Devils Team Discussion 2015-16 Players News and Notes
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So our offense is definitely going to be based around Palmieri and Henrique this year. Palmieri looks legit.
- May 1, 2011
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Now that I made it through September 18th and not checking my phone on my lunch break to see some line consisting of ''Cammalleri-Zajac-Zubrus'' or ''Elias-Henrique-Zubrus'' (which would have been more likely if Patty wasn't injured), I feel much better. That was my worst fear less than two months ago.
Devilsfan992
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So of these pairings, I think only the top 6 is concrete minus Kennedy. I feel he's just filler for Elias.
Cammy - Zajac - Tlusty
Kennedy - Henrique - Palmeiri
Now I not sure how I would rate the other pairings:
Lorito - Kalinin - Tootoo (AHL First/Second Line)
Thompson - Josefson - Ruutu (Possible NHL 3rd Line, don't see Thompson fitting
Replacing Boucher?)
O'Brian - Zacha - Stempniak (Another Possible NHL 3rd Line, also don't see O'brian as 3rd line LW.)
Goulet - Kuja - Blandisi (Young guns line. AHL Line. Guys competing for NHL roles)
Quenneville - Gionta - Matteau (NHL 4th Line, don't see Q sticking though due to age)
Pietila - Black - Coleman (AHL Line. Coleman may stick out)
Cammy - Zajac - Tlusty
Kennedy - Henrique - Palmeiri
Now I not sure how I would rate the other pairings:
Lorito - Kalinin - Tootoo (AHL First/Second Line)
Thompson - Josefson - Ruutu (Possible NHL 3rd Line, don't see Thompson fitting
Replacing Boucher?)
O'Brian - Zacha - Stempniak (Another Possible NHL 3rd Line, also don't see O'brian as 3rd line LW.)
Goulet - Kuja - Blandisi (Young guns line. AHL Line. Guys competing for NHL roles)
Quenneville - Gionta - Matteau (NHL 4th Line, don't see Q sticking though due to age)
Pietila - Black - Coleman (AHL Line. Coleman may stick out)
MichaelJ
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- May 20, 2013
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I'm surprised that Thompson and Ruutu aren't switched. Ruutu can play LW and Thompson has been a RW his whole career. I pegged Ruutu-Josefson-Thompson as our 4th this year before mgmt said they wanted to give JJ the chance to grow.
I hope Kujawinski and Blandisi can build some chemistry together. RK definitely won't make the team and JB is a long shot. I'd like to see them play together at Albany for a full season.
The roster Id like to see opening night would be:
Camm - Zajac - Palmieri*
Henrique - Josefson - Tlusty*
Elias** - Zacha - Stempniak
Kennedy - Ruutu - Matteau
*Interchangeable based on performance
** Could be injured
Or if Zacha doesnt make it, and Elias is injured...
Camm - Zajac - Palmieri
Tlusty - Henrique - Stempniak
Boucher* - Josefson - Tootoo
Kennedy - Ruutu - Matteau
* Could be injured
Only problem with this is Ruutu at center, dont know how good he is at that. Also our LW is barren if Boucher doesnt pan out to much.
Thoughts? Just a quick idea for a roster, not TOO much thought.
Devilsfan992
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I agree that Coleman isn't a prototypical center but I really hope they utilize him in the faceoff dot. If his college game translates to the pros he could be a faceoff specialist.
I want Quenneville playing center. I'd rather him center the Goulet, Blandisi line as they had chemistry in the scrimmage. I guess they are seeing how they play on different pairings.
I could have swore O'Brian came to compete for the 4th line Center. And we all wanted Gionta to be converted to wing. Odd that the lines are opposite that.
I really hope we see some of the above in training camp.
I want Quenneville playing center. I'd rather him center the Goulet, Blandisi line as they had chemistry in the scrimmage. I guess they are seeing how they play on different pairings.
I could have swore O'Brian came to compete for the 4th line Center. And we all wanted Gionta to be converted to wing. Odd that the lines are opposite that.
I really hope we see some of the above in training camp.
- May 1, 2011
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I'm not sure why any staff would want Gio at center, it was DeBoer and Oates that changed him to center when he came to the NHL. He was a left winger who shot right handed, he needed to be moved to center on that line because Carter was a left shot and Bernier was a right. Having Carter play center (like he had been) and Gio playing on the left wing with a right handed shot was a no-no to those guys. Not that it didn't end up working out for that playoff run.
It's a minor complaint though, not a big deal like god forbid PL3 playing or being on the main roster at all.
