Bryce Salvador: What His Return Could Mean

Three years ago, the Devils pulled off a seemingly minor trade to improve their defense corps at the deadline.  Fan-favorite Cam Janssen was shipped to the Blues in return for veteran defenseman Bryce Salvador; ironically enough, Janssen is once again a Devil.  At first, this was seen as a ho-hum, low-risk/low-reward deal; however, since his arrival in New Jersey, Salvador has been one of the Devils’ best defensemen, and has delivered a much greater “reward” than most fans thought he could provide.  Last year, the 35-year-old Canadian missed all 82 games after suffering a concussion in the preseason; his presence was clearly missed from the get-go, as the likes of Henrik Tallinder and Andy Greene endured significant struggles (in Greene’s case, they never did seem to end).

This season, we are not sure what to expect.  Until we begin to see Salvador skate, practice, and hopefully play in preseason games (as well as scrimmages), there is not much to go on in terms of determining whether or not he will be healthy.  When camp is in full spring, however, we can be assured that his health will be a focal point for the organization.  Post-concussion syndromes can often be a continuous issue, and if we see these from Salvador, it could potentially put a damper on the rest of his career.

Right now, all we can do is consider what he would add to the defense corps if he is ready come opening night.  While we have often discussed the surplus of defensemen the Devils currently have on the depth chart, Salvador should be one of a few who should not have to compete for a roster spot.  His consistent excellence behind his own blue line has been a pleasure to watch in the past, and he has even proven to be a decent puck handler through his years in New Jersey.  In 2009-2010 (his last healthy season), Salvador scored four goals to go along with 10 assists, and also registered a +8 rating.

While Salvador would be another year and a half older than when we last saw him (in that putrid series with the Flyers), this should not be too large a concern.  The former St. Louis blue-liner is so valuable largely because of his ability to clear his own zone.  Much of this ability comes from his terrific hockey sense, which we can be sure Salvador still possesses.  Thus, for a team that struggled terribly in that area for much of last season, his return would be a huge upgrade, even if it further heatens the roster battle between several other defensemen.

Hopefully, we will once again see a healthy Salvador on the Devils’ blue line.  However, if he is not ready come opening night, then others will need to step up.  The aforementioned Andy Greene was potentially the most disappointing Devil in what was an extremely disappointing season; if he can prove to be worthy of his four-year, $12 million contract (which I still very much question), it could provide the team a huge boost.  Regardless of Salvador’s health, however, the Devils will have to hope that some of those defensemen fighting for spots are able to emerge the way the likes of Mark Fayne did last season.  This would be a much smaller concern, however, if Salvador is ready to go when October 8th rolls around.

PS: To fans considering whether to buy a ticket package for the 2011-2012 season, I recently purchased the Weekend Plan with a friend, which consists of thirteen games, spread out throughout the year.  The plan ran at about $35 dollars a game (for our upper level seats), and the ticket agent we had met last season (when we purchased the no-longer existing full weekend plan, which consisted of about 21 games) also threw in opening night for $40 a ticket (this game starts at over $60 on Stubhub).  For information on Devils’ ticket plans, you can visit their website; a handful of options are provided this season.

PPS: I will be in section 210, row 6, if you want to say hello at some point during the year.  I should be in a red Parise jersey, if that helps.

-Drew