Brian Rolston had one of the NHL’s hardest shots in his 17-year career.
But goalies needn’t fear his laser any longer.
The 1991 Devils draft pick announced his retirement Tuesday.
Former Devil Brian Rolston has announced his retirement from the #NHL. #NJDevils— (@NHLDevilsPR) April 30, 2013
Rolston played in 1,256 NHL games, winning a Stanley Cup in 1995 with the Devils. The Flint, Mich. native registered 130 of his 342 career goals in two tours in New Jersey.
Many of those tallies were scored using a bruising– sometimes literally– slap shot. Rolston also played in three Olympics, winning a silver medal with Team USA in 2002.
Rolston did not play in 2013 but finished his playing career with the Boston Bruins, with whom he also did two tours. Rolston also played stints in Minnesota, Colorado and an infamous 49-game tenure on Long Island.
Though Rolston was a third-line player, Martin Brodeur recalled how he aided New Jersey’s 1995 Stanley Cup-championship run.
Brodeur: "As a player, [Rolston] was instrumental in a lot of the success we had in New Jersey, including our first Stanley Cup…"— (@NHLDevilsPR) April 30, 2013
Brodeur: "… and I can’t say enough about the leadership and passion he brought to our team." #NJDevils— (@NHLDevilsPR) April 30, 2013
He also was one of the few players you’ll ever see perfectly execute the slap-penalty shot
Could Heatley land in New Jersey?
Pat Pickens
The hockey boards lit up toward the end of last week at the prospect of Dany Heatley coming east to New Jersey.
Can you picture this scene, only with Dany Heatley wearing a Devils sweater?
That trade has likely been delayed, considering Tallinder was placed on IR today. But it’s no secret that Heatley’s been frustrated ever since he was pulled from the Minnesota Wild’s top-line back in February.
Heatley’s numbers speak for themselves: 357 goals, 755 points in only 775 NHL games. Six times Heatley has played all 82 games in a season– he also has made up formidable lines in San Jose and Ottawa.
Heatley is also signed through next year, which makes him more than a rental. He’s evidently worn out his welcome in Minnesota, plus his cap number is $7.5 million, which means he could be had for less than other non-rental players. He’s a gamer, who has played with a variety of injuries in the postseason over the years.
Fifty-seven points in 65 career postseason games? On a line with Ilya Kovalchuk?! Sign me up for that.
That’s the upside.
The down side is, Heatley is notoriously sulk-ish. He feuds with everyone– which is the real reason he’s on the trade block to begin with. He was happiest in San Jose, yet he didn’t perform enough in the playoffs to warrant his contract.
This would be the third place out of four that Heatley’s forced his way out of. He pushed a trade from Atlanta– OK, we can see that. He battled with Cory Clouston in Ottawa, and now he’s reportedly upset with Mike Yeo. What if Pete DeBoer gets on Heatley’s back-checking this year– or even next– and Heatley decides he doesn’t want to play in New Jersey anymore?
If Heatley’s available, it seems like the Devils need to listen. But what say ye, Devils fans? Should the Devils pursue Heater?
Darren Drager tweeted this morning reporting that the Minnesota Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky has waived his no trade clause to come to the Devils. No deal has officially made. Things are in the works. Zidlicky has 1 more year left on his deal after this season at a $4 million cap hit.
I think this would be great for Zidlicky and the Devils. He will provide great depth for the Devils as they hope to move up in the standings. If the Devils don’t have to give up too much for him it’ll be a great deal for the Devils.
The Hockey News posted an article about what it would have to take for the Devils to resign their captain. The mention that in order for the Devils to have the availale cap space they are going to have to make some moves that may take the team out of contention for a Stanley Cup ring. Parise wants to play some where he has a chance of winning a ring and can also get a nice pay check.
Right now the Wild are a very hot team and if they continue to play well through out the season and make a good run in the playoffs it would not shock me to see Parise return to his home state of Minnesota. The Wild also have the money to sign him so there is more motivation for him to go back home.
Now you maybe thinking that the Devils might have to trade him away but if the Devils can make a run on their own they might be able to convince Parise to continue to play and give him the salary he wants. But if Lou gets word that Parise is going to be gone either way at the end of the season they only thing left to do is see who will give the Devils the best price for the rest of the season.
Personally, I think that with the Devils playing well recently and the first line clicking, if this continues I can see Parise staying in New Jersey. The Devils are his team where if he goes anywhere else that has a chance of winning he won’t be THE go to guy like he would be in New Jersey. Lets say Brodeur and Hedberg both don’t return and decide to bring up the tandem of Kinkaid and Frazee in net, the Devils will have the available cap space needed to resign Parise.
Now for the record I would like to start off by saying that is NOT fact in any sort of way. This is a look at other teams that Parise would fit well with along with providing a valuable return for the Devils if they are to deal away Parise.
So far this season Parise has not been lighting the lamp as much as we all had hoped. He has just 6 goals and 5 assists in 19 games with a -5 rating while playing on the top line with Henrique and Kovalchuk. Despite the numbers he has been playing very well defensively which maybe just as important as scoring considering the Devils’ defense.
Parise signed a 1 year contract this summer. Everyone had assumed that it was the kiss of death and began to think that Parise’s days in New Jersey were numbered. So trade speculation and rumors are not anything to be surprised about. A couple days ago there was word that the Devils were in talks with the Los Angeles Kings about exchanging Parise for Jonathan Bernier and a top forward. But lets go over some teams that would provide a great return for the Devils in the event that Parise is dealt.
Keep in mind I am looking at the salary cap when it comes to these “deals” so there is no chance they are not possible due to the cap. If you do not know Parise is set to make $6 million this season.
I strongly believe that if Parise is going to be dealt its going to be by a team that is in a “win now” mentality along with giving something back to the Devils. Some other teams that come to mind are the Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild made some big moves this summer in acquiring Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi from the San Jose Sharks in different deals. Even though the Wild are 1st in the Western Conference they are 28th in the NHL in goals per game. They are going to have to score more goals if they want to keep winning. Who better to be scoring than Zach Parise?
Now the Devils are going to be looking for a goaltender and the Wild have a good goaltender named Josh Harding. In the 7 games he has played this season he has a 1.79 GAA and a .945 save percentage. He has potential to be a great consistent starting goaltender.
Also the Wild are going to have to throw in another player, I’m think its going to have to be someone that is going to be able to feed the puck to Kovalchuk. Even though Setoguchi just arrived with the Wild I think he could be on the move again. He would work really well with Henrique and Kovalchuk on the top line.
Harding and Setoguchi for Parise. Seems like a fair deal to me for both sides. One final point, Parise may want to go home to Minnesota.
Washington Capitals
Its has been obvious that the Capitals want to win right now. The Capitals are in no short of scoring but they need a defensive forward. Parise is just that and if Parise wants to win his best odds are in Washington. Now Parise won’t just be some offensive defensive expert but he will definitely be able to contribute on offense.
The Capitals are also at the top the of salary cap ceiling and they have one contract that is highly moveable. Alexander Semin’s contract is set to expire at the end of the year. So I think this trade would be a simple one for one trade. Semin would be great to play with Kovalchuk which maybe the solution to a more productive Kovalchuk.
Semin for Parise. One for One. I call that fair for both teams.
