Contract Carousel: Does Dainius Zubrus, Other Centerman Have A Future on the Devils
Apr. 7, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Dainius Zubrus (8) on the bench against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Name – Dainius Zubrus
Height -6 ft 5 in
Weight – 224 lbs
Shoots – Left
Former Teams – Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres
National Team – Lithuania
NHL Draft -15th Overall, 1996 – Philadephia Flyers
Playing Career – 1996 – Present
Awards and Honors -First Lithuanian to play 1,000 games in the NHL. Until the 2007 Entry Level Draft, Zubrus was the highest Tier II Junior “A” player since its inception in 1993 (surpassed by Kyle Turris).
2012-2013 Stats – New Jersey Devils (NHL) – 22 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 12 PIM
2012-2013 Cap Hit – $3.4 Million
How He Was Acquired – In 2007, Zubrus signed a 6-year contract as a free agent.
Free Agent Status – UFA
Dainius Zubrus had a rough year. He was out for more than half the season with his wrist surgery and the right wing/centerman only played in 22 games this past season. The Devils will most likely re-sign Dainius as he was a dependable starter for just about all of his tenure as a Devil.
The only curveball in his contract situation would be if they want to leave him and move Ryan Carter or Andrei Loktionov into a more full-time role. Carter is in his late twenties but Loktionov is only 23 right now. One reason I see the Devils re-signing him is that there isn’t a guarenteed future with Carter and Loktionov. Zubrus has proven to be dependable and fairly productive in a full 82-game season. His cap hit wasn’t huge last season but he may want a little more now that he will be testing the market. The Devils shouldn’t have too much trouble re-signing him. For now, the Devils need him to perform while the younger guys develop a little bit more.
As always, feel free to vote in the poll below. Should the Devils re-sign Dainius Zubrus? Should they let Ryan Carter or Andrei Loktionov take his place? How about Jacob Josefson? This poll is assuming that Zajac and Henrique will be starting at Center on two of the four lines.
Stay tuned! The Left Wingers are next and Patrik Elias will be the last of the Big 3 forwards to be examined.