Shanahan Joins Devils, But Not Under Contract

According to tsn.ca, free agent right wing Brendan Shanahan has joined the New Jersey Devils, but has not signed a contract yet. It is still not clear when or if Shanahan will sign a contract, and if he does, when he would be ready to play a game. According to team sources, details of him becoming part of the team will be worked out in the days to come while the Devils are in the midst of a six-game road trip. Shanahan, who began his NHL career with the Devils, spent the last two seasons with the New York Rangers and had been hoping to resign with them this past summer, but Rangers' General Manager Glen Sather was not interested in retaining the 39-year-old winger. It was rumored over the past few months that Shanahan, who wished to play for a team in the northeastern part of the nation, was being courted by the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and St. Louis Blues. In 1490 NHL games over 20 seasons, Shanahan has 650 goals and 690 assists for 1340 points and 2460 penalty minutes with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. He won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Shanahan has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in NHL history, averaging 20-25 goals per season. After scoring 40 goals in the post-lockout 2005-06 season, he looked as if he was showing no signs of slowing down, but couldn't duplicate the success with the Rangers the past two seasons, scoring a combined 52 goals. If Shanahan does sign a contract with the Devils, it will likely be the last one he signs in his long NHL career, as he's definitely lost a step over the past few years. Still he will provide plenty of veteran depth for the Devils, especially going into the playoffs. Who knows? Shanahan could get a bit of an offensive boost from playing with the likes of Zach Parise and Patrik Elias, who are both enjoying standout seasons for the Devils. However, Shanahan may have to be willing to play for a very small contract, as the Devils are close to the salary cap, plus if they signed him to a contract, they would have to find a way to absorb it when Martin Brodeur returns from his elbow injury.