Confirmed with Link: Devil's sign Jim O'Brien 1 year, $575,000

[Emperoreddy]

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=773561

Rich Chere ‏@Ledger_NJDevils 3m3 minutes ago

Ray Shero: "I think Jim O'Brien will push for a job. I really do." He will battle to center the Devils' 4th line.

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[Game Breaker]

lolwut

 

[Devil X]

YES!!!! ... WHO lol

 

[Zippy316]

Competition is always a good thing.

If not he seems to be a good AHL point producer.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Shero has him gunning for Gio's job. Uh oh

 

[Devils Trap]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 19s19 seconds ago
Shero said he sees O'Brien competing for 4th line C job. Played some for John Hynes in U.S. national team program.

 

[Emperoreddy]

TG said this doesn't mean Gio is off the team. Does sound like the days of Gio starting at center are over.

 

[ghdi]

Ok. What else can anyone say? Go Jim? Yay Jim? All Hail Jimmy O?

Hes got ties to Hynes so theres an obvious connection there, lets see what happens.

 

[Blender]

I can see his number in the rafters already.

 

[tr83]

The question is...how good of a DJ is he? This must be a tryout for Zubie's job.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

What's his speed like?

 

[ghdi]

This is the only highlight I can find on him



Hes the passer obviously

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

Congratulations to him (even though I really don't know who he is) and welcome to the Devils. I guess it sounds like Shero thinks he could be a 4C, pushing Gio to wing. Gio struggled with some of the responsibilities of a center, so maybe he would be better at wing. He's just another fourth liner on a team with a ton of them, but maybe he brings more speed or something.

 

[Emperoreddy]

What's his speed like?

He is pretty big so I imagine he isn't lightning on skates, but I also imagine he can skate at least.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

if it means no more GIonta playing center ever, I'm A-OK with it.

 

[Emperoreddy]

This is the only highlight I can find on him



Hes the passer obviously

If he can bring a little of that to the 4th line I am ok with this. Can't be worse then Gio at center.

 

[ghdi]

If he can bring a little of that to the 4th line I am ok with this. Can't be worse then Gio at center.

Not much is worse.

Maybe if Lou lined up there.

 

[hb12xchamps]

Hi guys. Hershey Bears season ticket holder coming in peace. O'Brien was arguably the best player for the Bears since he came over and a big reason Hershey hit the 100 point mark this season. He has size, but he has decent wheels for his size. Gets low on his faceoffs similar to Dave Steckel and was solid at the dot. The AHL doesn't track FO % but I would assume he was one of the highest on the team last season. He also played both the PP and PK. I think he would do just fine with 4th line minutes next season and if he doesn't make the big club he will be a top line center for Albany

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

Given obriens ahl and khl numbers last year I'm liking this signing.

Thanks for the report hb.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Hi guys. Hershey Bears season ticket holder coming in peace. O'Brien was arguably the best player for the Bears since he came over and a big reason Hershey hit the 100 point mark this season. He has size, but he has decent wheels for his size. Gets low on his faceoffs similar to Dave Steckel and was solid at the dot. The AHL doesn't track FO % but I would assume he was one of the highest on the team last season. He also played both the PP and PK. I think he would do just fine with 4th line minutes next season and if he doesn't make the big club he will be a top line center for Albany

Thanks for the report.

Definitely like that, and sounds world's better then Gio.

 

[hb12xchamps]

No problem guys. Definitely will be following the Devils more closely to see how he's doing. Sad to see him leave. Good luck next season!

 

[Zippy316]

No problem guys. Definitely will be following the Devils more closely to see how he's doing. Sad to see him leave. Good luck next season!

It's not going to be much fun, in all honesty.

 

[NJDevs26]

I just hope we're not cursing this guy halfway through the season if Hynes overplays him and he's HIS version of Gio

 

[SeidoN]

It's not going to be much fun, in all honesty.

its gonna be a ****load more fun that last season

 

[Zippy316]

its gonna be a ****load more fun that last season

For Devils fans who see the long-term picture, yes. For fans outside of the team or are incredibly short-sighted, no.