Assuming the Devils have indeed signed Kovie, to the contract the NHL will approve, guessing his cap hit is going to be in the neighborhood of 7M. This means the Devils are about 3.8M over cap.

Travis Zajac makes 3.9M next year (roughly)

Would it be worth it for Buffalo to send a package like:

1st round pick
3rd round pick
Prospects: Corey Tropp, and Mike Weber / TJ Brennen

In Return:

Zajac and 2nd round pick (which Darcy can trade at the deadline for a grinder)

Here's my thinking, this opens up the possibility of being able to move Connolly at the deadline, gives us some value for a guy like Weber who we will probably lose after next year because the organization seems to be dicking him around, and adds that necessary depth at center, and Zajac can also play on the RW.

Zajac is a Regier and Ruff type player. Played through NCAA Hockey, decent size, great skill, and plays solid 2 way hockey.

I think this is a trade that both teams get value out of, and it makes tons of sense, and allows for more roster flexibility.

Thoughts?

You guys do realize that Zajac is only 25, signed for 3 more seasons beyond this one, and has scored 60+ points in each of the past 2 seasons. He's been improving drastically in all aspects of his game, and is just now entering his prime.

He's the only player that makes enough on NJ, without a NTC, that can be moved to make room for Kovie.

He was also the 20th pick overall in the first round. He's well worth the 1st round pick. NJ doesn't necessarily just have to sell him, the teams looking to add the player have to give up some value.

It is believed Lamoriello already has some moves ready to make should the Kovalchuk contract be accepted. Sources said important defenseman Bryce Salvador ($2.9 million) was on the market, and that Dallas might be a possible destination. Dainius Zubrus is another with a significant cap hit ($3.4 million) who may be outbound, both Salvador and Zubrus are vulnerable because they lack no-trade clauses.

Parise is a RFA this year and if Jersey does sign Kovie i highly doubt they will be able to resign him. I would in a heartbeat give up a first for zajac or parise. Zajac gives you that #1 or #2 centerman we need. Parise that increased scoring threat with no defensive liability. Then as has been said move connolly at the deadline. see if you can land a second.

Like it has been said you are giving up an unproven player (likely a 20th overall pick) for a guy who has proven himself an NHL player, is reasonably signed and still young. As well the Sabres haven't exactly been lucky with first rounders. i mean perrson, kalinin, zagrapan stand out as big failures.

But my guess is they are going to try to move Rolston with his 5,062,500 cap hit.

Langenbrunner is also a free agent at the end of this season.

With Arnott, Langenbrunner, and Hedberg counting over $8.5M against the cap going away next summer, NJ shouldn't struggle to ink Parise to a nice long extension that is in the $5 to 6M per year range.

if they sign kovie however that will be a big drain of their cap space. i'm not saying parise wouldn't be re-signed. just saying if they sign kovie even with all that cap coming off they will still likely have trouble. I did place my post as an if kovie is signed. if not they easily resign parise and do not consider trading zajac.

That will only add $2 to 3M per year to his cap hit.

They can dump a guy like Zubrus next summer, if need be.