kasper11
Registered User
The New Jersey Devils made many changes in the offseason, long ago as they may seem. Here is a preview of their roster for the 2005-6 season:
Center: Chris Drury, Jason Blake, Mark Messier
A solid group on both ends of the ice. Messier and Drury both have a reputation for being good leaders on the ice. While all three are solid, there is no true number one center amongst them. Also, the group is thin, and the team would like to acquire a good setup man in that role to take advantage of the teams snipers on the wing.
Grade: B-
Wings: Ilya Kovalchuck, Marian Gaborik, Mark Recchi, Peter Bondra, Pascal Dupuis, Pierre Daganais, Manny Malhotra, Mattias Weinhandl
The additions of Ilya Kovalchuck and Peter Bondra to holdovers Marian Gaborik and Mark Recchi make this a feared group of scorers. Not a lot of size, but an excess of speed and skill. A good mix of youngsters and veterans, this group should score enough to keep the Devils in most games. The third/fourth line wingers could be better, but they are pretty solid.
Grade: A-
Defensemen: Robyn Regehr, Dmitri Kalinin, Sami Salo, Patrice Brisebois, Steve Staios, Murray Baron
Should be dramatically improved since last season. Newcomer Sami Salo is solid on both ends of the ice and should be a team leader. Patrice Breisbois, also brought in this offseason should help solidify the power play, a major source of concern in the past. The team expects a lot of improvement from Robyn Regehr and Dmitri Kalinin, both are still young but have shown the potential to breakout this season.
Grade: B+
Goal: Kevin Weekes, Jamie McLennan
Weekes is a good but not great starter. He has the ability to steal a few games for the team, but will also let in some bad goals. The team is definately looking for an upgrade while young phenom Marc-Andre Fleury develops.
Grade: B-
Overall Grade: B/B+
Projected Finish: 5th Eastern Conference
Center: Chris Drury, Jason Blake, Mark Messier
A solid group on both ends of the ice. Messier and Drury both have a reputation for being good leaders on the ice. While all three are solid, there is no true number one center amongst them. Also, the group is thin, and the team would like to acquire a good setup man in that role to take advantage of the teams snipers on the wing.
Grade: B-
Wings: Ilya Kovalchuck, Marian Gaborik, Mark Recchi, Peter Bondra, Pascal Dupuis, Pierre Daganais, Manny Malhotra, Mattias Weinhandl
The additions of Ilya Kovalchuck and Peter Bondra to holdovers Marian Gaborik and Mark Recchi make this a feared group of scorers. Not a lot of size, but an excess of speed and skill. A good mix of youngsters and veterans, this group should score enough to keep the Devils in most games. The third/fourth line wingers could be better, but they are pretty solid.
Grade: A-
Defensemen: Robyn Regehr, Dmitri Kalinin, Sami Salo, Patrice Brisebois, Steve Staios, Murray Baron
Should be dramatically improved since last season. Newcomer Sami Salo is solid on both ends of the ice and should be a team leader. Patrice Breisbois, also brought in this offseason should help solidify the power play, a major source of concern in the past. The team expects a lot of improvement from Robyn Regehr and Dmitri Kalinin, both are still young but have shown the potential to breakout this season.
Grade: B+
Goal: Kevin Weekes, Jamie McLennan
Weekes is a good but not great starter. He has the ability to steal a few games for the team, but will also let in some bad goals. The team is definately looking for an upgrade while young phenom Marc-Andre Fleury develops.
Grade: B-
Overall Grade: B/B+
Projected Finish: 5th Eastern Conference
