Marek Zidlicky trade... Oh and that game last night against the Canucks

The trade of a lifetime! THE END ALL MOVES IN DEVILS HISTORY! COME READ ABOUT THE TRADE THAT ALL DEVILS' FANS ARE CALLING... "eh OK". On paper this trade looks one sided and it seems comments from Devil fans all over NHL.com are questioning Lou's intoxication levels for the past 24 hours. But let's honestly look at this: a strong vet D-man with offensive capabilities without risking defense for the leader in the minus category, a career 3rd liner with no real quality, an career AHLer, and a few picks. Honestly not a bad deal for Jersey, nor the Wild either. Zidlicky was doomed to leave Minnesota anyway based on his personal vendetta with the coaching staff.

Seems the three main problems I have with this trade are gaining a guy with history of bad rep with coaches and losing Nick Palmeiri. Yes, Nicky-P wasn't the best he could be this year. But history has shown that the sophomore year for NHLers is usually the worst. I personally liked Palmeiri. Losing Foster didn't sit well with me either until I saw what Zid will bring to our blue-line. Veilleux, eh, who cares? If anything this is good for him, he'll have a full time role there. He spent six seasons in Minnesota why not a few more?

When I said I have three problems with this trade I lied. I have a bunch more. 4,000,000 of them in fact. This guy better produce or this is going to be a major cap hit that WILL effect the Parise (and perhaps even the... ahem... dare i say it?... Marty) contract deal this summer.

But all in all nothing can be said until we see him in the red and black tomorrow afternoon. Speaking of games, last night's game was interesting. It seemed offensively we outplayed Vancouver. However, while our offense was better than theirs, their DEFENSE was better than our offense. Great game by the Devils and Vancouver.

Deadline Digest

The trade deadline talks are really starting to heat up with big names such as Rick Nash and Jeff Carter. While Carter is off to The Kings to expand the idea that the Kings are the Los Angeles Flyers, Nash is seemingly destined to join those pesky Rangers. Where does this leave NJ? Well, I feel this is a strong case of "if it isn't broke Lou, don't fix it."

However, there are a few things the Devils need to think about if they want to make a run to Stanley's champagne glass.

The main trade question on every Devils' fan's brain forefront has got to be the question of Zach Parise. Parise is our captain and one of the most skilled American born hockey players ever. He doesn't want to leave the Garden State. But searching for freed cap space during the resign period might pose a problem especially if Lou is even considering resigning Marty to a new contract. So, do you trade away your captain and lose him for the playoffs and most likely forever but gain someone in the process? Or do you hang onto him and have him help you through the playoffs while risking losing him for nothing on July 1st? Personally, if I were Lou, I'd hang onto him. We may not get another cup run for a long time without Marty in net. And Zach will certainly help us get to where we need to be come April.

We'll have more posts about the trade deadline as news happens.