Devils bring home Rolston and Holik

The New Jersey Devils made a big splash in free agency and their signings had a interesting and familiar look to them.
The Devils brought home two heroes of seasons past as Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik each agreed to contracts that returned them to New Jersey.
Devils GM Lou Lamiorello also managed to retain Jay Pandolfo,Bryce Salvador and David Clarkson as well.
Clarkson was a restricted free agent and the Devils would have likely matched all but the craziest offer,but by acting quickly to keep Clarkson off the market,the Devils likely saved some cap space.

Rolston is a huge addition to the team and he signed a healthy contract in agreeing to return-4 years and 20.5 million,but the Brian Rolston that is returning is a different player than the one that left.
Rolston continues to be an excellent two way player,but in his years with the Devils,Rolston never scored more than 18 goals in a season.
Since leaving he has never scored fewer than 19 and in his last three seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Brian has scored over 30 goals in each season.
Rolston should fit in very well on a projected line with Patrik Elias and Zach Parise.
I wish the deal was for three years instead of four,but with many teams interested in Rolston four years is what it took to get things done.
An excellent and unexpected signing.

The return of Bobby Holik on a one year deal has very little downside.
Assuming Holik is productive,the price is very reasonable and if not-his contract goes off the cap next season.
Holik will earn 2.5 million next year and could be part of a very nasty checking line with Clarkson and Mike Rupp.
I like this signing mainly because of the short length.
A longer deal would give me some issues to think about.

Earlier in the day,the Devils hung onto the player that of their free agents was the most desirable in Jay Pandolfo.
Pando signed a three year deal for 7.5 million and that was a very reasonable cost for the Devils.
But in order to get that savings,the Devils had to agree to a no trade clause in the contract.
I do not foresee that as a potential problem down the road and was well worth the hometown discount.

Bryce Salvador was also signed to a new deal that allowed New Jersey to keep the defenseman off the free agency cattle call.
Salvador only played eight games in Red and Black before being sidelined with a broken clavicle,but fit in well and adds a bit of nasty to a defense corps that other than Colin White could use it.
Salvador will be paid just under three million a year for four years under the contract terms.

The Devils had to make a tough call and decided to allow veteran Sergei Brylin to look elsewhere.
The decision was said to come down to keeping either Pandolfo or Brylin,but not both and I think that the right call was made.
Brylin will be missed,but I would think that after his career is finished that Sergei Brylin will be working for the Devils in some capacity.

So,I am very pleased with the Devils thus far,but they are still missing the offensive puck mover for the blueliners that I think that they so badly need.
Look for the Devils to try to add that piece through a trade.