Since free agency began on Tuesday, I have been following three things. First and foremost, I have kept a watchful eye on the New Jersey Devils' transactions. Second, I have watched the constant revolving door of New York Rangers' players, which included the exit of Jaromir Jagr from the NHL following the entry of Markus Naslund into a Blueshirt. Lastly, I have been watching the big names in the NHL holding out for something. What that is, only they know. With that constant keeping the world waiting, there has been the constant chattering amongst hockey writers on who is going where.

One rumor that caught my attention pertained to both the New Jersey Devils and the Rangers. The individual it involved was none other than Brendan Shanahan. On the first day of free agency, Shanahan was rumored to possibly be signing with the Devils. The New York Post has printed it as being definite. Shanahan, who will turn 40 midway through the 2008-09 season, would be returning to the team that selected him in the first round, second overall, in the 1987 NHL entry draft. He spent his first three seasons as a New Jersey Devil. Now, it would appear that if the rumor does become a reality, he will be returning to the team where his entire professional career began, thus making his lifelong work come full circle.

Jagr was also given a lucrative offer to return home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, thus ending his own career right where he started. But instead, Jagr said goodbye to the NHL and took the biggest salary of all from his former lockout club, the Avangard Omsk Russian hockey club.

Right before Jagr was dealt the harsh reality that he would not return as a New York Ranger, Glen Sather told the press, "As we're progressing through this, we're trying to get younger, we're trying to get more talented and we're trying to get faster.
If you look around the league, that's the way the league is going. It's not necessarily going with guys that are 35 and up."

If that's the case, then the Devils have gone against the grain and started signing older players like Bobby Holik, 37, and Brian Rolston, 35. Shanahan is no exception. Before he signed with the Rangers two seasons ago, Lou Lamoriello offered a contract to Shanahan, but was rejected, thus becoming the oldest current player on the Rangers roster these past two seasons.

If Shanahan is waiting around for the New York Rangers to call, he should reconsider, considering Sather's mantra for the 2008-09 season is "younger is better." You also have to add in what Rangers Coach Tom Renney told the media. He said that Shanahan's role would have to be redefined if he were to return next season.

Considering all that he's done for the Rangers these past two seasons, especially as a mentor for these young guys, you would think the organization would speak more highly of him, especially after Chris Osgood thanked Shanahan as being amongst those who set the stage for the Detroit Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup win. The Cup came two years after he left the Red Wings, but he still remains fresh in their thoughts. That in itself proves that Shanahan is a leader, an inspiration, and a mentor to those just learning to come into their being as a professional hockey player. And in the end, it's all about the Stanley Cup.

If the Rangers cannot recognize what they have in Shanahan, then I'm sure the Devils will embrace everything he represents fully.

Moving Forward

Bringing back Rolston and Holik created much excitement amongst the Devils. Both players were members of New Jersey's 1995 Stanley Cup Championship team. Holik was also a part of New Jersey's second Cup win in 2000. "Brian has developed into one of the league's top two-way players in recent years," Lamoriello told press. "While Bobby has continued to be one of the top size/strength centers in the NHL."

Size and strength was something the Devils lacked last season, and Holik will become that much needed presence. Having someone like David Clarkson (resigned this summer by the Devils) going up against a big guy like Jagr during the playoffs was a big mistake on the Devils part. That gave Jagr more opportunities while Clarkson was pinned against the wall by Jagr's backside, or laying flat on the ice unable to get back up. The Devils just didn't have someone healthy enough with size and strength to go up against Jagr. That duty usually fell upon Colin White. But with Colin White having a miserable season as far as his health was concerned, he had a difficult time keeping up with Jagr.

The media spoke often about having the strength and power of players like Ken Daneyko and Scott Stevens in front of Brodeur's net. Going forward into the off-season, the Devils needed to fill in the gaps with strength, size and speed. Speed was something they sorely lacked when going up against Scott Gomez and Sean Avery. The Devils were out-skated and outmaneuvered more times during the playoffs then I can count on two hands. It remains to be seen who they can bring in with that speed and agility that they are missing from the spot vacated by Scott Gomez.

In addition to re-signing Clarkson, the Devils also re-signed left wing Jay Pandolfo, defenseman Bryce Salvador, and right wing Barry Tallackson. The Devils also saw the departure of Sergei Brylin, who had been with New Jersey his entire career since 1992.