Post by mike2005rulz on Oct 1, 2009 11:04:32 GMT -5
There was speculation as to the status of veteran right winger Brendan Shanahan, who did not take part in Thursday morning's Devils practice.
General manager Lou Lamoriello solvered the mystery surrounding Shanahan when he revealed the team has cut the future Hall of Famer.
"Over the past couple of days Jacques (Lemaire) and I have had conversations. The unexpected has transpired," Lamoriello said. "It's not that Brendan cannot play. It's that these (young) players have become something special at this time."
Shanahan, 40, is still on the Devils' roster. As long as he remains on the roster, his $1 million salary will count against the cap.
Lamoriello suggested he would be removed from the roster shortly, at which time the $1 million would no longer count against the cap. The GM said it is possible he could trade Shanahan, put him on waivers or that the winger could accept a position within the organization.
"This is a mutual decision," Lamoriello said. "An amicable one. After today we'll make the decisions we have to make."
Shanahan did not speak with reporters, but issued a statement.
"I have not decided to continue with the New Jersey Devils for my 22nd NHL season," Shanahan's statement read. "When I signed this past summer, Lou Lamoriello, Jacques Lemaire and I agreed that if we were unable to find a suitable fit in which I would be able ti compete and contribute at the level I expect from myself, then I would simply step aside.
"I have great respect for Lou, Jacques and the entire Devils' organization. This decision is both mutual and amicable. I am planning to spend the next couple of weeks with my family to reflect on and evaluate my plans for the future. Most importantly, I would like to thank my former teammates and wish them the best of luck this season."
Without naming names, Lamoriello said young forwards such as Ilkka Pikkarainen, Matt Halischuk and Niclas Bergfors have developed faster than expected and need to play in the NHL.
And it went without saying that Devils management felt Shanahan had lost something.
"When players start to decline a little you may have to make your decisions a little earlier," Lamoriello said. "This is nothing new. We've been through this before.Certain players have to play. They have to grow.
"With the players that left and we did not re-sign, there would be spots open at the top eight or nine (forward) positions. Patrik (Elias) will be coming back. And with him out we had to settle the center ice position."
That meant signing Rob Nidermayer on Friday, creating one less open spot among the club's forwards.
Lamoriello said the situation with Shanahan has been discussed over the past few days.
"This has been talked about over the last several days," he said, noting the final decision was made Wednesday.
Why make it so late in the preseason?
"When time is on your side, you use it," the GM said. "You make sure what you're doing."
Is there a chance Shanahan could be back as a player for the Devils at some point?
"Anything is possible," Lamoriello said after hesitating. "I don't want to say no to anything."
But that does not seem likely.
"I couldn't, in any way, overstate my respect for Brendan Shanahan as a player and off teh ice. Anything."
Source
www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/10/where_is_nj_devils_winger_bren.html
General manager Lou Lamoriello solvered the mystery surrounding Shanahan when he revealed the team has cut the future Hall of Famer.
"Over the past couple of days Jacques (Lemaire) and I have had conversations. The unexpected has transpired," Lamoriello said. "It's not that Brendan cannot play. It's that these (young) players have become something special at this time."
Shanahan, 40, is still on the Devils' roster. As long as he remains on the roster, his $1 million salary will count against the cap.
Lamoriello suggested he would be removed from the roster shortly, at which time the $1 million would no longer count against the cap. The GM said it is possible he could trade Shanahan, put him on waivers or that the winger could accept a position within the organization.
"This is a mutual decision," Lamoriello said. "An amicable one. After today we'll make the decisions we have to make."
Shanahan did not speak with reporters, but issued a statement.
"I have not decided to continue with the New Jersey Devils for my 22nd NHL season," Shanahan's statement read. "When I signed this past summer, Lou Lamoriello, Jacques Lemaire and I agreed that if we were unable to find a suitable fit in which I would be able ti compete and contribute at the level I expect from myself, then I would simply step aside.
"I have great respect for Lou, Jacques and the entire Devils' organization. This decision is both mutual and amicable. I am planning to spend the next couple of weeks with my family to reflect on and evaluate my plans for the future. Most importantly, I would like to thank my former teammates and wish them the best of luck this season."
Without naming names, Lamoriello said young forwards such as Ilkka Pikkarainen, Matt Halischuk and Niclas Bergfors have developed faster than expected and need to play in the NHL.
And it went without saying that Devils management felt Shanahan had lost something.
"When players start to decline a little you may have to make your decisions a little earlier," Lamoriello said. "This is nothing new. We've been through this before.Certain players have to play. They have to grow.
"With the players that left and we did not re-sign, there would be spots open at the top eight or nine (forward) positions. Patrik (Elias) will be coming back. And with him out we had to settle the center ice position."
That meant signing Rob Nidermayer on Friday, creating one less open spot among the club's forwards.
Lamoriello said the situation with Shanahan has been discussed over the past few days.
"This has been talked about over the last several days," he said, noting the final decision was made Wednesday.
Why make it so late in the preseason?
"When time is on your side, you use it," the GM said. "You make sure what you're doing."
Is there a chance Shanahan could be back as a player for the Devils at some point?
"Anything is possible," Lamoriello said after hesitating. "I don't want to say no to anything."
But that does not seem likely.
"I couldn't, in any way, overstate my respect for Brendan Shanahan as a player and off teh ice. Anything."
Source
www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/10/where_is_nj_devils_winger_bren.html