Damien Brunner

[glenwo2]

Wow. PSEG, you really did your research.



Too bad Loki won't get 50 points this year.



Anyway, nothing I've seen from Brunner shows that he'll EVER get this NHL-style.

 

[MountainGoat]

This is what happens when you bring offensively skilled players into this system. It's going to take him a while to figure it out and even longer to find consistency.

A ton of guys here want similar (albeit more skilled) young players like Yak and Eberle and all I can think of is how invisible they would be in our restraining dump and chase system.

Brunner and Loktionov match up perfectly with Elias. If Pete allows then to rush up the ice and not dump it every 5 seconds we would see the Brunner from Detroit and the Loktionov who was lighting it up with Kovy.

However I doubt Pete even considers that because he's pleased with Lokti's progression defensively and doesn't want to risk regression.

Well he was on a team that let him rush and pass and be creative. Now he's on a team that dumps and chases and demands defense.

It's going to take a long long time guys. It's been a year and only now is Loktionov and Teddy starting to play solid D.

what a load of ****

Brunner is ****ing TERRIBLE, how do you not see that??? stop blaming the coach for everything its pathetic

Brunner doesn't even know what dump and chase is, he tries to deke past everyone over and over and over

 

[BahlDeep]

Horrible hockey sense.

What did it for me was when he was carrying the puck on a powerplay in the 3rd period, and he tried a spinning no look pass right on the blue line straight on the San Jose player stick.

 

[JK3]

There is not a coach on earth that if you could gain the zone cleanly, would ever make you dump the puck in, loose possession, then force you to forecheck and battle for the puck for which you had in the first place. Cmon PSE&G you're a good poster and smarter than that.

For the most part it takes multiple guys with speed on the breakout with decent passing to put opposing defenders on their heels to allow easy zone entries. You can do it the hard way and rag and dangle with the puck like Jagr/Patty. You can also have a guy with blazing speed and talent to back guys off like Kovy. The Devils lack the speed and talent and are not a score off the rush team, we are forced to dump the puck in a lot not because of a rigid game plan but because we just have to most of the time. This is the area where I expected Brunner to help with.

He has the speed but it seems he's lost the smarts and confidence to help rushes and carry the puck into the zone efficiently. He's either going offside (bad timing, not reading plays correctly), fumbling passes (not always his fault) or being lazy. In the beginning of the year he was busting his ass to get behind defenders creating space but he's not doing it now. He looks more like a guy that likes to float and cherry pick than a guy that actually does the hard work on those plays. I agree with you that he's probably not being utilized correctly or not put with the best players to help him succeed like when Zajac moved between Zubs and Jagr but he can't be a passenger, those types don't fair too well on the Devils.

 

[tailfins]

For the most part it takes multiple guys with speed on the breakout with decent passing to put opposing defenders on their heels to allow easy zone entries.

I agree with you that he's probably not being utilized correctly or not put with the best players to help him succeed like when Zajac moved between Zubs and Jagr but he can't be a passenger, those types don't fair too well on the Devils.

Completely agree with the above. PSEG - you picked out three vids to show Brunner carrying the puck into the zone. One has Zetterberg actually carrying the puck into the offensive zone. The other two have Brunner entering the zone but after work done by his linemates to get him open space / good passes through the neutral zone. Brunner is hardly the guy doing the work in these clips.

That said, I completely agree that we need to: a) get a second line going; and b) use our players strengths. I also agree that the second line needs to revolve around Patty. He's our proven performer - we need to try combos to spring him.

I'm not opposed to Loki and Brunner or Henrique and Brunner with Patty, but I think we give Ryder first crack at Patty's line. Brunner's shown nothing so far that warrants him getting a chance over Ryder.

 

[Bleedred]

Anything but Bernier with Patty again. Man that was bad.

Ryder might work on that line with Brunner and Elias, but the Bernier experiment was a complete bust.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

I just think it's important to consider this guy playing in a system that's not conducive to his playing style. I think what's pretty evident in all of his highlights is the speed of the Wings vs. the pace of the Devils.

It's an adjustment. I can't imagine how people are so quick to say this guy can't even play hockey etc...

It's like he didn't have an success last year or in the postseason.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Completely agree with the above. PSEG - you picked out three vids to show Brunner carrying the puck into the zone. One has Zetterberg actually carrying the puck into the offensive zone. The other two have Brunner entering the zone but after work done by his linemates to get him open space / good passes through the neutral zone. Brunner is hardly the guy doing the work in these clips.

That said, I completely agree that we need to: a) get a second line going; and b) use our players strengths. I also agree that the second line needs to revolve around Patty. He's our proven performer - we need to try combos to spring him.

I'm not opposed to Loki and Brunner or Henrique and Brunner with Patty, but I think we give Ryder first crack at Patty's line. Brunner's shown nothing so far that warrants him getting a chance over Ryder.

That's pretty much what I'm getting from those videos - Brunner is great in open ice once his teammates do all the work for him.

