Clemmensen returns,Bernier and Gionta re-sign

The New Jersey Devils continued to prepare for the 2014-15 season with the signing of one player and re-signing of two more.

The return of Scott Clemmensen from Florida almost certainly means that we have seen the last of Martin Brodeur in the Red and Black,at least as a player anyway.
Clemmensen has spent the last five seasons as a backup with the Panthers and will return for an interesting training camp showdown with Keith Kinkaid.
The winner of the duel will be the backup to Cory Schneider with the Devils and the loser will likely be the top backstop in Albany with the AHL Devils.
This also is the unofficial goodbye to Martin Brodeur and despite all that Brodeur has meant to the franchise,this is the right move.
Brodeur is not a number one goalie at this time and the team cannot afford to go through another season with Brodeur and Cory Schneider unhappy over playing time.
The move secures Schneider as the number one goalie going into the final year of his contract before his entry into free agency.


The Devils retained two-thirds of their occasionally explosive line by signing Steve Bernier to a one year contract and Stephen Gionta to a two year pact.

The 29 year old Bernier had the least successful season of his three in New Jersey last season.but his game is well worth the 600,000 for one season,especially when you consider that Bernier took a pay cut to remain with the team.
Bernier will never be what he looked like he could be early in his career at other stops before New Jersey,but he's solid enough to be worth retaining at the price.

The 30 year old Stephen Gionta scribbled his name on a two year contract at 850,000 per year.
I might not have signed Gionta to a two year deal,but all things considered,the energy that Gionta brings to the ice could make this an OK signing.

If the Devils find a way to bring Ryan Carter back at a reasonable price,I'd be in favor of that signing.
It's not that any of these three are going to turn the world on with their smile,but they play extremely well together and if the price is right,why break them up and take a chance over such a small amount of money?

The Devils might have room for one more signing of significance,although they may not sign anyone yet in order to retain some flexibility under the cap.

I still have to get to the big news with the Cavaliers and I'll try to do that next time!