kasper11
Registered User
After having no hockey for a full year, the midway point of the season is a good opportunity to look at where the Devils stand, for now, next season, and beyond....
The Forwards
This Season: The Devils are currently the highest scoring team in the league, averaging more than 3.5 goals per game. The signing of Ilya Kovalchuk and Petr Bondra during the offseason has paid off as they are 1 and 2 on the team in goals, combining for 52. The team wanted a playmaker on the second line, so they brought in Alexei Zhamnov to center the line, and he has responded in a big way with 18 points in 15 games since joining the team. The move also allowed Jason Blake to join Joe Nieuwendyk on the third line, giving the Devils a solid defensive line that has some scoring punch. While players like Kovalchuk and Gaborik are known for their offense, the group is responsible defensively. The biggest problem for the group is depth, if one of the big scorers goes down this team could be in trouble.
Grade: A
Next Season: Every forward in the starting lineup returns next season except for Alexei Zhamnov, who the team is unlikely to resign. In addition, there is hope that Nathan Horton will be ready for a bigger role and top prospect Thomas Vanek could be a top-9 forward as soon as next season. This would leave the Devils with 13 forwards, but no second line center, so look for a move or two in the offseason.
Grade: A-
Beyond Next Season: This group is built around Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik, and the two will be with the team for many years. Manny Malhotra should be a fixture on the checking line, while Nathan Horton will move up to a scoring line in the next year or two. In addition, the team has several prospects who the team is counting on being on the team within 2-3 years, including Thomas Vanek, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrick O'Sullivan, Alexander Semin. There is plenty of depth behind the top prospects. The only problem with the group could be that they are a little thin on the wings, but the depth at center will allow someone like Nathan Horton to move to wing.
Grade: A
The Defense
This Season: The Devils lack a true #1 defenseman, but they don't seem to let that bother them. The strength of this group is the depth, all 6 starters would fill a top-3 role on most teams. All 6 are responsible in their own zone, and for the most part leave the scoring to the forwards. Several defensemen have been racking up assists, however, and Sami Salo currently sits 6th amongst defenseman scoring with 31 points. Jaroslav Modry (26) and Dmitri Kalinin (24) aren't far behind. The physical play has been provided by Robyn Regehr, who is establishing himself amongst the league's best in his own zone. Steve Staios is also willing to play the body on a regular basis. Although a true #1 dman would help any team, this group seems to be doing an excellent job in both ends. The team is 4th in PP%, and 7th in shots against.
Grade: A-
Next Season: All 6 starters are signed through next season. The group should stay pretty consistent, as Patrice Brisebois is the only one over 32.
Grade: A-
Beyond: This is the biggest problem spot in the Isles organization. Robyn Regehr and Dmitri Kalinin are both 25 and will be with the team for several years. After that, the team has a lot of prospects but few sure things. Randy Jones will probably be ready the soonest, and could be a full-time #5 by 2007-8. Bruno Gervais could be ready to be with the team by then as well, with Matt Smaby joining the team the next year. None of those players project to be a top pairing defenseman however. Alexei Semenov and Branislav Mezei were being counted on to be regulars, but both seem to have stalled in development, Mezei due to injury, Semenov due to psyche. As stated, there are plenty of other prospects, players like Joe Finley, Charlie Cook, Bryce Lampman and others have a legitimate chance at becoming HFNHL players, but how many actually make it is anybody's guess but it probably won't be many. With no first round picks the next 4 years thanks to the Kovalchuk signing, improving this group will take some creativity.
Grade: C+
Goaltending:
This Season: Kevin Weekes has been a solid goaltender, but not a great one. The team is 7th in shots allowed, and 11th in goals allowed, a discrepency that doesn't speak well for Weekes. What does speak well for him is 25 wins, although playing for the highest scoring team helps the win total. Jamie McLennan is an adequate at best backup.
Grade: C
Next Season: A potential pitfall for next season's team. Kevin Weekes is not likely to be the starter again, and super prospect Marc-Andre Fleury is unlikely to be ready to be a full-time starter. The team will likely look to sign a veteran in the offseason to hold the reigns for a season. If that fails, they will look at a tender who will be a UFA following that season that may be cheap.
Grade: D
Beyond: Fleury is expected to be ready to lead this team by the 2007-8 seaosn. Joining him could be Yann Danis, who projects to be a good backup or borderline starter. Despite the trade of Devan Dubnyk, the team still has good depth, as behind Fleury and Danis are Kelly Guard, Barry Brust, both of whom are considered longshot prospects, but have had surprisingly good AHL seasons. Maxime Daigneault could also figure into the mix down the line.
Grade: A-
Financial Situation
This Season: The team is currently projected to lose a total of $3,500,000 over the course of the season. However, at least one playoff round is assured, and the team has already earned $2,500,000 in endorsement deals, and is on pace to easily earn another $7,500,000 barring any major injuries. The team has room under the cap to bring in just about any player it wants (although the current payroll is $37.4M, the team began the season considerably lower and therefore has more room).
Next Season: The team currently has a projected payroll of just under $35M next season, not counting potential a raise to Chris Drury and signing Thomas Vanek and Marc-Andre Fleury. The team will be squeezed a bit if it tries to fit both a goaltender and second line center in, although moving Kevin Weekes and one forward to make room for the newcomers would help. The team should make a profit next season similar to this season after endorsements and playoffs are taken into account.
Overall
This team was expected to make the playoffs this season, but has emerged as a legitimate title contender just two seasons removed from a last overall finish. The team is in an excellent position to continue to compete not just this season, but for the forseeable future.
