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

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

Tootoo.

I'm hoping this signals a severe cut-back in Gio's usage. Yay Shero.

I also don't think Tootoo is a shoe-in for regular time either. Wouldn't be surprised if him and Gionta share time.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

Maybe, but if Gionta doesn't make the team as a center, I don't know where there's a spot for him. I doubt Zubrus plays center, he's best on RW. So as far as RW depth goes:

Palmieri
Tootoo
Zubrus
Kalinin

So he has a shot to beat out Kalinin but I have a feeling that Shero expects Kalinin to be on the team otherwise, why would he only give him a 1 year contract? It seems like, if Kalinin doesn't make the Devils he's going back to Russia. Left wingers:

Cammalleri
Elias/Henrique
Ruutuu
Matteau
Boucher

Definitely no sport there. I imagine that Matteau and Boucher are going to get significant amount of playing time considering Shero's youth movement and there's nothing that Gionta provides in a bottom six left wing role that Ruutuu doesn't do better except for skating.

Zubrus is not getting much playing time next year. I wouldn't be surprised if he's in Albany. He goes 100% against everything Shero and Hynes are trying to do.

 

[Missionhockey]

Zubrus is not getting much playing time next year. I wouldn't be surprised if he's in Albany. He goes 100% against everything Shero and Hynes are trying to do.

You might be right and neither of us know what Shero is thinking, but I know I would definitely choose Zubrus over Gionta in a fourth line role.

 

[Drewr15]

Maybe, but if Gionta doesn't make the team as a center, I don't know where there's a spot for him. I doubt Zubrus plays center, he's best on RW. So as far as RW depth goes:

Palmieri
Tootoo
Zubrus
Kalinin

So he has a shot to beat out Kalinin but I have a feeling that Shero expects Kalinin to be on the team otherwise, why would he only give him a 1 year contract? It seems like, if Kalinin doesn't make the Devils he's going back to Russia. Left wingers:

Cammalleri
Elias/Henrique
Ruutuu
Matteau
Boucher

Definitely no spot there. I imagine that Matteau and Boucher are going to get significant amount of playing time considering Shero's youth movement and there's nothing that Gionta provides in a bottom six left wing role that Ruutuu doesn't do better except for skating.

The reason Kalinin got a 1 yr though was because he had to sign an Entry Level contract per the CBA but because of his age he doesn't get a 3 year deal but a one yr one. Then he becomes an RFA next year.

 

[Missionhockey]

The reason Kalinin got a 1 yr though was because he had to sign an Entry Level contract per the CBA but because of his age he doesn't get a 3 year deal but a one yr one. Then he becomes an RFA next year.

Ah, my mistake.

 

[Drewr15]

Ah, my mistake.

I don't think it discounts your thoughts or overall point as I think they expect him to make the team too but just pointing out he had no options to sign anything else. They gave him the max ELC salary so I think that also points to them expecting him to make it.

 

[JK3]

Totally fine with this. No More Gio at center, wouldn't mind seeing him on RW. Oh and no more Timmy Tostitos.

 

[devilsblood]

He had a 24 goal 56 point AHL season once, but has not done much as a pro otherwise.

 

[Emperoreddy]

He had a 24 goal 56 point AHL season once, but has not done much as a pro otherwise.

He won't either. Shero seems to have low expectations saying he could compete for 4C.

 

[JimEIV]

He had a 24 goal 56 point AHL season once, but has not done much as a pro otherwise.

That was very good Binghamton team that year. The won the Calder Cup also that year.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I mean for a one year, minimum salary contract, expectations should be low. If anything he's another body in Albany after a few guys have moved on.

 

[Emperoreddy]

That was very good Binghamton team that year. The won the Calder Cup also that year.

Couple of people who followed that team said he was a big part of it.

 

[StvBroDan]

Could we not sign a player because he has ties. WTF Does he make good coffee get rid of Zubs.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

Hey everyone here complained about Pete's pets. Let's meet Hynes' pets....

Every coach/gm has their pets.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

Zubrus is not getting much playing time next year. I wouldn't be surprised if he's in Albany. He goes 100% against everything Shero and Hynes are trying to do.

Isn't that what got DeBoer in trouble? He didn't coach to his talent level? The amount of respect I have for Lemaire is 50fold over all coaches. He said you coach to your talent level.

I hope Hynes has a system versus that nonsense that I have seen in Pittsburgh.

two second touch hockey.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

You might be right and neither of us know what Shero is thinking, but I know I would definitely choose Zubrus over Gionta in a fourth line role.

Hmm, at center I'd take Zubrus, but at wing I'd take Gionta pretty easily.

I think he's quite good as a fourth line winger. Him as a center is completely stupid though.

 

[yRessUneChose]

Hmm, at center I'd take Zubrus, but at wing I'd take Gionta pretty easily.

I think he's quite good as a fourth line winger. Him as a center is completely stupid though.

imagine Gionta centering the 1st line season oppener L

I don't know if I would laugh or cry lol

 

[captainscott]

imagine Gionta centering the 1st line season oppener L

I don't know if I would laugh or cry lol

You should cry. But once again I think we should be reminded that Hynes will give everyone a clean slate just because he doesn't want to sign or trade for older players doesn't mean that because Giants is 32 means he is off the team. Gionta was one of the bright spots for nj last year and everyone disses him ..:: he will have equal opportunity

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

You should cry. But once again I think we should be reminded that Hynes will give everyone a clean slate just because he doesn't want to sign or trade for older players doesn't mean that because Giants is 32 means he is off the team. Gionta was one of the bright spots for nj last year and everyone disses him ..:: he will have equal opportunity

is all I got.

 

[theoptimist]

Gionta is really not THAT bad. If he's given 4th line minutes, I have no issues with him. He's also serviceable PKer.

Get Patty/Zubrus off the PK. Por favor.

 

[MadDevil]

If the idea is to be faster, Gionta fits really well as a 4th line RW. But we've also got Tootoo who is a fast 4th line RW. I wouldn't mind rotating them in that spot, depending on who we're playing. Tootoo against more physical teams, Gionta against less physical teams.

 

[glenwo2]

You should cry. But once again I think we should be reminded that Hynes will give everyone a clean slate just because he doesn't want to sign or trade for older players doesn't mean that because Giants is 32 means he is off the team. Gionta was one of the bright spots for nj last year and everyone disses him ..:: he will have equal opportunity

"...because Giants is 32"???? WHAT?

What do the NY FOOTBALL Giants have to do with this?

 

[devils61]

Guys jim O'Brien has a lot of potential.
He's already got that off season working the 9-5 look down pat.

Also his mug shot that says. I'm here for business. Cause smiling isn't what I'm about.

But most importantly is the post game presser "gave it a hundred percent but the bounces just weren't going our way" look

I'm on board already

 

[Emperoreddy]

comes from the lil gio school of noses it looks like.

 

[glenwo2]

comes from the lil gio school of noses it looks like.

I bet he shoots the puck into the Goaltender's crest with the best of them, too.