Brian Rolston Traded to Islanders for Trent Hunter and a Conditional 2012 Draft Pick

The Devils clear a little over $3 million in cap space with this move. Here's Trent Hunter's Capgeek page ($2 million hit for this season and next season). The 31 year old right wing only played in 17 games last season (tore his ACL). He's a solid bottom 6 winger.

10 months ago Matthew Ventolo 85 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

ZACH PA-RI-SE

CLAP-CLAP-CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!

by Mykey24 on Jul 28, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

haha I so excited when I fanshotted this story. It was a good deal. I wonder if they just buy out Hunter now. It would save even more room, but either way I dont care.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

I’d bet Hunter’s on the team come October. Big hitter, likely 15 or so goal scorer with some luck. He was injured last year (and on the Islanders…) I wouldn’t be too upset with him on the team, provided number 9 is as well.

by Mykey24 on Jul 28, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I am waiting for someone, somewhere to cry cap-shananigans.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Jul 28, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

Didn’t someone propose this exact same scenario in a comment?

What was Hunter’s deal last season, was he injured or demoted?

by Zelepukin on Jul 28, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

Injured I believe. MCL if I remember correctly.

by Mykey24 on Jul 28, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe it was Triumph44.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow.

Even if that conditional pick can go all the way to a 2nd this was a steal for NJ.

And hey, NYI gets to reach the cap floor (almost!)

I’ll admit, I was one of the people saying this kind of deal would never ever happen.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 28, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

NICE! Massive salary dump. Still need to do something about Clarkson though

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Talking toilet, you may call me Jane.

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Um… you are the one that said not to trade Rolston :P

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually i just wrote that because of all the irrational trades involving Rolston.

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Talking toilet, you may call me Jane.

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 28, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

salary-wise I dont think we need to. Maybe just some skating lessons?

by JoeyV on Jul 28, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Zing!

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Talking toilet, you may call me Jane.

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 28, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure Clarkson is safe now.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Jul 28, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

someone on fire & ice pointed out that now Elias doesn’t have to be held back by Rolston. NOW the lines and potential get really interesting.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

that was me…posting under the clever alias of JoeyV

by JoeyV on Jul 28, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that was you haha.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

There you go Bobby V. Room for Henrique to possibly play on the left.

So we’re at what now 8 million in space, 11 if Salvador hits LTIR?

by Zelepukin on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

That Lou guy is pretty good.

by tigger on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

This is going to complicate lines a bit more now actually I think. Do we give Hunter Rolstons 3rd/2nd line spot or do we move Clarkson up into Brian’s old spot. I would prefer to move Clarky to try and give him a better line to play with, but we will have to see what happens.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Rolston is a LW, Both Hunter and Clarkson are RW

by Zelepukin on Jul 28, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah but switching one of their sides is still better than having Clarkson or him fighting for the 3rd/4th line spots. I mean I understand it makes a big difference to switch sides, but I just want to Clarky with a better line year and see how much that helps him.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Tedenby probably plays LW now instead so our LWs will be Par-Kovy-Teddy, Right wings would be Palmieri Clarkson Hunter? oh. That’s a problem.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Zubrus over Clarkson. Clarkson’s going to have to enjoy Winnipeg

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Talking toilet, you may call me Jane.

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 28, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I would give benefit of the doubt to Zubrus over Clarkson and Hunter. He works so hard on the ice and go two-ways. Clarkson can too, but I really respect Zubrus’s work ethic.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

He won’t get traded. Not yet at least.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

uh, how about clarkson over hunter?

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Jul 28, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

What? TG just said there is no conditional pick. This is awesome.

by Mykey24 on Jul 28, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

Yup no conditional. Lou is the master.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Cap geek has us at 7.96

But that’s with 24 players. If you assume that Janssen and another defender, say Corrente (since he’s more expensive) get sent down, that gives us 22 players and over $9.1M.

Note: DOES NOT include Zach

by JoeyV on Jul 28, 2011 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

Does not include Zach’s older contract either though?

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope, just the players currently under contract for the 2011-12 season

by JoeyV on Jul 28, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m curious what Rolston’s feelings were toward the Devils since he had to waive his NTC for the deal to go through.

