Devils verpflichten Marshall und Smehlik

Devils bulk up with
Marshall, Smehlik
By Shawn P. Roarke | NHL.com
March 10, 2003

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The New Jersey Devils -- believing they have a legitimate shot to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in four years -- addressed a glaring need for size up front Monday as they sent a conditional draft pick to Columbus for rugged forward Grant Marshall.
New Jersey also acquired veteran defenseman Richard Smehlik from the Atlanta Thrashers for a fourth-round pick in the 2003 Entry Draft. Smehlik has scored two goals and added nine assists in 43 games this season. He was drafted by Buffalo in the fifth round (97th overall) in 1990 and spent 10 seasons with the Sabres.

At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Marshall provides some brawn to a lineup that has moved more toward speed this season.

But, looking at the playoff field in the East, Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello realized his team needed more size to be competitive.

Ottawa, the top team in the East, has added rugged forwards Rob Ray and Vaclav Varada in the past few weeks. Fourth-place Philadelphia pushed the Devils around the last time the two teams met earlier this month. Fifth-place Toronto has added more power to an already menacing lineup with Thursday's acquisition of belligerent Owen Nolan. The ninth-place Rangers, just four points out of a playoff spot, have the twin towers of Eric Lindros and Bobby Holik, the former Devil.

Marshall should help counter some of that muscle, while also providing another scoring option. In 66 games with Columbus this season, Marshall has eight goals and 20 assists to go along with 71 penalty minutes. In an eight-year NHL career, Marshall has appeared in 549 regular-season games, registering 75 goals and 120 assists and 649 penalty minutes.

Just as important, Marshall has been tested by the playoff wars. During his time with the Dallas Stars, Marshall made three long playoff runs. He was part of Dallas' Cup-winning team in 1999, appearing in 14 postseason games with three assists and 20 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 14 games in the 2000 playoffs as the Stars returned to the Finals, only to lose to the Devils in an epic six-game series.

Marshall also is a hard-working, defensively conscientious winger, two traits that will stand him in good stead in coach Pat Burns' system.

The acquisition of Marshall comes two weeks after the Devils pulled off a deal to land checking center Pascal Rheaume from the Atlanta Thrashers.

But, many believe that New Jersey needs another sniper to be a legitimate contender for the championship crown and there have been indications that Lamoriello isn't finished upgrading the roster yet. The team has struggled to score goals for most of the season, and its power-play unit has ranked near the bottom of the statistical heap for virtually the entire season.


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