I just think it's important to consider this guy playing in a system that's not conducive to his playing style. I think what's pretty evident in all of his highlights is the speed of the Wings vs. the pace of the Devils.

It's an adjustment. I can't imagine how people are so quick to say this guy can't even play hockey etc...

It's like he didn't have an success last year or in the postseason.

And yet despite that success, the Wings let him go for nothing. Seems to me that they knew he was a very flawed player.

 

[apice3*]

And yet despite that success, the Wings let him go for nothing. Seems to me that they knew he was a very flawed player.

They let him go for nothing because he was on a one year deal and they were a playoff team. They're not going to trade a guy that has chemistry with Zetterberg while in playoff contention. And they attempted to re-sign him from all accounts. They didn't just "let him go."

Brunner isn't a bad player, he's just lost in our current system because it isn't his game. I refuse to believe a guy who was our best forward the first 5 games all of a sudden forgot how to play the game. He just needs to be on the right line. I'd like to see him play with Josefson and Bernier, but that'll probably never happen.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

They let him go for nothing because he was on a one year deal and they were a playoff team. They're not going to trade a guy that has chemistry with Zetterberg while in playoff contention. And they attempted to re-sign him from all accounts. They didn't just "let him go."

Brunner isn't a bad player, he's just lost in our current system because it isn't his game. I refuse to believe a guy who was our best forward the first 5 games all of a sudden forgot how to play the game. He just needs to be on the right line. I'd like to see him play with Josefson and Bernier, but that'll probably never happen.

Here's an article on Brunner leaving the Wings:

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/20...gency-2013-why-damien-brunner-isnt-a-red-wing

Apparently, they did offer him 2.5 million, so you're right in that they did think he brought something to the table.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

I remember that. The Wings liked the kid. And highlights don't show much, that's why they're highlights. But I think the consistent part of Brunner's game with the Wings was just the speed of the game. He got a lot of room to skate. Room that's certainly never going to be there here.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

If and when Clowe comes back, I think he could be a good linemate for Brunner. If Clowe plays his game, he's a guy who can create space for his linemates, and he's a decent passer too.

I mean... it's not like anything else is working

 

[Richer's Ghost]

I think Jerry summed it up well.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

If and when Clowe comes back, I think he could be a good linemate for Brunner. If Clowe plays his game, he's a guy who can create space for his linemates, and he's a decent passer too.

I mean... it's not like anything else is working

Clowe-Loktionov-Brunner was a solid line. I think you're right on there.

I am by no means claiming Brunner is can't miss by the way. He, like Loktionov, Tedenby, and less so Josefson, is a wildcard. You're either going to get something great or something awful. I'm a big "style just doesn't" fit kind of guy.

It wouldn't bother me nor would it surprise me if Brunner is moved to a team that could better utilize his talents and we get a piece back that fits better here in New Jersey.

Brunner + for Hemsky.
Brunner for Bourque
Brunner for Shawn Matthias
Brunner + for Havlat ?

The +s would obviously be something reasonably substantial. But if Lou and Pete decide the guy doesn't fit here I'm sure another team would welcome him with open arms.

 

[InjuredChoker]

wings fans with some contributions.

most wanted brunner re-signed.

he hasd and has his flaws which i'm sure you're aware. but he brought something unique to wings, speed, good shot, shoot first mentality. and right handed shot.

he also showed improvements in defensive play over the course of season, especially in back check and stick work.

That's pretty much what I'm getting from those videos - Brunner is great in open ice once his teammates do all the work for him.

yup. that is why he worked with datsyuk and zetterberg pretty well.

and nyquist and andersson on third line. sheltered, nyquist has speed and can make a pass and andersson is defensively responsible guy who can make a safe play.

And yet despite that success, the Wings let him go for nothing. Seems to me that they knew he was a very flawed player.

well yeah but wings have made their fare share of bad decision the past few years; and as the article you linked said, they reportedly offered him 2x2.5 mil deal.

but, again reportedly, brunner was looking for top 6 spot and wings weren't willing to guarantee it.

 

[JerryGigantic]

Anything but Bernier with Patty again. Man that was bad.

Ryder might work on that line with Brunner and Elias, but the Bernier experiment was a complete bust.

Looks like the experiment continues. Sorry.

 

[Bleedred]

Looks like the experiment continues. Sorry.

Every post I've made in the GDT so far is about how much I hate it!

 

[Chessarmy]

A player is never as bad as he looks when he's slumping, and never as good as he looks when he's on a hot streak.

While Brunner isn't an elite scorer, I don't think he's quite as bad as his play currently indicates. He'll come around eventually, I don't know when, but hopefully for NJD's sake, soon.

I am a little bit worried that he may never fit in with this club as well as he did in Detroit, but that remains to be seen. He's shown flashes of brilliance and I think we'll see more of it if DeBoer can find the right line-mates for him. I'm not going to give up on Brunner just yet, its a long season.

