the team to be dealt. He can eat minutes, move the puck, kill penalties and he's only 29. He makes 3 million dollars flat, which is less than his market value, and he could likely bring in a top-6 forward if he were to be dealt.

As I said, it's not a sure bet someone is moved but with all the depth on defense, one or two guys that should be playing won't be playing consistently. I think Lamoriello and the Devils would be better off moving a guy they won't be using regularly and getting something back that they will instead of letting that said player sit in the press box every night. That's just my opinion, though.

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