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Gelinas hasn’t asked Devils for trade, but admits this is ‘the worst it’s been’

Mike Cammalleri, Eric Gelinas

Mike Cammalleri, Eric Gelinas

AP

Things aren’t going well for Eric Gelinas in New Jersey.

The 24-year-old blueliner -- who scored a career-high seven goals and 29 points two years ago -- has been a healthy scratch 24 times this season, including a current stretch of six straight games in the press box.

“The worst it’s been,” Gelinas said Monday, per NorthJersey.com.

The situation has, not surprisingly, led to discussions about a potential deal to get Gelinas out of Newark.

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The Devils definitely have some depth on their blue line and, with the trade deadline coming up at 3 p.m. next Monday, Gelinas could end up being expendable if GM Ray Shero is able to get something back to help the team now or in the future.

“It’s not really in my control, but I know it is coming,” Gelinas said of the trade deadline. “I don’t know what the team’s plans are or anything. I guess we’ll see in six or seven days.”

Gelinas said he has not asked for a trade.

“It’s in their hands, really,” he said. “If they still want me, we’ll see.”

Gelinas is in the first of a two-year, $3.15 million deal, one that carries a $1.575M cap hit. The contract was one of the first negotiated by Shero after his hire last May, but it appears there’s a disconnect between how the previous regime (of Lou Lamoriello/Peter DeBoer) sees Gelinas compared to the current one, comprised of Shero and first-year coach John Hynes.

All told, Gelinas has just one goal and six points in 34 games this year. But given his past offensive exploits and size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds), one has to think there would be some interested teams at the trade deadline.