 

[TrufleShufle]

A player is never as bad as he looks when he's slumping, and never as good as he looks when he's on a hot streak.

While Brunner isn't an elite scorer, I don't think he's quite as bad as his play currently indicates. He'll come around eventually, I don't know when, but hopefully for NJD's sake, soon.

I am a little bit worried that he may never fit in with this club as well as he did in Detroit, but that remains to be seen. He's shown flashes of brilliance and I think we'll see more of it if DeBoer can find the right line-mates for him. I'm not going to give up on Brunner just yet, its a long season.

That makes for prefect trade material. Isn't contributing greatly for us but known to be able to within other systems.

I would hate to see him go to another team and go on a tear but a lot of people could be right in saying he just doesn't fit into this system.

Hes a good player with great potential, but at this point he would mean more to other teams than he does to the devils, which could not be any more perfect for a trade.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

The problem is that Brunner came to NJ on a try out. I'm not sure how much other teams want him.

Hopefully he can improve his play. He looked amazing the first five or six games.

 

[TrufleShufle]

The problem is that Brunner came to NJ on a try out. I'm not sure how much other teams want him.

Hopefully he can improve his play. He looked amazing the first five or six games.

Yeah, but hopefully thats where the car dealer aspect of trading players comes in,

"Take a look at what this kid can do, the first few games when we had an entire new roster and didn't quite have our system down he was killing it. He was shining out there when nobody else knew what to do. But when we got our system down with the roster he no longer fit in. He can and WILL produce in a system like yours."

Now obviously your not getting a 1st round pick or 1st line player, but a package of sorts I could see him bringing something decent.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

The problem is that Brunner came to NJ on a try out. I'm not sure how much other teams want him.

Hopefully he can improve his play. He looked amazing the first five or six games.

I don't want to be a downer, but Brunner looked amasing when the rest of the team looked like crap while losing several games in that same time frame. Now that the team is playing solid hockey, Brunner is playing terrible hockey.

The guy just doesn't know what to do when he doesn't have the puck and has tunnel vision when he does have it in the offensive zone. Not being a solid defensive player isn't the worst thing I hate about Brunner's game... it's his lack of effort that bothers me the most.

Against the Sharks, he had Kennedy at arm reach and the guy just stood there, looking at his name plate behind Tyler's jersey for about 3 seconds and that was enough for San Jose to go up by 2. Oh yeah, can the coaching staff make him do "suicides" cause I don't think he was told that you can stop and go at the NHL level, since he's always going in circles when there's a turnover or the situation calls for a quick stop and go.

 

[Emperoreddy]

There is not a coach on earth that if you could gain the zone cleanly, would ever make you dump the puck in, loose possession, then force you to forecheck and battle for the puck for which you had in the first place. Cmon PSE&G you're a good poster and smarter than that.

For the most part it takes multiple guys with speed on the breakout with decent passing to put opposing defenders on their heels to allow easy zone entries. You can do it the hard way and rag and dangle with the puck like Jagr/Patty. You can also have a guy with blazing speed and talent to back guys off like Kovy. The Devils lack the speed and talent and are not a score off the rush team, we are forced to dump the puck in a lot not because of a rigid game plan but because we just have to most of the time. This is the area where I expected Brunner to help with.

He has the speed but it seems he's lost the smarts and confidence to help rushes and carry the puck into the zone efficiently. He's either going offside (bad timing, not reading plays correctly), fumbling passes (not always his fault) or being lazy. In the beginning of the year he was busting his ass to get behind defenders creating space but he's not doing it now. He looks more like a guy that likes to float and cherry pick than a guy that actually does the hard work on those plays. I agree with you that he's probably not being utilized correctly or not put with the best players to help him succeed like when Zajac moved between Zubs and Jagr but he can't be a passenger, those types don't fair too well on the Devils.

This is the best post I've read on this.

And it is the one thing that is bugging me about him. The effort was there early, he was hustling he was gaining the zone, always finding the net. He was doing what he was brought here to do.

Now he looks very lazy, lost, completely reading the play wrong, the offsides, passes, everything you said.

I don't know what fixes it. Maybe when Clowe returns the lines can be jumbled and the right combo can be found, like your example with Zajac.

Right now though he is playing very bad hockey.

Definitely think its premature to just want to dump him though. We can really use what he is capable of bringing to the table. He has shown he can play hockey last year and briefly with us this year. Needs to just find his game again.

 

[Bleedred]

I don't think the Brunner signing will wind up being a complete bust, but it all comes back to this Bernier thing. Brunner will be completely useless as long as he's playing with Bernier and Patty.

Maybe Patty with Ryder, or some other combination.

Now I know he's only played ONE game with that line so far. I just don't see it helping him out if it continues.

 

[MountainGoat]

this has to be his last game as a Devil right? right????

his nose grows bigger with every passing game he plays in, he's too soft and lacks any wisdom to be an nhl player