General Discussion (All Team/Player News/UFA Talk) - Offseason thread part VI

[JimEIV]

I have no trust in Lou anymore, I just don't believe we'll be able to ice a competitive team for a while. It's gonna be some frustrating mediocre years now. We've already had two in a row....

Completely disagree. Competitive meaning what? A perennial cup contender? No we are definitely nowhere near that but a regular playoff team? We aren't very far from that.

This team has many bright spots...Particularly from the blueline back. The Defensive prospects this team has right now as a group are fantastic and a good young goalie to be signed soon. There is no question there is a shortage of quality forwards on this team and that is a problem. But it is not a problem that will keep the Devil mediocre for years to come. 1 or 2 good young forwards added to the top 6 along with Zajac and Henrique changes the entire complexion of the team. It is not that far away...

And frankly, I'd much rather be struggling to find a couple of good forwards than a couple good defensemen. The D-men this team has right now is the path to future success.

 

[Buggsy]

Completely disagree. Competitive meaning what? A perennial cup contender? No we are definitely nowhere near that but a regular playoff team? We aren't very far from that.

This team has many bright spots...Particularly from the blueline back. The Defensive prospects this team has right now as a group are fantastic and a good young goalie to be signed soon. There is no question there is a shortage of quality forwards on this team and that is a problem. But it is not a problem that will keep the Devil mediocre for years to come. 1 or 2 good young forwards added to the top 6 along with Zajac and Henrique changes the entire complexion of the team. It is not that far away...

And frankly, I'd much rather be struggling to find a couple of good forwards than a couple good defensemen. The D-men this team has right now is the path to future success.

Wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Comparison Ford]

Completely disagree. Competitive meaning what? A perennial cup contender? No we are definitely nowhere near that but a regular playoff team? We aren't very far from that.

This team has many bright spots...Particularly from the blueline back. The Defensive prospects this team has right now as a group are fantastic and a good young goalie to be signed soon. There is no question there is a shortage of quality forwards on this team and that is a problem. But it is not a problem that will keep the Devil mediocre for years to come. 1 or 2 good young forwards added to the top 6 along with Zajac and Henrique changes the entire complexion of the team. It is not that far away...

And frankly, I'd much rather be struggling to find a couple of good forwards than a couple good defensemen. The D-men this team has right now is the path to future success.

Get this man a beer! This is how we need to be looking at the situation. Looking at it in a negative light and stressing yourselves out about it is only gonna make the tears flow and the acne grow. We are on the right path, now we just have to cut the fat.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

Completely disagree. Competitive meaning what? A perennial cup contender? No we are definitely nowhere near that but a regular playoff team? We aren't very far from that.

This team has many bright spots...Particularly from the blueline back. The Defensive prospects this team has right now as a group are fantastic and a good young goalie to be signed soon. There is no question there is a shortage of quality forwards on this team and that is a problem. But it is not a problem that will keep the Devil mediocre for years to come. 1 or 2 good young forwards added to the top 6 along with Zajac and Henrique changes the entire complexion of the team. It is not that far away...

And frankly, I'd much rather be struggling to find a couple of good forwards than a couple good defensemen. The D-men this team has right now is the path to future success.

This is I agree with.

What's funny is the reaction to things that haven't happened yet. But it's the cool thing to do these days, dismiss/hate so you can ahead of the curve. When things work out ie 2012 cup run, dismiss as a fluke.

 

[Edmonton East]

This is I agree with.

What's funny is the reaction to things that haven't happened yet. But it's the cool thing to do these days, dismiss/hate so you can ahead of the curve. When things work out ie 2012 cup run, dismiss as a fluke.

See Parise and Kovalchuk. Two top 15 players not here any more.

Also see: Blackhawks without Kane and Toews
Kings without Kopitar and Doughty
Bruins without Bergeron and Chara

Do I need to continue?

 

[NJDevs26]

If the Devils were developing the defensemen we have I'd say our floor for the next ten years is Nashville (great on the back end, lousy on the front end). But the fact we're not even doing that atm complicates things.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

This is I agree with.

What's funny is the reaction to things that haven't happened yet. But it's the cool thing to do these days, dismiss/hate so you can ahead of the curve. When things work out ie 2012 cup run, dismiss as a fluke.

well considering we're three 30 goal scorers and one 20 goal scorer down from that team....

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

If the Devils were developing the defensemen we have I'd say our floor for the next ten years is Nashville (great on the back end, lousy on the front end). But the fact we're not even doing that atm complicates things.

Your only contention is with Larsson, because Merrill and Gelinas have been developed properly thus far.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

So the Devils have some nice pieces on the backline and some interesting and even bonafide pieces on the horizon. The only quick fix up front is UFA veterans for scoring, like it or not. Not trading Zajac and Henrqiue like I've seen Devils fans suggest for picks and Kane. On Offense, Matteau and Boucher are interesting prospects.

So the draft is this week and UFA signing period a few days later. Just keep the wine flowing folks until the season starts.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

See Parise and Kovalchuk. Two top 15 players not here any more.

Also see: Blackhawks without Kane and Toews
Kings without Kopitar and Doughty
Bruins without Bergeron and Chara

Do I need to continue?

So how does one replace Kane and Toews? Or any of the players you cite? Do the Bruins have a Chara clone somewhere?

Devils lost Stevens and Niedermayer, they should of thrown in the towel then.

