New Jersey Devils Trim Roster, Waive Rod Pelley, Vladimir Zharkov, 9 Others

New Jersey Devils General Manager/President Lou Lamoriello began making the final cuts to the roster as the season opener fast approaches.

Placed on waivers today were forwards Vladimir Zharkov and Rod Pelley, along with forwards Stephane Veilleux, and Tim Sestito, and defensemen Jay Leach, Pete Harrold, Matt Corrente and Mark Fraser. Steve Bernier, a veteran in camp on a tryout basis, was not offered a contract.

Pelley logged significant playing time with the Devils last season, appearing in 74 games and registering 10 points. However, the acquisitions of Cam Janssen and Eric Boulton meant Pelley's days in Newark were numbered.

"Where his contract is at and giving him an opportunity somewhere else if another team sees fit, I think is in his best interest at this point," said Lamoriello. "Rod can still play and I’ll be surprised if he is not picked up simply because of what he brings to a team." 

Zharkov, who split time between Newark and the Devils' Albany AHL affiliate, appeared in 38 games for the big club, registering four points. But it was his performance in camp this preseason that warranted the Devils waiving him.

"He just did not have a good camp. We talked about that, and I don't think he'd disagree with that," Lamoriello said.

Players can be assigned to Albany if not claimed by another team.

First-round draft pick Adam Larsson has earned a spot on the NHL roster, with Lamoriello praising the 18-year-old defenseman today.

"You’ll see Adam Larsson on the team at this point,” Lamoriello said. “There’s no reason to think he won’t be, with the way he’s played. We’ll just see how he handles it once the rosters become full. He’ll be given a chance, without question. He deserves it the way he’s played in preseason.”

The other unanswered question is whether Petr Sykora has made the team. Invited on a tryout basis after playing in Europe last season, the Devils first-round pick in the 1995 draft has shown he can still compete at the NHL level, scoring two goals and three points in the preseason, leading the team.

“There’s no question he’s played well and he’s done everything asked of him,” Lamoriello said.

Also undecided is the status of defenseman Anton Stralman, also in camp on a tryout basis.

Defensemen Matt Taormina and Alex Urbom, along with goaltender Keith Kinkaid, were optioned to AHL Albany today as well. These players did not need to clear waivers to be sent to Albany.

NHL teams have a deadline of 3:00 PM on Wednesday to cut the roster down to 23 players and get below the salary cap.