and what if he re-signs?

why does everyone think he is gone?
- dmarsden2988

This too. Lou is one of the best for a reason.

Agreed but who's to say it would have to be a 1st or 2nd? If I'm Lou and I know Zach isn't signing under any circumstances, why not even take a 4th and 5th for example? I would agree in not taking on contracts you don't want, but free picks are free picks.
- cryptical77

Those contract he's taking aren't that hefty. Giguere was very good last year and is dirt cheap at 1.25 mil or whatever he's making. You aren't going to find a better quality backup goalie for that with the experience and character he brings. And Kobasew is no more expensive than any other bottom 6 forward out there, i'm sure he'd be fine. I don't think this trade is even happening or been discussed. I'm just saying aside from the situation and the players involved getting that much back for a UFA's rights would be a very good return.

I'm saying that it's a good return because if they are shopping his right they obviously know that he's not coming back. You have to look at the whole picture here. If my team knew they were losing a player i'd be happy as hell if they got a 1st and 2nd round pick.
- J-Dog

but they are not shopping his rights

but they are not shopping his rights
- dmarsden2988

I'm not saying that they are. Not even taking Parise or this trade scenario into consideration. Getting a 1st and 2nd round pick for a players UFA rights is pretty impressive.

I HOPE TO GOD THIS IS TRUE!!!
- jonathonpeddle

its already been proven false, and if it was true then the av's would be in a ton of trouble aka tampering

Although precedent suggests otherwise, nobody can say with complete certainty that Lou will never trade negotiating rights to a pending UFA. However, the thing that makes this rumour ridiculous is the contract terms; at $7 million for 7 years, NJ would just sign him and lower payroll elsewhere (i.e. Tallinder) to cushion the Kovy hike in 2012-2013.

If Zach leaves NJ, its because he has a heavyweight contender in mind, like Boston or LA, OR he wants a monster contract (well above $7 million per over 7 years).
- williamirven

Your right about this, the ONLY way Zach leaves is because of this, then he'll sign in Minny where they are rumored to be offering between 8/9mil a year.

its already been proven false, and if it was true then the av's would be in a ton of trouble aka tampering
- dmarsden2988

orly? proven false by who?

orly? proven false by who?
- Drij

Devils fans that think that their favorite player who's a free agent is worth more than a 1st and 2nd round pick....

The friendship between Stastny-EJ/Parise is really overplayed. They were teammates for a couple weeks on USA does it really go beyond that?

On the other hand you have Semin/Varlamov who were teammates and good friends that would be a more legitimate incentive for Semin to sign here than Parise being a teammate of EJ/Stastny for two weeks

That being said I wish this rumor was true, but I highly doubt it.

Devils fans that think that their favorite player who's a free agent is worth more than a 1st and 2nd round pick....
- J-Dog

Your right and that's why this rumor is false. First off the Devils will at least have a talk with Zach and his agent before doing anything and second if Zach wants out, he'll just walk over to the team he wants and sign with them and that team would give up nothing.

The friendship between Stastny-EJ/Parise is really overplayed. They were teammates for a couple weeks on USA does it really go beyond that?

On the other hand you have Semin/Varlamov who were teammates and good friends that would be a more legitimate incentive for Semin to sign here than Parise being a teammate of EJ/Stastny for two weeks

That being said I wish this rumor was true, but I highly doubt it.
- Avs-Ice

um Semin and Varlamov are not friends...

orly? proven false by who?
- Drij

do you really think lou would trade away the captain's rights without even sitting down with him to talk about a contract?

the devils beat writers (not even todd cordell)

if there was ANY truth to it then im pretty sure there would be some noise from other places than euro

its not hard to see that it was a made up rumor

Your right and that's why this rumor is false. First of the Devils will at least have a talk with Zach and his agent before doing anything and second if Zach wants out, he'll just walk over to the team he wants and sign with them and that team would give up nothing.
- Gambi99

True but *IF* his rights were up for grabs, then you would think that a late round pick or two would be better than nothing. And small price to some team not considered a favorite to make an exclusive pitch for a week.

EDIT: Of course its a big hypothetical *IF*

um Semin and Varlamov are not friends...
- Drij

Where do you get that?

do you really think lou would trade away the captain's rights without even sitting down with him to talk about a contract?

the devils beat writers (not even todd cordell)

if there was ANY truth to it then im pretty sure there would be some noise from other places than euro

its not hard to see that it was a made up rumor
- dmarsden2988

how do you know they haven't been talking? You seriously think they are waiting until the last week to just begin negotiations? Sorry but that's some bad management if that's the case.

how do you know they haven't been talking? You seriously think they are waiting until the last week to just begin negotiations? Sorry but that's some bad management if that's the case.
- Drij

I believe he's getting his info from the Fire and Ice blog by Tom Gulitti who has been in contact almost everyday with Lou and Arnott (Parise's agent) and both have said they haven't had a meeting yet. I agree with you though, they should of had this talk already!

how do you know they haven't been talking? You seriously think they are waiting until the last week to just begin negotiations? Sorry but that's some bad management if that's the case.
- Drij

Lou, parise, arnott (agent) have all said that they are going to sit down after the draft and talk about contract, and that they will have a convo at the draft but nothing to be done at the draft

and if you look at lou's history it really isnt out of the ordinary, and he knows what he is doing

True but *IF* his rights were up for grabs, then you would think that a late round pick or two would be better than nothing. And small price to some team not considered a favorite to make an exclusive pitch for a week.

EDIT: Of course its a big hypothetical *IF*
- cryptical77

honestly, I would take that in a NY second if Parise was going to leave but I still have a hard time thinking somebody would give up that much for somebodies "rights"

I believe he's getting his info from the Fire and Ice blog by Tom Gulitti who has been in contact almost everyday with Lou and Arnott (Parise's agent) and both have said they haven't had a meeting yet. I agree with you though, they should of had this talk already!
- Gambi99

I'm willing to bet that what they tell him and what is actually going on are two completely different things. I would be almost sure that Lou and his agent have been in contact throughout the last year in regards to an extension. It's not like the Devils don't know if he's coming back or not.

Lou, parise, arnott (agent) have all said that they are going to sit down after the draft and talk about contract, and that they will have a convo at the draft but nothing to be done at the draft

and if you look at lou's history it really isnt out of the ordinary, and he knows what he is doing
- dmarsden2988

That's what they say so that everyone leaves them the hell alone.

That's what they say so that everyone leaves them the hell alone.
- J-Dog

so then explain the past 2 decades of lou waiting till last minute to start talking contracts with players? it isnt a new case with parise so there is no reason to believe that he is lying, lou knows what he is doing, and everyone knows he doesnt talk contracts during the season, which ended 10 days ago and then you have to think about all the season ending review processes he has to go through, end of year interviews, and getting ready for the draft

and one of his quotes he likes to use is, when you have time on your hand you use it

I'm willing to bet that what they tell him and what is actually going on are two completely different things. I would be almost sure that Lou and his agent have been in contact throughout the last year in regards to an extension. It's not like the Devils don't know if he's coming back or not.
- J-Dog

That could be true but all I'm telling you are the facts but as for what they could or could not be doing would just be guessing on my part and others.

guess the rumor did what it was meant to do - create conversation

well done and no flipping way it happens

First off I don't see Praise signing with Col. 2nd he is getting more then 7 mil. With so much cap space available to so many teams and he being the only decent forward available, he is gonna get huge money. I say well over 8.

we couldnt be that lucky. the whole getting rid of Kobasew is just way too good to be true