Rumor: Jovo Cop on Block, Devils interested???

July 4, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Happy Fourth of July to everyone out there! Not much going on obviously. Figure it to stay quiet throughout this special holiday weekend.

One player who could be finding a new destination soon is Phoenix defenseman Ed Jovanovski. The 33 year-old veteran is rumored to be on the block with GM Don Maloney looking to dump his expensive salary. He earns $6.5 million and is still on the books thru 2010-11.

With a young rebuilding team, it makes sense to unload Jovo Cop, who would probably be better suited on a contender. Might the Devils be interested? Supposedly, they are along with a few other teams. Question is who’s taking back that salary. The ‘Yotes would obviously need to take salaries in return to make it possible because they must be at the cap floor (40.8 million) as part of the CBA. Currently, Phoenix is at 38.6.

If New Jersey were a trade partner which I’m not buying, who would they look to move? Likely candidates could be Colin White (3 M), Bryce Salvador (2.9 M) and perhaps Jay Pandolfo (2.5 M), who Lou Lamoriello mistakenly re-signed last summer. Obviously, Phoenix wouldn’t take all three but maybe Salvador, Pandolfo and a low tier prospect gets it done.

Certainly, adding the experienced Jovo would be an upgrade to a blueline which still lacks something. Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya are nice players but they don’t exactly strike fear into opponents. The question is are the Devils looking to contend next year or is Lou serious about going in a different direction for the future? Former No.1 pick Matt Corrente could finally be ready. Forwards Petr Vrana,  Nicklas Bergfors and Matt Halischuck will all get serious looks in camp with a couple likely to be in the lineup along with Rod Pelley.

Regardless, as long as Martin Brodeur is in net and Zach Parise is leading a charge that still includes Patrik Elias, Jamie Langenbrunner and Travis Zajac (due for a raise), the Devils should remain competitive. Assuming Brian Rolston returns healthy, he should be back in form along with Randy McKay clone David Clarkson.

As we have learned over the years, despite who leaves, you can never count out the Devils. Of course, it’s typical Lou that we still have no clue who the next coach is. It just won’t be Kool Aid chugger/company man John MacLean.