Shanahan Agrees With the Devils

It's not an official signing, but the Devils have announced that Brendan Shanahan has joined the team with an agreement done in principle. This could mean some big things in the swamp, as the Devils, who are already doing well in the absence of Martin Brodeur, as they gain one of the grittiest players with a touch in NHL history. Shanahan can bring some playoff experience to a team, which sits sixth in the Eastern Conference and has those playoffs in their sights. With Brodeur still out for about another eight weeks, the Devils are going to need that sort of leadership in their dressing room to help them get over the hump.

There will be plenty of questions surrounding the 40-year old Shanahan, who hasn't played since the playoffs last season, possibly moreso than Mats Sundin, who had just joined the Canucks. Once the signing is made official, there should be a good indication of when Shanahan will be ready to join the Devils on the ice in a regular season game. Shanahan's real contribution likely won't be until the playoffs, but he may bring some fantasy presence to the Devils, but that is rather unclear right now. It will be somewhat interestng to see if someone takes Shanahan in the second Waiver Draft in a couple weeks.