- Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson is believed to be available. Darren Dreger of TSN reported yesterday that a team offered the Leafs a 2nd round pick and a player for Franson. Could that team have been New Jersey? Possibly, but I doubt it was. With that said, I do think the Devils should make an offer for Franson. The Devils defense has gotten the job done to this point in the season; however, there's room for improvement and when you have a chance to add a 24-year old defenseman with loads of potential, who could help your team now and in the future, on the cheap (considering his upside), you do it. Franson posted an impressive stat line last year in the regular season (8G, 21A, 29P, +10) and in the playoffs (1G, 5A, 6P, 12 GP) with the Predators. You have to believe he will only get better as he continues to develop as a player.
As I said, it's unlikely that the Devils make a move for Franson, and I can't even confirm they have called the Maple Leafs about Franson; however, if nothing else I think Lou Lamoriello should give Brian Burke a call.
- David Clarkson is paying some fantastic hockey right now. For those of you who read my Atlantic Division Fantasy Forecast at TheHockeyguys.net in the summer, you'll know that I expected this from him. I suggested that Clarkson would pot 20+ goals this season, and he appears to be well on his way to doing that. Hopefully, for the Devils sake, he continues to put the puck in the net.
- As I noted last night in my game recap, the Devils now sit in 8th place in the Eastern Conference. 8th place isn't something to plan a parade over, but it's much better than where the Devils were sitting at this point last season.
- Lastly, if you missed last night's game here are the highlights.
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Devils Buzz; a one-stop feed for all things New Jersey Devils-related on HockeyBuzz. Content is automatically updated whenever a new blog is published. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and costs just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.