The Isles haven’t exactly been playoff contenders in the past little bit and Rolston’s not getting any younger

by DevsFan520 on Jul 28, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Per Chere

Brian Rolston: it’s been a rough ride in Jersey. I’m actually happy to go to a place that wants me"

http://twitter.com/#!/Ledger_NJDevils/status/96634786558382080

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol I actually just unfollowed Chere this morning because I was like “this guy never has anything interesting to say and TG will always tweet something immediately any way”

by JoeyV on Jul 28, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Well there you go.

I don’t think it was so much we didn’t want him as a person and/or hockey player…we just didn’t want his $5mil cap hit.

by DevsFan520 on Jul 28, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Very true..say his cap hit was a bit lower, I would’ve kept him. He’s a great guy and great presence in the locker room. WE’LL MISS YA ROLLY!

by Devils1192 on Jul 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Usually I would call a player out for something like that, but nah it’s true we wanted you as a hockey player, but not as a cap killer.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Is Rolston Delusional?

NJ wanted to ship him off for the same reason the Isles wanted to acquire him: his cap hit. This trade has nothing to do with his ability on the ice for either team. If that means the NYI “want” him, then he’s setting the bar pretty low.

by TheTrapezoidConspiracy on Jul 28, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he is getting the feeling that they didnt want him because according to TG Rolston has had his NTC basically waived since last December and even though there was interest at the trade deadline the Devils couldnt make the move.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

no, the islanders do want him. he would become their 2nd best LW, probably.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Jul 28, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Which is telling unto itself.

Seems to me it’s a straight up problem contract switcheroo—one team gets some cap relief and the other gets closer to the cap floor.

In that respect it’s a fair trade. Otherwise, I think NYI got the better end of the deal as far as actual talent because I don’t think Hunter has much to offer anyone.

by elesias on Jul 28, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

rolston was really not that bad last year, and he will help out the islanders way more than hunter would have.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Jul 28, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

he was good in the 2nd half for sure, but without Elias his play might drop off.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely. But it seems like Rolston will have to fight for his time in the Top 6 with Moulson, Grabner and Comeau at LW. Someone will have to switch sides

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Grabner is a RW

by Zelepukin on Jul 28, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

as is comeau. that’s why hunter isn’t needed.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Jul 28, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s what I get for relying on THN for my depth charts, argh…

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Feel great about the deal. Hunter had a “Devils-like” season of his own last year, somewhat similar to Parise, and of course Rolston’s cap hit is lessened.

For all I care, Rolston would be bought out by the Islanders (so that they could be “status quo”) and they’d sign another guy just to raise the cap a little more.

by vincent enrique on Jul 28, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Why would they buy out a guy who’s cap hit would remain and who would be valuable asset to them?

by Zelepukin on Jul 28, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont know. Just to hit the ceiling? Point is moot though, if Chere said that the Islanders “want” him there.

by vincent enrique on Jul 28, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

It would have made more sense last year, for now they would just keep him.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I meant floor, sorry.

by vincent enrique on Jul 28, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Shocked that someone took that cap hit.

Best wishes to Rolston though. He was a trooper through all the crap of last season.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Islanders needed it to hit the $48 floor. He’s the highest paid player on the team currently.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 28, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

They could have made it without him with their RFAs, Nino and a smaller signing. But Rolston was OK last year so this could be a good fit for one year and it allows them not to rush younger players.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

They are still $5M short, with Bailey and Comeau only yet to sign. Neiderreiter coming in and Bailey and Comeau signing for about $2M each means they are comfortably above now. I think it was necessary for them to make such a move.

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

They definitely could not have made it unless Yashin comes in with a big 35+ performance-laiden contract.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 28, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Nino would have been $3MM, Blake should get $2.5MM at least in arbitration. They could have made it. Remember they only gained $3MM in this deal. Its not like they took Rolston for nothing.

The Islanders in real money were only spending $30MM before this trade (most of their deals are back-loaded) so I imagine this is why they could add Rolston without too much actual pain to their pockets.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Even if Comeau and Bailey get $4M combined, and Neiderreiter makes the team at $2.795M, they have to remove salary as well as they would have 15 forwards. Even at minimum salaries, they had to add big payroll. I suppose they could have signed an FA for $3M, but they also get to get rid of someone who wasn’t going anywhere in their lineup and seems as brittle as they come.

