macneil wrote:

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Sources tell TSN it's a three-year deal worth about $4 million per year. The Devils, earlier today gave themselves a $7.1 million cushion under the current salary cap, which enabled them to sign Gionta. Gionta was a restricted free-agent, entering Devil's camp in good faith without a new contract. Devil's GM Lou Lamoriello worked out numerous deals over the past week in order to orchestrate a situation which would enable him to sign the 26 year old right-winger. Gionta was originally drafted in the 3rd round, 82nd overall in the 1998 draft, and has spent his entire career in the Devil's organization, including a Stanley Cup in 2002-2003. Last year he totalled 48 goals and 41 assists in 82 games. this put jersey over 42 million with hale and martin to sign , still some shedding to do .

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JohnM wrote:

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barry33 wrote:

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Lou pulls one out of tha hat..Devils will be strong again this year.

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Just worried about their coaching...

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Ando wrote:

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This move should simply have not been allowed! 

Lou might look like a genius now...but And-o is betting that the vast majority of GM's (especially those in the BIG markets) just made the Devil's an 'island unto themselves' (aka blacklisted)!!!

It (as in, Lou's stretching of the rules) really has greatly undermined the credibility of both the collective bargaining agreement and league administration in general!

Enjoy your Smurf Lou...cause you just lost ALL cred throughout the league!!!

(CHEATERS NEVER WIN!  SORRY CABBAGEPATCH COACH!!!)

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Oh for GAWD'S SAKE boys!! Cry me a proverbial river!! This is the NHL. NHL  stands for "NOT HERE LONG" if you do not do everything you need to do to win hockey games. Just like I said when everyone pooped on Bobby Clarke, it is about freaking time that some of these GM"s stopped being so cushy with each other and got a bit down and dirty! For too many years the GM's have all been in collusion with each other and they have had a book of "unwritten rules" that would make the NAFTA agreement look like a nursery ryhme.

As I stated before, in the new age of salary cap, you are going to see more and more of this stuff going on. GM's now need to be very innovative, rather than just reaching into the boss' piggy bank. Hockey is a business and a cuthroat game on the ice. Now it is getting cuthroat OFF the ice.  He broke no rules. If there are loopholes then close them. If not, expect them to be used.