The Forwards
This Season: The Devils are currently the highest scoring team in the league, averaging more than 3.5 goals per game. The signing of Ilya Kovalchuk and Petr Bondra during the offseason has paid off as they are 1 and 2 on the team in goals, combining for 52. The team wanted a playmaker on the second line, so they brought in Alexei Zhamnov to center the line, and he has responded in a big way with 18 points in 15 games since joining the team. The move also allowed Jason Blake to join Joe Nieuwendyk on the third line, giving the Devils a solid defensive line that has some scoring punch. While players like Kovalchuk and Gaborik are known for their offense, the group is responsible defensively. The biggest problem for the group is depth, if one of the big scorers goes down this team could be in trouble.
Grade: A
Next Season: Every forward in the starting lineup returns next season except for Alexei Zhamnov, who the team is unlikely to resign. In addition, there is hope that Nathan Horton will be ready for a bigger role and top prospect Thomas Vanek could be a top-9 forward as soon as next season. This would leave the Devils with 13 forwards, but no second line center, so look for a move or two in the offseason.
Grade: A-
Beyond Next Season: This group is built around Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik, and the two will be with the team for many years. Manny Malhotra should be a fixture on the checking line, while Nathan Horton will move up to a scoring line in the next year or two. In addition, the team has several prospects who the team is counting on being on the team within 2-3 years, including Thomas Vanek, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrick O'Sullivan, Alexander Semin. There is plenty of depth behind the top prospects. The only problem with the group could be that they are a little thin on the wings, but the depth at center will allow someone like Nathan Horton to move to wing.
Grade: A
The Defense
This Season: The Devils lack a true #1 defenseman, but they don't seem to let that bother them. The strength of this group is the depth, all 6 starters would fill a top-3 role on most teams. All 6 are responsible in their own zone, and for the most part leave the scoring to the forwards. Several defensemen have been racking up assists, however, and Sami Salo currently sits 6th amongst defenseman scoring with 31 points. Jaroslav Modry (26) and Dmitri Kalinin (24) aren't far behind. The physical play has been provided by Robyn Regehr, who is establishing himself amongst the league's best in his own zone. Steve Staios is also willing to play the body on a regular basis. Although a true #1 dman would help any team, this group seems to be doing an excellent job in both ends. The team is 4th in PP%, and 7th in shots against.
Grade: A-
Next Season: All 6 starters are signed through next season. The group should stay pretty consistent, as Patrice Brisebois is the only one over 32.
Grade: A-
Beyond: This is the biggest problem spot in the Isles organization. Robyn Regehr and Dmitri Kalinin are both 25 and will be with the team for several years. After that, the team has a lot of prospects but few sure things. Randy Jones will probably be ready the soonest, and could be a full-time #5 by 2007-8. Bruno Gervais could be ready to be with the team by then as well, with Matt Smaby joining the team the next year. None of those players project to be a top pairing defenseman however. Alexei Semenov and Branislav Mezei were being counted on to be regulars, but both seem to have stalled in development, Mezei due to injury, Semenov due to psyche. As stated, there are plenty of other prospects, players like Joe Finley, Charlie Cook, Bryce Lampman and others have a legitimate chance at becoming HFNHL players, but how many actually make it is anybody's guess but it probably won't be many. With no first round picks the next 4 years thanks to the Kovalchuk signing, improving this group will take some creativity.
Grade: C+
Goaltending:
This Season: Kevin Weekes has been a solid goaltender, but not a great one. The team is 7th in shots allowed, and 11th in goals allowed, a discrepency that doesn't speak well for Weekes. What does speak well for him is 25 wins, although playing for the highest scoring team helps the win total. Jamie McLennan is an adequate at best backup.
Grade: C
Next Season: A potential pitfall for next season's team. Kevin Weekes is not likely to be the starter again, and super prospect Marc-Andre Fleury is unlikely to be ready to be a full-time starter. The team will likely look to sign a veteran in the offseason to hold the reigns for a season. If that fails, they will look at a tender who will be a UFA following that season that may be cheap.
Grade: D
Beyond: Fleury is expected to be ready to lead this team by the 2007-8 seaosn. Joining him could be Yann Danis, who projects to be a good backup or borderline starter. Despite the trade of Devan Dubnyk, the team still has good depth, as behind Fleury and Danis are Kelly Guard, Barry Brust, both of whom are considered longshot prospects, but have had surprisingly good AHL seasons. Maxime Daigneault could also figure into the mix down the line.
Grade: A-
Financial Situation
This Season: The team is currently projected to lose a total of $3,500,000 over the course of the season. However, at least one playoff round is assured, and the team has already earned $2,500,000 in endorsement deals, and is on pace to easily earn another $7,500,000 barring any major injuries. The team has room under the cap to bring in just about any player it wants (although the current payroll is $37.4M, the team began the season considerably lower and therefore has more room).
Next Season: The team currently has a projected payroll of just under $35M next season, not counting potential a raise to Chris Drury and signing Thomas Vanek and Marc-Andre Fleury. The team will be squeezed a bit if it tries to fit both a goaltender and second line center in, although moving Kevin Weekes and one forward to make room for the newcomers would help. The team should make a profit next season similar to this season after endorsements and playoffs are taken into account.
Overall
This team was expected to make the playoffs this season, but has emerged as a legitimate title contender just two seasons removed from a last overall finish. The team is in an excellent position to continue to compete not just this season, but for the forseeable future.