And as I said the other night, we need to shy away from the ''Grinder and banger who can take some shifts and be defensively responsible'' mantra of what a 4th liner is. The old regime, as well as many others around the league, still follow this theory. I think it's all good and fine when you have an explosive top 9, we do not have an explosive top 9. There's no need to water down the lineup with unskilled guys that have little threat to score or do anything aside from ''Throw a few hits, take a few shifts, grind down the opposition'' or whatever those phrases and cliché's are. So I think we're better off having a skilled 4th line that's a threat to score, with how offensively challenged we are. That's why I wouldn't mind Matteau (or Boucher) on the 4th line, if we're gonna have that kind of a 4th line. If we have them on the 4th line to play with junk like PL3 or even someone like Gionta, it's a waste. We have a pretty good chance of maybe getting a skilled 4th line with a couple of Ruutu, Josefson, Kennedy, and whoever else. At the very least a non traditional 4th line if you don't feel Josefson is very skilled or consider Ruutu or Kennedy to be skilled anymore.
No need to follow this outdated and old fashioned ''He's not suited for the 4th line'' idea that many have and still follow around the league. I think any of these players are suited for the 4th line, provided we have similar players to them on the 4th line and not some kind of banger or PL3 or Thrown Rod (Pelley) or guys that shouldn't even be in the NHL at all.
And I don't think PL3 will be in the NHL during the regular season this year, neither will Pelley, as he's on an AHL only contract as far as my knowledge goes. Just using these kinds of roaches for examples.
It's a minor complaint though, not a big deal like god forbid PL3 playing or being on the main roster at all.
And as I said the other night, we need to shy away from the ''Grinder and banger who can take some shifts and be defensively responsible'' mantra of what a 4th liner is. The old regime, as well as many others around the league, still follow this theory. I think it's all good and fine when you have an explosive top 9, we do not have an explosive top 9. There's no need to water down the lineup with unskilled guys that have little threat to score or do anything aside from ''Throw a few hits, take a few shifts, grind down the opposition'' or whatever those phrases and cliché's are. So I think we're better off having a skilled 4th line that's a threat to score, with how offensively challenged we are. That's why I wouldn't mind Matteau (or Boucher) on the 4th line, if we're gonna have that kind of a 4th line. If we have them on the 4th line to play with junk like PL3 or even someone like Gionta, it's a waste. We have a pretty good chance of maybe getting a skilled 4th line with a couple of Ruutu, Josefson, Kennedy, and whoever else. At the very least a non traditional 4th line if you don't feel Josefson is very skilled or consider Ruutu or Kennedy to be skilled anymore.
No need to follow this outdated and old fashioned ''He's not suited for the 4th line'' idea that many have and still follow around the league. I think any of these players are suited for the 4th line, provided we have similar players to them on the 4th line and not some kind of banger or PL3 or Thrown Rod (Pelley) or guys that shouldn't even be in the NHL at all.
And I don't think PL3 will be in the NHL during the regular season this year, neither will Pelley, as he's on an AHL only contract as far as my knowledge goes. Just using these kinds of roaches for examples.
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- May 1, 2011
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And if that post is too long, to sum it up a little shorter.
I believe the prototypical 4th liner in the NHL is going away. It only took a half a decade for almost every single one dimensional goon to be wiped out of the league like an exterminator takes out roaches or termites. The ''Pests'' so to speak, have all been raided out of the league in the last half decade. Just take a look at all these one dimensional goons that were around the league 5 years ago. They were crawling all over. Now here we are 5 years later, and even the fairly young ones have all been phased out. Only able to find work in the AHL or overseas league's, only being called up occasionally to the NHL at the very most.
So I think all of your prototypical 4th liners are next. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all gone in the next 5 years, just like all the goons disappeared over the last 5. You already don't see many of these so called prototypical 4th liners getting contracts very quickly once becoming UFA's. They'll be replaced with more skilled players, whether it's first round busts or other guys who didn't live up to their potential, or guys like Tyler Kennedy or guys who were once top 6 or top 9 guys who no longer are. These so called 4th line players or lunchbox, sandpaper, grit, whatever guys, are quickly going the way of the grenade handling defensive defensemen that can't skate and the one dimensional face punchers.
I believe the prototypical 4th liner in the NHL is going away. It only took a half a decade for almost every single one dimensional goon to be wiped out of the league like an exterminator takes out roaches or termites. The ''Pests'' so to speak, have all been raided out of the league in the last half decade. Just take a look at all these one dimensional goons that were around the league 5 years ago. They were crawling all over. Now here we are 5 years later, and even the fairly young ones have all been phased out. Only able to find work in the AHL or overseas league's, only being called up occasionally to the NHL at the very most.
