Aftonbladet: Johnny Oduya Re-Signed by NJ Devils? UPDATE: Lou Says "Nothing Done Yet"

“Sometimes we have to make the decision to move on. We would love to keep Brian Gionta, but we have to be very careful [with the cap]. Johnny Oduya would be a priority because of his age; he’s a 27-year-old defenseman who’s getting better and better. Brian [Gionta] is by no means out of the picture. He’s been a Devil his whole career, that’s the toughest part of it. Same as John Madden. But these have to be organizational decisions.”

Lamoriello also indicated he has interested in bringing back Shanahan, if possible. “We’re going to talk to Brendan,” he said.

the above was on the fire and ice blog yesterday and i can’t imagine lou saying such things, particularly about oduya unless it were already agreed to, lou wouldn’t want to look foolish and he would if the deal were not already in place…i also take this to mean that gionta and probably madden are gone, so i would assume that rolston would move up to the second line…hopefully they’ll get a playmaking center for that line…i wouldn’t expect lou to make any other significant moves, he’ll want to save the cap space for a (1) a trade deadline move, (2) the cap will go down next year and (3) paul martin will be a UFA after next season?…any comments?

Well that stinks that there’s nothing official regarding Oduya, he should be a priority for sure. Shanahan should be a keeper as well as he does offer leadership and can still put the puck in the net. Rupp is underestimated as a player and we should keep him for his size and toughness. He knows he’s not the most talented player on the Devils but he plays his roles well and is a professional. If Gionta goes and we do re-sign Oduya, we should definitely be looking at other options as far as another scoring forward/center. Even if the salary cap goes down next year, bring in someone on a 1-year contract who will get us anywhere between 20-25 goals. In other words, I hope that with the re-signing of Shanny, Oduya and Rupp, we should at least consider 1 “significant” move, whether it be on the forward side of the puck or on D. There’s plenty to pick from in this upcoming free agency and we shouldn’t let the opportunity pass us by. By the way, what about a backup netminder? Plenty to pick from soon.

First off its not like rupp is going to ask for a lot of money. He has more hockey skill than leblond has and can still do the dirty work by fighting and checking. I would like to see him resign and develop into a power forward type role. Leblond is like cam Jansen in my opinion, no hockey skill what so ever and is just here to check and get 5 minute majors, i dont see any use for him when we can resign rupp who can stick up for his players and put some goals in the net when used right(not how sutter used him). I hope lou resigns rupp.

NJD4life just echoed my thoughts precisely. Is Longname Leblond going to be an Oliwa-type player, or a Randy McKay type of player? We have some serious holes that need to be filled and this is just one example. Now that Pronger’s on the Flyers, we’re going to need some more toughness than we had last year and some players who are big and not afraid to get in front of Emery.

Well i think if rupp was put in front of the net to set a screen and get deflections he would be effective. He doesn’t have the best set of hands to score any other way expect a once in a lifetime shot like the one he had against the penguins. Sutters system failed rupp and he deserves another chance.