from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
At some point, Lamoriello will have to pull the plug on 2014-15 and try to get back what he can for the veterans he has on expiring contracts. That list includes defenseman Marek Zidlicky and forwards Jaromir Jagr, Martin Havlat, Michael Ryder and Scott Gomez.
“That's something that has to stay within,” Lamoriello said. “But, right now we're not thinking that.”
He probably will have to soon, though.
Following this three-game trip comes the all-star break and then the Devils will have only 16 games over four and a half weeks leading up to the NHL's 3 p.m. trade deadline on Monday, March 2. Unless the Devils do something very special over that time, it seems unlikely they'll be within realistic reach of a playoff spot at the trade deadline.
Heading into tonight's games they are 12 points out of playoff spot and nine points out of last place overall.
So, while Lamoriello the coach is thinking about winning games, Lamoriello GM will almost certainly be thinking about which players he should move. That might even include considering trading some veterans who are signed beyond this season if he is able to get back a significant piece for the future.
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