from Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger,

"It was a distraction, to be perfectly honest," Lamoriello said Saturday. "It distracted everything you had to do."

Lamoriello said he wasn't surprised that there were fewer trades than expected.

"If there was anything that was going to happen, it was going to happen right away," he said. "This has been a very peculiar week, as far as free agency, the draft and then the signings of your own players. You're divided in so many different directions. I think everybody said, 'Let's focus on the draft.' "

The GM said the discussion period, which ends Monday, will inflate free agent prices.

Asked if the Devils will be active in signing free agents beginning noon on Tuesday, Lamoriello said: "We'll talk. As far as what the results will bring, I couldn't tell you."

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