On the New Jersey Devils …
The Fourth Period: Though he may not fit into a contenders top-six, Devils winger P.A. Parenteau could be a nice rental pickup for a team looking for some offense from their bottom-six. He is a pending free agent that carries a $1.25 million cap hit. The Senators are one team that is looking for scoring depth and the cap space to add him.
Chris Ryan of NJ.com: Patrik Elias could be leaning towards retiring from the NHL. On the Devils broadcast before Friday’s game, Elias said he may not heart to play again, even if his continued knee rehab gets to the point where he can return.
“I don’t want to play just for the sake of playing,” Elias said on the broadcast.
Devils radio broadcaster Matt Loughlin got the impression that Elias has played his last game.
No decision has been made, and Elias continues to skate and train on his own.
If Elias were to play this season, he would have to sign a contract by March 1st.
Chris Ryan of NJ.com: One scout said that defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk would be a nice upgrade for the Devils blueline.
Devils GM Ray Shero has said they aren’t interested rentals. Would a sign-and-trade work?
“St. Louis would probably want a defenseman in return, and probably a draft pick or a good young prospect,” the scout said. “That’s what they’re looking for. To get a guy who produces the amount of points and offense Shattenkirk does, you’ve got to pay a price for it.”
The scout said the New York Rangers may be a more likely landing spot for Shattenkirk, but would they be willing to give up more assets?
If the Devils did acquire Shattenkirk before the deadline, they would have to protect him in the expansion draft, and they’d have to expose an additional defenseman.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense for them to do it now,” the scout said. “You’ve got to protect him, you’ve got to protect Severson, and you’ve got to protect Greene. So it exposes one more guy.”