Major Loss For NJ Devils, Paul Martin Signs With Penguins

Entering this offseason, Devils GM Lou Lamoriello knew he needed to improve the teams defense. His top priority should have, and may have, been to re-sign Paul Martin.

That can no longer happen. Martin, the top defenseman in this years free agent crop, signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This is a major hit to New Jersey as Martin is one of the best puck moving defenders in the league.

Pittsburgh also signed Zbynek Michalek to a five-year contract today. His was for $20 million.

You wonder if the Devils were to slow, or if Martin just wanted out of New Jersey all together. The defenseman is taking just a $.5 million raise from what he made last season with the Devils. He made $4.5 million last year.

Where do the Devils turn now? Clearly they need help on the defensive side of the ice, a spot that hurt the team throughout the post season.

I think this one hurts!