New Jersey Devils: Thoughts on Marek Zidlicky and His First Game in as a Devil

Lou Lamoriello pulled the trigger yet again Friday night and made his third trade of the 2011-2012 season.

This time, he received 35-year-old Marek Zidlicky.

Lamoriello has acquired what he believes will be the new quarterback on the Devils power play.

On December 12th, he traded for Kurtis Foster, and in his eyes Foster was not the player he'd hoped for.

Uncle Lou sent Foster, Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux, a 2012 second-round pick, and a conditional 2013 third-round pick to the Minnesota Wild.

Three players and two draft picks seems like a lot for a 35-year-old veteran during the decline in his career. Yes, Zidlicky has scored over 40 points five times in his career, but he only has 14 points this season, all of them being assists and only three have been on the power play.

In his first game with the Devils, he did not see much time on the power play. Zidlicky has yet to practice with the team, and is still unfamiliar with the system.

His plus/minus against the Lightning of a minus two was not what the Devils had hoped for when acquiring him.

He should not be judged this early.

Time will tell if the trade will be a win for the Devils.

Tomorrow is a big game against the New York Rangers, and it is important that Zidlicky and the Devils are on the same page by then.

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