OFFICIAL: New Jersey Devils Re-Sign Johnny Oduya - $10.5 million at 3 Years

by John Fischer on Jun 30, 2009 1:07 PM EDT in Devils Issues & Views Comment 11 comments

The official Devils website has this short message up: Johnny Oduya has re-signed with the Devils!

The only details is that it's for a multi-year contract, salary has not been announced yet. Gulitti reports that the salary should be between $3-3.5 million. He also has this quote from Lou:

"We are delighted to have Johnny Oduya stay with the organization," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. "He has developed into one of the more talented young defensemen in the National Hockey League."

True. Speaking of Lou, Gulitti asked him about team needs earlier this morning and the response was pure-Lou:

Will the Devils be looking to fill any specific needs through free agency?

"If we can get better, we'll get better," Lamoriello said.

Will the Devils be looking to add a center and/or a defenseman?

"If we can get better, we're going to get better," Lamoriello repeated.

Classic Lou.

I will update this when his salary becomes known later on. Offer your thoughts on Lou's terseness and how happy/unhappy you are with the re-signing of Oduya. Personally, I'm very happy by this move for the reasons I said last night when Chere first reported that the re-signing of Oduya was nearly done.

MONEY UPDATE: Gulitti has the contract information. It's a three year deal with a $3.5 million cap hit:

It is a three-year contract for a total of $10.5 million. Oduya will make $3 million in 2009-10, $3.5 million in 2010-11 and $4 million in 2011-12. That's an average -- and annual cap hit -- of $3.5 million.

I think the money is fair for both sides. It shouldn't hamstring the Devils on their cap, and should Oduya improve as I think, he can stand to demand much more when he's 30.

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best news we can get right now!!!!!

by LetsGoDevils on Jun 30, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cole

How much do you think Erik Cole would command??? I would like him to replace Gionta although we really don’t need another right or left winger. It would add some serios deph I would think.

by LetsGoDevils on Jun 30, 2009 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’d be great if the negotiations went something like this:

Lou: We really want you to return for us next season.
Johnny: O? DO Ya?
Lou: Yeah, we have a lot of great things in mind and we want you on board.
Johnny: O? DO Ya?
Lou: Never mind, you’re starting to annoy me.
Johnny: No, wait. I wanna play for NJ.
Lou: O? DO ya?

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by FrankD on Jun 30, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Even better:

Johnny’s agent: “Well, we’re looking for this next season.”
Lou: “Oh, do ya?”
Johnny’s agent: “Johnny really likes the organization and we would like to make a fair deal.”
Lou: “Oh, do ya?”
Johnny’s agent: “Four million plus per year would be fair, in my estimates.”
Lou: “Oh, do ya?”
Johnny’s agent: “What about a backloaded deal so he’ll get that the end and so my client can stay for fair value? I think that’s only right.”
Lou: “For Oduya? Sure.”

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 30, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Great news and for the right price. I think he could’ve gotten at least 4 mil if he became a UFA. Now we just need one more top 4 D man to round out the blueline (maybe Komisarek?)

by drhgzang on Jun 30, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Komisarek would be too expensive and I think he plays like Colin White, who is still doing OK in my opinion. My thoughts on Komisarek were in this post, incidentally.

Given the money, this sets up a more economical signing for the top 4 – maybe Seidenberg?

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 30, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Bergeron

by LetsGoDevils on Jun 30, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like re-signing Oduya

But I hope that it doesn’t prevent the Devils from being active in the free agent market. I’d rather have had the Devils spend a lot of money on getting some more scoring up front. At the same time, there’s a chance that Rolston just had a bad year with a coach he didn’t click with and could return to that 30 goal scorer he was in Minnesota.

I’d just like to feel like the Devils have some serious scoring depth beyond the ZZ Pop line and that means getting a bona fide second line quality center. Maybe a Saku Koivu? I could imagine him clicking very nicely with Elias. At the same time, Koivu hasn’t been a great center for a few years now.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 30, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would take Koivu. Good center, puts up points, wins faceoffs, has leadership. All the things a centerman should be. Lock him up Lou!!!!

by LetsGoDevils on Jun 30, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

YEAH…. We get to keep Oduya ! I like him but, I hope he can produce more and continue thrive for the Devils. A good defense that the Devils need. I say let Mad dog walk & lasso Gionta !!

by ANDY IN VA on Jun 30, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs