Toronto Maple Leafs: Does Kovalchuk In NJ = Zajac In Toronto?

What happens to Zach Parise now that New Jersey signed Ilya Kovalchuck?  Well, first off it isn’t too hard to see Parise having a 90+ point season in 2010/2011 which is great.  The bad news is how will New Jersey sign Parise to a new contract after that?  Certainly he’ll warrant  $5-6 million a season  when he signs a new contract.  I don’t believe the idea of losing Parise or Elias is even thinkable.

The Devils need to make moves now to meet the salary cap restrictions for 2010/11.   Here is the first problem, 6 players with no trade or no movement clauses.  It is very unlikely any of these players can be moved this season.

Jamie Langenbrunner - No Trade Clause - UFA after 2010-11 ($2.8 million)
Martin Brodeur- No Trade Clause - UFA after 2011-12 ($5.2 million)
Brian Rolston - No Trade Clause - UFA after 2011-12 ($5.0625 million)
Anton Volchnkov – No Trade Clause – UFA after 2015-16 ($4.25 million)
Colin White - No Trade Clause - UFA after 2011-12 ($3.0 million)
Patrick Elias- No Movement Clause - UFA after 2012-13 ($6.0 million)

Jason Arnott was just traded to NJ in June ($4.8 million).  This is a head scratching deal as Arnott was brought in to play (and hopefully) improve Langenbrunner.  However, Langenbrunner will be almost impossible for NJ to sign if he has a great season which means Langenbrunner is gone after 2011 as a UFA.  Would Langenbrunner waive his no trade?  Hard to say but it is probably no benefit to him if he did given the addition of Arnott.

Two on the list below will have to go before the start of the season.  If NJ wants to keep Parise, they will need to lose 3 of the players below.  This is given that they are likely to be replaced with $800,000 to $1 million dollar players.

Travis Zajac ($3.8875 million)
Danius Zubrus ($3.4 million)H
Henrik Tallinder ($3.375 million)
Bryce Salvador ($2.9 million)
David Clarkson ($2.667 million)

The trade of any of these 5 will require finesse.  New Jersey will want a skilled young prospect that can play in the NHL and have a salary of less than a million for returns.  It may end up being a multi-player deal.  Time is not on NJ’s side and other GM’s know this.

Zajac is almost certainly the first choice given his talent and contract.  Rumour has it that Toronto may be the team that makes that trade, giving up Gunnerson and some young prospects.  That makes sense, as Zajac certainly fits Toronto’s needs for a large centre and Gunnerson’s $800,000 contract certainly fits NJ’s needs. Trading Zajac gives NJ room to relax until the end of the season.

Zubrus is going to be difficult to move given his low production and high salary.  Tallinder is probably more valuable than Salvador and Clarkson combined and the latter two give NJ an extra $5.5 million if they are let go.  Salvador can be dumped in the minors, but this just buys NJ more time.  Clarkson and Salvador are likely only going to bring darft picks to NJ, which is good salary wise and probably the least disruption.  Question is will anyone bite knowing Zajac is available?

The obvious multi player deal will see Zajac, and Clarkson moved for a promising  young NHL ready player earning $800-$1 million per season and a second round draft pick.  If NJ is lucky they may squeeze out another young prospect.