Lost And Found – Breaking Down the Shanahan News

Hello Devil Nation,

We recently learned that Brendan Shanahan is no longer with the Devils.  Over the summer, he had signed a one-year contract.  The dismissal or departure or layoff or whatever you want to call it has been reported as mutual – ie, Brendan didn’t want to play 5 minutes a night on the 4th line and NJ didn’t want to eat a roster spot which could better be used for youth.

When Brendan joined the team at the midway point of last season, it looked like a slick signing – a pre-deadline “deal” that gave NJ more experience, locker room presence, blah blah blah.  I admit.  He looked good in his first game.  But truth be told, NJ lost in Round 1, and Shanahan only netted 7 goals in 41 games, despite having ample time on the power play.  And the old man line (Pando-Madden-Shanny) was atrocious in the playoffs.  Not to say it was their fault for being paired, but they didn’t help their cause.

As you know, NJ opted not to sign Madden in the off-season.  Before he ever signed with NJ, Shanahan made it abundantly clear that the Rangers were his first choice.  The Rangers – our biggest rival.  Of course, times have changed and nothing is sacred any more in terms of trades, signings, rivalry personnel, etc.

At the conclusion of the playoffs, I figured we’d be done with the guy, and that he’d either retire or return to NY.  To my dismay, NJ signed him again, and this time for a whole season (the dude is not a young guy, mind you).  Over the summer, the team make up was not yet known, and it wasn’t know how well certain rookies would perform in camp.  Shanahan was a depth signing – an insurance policy.  Nothing more.

Fast forward – our rookies impressed in camp, and NJ signed Rob Niedermayer as a possible replacement for Madden (not to mention tough guy Andrew Peters).

The departure of Shanhan is great news, in my opinion.  It means Bergfors is a virtual lock to remain on the club, for one, and will get PP time and more minutes.  It also means we get to take a look at other prospects such as Halischuk (who no one had pencilled in to make this club), Illka Pikkarainen, P3L, etc.

Let’s face it.  Playoff  “experience” in the locker room is over-rated.  NJ has iced teams with tons of vets who cracked in the playoffs or didn’t output enough will to win (see 2001 Cup Finals).  One guy saying “ra ra sis boom bah” behind the scenes doesn’t create goals or prevent defensive lapses.  Only a guy actually scoring a goal or a guy blocking a shot DOES.  And having Shanahan around did nothing to save Colin White on the game winning goal of the Carolina series (who had obtusely taken himself out of position to make an inconsequential hit against the player bench, leaving Staal alone on the wing).

I for one am very happy of this news, and I can’t wait to see what our youth can bring to the club.  Why not?  We’ve gotten used to the same product year in, year out.  Let’s see something different for a change.  You never know.  It could pay off.