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty sure Nino is going back to the W next year.

And before this trade they were $8M away with Bailey, Joensuu, Comeau, and Haley to re-sign.

They did need a trade like this. They wouldn’t have made it, unless they’d gone the “35+ vet with huge perf bonuses they won’t reach” route.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 28, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

although capgeek doesnt list it, Haley has actually re-signed, for $600K I believe. But the point certainly stands.

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

According to LighthouseHockey

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

No, they didn’t need to do it. They had other options.

Heck I would rather have Zherdev for a year.

But this is now like the argument in Major League…

“What do you mean it was too high…

Who cares it’s already gone"

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

It really was too high, by the way.

by Mykey24 on Jul 28, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah but the problem is that hunter wasn’t fulfilling a role for them, and being a cap floor team and having a useless salary on your ledger is pretty bad, efficiency-wise. they needed to find a team that had a useful player who was making a lot more than hunter, and they did so.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Jul 28, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, I wonder how people think sometimes. I saw this first on the NJ Devils facebook page and there were people saying, without a hint of sarcasm, “NOOOOO ROLSTON!! HORRIBLE TRADE!”.

Do they even follow their team at all? Rolston was a great guy and a good team player, but for the price he was a spare part. If he was only being paid 2-2.5 mill he’d be an asset, and he’s certainly gonna help a young Islanders team who needs to hit the floor. Best of luck Brian.

As for lines, what do we do now?

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus?
Kovy-Elias-Clarkson
Tedenby-JJ-Hunter?
Sharky-Steckel-Boulton/Pelley?

by skly27 on Jul 28, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

You forgot Palmieri. He can take the 1st or 2nd line right wing spot and I personally think Teddy may take the other, but that is my opinion. Your lines are certainly possible.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I left out Palms intentionally, as I did Janssen. I like both, but Janssen is redundant and Palms could be useful in the AHL as I’d rather have Tedenby up. Though I could see Clarkson switching with Teddy like you said.

by skly27 on Jul 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta remember a lot of casual fans dont think about things like the salary cap. In terms of hockey, its a so so trade. But what it does for the cap and allowing us to now put Parise under contract….

by Chris Calabrese on Jul 28, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I know. I hate seeming pretentious being a diehard fan.

by skly27 on Jul 28, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

“. The 3 year old right wing only played in 17 games last season (tore his ACL). He’s a solid bottom 6 winger. "

WOW !!! Hunter has so much time to develop!!!

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

He might be the real deal by the time he’s 7 or 8.

by Mykey24 on Jul 28, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Hahaha

Corrected. Thanks.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 28, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

31?!

Forget developing he needs a retirement home.

by KovyisLove on Jul 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be nice to have Zach signed on his birthday.

by vincent enrique on Jul 28, 2011 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

Per TG: “Just talked to Rolston. He said that his no-trade has essentially been waived since December.”

Well that took a while.

“Rolston said Lamoriello didn’t give him a say in where he went, but is happy to go to Isles, he’ll have a chance to play on top 2 lines.”

What does that mean? Rolston could have prevented any trade from happening.

by TheTrapezoidConspiracy on Jul 28, 2011 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

I think it means that Rolston knew he was going to keep getting shopped around by Lou until he accepted a trade, so I think he thought why not just go with the first one and get it over with before the season starts. Plus the Islanders are relatively close by so he wont really need to change that much of his life style for his family.

by Jacob Shepherd on Jul 28, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by Skuba7 on Jul 28, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

it means that rolston was so angry about being waived and re-entry waived that he told lou in december, ‘look, if you can trade me, i’ll go anywhere, because i’m not wanted here anymore.’

it strikes me as an odd sentiment that he’d rather play on the 2nd line on long island than possibly on a 3rd line here, but hey, that’s fine with me.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Jul 28, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I would guess he gave a blanket waiving of his NTC as opposing to a waiving for one specific team, meaning that when TG called his agent and asked if Rolston had been re-asked to waive his NTC the agent wasn’t lying when he said,’ I haven’t been contacted. ’

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils

by Tom Stivali on Jul 28, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions