Brian Rolston, who cleared waiver yesterday, wants a fresh start with another team.
"I feel I have a lot of hockey left in me and, obviously, my salary doesn't help," Rolston told Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record. "I feel I can really help a team if given an opportunity."
The Devils' left-winger was placed on re-entry waivers today at noon. Other teams can claim Rolston and pay half his $5,062,500 salary. The Devils would be responsible for the other half during the life of his contract.
Teams with the fewest points/worst records can place claims first. Teams must place claims by Thursday at noon.
Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello gave Rolston and his agent permission to either find a team willing to claim him or search for a trade.
"We're working on finding a team," the Devils' left winger told Gulitti. "It's in the works. We're working on it."
If Rolston clears re-entry waivers, he will either need to play for Albany of the AHL or report to the Devils. Rolston would be willing to do either, but isn't looking too far down the road.
"If that happens, it happens," he said to Gulitti. "I have no control over that. I'm hoping I can get with a team and move on here. I'd like a fresh start. That would be great, but we'll see what happens."
Rolston's two-plus seasons with the Devils have been a disappointment. After being a 30-goal scorer in Minnesota, Rolston has failed to post a single 30-goal season with the Devils. Injuries and ineffective play marred his performance.
The Devils' left-winger took responsibility for his performance.
"I have a lot of feelings about my whole situation, how it's gone for me here in New Jersey," Rolston said to Guliiti. "At this point, I'm indifferent about it. It's been a rough ride and I'm just hoping I can go to a place where I can get a fresh start to finish off the last couple of years here (to his contract)"