The New Jersey Devils may not have made the playoffs, but they're in a good spot this summer when it comes to cap space and flexibility to better the team.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has the luxury of a lot of cap space to work with, and owners who will allow him to spend as much as he so chooses if he feels he can improve the roster.
As it stands right now, the Devils have over $17 million in cap space to work with. Should they use a compliance buyout on Anton Volchenkov after the Stanley Cup Final concludes, the Devils will have well over $21 million in space.
The team still needs to decide what to do with Marek Zidlicky and Mark Fayne, but even if they decide to bring both Zidlicky and Fayne back, they'd probably have $14-15 million to fill out the 4th line, and add a backup goalie.
That, of course, means the Devils would have plenty of space should they want to go after a big fish in free agency, or try and acquire a star with a big contract through trade.
I tossed out the idea of signing Mike Richards if the Kings decide to use a compliance buyout on him, or targeting Radim Vrbata in free agency, but whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
One way or another, Lamoriello will have financial flexibility to add to the team any way he wants to. It'll be fun to see how he chooses use it.
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What would you like to see the Devils do with this cap space? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.
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