Rolston put on waivers

[A.E]

Devils put Brian Rolston and his $5.062 million cap hit on waivers​

Another season in New Jersey is not going the way Brian Rolston would like it to. Last year, Rolston struggled terribly and now this year he’s been placed on waivers. With Rolston, the immediate thought is that he’s being waived in order to clear his monstrous salary from the books. Rolston’s cap hit this year and next year is $5.062 million and makes life difficult on the Devils with them being so tight to the cap. There’s a catch though as his contract is a 35+ deal, meaning that he signed it as he was 35 years-old or older and it stays on the salary cap regardless of what happens to him. Sending him to the minor leagues does no good.

So what’s the thinking here from Devils GM Lou Lamoriello? It’s possible that he’s thinking Rolston’s cap hit as it stands is too much for any team to bear, but if he brings him back on re-entry waivers a team might be willing to take him at half the cost. Any player claimed on re-entry waivers has the cost split between the team claiming him and the team putting him on waivers in the first place.

It’s a desperate move for Lamoriello to try and gain cap space in order to either move other players around or try to add help from the outside to try and get the Devils somehow back in the running for the playoffs. As it is, they’re the 14th place team in the Eastern Conference and a whopping 18 points out of eighth place. If nothing else, waiving Rolston could serve as a message to everyone that a job isn’t guaranteed so they’d better shape up or ship out.

For now, we’d like to think that Rolston’s future in New Jersey isn’t secure. He can still contribute to a team, just don’t bank on him being a 30-goal player anymore. He’s still got a big shot that’s useful on the power play and for all intents and purposes, he’s a third line player now. Paying $5 million for a third liner is absurd, but paying him $2.5 million to play that role makes a lot more business sense.

-PHT

 

[STLZACH]

OOOOOH GET HIM GET HIM

 

[playmaker7]

For his salary meh, but re-entry waivers sounds more like it

 

[STLZACH]

They won't put him back on Re-Entry though. Why would they? So that another team can take him AND they have to pay 50% of his salary?

 

[playmaker7]

They won't put him back on Re-Entry though. Why would they? So that another team can take him AND they have to pay 50% of his salary?

Because who's gonna pick him up off waivers?

He'd be a decent addition at half that salary though

 

[playmaker7]

Because who's gonna pick him up off waivers?

He'd be a decent addition at half that salary though

And what did I tell you...he was put on re-entry waivers today

I know what the fuck I'm talking about

 

[The Guid]

Someone mentioned that, after trading Wisniewski, the Islanders could pick him up. Could be interesting to see if he can produce with Tavares.

 

[playmaker7]

Someone mentioned that, after trading Wisniewski, the Islanders could pick him up. Could be interesting to see if he can produce with Tavares.

Meh, I can kind of see them doing it but I don't think it'd make a difference with that team

 

[The Guid]

I agree but maybe he finds his scoring touch and they trade him away for some decent piece(s) from a contender at the deadline

 

[playmaker7]

I agree but maybe he finds his scoring touch and they trade him away for some decent piece(s) from a contender at the deadline

Good point

The Isles need some vets anyways so I guess they could use him for a while. Then I guess deal him away like they did with Guerin 2 years ago

 

[LeafsFan4Life]

And what did I tell you...he was put on re-entry waivers today

I know what the fuck I'm talking about

I'm pretty sure most people knew that no one would claim him the first time and he would be be put on re-entry waivers..

 

[playmaker7]

I'm pretty sure most people knew that no one would claim him the first time and he would be be put on re-entry waivers..

I was referring to Zach's post

They won't put him back on Re-Entry though. Why would they? So that another team can take him AND they have to pay 50% of his salary?

Which is why I said, "what did I tell you"

 

[The Guid]

He cleared re-entry waivers

 

[Phil The Thrill]

No surprise there. Can't see anyone wanting anything to do with him.

 

[playmaker7]

The Islanders did make sense though IMO

 

[STLZACH]

Blues need him now.

 

[STLZACH]

After a handful of tense, drama-filled days, Brian Rolston remains a member of the New Jersey Devils. And no one can be entirely pleased about that, including the veteran skater himself.

As reported by Tom Gulitti of The Record, Rolston was hoping another team would claim him off re-entry waivers, but admits the additional season on his contract was a problem. Even though a "couple" of teams were said to be interested:

"It's disappointing I didn't get picked up for sure," Rolston told Gulitti. "The fact of the matter is my second year was the sticking point at $2.5 (million). You saw in free agency this summer that teams aren't really willing. I think they ask about the money before they ask about who the player is ... but I'm just going to continue on here."

The 37-year-old still could be (and is very wiiling to be) traded. It's not impossible.

Rolston won't suit up for the Devils against the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday, but hopes to skate in Saturday's contest versus the Carolina Hurricanes.

via ESPN Insider