The New Jersey Devils announced they placed forward Mike Cammalleri on waivers for the purpose of a buyout. There must be more to this story that what we see on paper.
Just three years ago, the New Jersey Devils made a big move, signing winger Mike Cammalleri to a five year, $25 million contract. He was going to come in and provide huge offensive production for a team that desperately needs it.
At times, he was very good in a Devils sweater. In his first season, he was well on his way to a 30 goal season, before injuries derailed him. He scored 27 goals in just 68 games. The next season, injuries became worse. He played just 42 games, and scored 14 goals. He was still playing 19 minutes per game when he was on the ice.
That all changed this past season. Mike Cammalleri had a great stretch in November and December, where he scored nine goals in eight games. Outside that stretch, he scored one goal in the other 53 games he played. He seemed disinterested and out of it for most of the season.
Today, the Devils announced they were putting Cammalleri on waivers for the purpose of a buyout. It’s a very strange move. Obviously, he’s not the exact player the Devils want for the future. He’s 35 years old. He’s on the back nine of his career. He’s the opposite of the Devils plan.
Even still, there’s something more to this story. Cammalleri didn’t seem like he was so bad he needed to be taken off the roster any means necessary. With all these young scorers coming to the roster, having a veteran winger should have helped them become better players. Cammy could have helped Michael McLeod, Pavel Zacha or even Nico Hischier become a bonafide NHL scorer like he once was.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
There could be a few things at work here. One, Cammalleri asked for this. He may have told general manager Ray Shero he wasn’t trying to build with this team anymore. Cammalleri spent three seasons without a playoff berth. He might just be over it.
The other option hurts a little more on both sides. Maybe Cammalleri just wasn’t the best locker room guy. This is all conjecture, and without facts to back it up, but the question needs to be asked. This Devils team seems to love playing with each other. The young kids play jokes, tweet each other, things that a 35 year old may not be into.
Again, none of this is confirmed. Cammalleri seemed like a decent guy during his time in New Jersey, but something doesn’t add up right now. Why cut Cammalleri for nothing? His contract probably made it hard to trade, but a team wasn’t willing to part with a 7th round pick with the Devils retaining salary? There’s more to this move than meets the eye.