New Jersey Devils Trade Captain Jamie Langenbrunner

With a full no trade clause in his contract, Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner would need to approve any deal. Back in training camp Langenbrunner was asked to waive his no trade clause but told the team no. When asked again late last month, Langenbrunner decided to listen to his options.

When the captain was a healthy scratch from the Devils game against Philadelphia on Thursday it seemed he would be on the move. The deal with the Dallas Stars was agreed upon Thursday but needed to wait until today due to the sale of the Stars.

New Jersey will receive a conditional third round draft pick which will become a second round pick if the Stars advance past the first round of the playoffs or they re-sign Langenbrunner before July 1st.

Langenbrunner is returning to the place his NHL career started and reuniting with former teammate Joe Nieuwendyk who is now the Stars general manager. Nieuwendyk and Langenbrunner won the Stanley Cup as members of the Stars and later as members of the Devils. The two remain close friends.

The Devils have needed to make a move like this since signing Ilya Kovalchuk in the offseason. The team has been a major disappointment this season, so a trade was imminent. Langenbrunner is making $2.8 million this year.

Langenbrunner was popular amongst New Jersey fans. He was known as a tough player with a strong work ethic.

The Devils have struggled all year, including Langenbrunner. The captain has scored just four goals and has a minus-15 rating. New Jersey is in last place in the division.

For his career, Langenbrunner has scored 232 goals in 996 games.