 

[NJDevs26]

Your only contention is with Larsson, because Merrill and Gelinas have been developed properly thus far.

Like someone else said I'm not entirely convinced Merrill playing right away was any better the other way than jerking around Larsson, or making Gelinas a forward by the end of the season. Yes Merrill was pretty good defensively especially considering he was a rook but I think he's got some offensive potential too and I don't want to see that go to waste being 'safety first' all the time.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

well considering we're three 30 goal scorers and one 20 goal scorer down from that team....

All four players went home you cite with Sykora retiring.

Ok, they lost Clarkson (who will never see those numbers) he was in perfect spot his Junior coach and the Devils gave him all the tools to get that 30 goals.

How does one replace all that production in such a short span? Only way is via UFA immediately. Signing of Ryder, Brunner and Jagr as well as Clowe and the trade for Ruutu. I'm all for bringing in a young gun, but not for Zajac or Henrique.

 

[JimEIV]

Your only contention is with Larsson, because Merrill and Gelinas have been developed properly thus far.

And Greene was develpped into a legit top pairing dman over the last few years

 

[NJDevs26]

Greene was developed by Lemaire/Larry.

 

[Status Quo*]

I'm all aboard the "**** honor, suck for Connor" bandwagon now. Tankin' 2014/2015 ya'll. Connor McHockey FTW.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

Like someone else said I'm not entirely convinced Merrill playing right away was any better the other way than jerking around Larsson, or making Gelinas a forward by the end of the season. Yes Merrill was pretty good defensively especially considering he was a rook but I think he's got some offensive potential too and I don't want to see that go to waste being 'safety first' all the time.

I don't know, looks like Merrill is the real deal. He was playing critical minutes as well as longing heavy ones down the stretch. Nothing about his game really screamed rookie to me. Gelinas offensive game and dimension is impressive. Larrson to me is the question mark and most of it is because it is a numbers game.

 

[glenwo2]

Chere must get a raise every time he insinuates Marty is gone. objectively reading LL's quotes, it sounds like 1) the ball is in Marty's court, and 2) Schneider will be re-signed. nothing more.

so I'd hold off on the boards gif party explosion that's sure to happen if fatty mcwhiner signs elsewhere. it's all going to come down to whether or not someone gives him $ and a starting gig.

I thought the same exact thing after reading the article.

This does NOT sound like what you(MartyOwns) just said :

"Marty has made his decision. Quite frankly, I’m not going to make it a difficult topic.”

Lou's own words. Sounds like Marty is Gonzo, MartyOwns. Don't know how you can spin it like he's still undecided. Seems more like he's made up his mind.

Only thing I will agree(which I've stated way before) is that a deal had already been reached with Cory and Lou is just waiting for the July 1st to have Cory sign the contract.

Of course that's not exactly what you said. You simply said that Cory will be re-signed which has been the go-to phrase of the entire offseason for many of us here. But Lou's quotes actually made it very much a REALITY(if you read between the lines) that it will indeed happen.

 

[ScottyK]

McSuck for McDavid
Eyes of Eichel

I'm never a advocate for tanking and I'll root for the team to win each and every game...but if we ice basically the same roster just one year older...we'll finish bottom 5.

 

[MadDevil]

Yes, but according to this board we would just ruin him anyway.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

Greene was developed by Lemaire/Larry.

I wouldn't weave the two together. Robinson has been a constant for awhile and his prescense is missed.

Greene's game took a step back after Sutter left. He's really come into his own the last few seasons.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

All four players went home you cite with Sykora retiring.

Ok, they lost Clarkson (who will never see those numbers) he was in perfect spot his Junior coach and the Devils gave him all the tools to get that 30 goals.

How does one replace all that production in such a short span? Only way is via UFA immediately. Signing of Ryder, Brunner and Jagr as well as Clowe and the trade for Ruutu. I'm all for bringing in a young gun, but not for Zajac or Henrique.

I never mentioned trading Zajac or Henrique.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

I never mentioned trading Zajac or Henrique.

Not directed at you in that regards, just a point I made a few posts up.

 

[NJDevs26]

I wouldn't weave the two together. Robinson has been a constant for awhile and his prescense is missed.

Greene's game took a step back after Sutter left. He's really come into his own the last few seasons.

Greene had his best season points-wise with Lemaire. He wasn't all that good with Sutter tbh, in those days he was a healthy scratch/#6 D. For a time it seemed as if he could only play well with Lemaire until his second half/playoffs in 2012.

 

[Emperoreddy]

This does NOT sound like what you(MartyOwns) just said :



Lou's own words. Sounds like Marty is Gonzo, MartyOwns. Don't know how you can spin it like he's still undecided. Seems more like he's made up his mind.

Only thing I will agree(which I've stated way before) is that a deal had already been reached with Cory and Lou is just waiting for the July 1st to have Cory sign the contract.

Of course that's not exactly what you said. You simply said that Cory will be re-signed which has been the go-to phrase of the entire offseason for many of us here. But Lou's quotes actually made it very much a REALITY(if you read between the lines) that it will indeed happen.

Sounds like Marty plans to leave, which we knew. Thing is if the market is bare and Marty came crawling back and we haven't signed a backup Lou may still sign him.

Personally I think he is going to retire because I don't think anything he would want will be out there.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

Marty needs to move on if he wants to play and I think he gets it. The question is, which team can use him.