Speculation: Devils Send Stefan Matteau back to The QMJHL

[Hockey Sports Fan]

If Zubrus wasn't injured or one of Josefson/Tedenby played better, Matteau would've been sent down after 5 games. He got lucky with the injuries and Devils lack of depth at wing so he had an extended stay.

Devils have been letting some of their prospects stay in the NHL for a lengthy look during the past few seasons with no real success. (Palmieri/Tedenby/Zharkov). Matteau happened to be that prospect this year and wasn't ready yet.

The weird thing is how everyone's situation is completely different. Zharkov had pretty much made the team as an energy guy under Lemaire, and then I guess Lou was expecting him to take some next step and he was demoted. Tedenby appeared to break out and then fell apart the next season. Palmieri never really broke out, but appeared good next to Kovalchuk. He was expected to take another step forward too and didn't impress.

I'm really hoping Josefson breaks the cycle, if only so that the Devils' streak of poor develop can come to a close. People are starting to cringe every time Lou drafts a Swede!

 

[Bleedred]

I'm starting to wonder if the personnel in Albany is good for development right now. I'm not the first one to question it either recently.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I'm starting to wonder if the personnel in Albany is good for development right now. I'm not the first one to question it either recently.

It did wonders for Henrique. It certainly LOOKED like it had done wonders with Josefson last season. I think it's important to be critical of situations like that, but there's a lot of evidence to the contrary. Palmieri's still playing at his usual .5ppg now that he's gone elsewhere. I think it falls more on drafting than the AHL team, though I guess neither have been great for the past decade.

 

[Bleedred]

It did wonders for Henrique. It certainly LOOKED like it had done wonders with Josefson last season. I think it's important to be critical of situations like that, but there's a lot of evidence to the contrary. Palmieri's still playing at his usual .5ppg now that he's gone elsewhere. I think it falls more on drafting than the AHL team, though I guess neither have been great for the past decade.

Yeah Henrique seemed to benefit. Just something I think about, not saying it's definitely or even probably the case.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Yeah Henrique seemed to benefit. Just something I think about, not saying it's definitely or even probably the case.

Yeah I agree, it's certainly not something to ignore. Unfortunately it's really tough to analyze without a lot of maybes and what-ifs.

 

[DKQ]

I think it comes down to drafting. Most of our forward prospects that busted had some questions about their NHL potential before coming to Albany

 

[MartyOwns]

If Zubrus wasn't injured or one of Josefson/Tedenby played better, Matteau would've been sent down after 5 games. He got lucky with the injuries and Devils lack of depth at wing so he had an extended stay.

Devils have been letting some of their prospects stay in the NHL for a lengthy look during the past few seasons with no real success. (Palmieri/Tedenby/Zharkov). Matteau happened to be that prospect this year and wasn't ready yet.

obligatory text

 

[Saugus]

If Zubrus wasn't injured or one of Josefson/Tedenby played better, Matteau would've been sent down after 5 games. He got lucky with the injuries and Devils lack of depth at wing so he had an extended stay.

Devils have been letting some of their prospects stay in the NHL for a lengthy look during the past few seasons with no real success. (Palmieri/Tedenby/Zharkov). Matteau happened to be that prospect this year and wasn't ready yet.

Half of everything is luck. But Matteau held his own in the lineup, and never really looked completely out of place. Your assessment of "borderline player" isn't really being fair to him. The tools are clearly there, he just needs to develop them further to become an impact player.

I think it comes down to drafting. Most of our forward prospects that busted had some questions about their NHL potential before coming to Albany

It depends on what you mean by questions. Josefson was pegged as a sure bet to be an NHL player. Maybe not a star, but they thought he would at least be a good bottom 6 player, and when he is on his game, he is. Tedenby did have questions, mostly due to his lack of size and defence.

 

[Brodeur]

Forgive me if it was noted earlier in the thread, but apparently Matteau (and Grigorenko) do get a year of accrued service. There was some confusion earlier about whether it was 23 games played or being on the roster for 23 games. Apparently it is the latter (even Bob McKenzie was confused).

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Am I the only one that thinks Matteau played alright? He outplayed Barch, Kostapolopolous, and company. I know it's not saying much but from a rookie it's not too bad.

I do believe that it's for the best that he's sent to the Q but I thought he was solid.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

Forgive me if it was noted earlier in the thread, but apparently Matteau (and Grigorenko) do get a year of accrued service. There was some confusion earlier about whether it was 23 games played or being on the roster for 23 games. Apparently it is the latter (even Bob McKenzie was confused).

Don't worry, I'm here all day if anyone else has any confusion.

If it comes between believing me or the buffalo sabres organization, now you know.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Many of us saw the Matteau experiment as a success.

 

[Saugus]

I think it is a success, and he will be back in NJ before the end of the season.