Rolston for Hunter

			2010-2011 NHL Statistics				July 1st Status
To Long Island	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Years	Cap Hit
Brian Rolston	F	38	65	14	20	34	1	$5.063 million
2012 Conditional Draft Pick
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To New Jersey	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Years	Cap Hit
Trent Hunter	F	31	17	1	3	4	2	$2 million

The New Jersey Devils needed to exercise some more cap space with a big name yet to be signed, so last year's salary cap victim has been used again, this time in a trade, to open up cap space for the remainder of the Summer.

The Devils have dealt veteran forward Brian Rolston to the Islanders, with a conditional draft pick, for another veteran forward (albeit a younger one) in Trent Hunter, saving just over $3 million in cap space for the 2012 season.

In the 2011 season, Rolston was sent down to the minors to help alleviate some cap problems that the team was having after signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a massive deal last Summer.  Rolston did make it up for 65 games, but really didn't provide much of an impact, as the Devils still struggled all season long.  Now, with Zach Parise looking for a brand new deal this Summer, Rolston was again looked upon to help ease the burden of spending cap ceiling money.

The Islanders do get a solid veteran player, who should be able to provide some good secondary scoring for the team, while also helping the team's youth develop as dependable NHL stars.  Rolston should still be good for 20+ goals in the 2012 season, possibly helping a few of those who play around him to pick up some more points, but it won't be a drastic increase.

In Hunter, the Devils do get a good depth forward, likely to give the team some good bottom six minutes, more so on the 3rd line and some minimal penalty kill time.  Unfortunately, his 2011 season was cut short by a torn MCL in his left knee, which is why he was limited to only 17 games.  Hunter has some good size and is versatile enough to move up, when someone from the top six gets demoted for a game.

With the cap savings in place, the New Jersey Devils now have a projected roster of 18 players (11 forwards, five defensemen and two goalies), plus two buyouts, for a cap hit of $50 million. This leaves approximately $14.3 million for two forwards and two defensemen, including Parise, who will command some serious ducats.

For the Islanders, they were one team that could really use some more cap space being taken up, just to get to the ceiling.  The team from Long Island added over $3 million to their total, which now brings their projected annual total up to $40.1 million for 17 players (nine forwards, six defense and two goalies) and two buyouts.  Four forwards and a defenseman will be needed on their roster for $8.2 million, which doesn't seem too far-fetched as of today.  They might have to overpay someone to get there, but it's definitely possible.

I like this deal for both teams. If the Islanders can get 75+ games out of Rolston, I think they could definitely benefit, giving the team that extra little push for a playoff threat.  Rolston, despite his age, should be able to at least keep up with most of the team's youth, which will also be a big asset and a fresh start where he doesn't have a dark cloud hanging over top of him should be helpful to his game.

The Devils are developing a good number of top six players in their system, so an over-abundance of top six players needed to be addressed, so getting some solid bottom six help was a good way to solve that issue.  Hunter should be good with a guy like David Steckel in the depth roles.