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New Jersey Devils acquire Marek Zidlicky from the Minnesota Wild * updated

February 24, 2012, 7:53 PM ET [141 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
According to multiple media outlets, the New Jersey Devils have acquired defenseman Marek Zidlicky from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Kurtis Foster, Stephane Veilleux, Nick Palmieri and a Washington's 2nd round pick in 2012. Devils beat writer Tom Gulitti is reporting that the Devils will also send a conditional pick in 2013.

Here are my thoughts on the deal:

The Devils get a right-handed, legitimate puck-moving defenseman. I know his numbers are down this year but he's a very useful powerplay specialist and his struggles this year, in my opinion, are vastly overrated. He hasn't fit in with Mike Yeo's system and has been waiting to get out almost all season long. Mike Yeo runs a defensive system in Minnesota which certainly isn't best suited for Zidlicky's strengths. In New Jersey, as you all know, Pete DeBoer runs an up tempo, fast paced, aggressive style of team which is better suited for Zidlicky's offensive style of play. I've watched quite a few Wild games this season and though he has looked unmotivated at times, he has created quite a bit when he was.

A change of scenery can do wonders for a player and the Devils have seen that first hand this season from Alexei Ponikarovsky. He was less than spectacular in Carolina but he's being used in the right situation in New Jersey and that's why he, and the team, have performed so well as of late.

In New Jersey he will be coming to a contender and playing with some very good friends of his in Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora. He'll be motivated to prove his worth and to thank Lou Lamoriello and the Devils for giving him a shot. The good thing for New Jersey is that Zidlicky is locked up for next season at a 4M cap hit. New Jersey has a lot of available cap space available for next season so his salary is not an issue. Just to clarify I should note that if acquiring Zidlicky meant that Lamoriello would not have enough money to retain Zach Parise.

New Jersey did give up quite a few assets, but in my opinion the most valuable asset they gave up was a 2nd round pick which won't make an impact for at least 2-3 years. New Jersey wants to win over the next couple years and that's what this move signifies.

On what New Jersey gave:

Stephane Veilleux - I have always liked him, but he's an average fourth line player. New Jersey has quite a few fourth line-type players on their NHL and AHL roster so replacing him isn't an issue. He'll go back to where he played his best NHL season(s).

Nick Palmieri - The Devils brass had high hopes for Palmieri but at this point in his career he appears to be a potential third liner at best. He has just 11 points in 25 AHL games this season and seven points in 29 games with New Jersey this year.

Kurtis Foster - He was pretty good for the Devils on the powerplay this season. He has a cannon of a shot, but not much else. His foot speed is not very good and his defensive game is less than spectacular. I'm not going to pretend Zidlicky's is, but Foster definitely has some work to do in his own zone.

The good thing about Foster is he's a good team guy, is on an affordable contract and is a UFA at year's end. Minnesota can test him out, see what he can bring them and make a decision as to whether or not they want to re-sign him in the off-season.

Washington's 2nd round pick in 2012 - 2nd rounders are very underrated in my opinion and if scouting teams do their work properly they can turn them into very good players. The kicker: regardless of who they draft with the pick, not much of an impact (if any) will be made for 2-3 seasons.

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Well, it's a done deal. According to Michael Russo, defenseman Kurtis Foster was told that he has been traded back to the Minnesota Wild in a deal for Marek Zidlicky. There has been no official word if he's the only player/piece the Devils are trading for Zidlicky. I'll have more as I get it.

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Update - 8:15PM ET: "Chuck Fletcher will address the media tonight with details, #mnwild says. Zidlicky is done in Minnesota" - Wild beat writer Michael Russo. I'll have more when details of the deal are released. I'll also post my thoughts so stay tuned.

Update - 8:00PM ET: Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that Marek Zidlicky has officially waived his no-trade clause to come to the Devils and a deal is in place. Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo is essentially confirming the report by saying that Zidlicky is not on the ice for the Wild.

A little while ago Darren Dreger of TSN reported that Minnesota Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky waived his no-trade clause to go to the New Jersey Devils. While that was true, he was never asked - until now.

Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet is reporting that Zidlicky now has officially waives his NTC to come to the Devils and the trade appears to be imminent.

If/when more details leak I'll be sure to post them so stay tuned.

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