Fact or Fiction: Devils Shopping for Gaborik, Bouwmeester?

Brendan Shanahan, RW

The soon-to-be 40-year-old former Blueshirt is looking to stay in the game but has yet to find a team that will work for him. He is looking to stay near New York, in an attempt to avoid taking his children out of their current schools. This means the teams in the area have the best chance at signing the veteran winger.

Teams formerly known to be in the hunt were the Devils and Flyers, with Pittsburgh and the Rangers as outside possibilities.

It appears negotiations with the Flyers have fallen through, leaving Pitt and the Devils in the east. Lamoriello has expressed interest in getting Shanahan into the franchise for future management positions, but is that worth signing him?

Shanahan's agent has said they were willing to accept a fairly small contract. His cap hit would be far less to the Devils than any other star looking to be signed.

While I remain doubtful that the Devils would sign him, it still remains a possibility. I don't see what he has to offer the Devils. They have experience in Bobby Holik, Brian Rolston, Patrik Elias, and Jamie Langenbrunner. Shanahan's speed would be an issue in the fast-paced game.

However it is undeniable that he had an impact in New York, and was a solid player on the power play. We'll see what Lamoriello decides, but I don't expect to see Shanahan in a Devils jersey.

Those are the three main rumors I've been hearing, but I know there are others.

I've heard talks of waiting on the Oilers to decide which two of their three goalies they want to keep (if they decide to trim down their goalie list). I've also heard rumors of Maxim Afinogenov, but not much.

I am hoping Lamoriello does something. If they Devils want to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, they will need some help until Marty Broduer returns. The offense has been hot lately, so I am not concerned with that. But it wouldn't hurt to get players like Bouwmeester and Gaborik and also get first crack at re-signing them for next season.

Then again, I would never be willing to let Parise go, so it all depends on whom the Devils would give up. Don't be surprised if we see no change in the Devils roster. If we see any change this season, I'd expect it to be the removal of Brent Sutter and Lamoriello getting behind the bench for the playoffs.

LETS GO DEVILS!!!

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