Brylin has agreed to terms with KHL team

From Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger:

Sergei Brylin, the classy three-time Stanley Cup champion, returned to New Jersey today to pick up his personal effects before heading to Russia to sign a three-year contract with St. Petersburg of the Continental League.

"I haven't technically signed," Brylin told me, "but we've agreed to terms. I've heard good things about the team. Igor Larionov will be involved with the team. Maybe it's a change I needed. Being here for so long, I wouldn't say it puts you to sleep, but I got used to things. This will shake things up."

Read the entire article here.

Brylin was an important part of all three Stanley Cup championship teams and was really one of the more underrated players in the NHL during his entire career.

Brylin hasn't signed with Continental Hockey League

From Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice:

Although it's been reported that Sergei Brylin has signed with SKA-St. Petersburg of the Russian Continental League, I received a message from Sergei this morning saying that he "hasn't signed a contract for next season."

Read the entire entry here.

Brylin has had a nice run with the Devils, and could certainly be a useful addition to a number of team's 3rd lines. While he hasn't yet signed overseas, it wouldn't be surprising if he ended up in the Continentel Hockey League.

Pandolfo re-signs, Brylin a goner

From the Newark Star-Ledger:

Sergei Brylin, the last skater to have played on all three Devils Stanley Cup championship teams, will not be rteunring to the club next season. GM Lou Lamoriello said this morning that he decided not to pick up the one-year, $1.52 million option on Brylin, who is 34...

Lamoriello said he was unable to sign both Pandolfo and Brylin because of the way they play and financial considerations. Pandolfo was re-signed along with restricted free agent right winger David Clarkson and minor league winger Barry Tallackson.

Read the entire report here.

Pandolfo has been a mainstay on the Devils for a long time now, no one really anticipated him leaving the Swamp. Pandolfo and John Madden will continue to play against the opposing team's best lines for years to come.

As for Brylin, his exit is somewhat surprising. The veteran forward has been a part of the Devils since their first Stanley Cup back in 1995. His willingness to play in all different situations and focus on defense made him the prototypical New Jersey Devils player. His role with the team is similar to Troy Brown's role all these years on the New England Patriots.

NHL Morning Papers: Special Pre-Draft Edition

Here are the morning papers from the Atlantic Division:

• Lou Lamoriello calls today's draft the deepest he's ever seen. The Devils and Sergei Brylin don't appear to be making any headway in negotiations on a contract extension.
• Another one of Ted Nolan's sons could be chosen in the draft this weekend, writes Katie Strang.
• The Rangers are going to let a significant number of their soon-to-be free agents hit July 1 without contract offers from the team. The Rangers are hoping a big prospect drops to them at number 20.
• The Flyers won't be able to shore up all their defensive needs through the draft this year, so look for them to sign some mid-level free agent defensemen.
• The Penguins aren't exactly in store for the most action packed draft they've ever had, writes Dave Molinari.

NHL Morning Papers--Eastern Conference (Tuesday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• The Leafs are only three points ahead of the NHL draft lottery right now, writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.
• Under the radar, the Florida Panthers have moved into playoff contention, writes Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today wonders if Alexander Ovechkin can win the MVP without making the playoffs.

Here are the Northeast Division morning papers:

• Apparently Zdeno Chara's injury status is improving, writes Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe. That being said, more improvement is most likely needed for Chara to return to the lineup.
• The Sabres have some young talent in the NCAA that will be ready to step into the lineup next season, writes Mike Harrington.
• In Montreal, Jaroslav Halak will get the start tonight versus the Blues. Meanwhile, Halak's counterpart Carey Price tells Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette that the NHL should not cut down goaltender padding anymore.
• Chris Neil could return to the Senators lineup as early as next week, according to Bruce Garrioch. As Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen tells us, the referees have sure noticed the change behind the Ottawa bench.
• The Leafs are hoping that Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov will be able to return to the lineup for Friday's game versus the Sabres. While Leafs fans are still hoping for Steve Stamkos, the current Leafs coaches and players are not going to throw in the towel.

Here are the Southeast Division morning papers:

• The Thrashers have lost Erik Christensen to a knee injury, even though the play on which he got hurt looked very innocuous.
• Jeff Hamilton has returned to the NHL, and the Hurricanes are hoping he can replace some of the offense they have lost to injury.
• It looks like Jacques Martin's decision to not play Tomas Vokoun at the start of March has paid dividends, writes Steve Gorten. In other Panthers news, Pete Pellegrin of the Miami Herald profiles David Booth.
• Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post commends Capitals GM George McPhee on his trade deadline acquisitions.
• Andre Roy is happy to be back with his teammates in Tampa, writes Erik Erlendsson.

Here are the Atlantic Division morning papers:

• John Jeansonne of Newsday previews the debut of Kyle Okposo for Islanders fans.
• Long time Devils forward Sergei Brylin is unsure of his future with the Devils, writes Rich Chere.
• The Rangers need to shoot more when they are on the power play, writes Jay Greenbeg of the NY Post.
• The Flyers locker room was given a little makeover yesterday, according to Bob Cooney. As Tim Panaccio explains, the pressure is clearly on John Stevens to turn the Flyers around.
• The Penguins are focusing on winning the Atlantic Division, writes Shelly Anderson. If the Malkin line continues its tremendous play, the division crown will be easier to obtain.

The Western Conference post is soon to follow...

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com