So I think all of your prototypical 4th liners are next. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all gone in the next 5 years, just like all the goons disappeared over the last 5. You already don't see many of these so called prototypical 4th liners getting contracts very quickly once becoming UFA's. They'll be replaced with more skilled players, whether it's first round busts or other guys who didn't live up to their potential, or guys like Tyler Kennedy or guys who were once top 6 or top 9 guys who no longer are. These so called 4th line players or lunchbox, sandpaper, grit, whatever guys, are quickly going the way of the grenade handling defensive defensemen that can't skate and the one dimensional face punchers.
OmNomNom
Taco is Love, Taco is Life
just about finished with the scrimmage replays, but i liked how appleby was dealing with the messy plays prior to red's 2nd goal.
also noticed graham black quite a bit, and def liked what i saw from coleman in terms of controlling the puck/having patience with the and playing very solidly and smartly. but i'm also biased and like coleman sooooooo
also noticed graham black quite a bit, and def liked what i saw from coleman in terms of controlling the puck/having patience with the and playing very solidly and smartly. but i'm also biased and like coleman sooooooo
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Devilsfan992
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I just started watching and I'm yelling at the Severson-Merrill pairing
They better not get owned this season like they did on that first goal against.
Devilsfan992
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Some thoughts after watching the scrimmage:
Severson - Merrill: Don't know what the hell was wrong with these two today. Beat multiple times, taking penalties, turnovers etc.. not a strong showing
Gelinas - Moore: The stronger of the defensive pairings. Gelinas had his ups and downs but wasn't bad. Moore looked very good, especially on the offensive end. Held his own in the defensive.
Quenneville: Kids good, has great hands and looks to be a smart player.
Coleman: Noticed him a lot in the first half. Faster and more skilled than I expected him to be. I think he could be a 4th liner this year.
Matteau: Pretty solid.
Others I noticed, but nothing too significant: Speers, White, Kalinin, Pietila, Black
Severson - Merrill: Don't know what the hell was wrong with these two today. Beat multiple times, taking penalties, turnovers etc.. not a strong showing
Gelinas - Moore: The stronger of the defensive pairings. Gelinas had his ups and downs but wasn't bad. Moore looked very good, especially on the offensive end. Held his own in the defensive.
Quenneville: Kids good, has great hands and looks to be a smart player.
Coleman: Noticed him a lot in the first half. Faster and more skilled than I expected him to be. I think he could be a 4th liner this year.
Matteau: Pretty solid.
Others I noticed, but nothing too significant: Speers, White, Kalinin, Pietila, Black
wow LOL. yea I'm so out of the loop on these things.He's a student-athlete. He's prohibited from participating because it would make him ineligible to play college.
My take, a Gelinas-Moore pair is going to be an adventure this year... they're making turnovers, primarily Moore, against minor leaguers, rookies, and kids fresh out of college, it's going to be rough to watch them in a regular season game... whether they'd be sheltered or not. Something has to give. Shero signs all of these defencemen and brought a few additional forwards in. A move has to be made before the season, right?
Devilsfan992
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If you thought Moore and Gelinas were bad, what did you think of Severson/Merrill?They were WAY worse than these two. That first goal Severson just let Moore blow by him. Another time it was Merrill who got beat. Severson also committed a penalty. On top of that, each of them had turnovers in their own zone.
Moore at least had a goal and a primary assist.
Not as worried about Severson and Merrill. I guess I should hold both pairs to the same standard, but Moore and Gelinas are three years older than Damon. Damon is going to make mistakes. This is only his third NHL training camp. Most 21 year old defenceman are just trying to prove their worth in camp, whereas Damon has already solidified a spot. Plus, he hasn't even had a full NHL season yet, barely half of one. Gelinas has played double NHL games, and Moore has almost five times as many games as Severson. Both Moore and Gelinas are guys with a lot to prove, hence their contracts signed this summer. It was great to see Moore produce, but after all he should in a scrimmage mixed with a lot of inexperienced players.
I do agree with your previous post on White. He looked pretty good when you consider he was just drafted this summer. Another player to watch closely in the OHL this year.
- May 1, 2011
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The amount of players on the 2013-2014 Devils team that are no longer in the league is astonishing.
Some of them were just old and were on the way out anyway, like Marty and Salvador particularly. Then there's quite a few guys that went out fairly prematurely for their age.
Then you have Ryder, Zubrus, Clowe, Loktionov, Volchenkov, Olesz, Tedenby, Janssen. Brunner. Janssen and Tedenby weren't really full timers on the roster, as both were sent down and played a majority of the season in the AHL. I still counted them though. Olesz was only here for a minute or two also. Not gonna bother counting Sestito here.
Yikes that's a lot. Zubrus was old but he still wound up not even playing out his contract, neither did Volchenkov since he was bought out by us.
You go back to the lockout season, I would bet close to half of those players aren't even in the league anymore.
