It's about time

That title right there can be for two things.  1) It's about time that I've updated the site.  In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Just consider it my two week vacation.  But more importantly it's #2 that the title is about.  And that is the New Jersey Devils have finally started their deconstruction.

Earlier today the Devils announced that they have traded captain Jamie Langenbrunner to the Dallas Stars for a conditional 3rd round pick this June (there are some ways it can become a 2nd round pick and/or we gain a 2nd round pick next off-season).

I truly know that this could not have been an easy move for Lou to make.  He traded for Jamie back in 2002 and watched him help the Devils win the Stanley Cup a season later and then supported him being named captain a few years ago under Brent Sutter.  However, the way this season has played out, things have to happen.  This possible trade almost took place back in September when Lou asked Langenbrunner to waive his no-trade clause because the Devils needed the cap space and could have saved $2.8 million if the captain agreed to it, but he obviously said no, which four months ago was the right thing to do.  But when Lou asked again the other day, Langenbrunner did the right thing for himself by going to a contender and did the right thing for the Devils by allowing them to start their regrouping process.

Because when the season is over, that's what the off-season will be for them.  A re-group.  Not a re-built and not much of a breakdown.  Let there be a bit of a breakdown of the roster during the season.  Sell the players you have to sell but do not mortgage the entire roster.  Just look at it.  The talent is there but the chemistry, the magic, the touch, the something wasn't there with the talent this season.

Other players will have to go, this season, which will allow some salary cap space, allow for some of our younger players to get quality ice time so the team can proper evaluate them, and allow the Devils to gain some draft picks so we can restock our minor league team.

They may very well finish last this season in the league, and if that happens, I'm totally okay with that.  As Devils fans, think about it.  We've been so good, for so long, when was the last time we had a Top-10 pick? A Top-5?  Hell, have we ever had the Top Pick?  Let's all suffer this season, get the best young player and re-group for the 2011-2012 season.

Until that happens, Thank You and Good-Bye, Captain.