How will Lou upgrade the D?

In this article by Gulitti (http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/lamoriello_will_try_to_re-sign_parise_as_expeditious_as_possible_wants_to_r/) Lou acknowledges that the team's defense corps needs some improvement. People say puck moving defenseman, but for this article I will say its better that they look into getting a solid two way defender. After the jump Ill explore a few options the Devils may have, including one that involved some thinking outside of the box.

The first option is of course through free agency. This link to capgeek provides a list of all upcomign UFA defenseman, listed in order of their salary this past season. (http://www.capgeek.com/free_agents.php?year_id=2011&team_id=-1&position_id=D&fa_type_id=2) There are several players Id be okay with the team acquiring, but remember, the Devils do have some cap restraints, regardless of if the cap goes up by three million. I know many people want Joni Pitkanen, but he would probably require the Devils to do some sort of a trade to fit him under the cap. Kaberle is another defenseman that could help the offensive side of the game, but again would probably come at a considerable cap hit.

So if the Devils want to aquire one of the top UFA defenseman, they will have to A) spend some money and B) trade someone to make cap space. When something like this happens, teams know they can low ball you since you are the one in bad position. A similar thing happened in 2007 when Lou traded a first round pick and Vladimir Malakhov to San Jose for peanuts to get under the cap. So then how can the Devils make a signing and a trade that will both be beneficial for the team? My solution is to combine the two and bring in a player while shedding somem salary in the process.

(note: the deal I am about to present is somewhat of a unicorn deal, but not totally impossible so just keep an open mind)

This link is a list of all UFA defenseman for July 2012. (http://www.capgeek.com/free_agents.php?year_id=2012&team_id=-1&position_id=D&fa_type_id=2) This list has some more players that are still in there mid twenties than this upcoming offseason will. There are also some better players compared to this year. One I would like to point to is Ryan Suter. His cap hit for the 2011-2012 season will be 3.5 million, so if the Devils were to send some salary the other way, it would not increase the cap total that much. Also, when he becomes a UFA, the Devils will have considerable space in 2012 to resign him. Of course the first thing youre wondering is why would Nashville be willing to part with him. Well, there are several reasons.

 The obvious one is Nashville's financial constraints. David Poile has done a wonderful job building and rebuilding this team every year with a limited budget. Shea Weber is set to become an RFA, and will require a hefty raise if they wish to keep his services. I dont know if Mr. Poile believes he can keep both players with his budget, especially with the emergence of other defenseman in the organization, such as Cody Franson.

Second Reason:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Hamhuis) This article cites how Poile tried to get a first round pick and a prospect for Dan Hamhuis last year when his contract was expiring, but could not. He did end up getting Ryan Parent for his negotiating rights, but still probably did not receive as much as he would have liked. I think it would be in his best interest to avoid this again, and try to get top value for his player if he does not intend to keep him.

Third Reason: This goes with the first one. Nashville just acquired Mike Fisher this season, and his contract, with a cap hit of 4.2 million goes into next season. That is more money he wont have in his budget.

Final Reason: He already has a good working relationship with the Devils based on last years trade involving Jason Arnott. I dont see any reason he would minde working with them on another deal.

Proposed Deal: Ryan Suter to New Jersey in exchange for David Clarkson, Alexander Urbom, a second round pick (year to be determined), and a fifth round pick (year to be determined) They could also include a conditional pick if he is resgined by the Devils.

This deal could work because Nashville is shedding some salary, while also acquiring a player who is signed for another two years. They also acquire some futures with this. It works for the Devils because they are getting rid of a player who probably will never get the ice time he needs to develop with the Devils, and are only increasing their cap money by around 900 thousand. After next year they will have plenty of space to retain his services. Lou probably does not want to give up any more picks after everything that has happend this season, but if he can acquire a player of this caliber, he should go for it. I know Mr. Poile would probably require a first round pick for Ryan Suter, but I think he may be cautious after not being able to secure one for Dan Hamhuis.

I know the deal needs tinkering to be perfect, but I think it could work. What do you think? Is this type of deal were possible would you say it's beneficial to both sides?