Marty, Salvador, Hedberg, Kovalchuk, Loktionov, Zubrus, Ponikarovsky, Sullivan, Bobby Butler, Tedenby, Barch, Janssen, Kostopolous, D'Agostini, Tallinder, Volchenkov. yikes that's like half our roster. Not all of these guys played the entire season with us, Sullivan, Butler, D'Agostini and Kostopolous weren't here for long. And Janssen and Tedenby each only played 4 games a piece, which was less than Sestito's 6 games that season. The only way I can see cutting DeBoer some slack and giving him any credit is due to the fact that over half of his roster for 12-13 and a significant portion of his 13-14 roster were out of the league just 1-2 years after that.
Some of them were just old and were on the way out anyway, like Marty and Salvador particularly. Then there's quite a few guys that went out fairly prematurely for their age.
Then you have Ryder, Zubrus, Clowe, Loktionov, Volchenkov, Olesz, Tedenby, Janssen. Brunner. Janssen and Tedenby weren't really full timers on the roster, as both were sent down and played a majority of the season in the AHL. I still counted them though. Olesz was only here for a minute or two also. Not gonna bother counting Sestito here.
Yikes that's a lot. Zubrus was old but he still wound up not even playing out his contract, neither did Volchenkov since he was bought out by us.
You go back to the lockout season, I would bet close to half of those players aren't even in the league anymore.
Marty, Salvador, Hedberg, Kovalchuk, Loktionov, Zubrus, Ponikarovsky, Sullivan, Bobby Butler, Tedenby, Barch, Janssen, Kostopolous, D'Agostini, Tallinder, Volchenkov. yikes that's like half our roster. Not all of these guys played the entire season with us, Sullivan, Butler, D'Agostini and Kostopolous weren't here for long. And Janssen and Tedenby each only played 4 games a piece, which was less than Sestito's 6 games that season. The only way I can see cutting DeBoer some slack and giving him any credit is due to the fact that over half of his roster for 12-13 and a significant portion of his 13-14 roster were out of the league just 1-2 years after that.
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Here's something hard to believe.
Zubrus and Salvador were the fourth and fifth longest tenured current Devils after Elias, Zajac and Greene. With their recent departures this offseason, the fourth and fifth longest tenured Devils are Jacob Josefson and Adam Henrique. Both making their debuts in the 2010-2011 season. Adam Larsson is the next longest tenured Devil from the 2011-2012 season.
Actually you might be able count Stephen Gionta ahead of both Henrique and Larsson, as he made his debut in the NHL earlier than Henrique in the 10-11 season. Though he didn't a permanent spot until the last game of the 11-12 regular season. Josefson and Larsson both spent time in the AHL following their original call ups, but both did have permanent spots before being sent to the AHL.
Either way, Stephen Gionta might be the third longest tenured player in the organization. I'm not sure if he was signed before or after Andy Greene, both were signed early in the 2006 calendar year. Stephen Gionta did make his pro debut before Andy Greene though.
Zubrus and Salvador were the fourth and fifth longest tenured current Devils after Elias, Zajac and Greene. With their recent departures this offseason, the fourth and fifth longest tenured Devils are Jacob Josefson and Adam Henrique. Both making their debuts in the 2010-2011 season. Adam Larsson is the next longest tenured Devil from the 2011-2012 season.
Actually you might be able count Stephen Gionta ahead of both Henrique and Larsson, as he made his debut in the NHL earlier than Henrique in the 10-11 season. Though he didn't a permanent spot until the last game of the 11-12 regular season. Josefson and Larsson both spent time in the AHL following their original call ups, but both did have permanent spots before being sent to the AHL.
Either way, Stephen Gionta might be the third longest tenured player in the organization. I'm not sure if he was signed before or after Andy Greene, both were signed early in the 2006 calendar year. Stephen Gionta did make his pro debut before Andy Greene though.
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I didn't think Severson was bad. He just kinda looked like he was cruising out there. He was positioned well and broke up a lot of plays. I think the times he got beat was more a lack of effort than poor decision making. That makes sense considering it was a scrimmage.
Devil X
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Kalinin should be getting a fair shot at the 4th like center role. I thought one of his strengths was in the faceoff circle. Plus being physical, i would be interested in seeing a 4th like look something like: Matteau/Ruutu - Kalinin - Tootoo/Kennedy.
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Kennedy made his mark in the game too, he looked quick.
Only a scrimmage but Kalinin looked the part of a NHL forward.
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DevilsFanInFla
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Really excited to watch this team grow and develop this season. I think it's a safe bet that it won't be boring like last season. At the very least, we are moving in the right direction and there's reason for optimism in the long run. It will be fun to see who steps up as well as watching the team grow. Hey, maybe even an outside shot at the playoffs 
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