Normally, at this time of year, I’m usually reading up on how other teams around the Eastern Conference are loading up their rosters with new players, while here? *cue crickets chirping*
Well, I won’t be complaining about that anymore. Actually writing here for the fourth day in a row! Anyway, now to catch up on the latest:
-Yesterday afternoon the Devils shipped defenseman Henrik Tallinder to Buffalo in exchange for forward Riley Boychuk in an effort to clear some space under the cap. Boychuk is a 2010 7th rounder who spent all of last season with the CHL’s Fort Worth Brahmas, where in 41 games he posted 17 points (8 G, 9 A). He has a little AHL experience, appearing in 26 games with Rochester during the 2011-12 season.
-Earlier today, the Devils welcomed back another former member of the organization, signing forward Rod Pelley to a one year two way deal. He spent last season in Norfolk, posting 3 goals and 7 assists in 60 games after joining the team during the tail end of the lockout. Before that, he played 5+ seasons in the Devils organization, becoming a regular in New Jersey during the 2009-10 season after bouncing back and forth between the big club and Lowell (remember there?). He was dealt to Anaheim along with Mark Fraser in December 2011 for Kurtis Foster and Timo Pielmeier. Fun fact: if not for some visa paperwork issues back in 2006, he could have been one of the last Devil River Rats. I actually remember meeting him briefly in March that year, just after he finished his final year at Ohio State. He was supposed to play with the Rats on an ATO agreement, but due to those issues he never got a chance to suit up. But as a consolation prize, I did get to see Stephen Gionta and Travis Zajac make their debuts about a month later.
-And finally, per a tweet from Fire and Ice, restricted free agent Mike Hoeffel has re-signed, no terms disclosed. That leaves 6 RFAs that still need a new contract (cough, Henrique, cough).
UPDATE (7/9): Just as I hit publish for this entry, yet another re-signing by New Jersey: Cam Janssen is back for one more season, signing a two way contract. I would not be surprised if he were to return to Albany with Krys Barch still on New Jersey’s roster.
Thoughts Inside The Box 