The fact that Eric Gelinas, a former 2009 second round pick, has still not received a contract with training camp starting next week should be cause for concern. From the comments made by his agent Gilles Lupien recently, it does not sound like contract negotiations between them and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello are going too well.
“He’s prepared (to hold out), for sure," Lupien said in an interview with northjersey.com. "We’ve got some ideas how to do it and that’s the way of doing it, just sit and wait."
That is not good news considering Gelinas was a huge bright spot in a disappointing last season for New Jersey. The Vanier, Ontario native was tied for second among rookies in powerplay points (17) and it was Gelinas' presence on the point that helped the Devils earn the ninth-best powerplay in the league. The 23-year-old has a booming slapshot and great puck maneuverability. His only problem, and this got him in coach Peter DeBoer's doghouse, was his play defensiely. The youngster would occasionally pinch at inopportune times, but with Gelinas posing such a threat offensively, the defensive faux pas are worth it.
In the long run, if Gelinas holds out waiting for a contract, this will definitely have an affect on future negotiations between the two parties. The Devils have Gelinas in their plans for the future, as they should. The team is hoping the likes of Gelinas, Adam Larsson, Jon Merrill, Steve Santini, Damon Severson, and Josh Jacobs can bring the Devils back to elite status. If the team cannot get this contract done before things get heated between both parties, the Devils might lose out on a superb young talent.
The problem is that both sides are trying to play hardball and talks have been at a stalemate for too long. According to Tom Gulitti, Gelinas wants in the range of $1-$2 million. If that is the case, both sides do not seem to be very far apart, which just makes this potential holdout seem ridiculous.
This situation, though, is very similar to what is going on between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ryan Johansen, and Jaden Schwartz and the St. Louis Blues. Both players are holding out for more money and remain unsigned with camps opening up next week.
Still, it is not a question of if a deal can get done, it is just a matter of when. The Devils sent him a qualifying offer, which lets them retain Gelinas' rights and keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. It is imperative the contract gets done immediately. If negotiations go into the preseason and Gelinas remains unsigned, it is tough to see Gelinas being a Devil beyond this contract.