The New Jersey Devils (11-13-5) managed to perform well above expectation and make it to the Stanley Cup Finals in Peter DeBoer's first year as head coach.
That has not been the case in the last couple seasons though, as the team has now missed the postseason two years running and this season the Devils again seem to be slipping further and further from the playoff race.
With the recent news of Damien Brunner's placement on unconditional waivers and the expected termination of his contract, general manager Lou Lamoriello may be starting the slow rebuilding process it has seemed New Jersey needs for some time now.
Brunner, 28, is/was in the second year of a two-year, $5 million contract. Could he be the first piece of a much more significant roster overhaul puzzle centered on a handful of veteran trades?
"Jaromir Jagr, not as dominant as he was a season ago but still capable and dangerous offensively, should merit significant interest on the market as a rental property, and so should Marek Zidlicky," writes Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "A contender might bite on Michael Ryder. If healthy, Martin Havlat might bring a mid-rounder. Someone will take Steve Bernier at a low cost. And though less likely, maybe a buyer remembering the good old days would go in on Bryce Salvador."
Then, there is Patrik Elias.
Yes, Elias has a no-move clause on his contract which carries him through the 2016-17 season. Yes, he's a Devils fan favorite, wears the 'A,' and is still incredibly talented -- he had 18 goals and 35 assists in just 65 games last season.
But facing a rebuild, would it be possible he'd prefer to go to a contender and see if he can win a Cup? Hockey player shelf lives aren't often as lengthy as Jagr's, and Elias is already 38-years-old.
Not to mention, the return he could possibly net and the potential results moving out a number of the team's best players and the resulting string of losses, could bring... Jack Eichel or Connor McDavid anyone?
Lamoriello does not seem like the type of guy to go in for tanking a season, but something in New Jersey needs to change, otherwise the recent middling status quo will stay just that - the status quo.-
