New Jersey Dealers.

With the Marty Brodeur on the shelf for 3-4 months, TSN asked who would be a most suitable backup? Early reports state that the Devils are not looking to make a deal, but with the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins all looking to make a run at the division, a losing skid could force a trade. There are plenty of options, but TSN narrowed the selection down to four potential replacements... Nik Khabibhulin (Chicago), Oli Kolzig (Tampa), Manny Fernandez (Boston) and Dwayne Roloson (Edmonton). All four choices seem logical and all four have been starting goalteanders in the past. So, lets break down each individuals situation...


Nikolai Khabibhulin
Contract 6.75 Million. Expires - At seasons end.
He's a former Stanley Cup champ, he has an Olympic Gold Medal under his belt and 4 All-Star appearances on his resume. Not too shabby for a rental player. The big question here is, his contract. Its huge. Jersey doesn't have the cap space (2.4 mil) to accommodate his hefty load (6.75 mil). However, I would interested to find out if Chicago would be willing to pay half of his salary in order to deal him. If that's the case, the Devils would only have to cut a million or so to make the deal work. Maybe Zubrus and his 3.4 mil are expendable? Or how about Bryce Salvador at 2.9 mil? Either way, it's money that's stopping this deal from working.



Olaf Kolzig
Contract - 1.5 Million. Expires - At seasons end.
He's a former Stanley Cup runner-up, a Vezina winner in '00 and has appeared in 2 All-Star games. His contract is only 1.5 mil and would fit nicely in New Jersey's cap situation; however, that would leave the Devils with little room to make a deal at the deadline, if they needed a late playoff boost. But what's more important... Staring Kevin Weekes and not even being in the payoff picture? Or being strapped at the deadline and in playoff position already? The money works in this deal and is the most logical for NJD, but is Tampa willing to part with Kolzig knowing the are left with Mike Smith and Karri Ramo for a playoff run?



Manny Fernandez
Contract - 4.33 Million. Expires - At seasons end.
Wow, this guy is 34?! Drafted by the Nordiques in '92!! I had no idea. Anyways, he lead the Wild to their first playoff appearance in franchise history and won the Jennings Trophy (lowest GAA) for the 06-07 season. He has never shouldered a full 82 game schedule, playing a career high 58 games in '06, but that doesn't matter since he would only be needed for 4 months. He's shown flashes of brilliance in the recent past, but lost the starting job in Boston to Tim Thomas. A four month stint to show off his skills could improve his off-season value, but his 4.33 mil contract doesn't really allow Jersey to accommodate him. Plus, Boston already sent down Tuukka Rask earlier in the year for a reason, he isn't NHL ready yet.


Dwayne Roloson
Contract - 3.667 Million. Expires - At seasons end.
The best choice for New Jersey. Hands down. And even John Tortorella and Bob McKenzie agree with me! The Oilers could shed his contract this season and make a play at the deadline if needed (hopefully as a buyer) and could end the 3-headed goalie monster they have created. However, Roloson has started the last 3 games and has seemed to create more of a headache for MacT with his strong goaltending play. Roloson, like Fernandez, has never shouldered an 82 game load (although he did play 68 games a few seasons ago), but that won't matter as everyone knows their role when Brodeur comes back healthy, its ridin' the pine. Roli seems to be the easy choice for both teams, but we all know Lou Lamoriello isn't one to panic, so don't expect a deal anytime soon...

Cheers.
-Smith