Confirmed with Link: Devils sign David Schlemko

[Classic Devil]

What we gonna do with all this junk?

all this junk up in our trunk?

First, it's not clear that Schlemko is junk. From everything I've read, he's actually a pretty promising young-ish defenseman.

Second, this gives us 7 defensemen who have proven to be NHL capable, which is a good thing: Greene, Larsson, Severson, Moore, Gelinas, Merrill, Schlemko. That means they have to seriously compete amongst one another for ice time, which is also a good thing. It provides injury insurance.

Third, you have to remember that one thing Shero has proven to be very good at is flipping PMDs for trade value. This isn't just stocking up on NHLers, this is him giving himself additional resources that permit a trade at a later date.

I don't mind this. All in all I think it's for the good.

 

[Desert Devil]

Schlemko is absolutely not junk. He was always solid when I saw him play for the Coyotes but I haven't watched him since he left. I really like this pick up.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

I like this signing and the money one year show me deal.

The Moore signing puzzles me more. Me thinks a trade incoming and possibly more similar signing or two on the backline.

 

[Ben Matlock]

Not saying a trade won't happen, but having 7 NHL-proven d-men on the roster doesn't scream trade incoming. One or two injuries and we're far from a logjam.

 

[Classic Devil]

Not saying a trade won't happen, but having 7 NHL-proven d-men on the roster doesn't scream trade incoming. One or two injuries and we're far from a logjam.

I think this is exactly right. We could see a trade, but we're not in a position where we necessarily expect one.

 

[Rhodes 81]

The impression that we have too many d-men comes from the assumption that Helgeson, Hraberenka, and Mozik (and to a lesser extent Scarlett) would compete for NHL roster spots this year. Clearly Shero and Hynes are not operating under this assumption.

It's up to those players to try to play well enough to force their way onto the roster anyway.

 

[217 Forever]

Not saying a trade won't happen, but having 7 NHL-proven d-men on the roster doesn't scream trade incoming. One or two injuries and we're far from a logjam.

We have 7 "proven" defensemen? I guess proven means different things to different people. I see two (Lars and Greene). I see another that really just needs more experience (Severson). After that we have a bunch of guys with varying levels of skill and experience but that's all I see. I can't even call Merrill proven after what I thought was an awful year last year. Is Moore proven? If so why has he moved around so much? Gelinas has a proven shot but that's it.

 

[Ben Matlock]

We have 7 "proven" defensemen? I guess proven means different things to different people. I see two (Lars and Greene). I see another that really just needs more experience (Severson). After that we have a bunch of guys with varying levels of skill and experience but that's all I see. I can't even call Merrill proven after what I thought was an awful year last year. Is Moore proven? If so why has he moved around so much? Gelinas has a proven shot but that's it.

Fair enough. Clearly my definition of proven is not "would be top-4 on most teams" (Larsson and Greene). Serviceable would maybe have been a better word. Still, the main point was that having all these d-men does not mean we will be trading any of them.

 

[217 Forever]

Fair enough. Clearly my definition of proven is not "would be top-4 on most teams" (Larsson and Greene). Serviceable would maybe have been a better word. Still, the main point was that having all these d-men does not mean we will be trading any of them.

Agreed. We have several guys who are more like serviceable or interchangeable, and it's completely unclear to me what their collective market is.

 

[Missionhockey]

The impression that we have too many d-men comes from the assumption that Helgeson, Hraberenka, and Mozik (and to a lesser extent Scarlett) would compete for NHL roster spots this year. Clearly Shero and Hynes are not operating under this assumption.

It's up to those players to try to play well enough to force their way onto the roster anyway.

Plus, what if Merrill or Greene get hurt for an extended amount of time? Do we feel comfortable giving Helgeson real minutes that he hasn't shown he's ready for?

 

[DirtyJerzey]

trade imminent

 

[Emperoreddy]

The impression that we have too many d-men comes from the assumption that Helgeson, Hraberenka, and Mozik (and to a lesser extent Scarlett) would compete for NHL roster spots this year. Clearly Shero and Hynes are not operating under this assumption.

It's up to those players to try to play well enough to force their way onto the roster anyway.

I mean I have hopes for those kids but they are no sure things and honestly our D depth isn't that deep anymore as our best prospects are all in the NHL.

Making sure we maintain organizational depth at the blueline is a good goal. Especially when it's almost guaranteed one or two guys will get hurt.

 

[njdevils1982]

a co-worker asked me today if i heard that the devils signed schlemko…..of course i knew but he went on about how awesome the jersey D is going to be with all that is going on. he thinks this guy will fit in fine on the 3rd pairing. he's impressed with what has been put together,……."wont score….but man, that ****in D"

said he played great for the flames last playoffs

...

funny thing was we were talking about defence yesterday before the signing also

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

a co-worker asked me today if i heard that the devils signed schlemko…..of course i knew but he went on about how awesome the jersey D is going to be with all that is going on. he thinks this guy will fit in fine on the 3rd pairing. he's impressed with what has been put together,……."wont score….but man, that ****in D"

said he played great for the flames last playoffs

...

funny thing was we were talking about defence yesterday before the signing also

Well, the young defense, Cory, and Zacha are probably about the most exciting things about this team right now, so it's good to talk about them as much as possible.

 

[dougiebrown]

Everything I've read on the Free Agents and Rumors board about this player from fans of the other teams that he's been on say that this is a solid bottom pairing Defenseman. So I don't know what the argument is. Even if he's the #7 defenseman, better Shlemko rather a young D who should be playing, learning and progressing.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

someone to push the home grown bottom pairing guys... nothing wrong with that.

Capitalism on defense.

 

[DevHock]

Schlemko being signed doesn't make it news that a trade involving our D for offense is imminent. Once Shero believes he has a good understanding of our personnel he will start shopping. How long this will take is really the question.

 

[Nubmer6]

If he's as good as some people here say, I suspect this was just a bargain that Shero couldn't pass up. He probably hopped on it and is waiting to see what happens in camp. If one or more of our kids shows they have the capability to play in the big leagues, then we try to work out a trade.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Not saying a trade won't happen, but having 7 NHL-proven d-men on the roster doesn't scream trade incoming. One or two injuries and we're far from a logjam.

Definitely. Devils used 11 different defensemen last season.

I did completely forget about MA Gragnani though, wondering if he's mostly just insurance/AHL vet leadership.

 

[Zippy316]

Definitely. Devils used 11 different defensemen last season.

I did completely forget about MA Gragnani though, wondering if he's mostly just insurance/AHL vet leadership.

I'm guessing he's the 11th guy that Shero thinks could play in the NHL next year.

1. Greene
2. Larsson
3. Severson
4. Merrill
5. Moore
6. Gelinas
7. Schlemko
8. Mozik
9. Helgeson
10. Hrabarenka
11. ??????

I'm assuming that one is Gragnani although it might be Scarlett or Burlon.