Devils Team Discussion (current team/player news and notes) ‎2014-2015 Part XIII

[Mgd31]

I feel like you need a bunch of guys to start building something together. We've had so many new "veteran" plug-ins over the last couple of years.

Give me a fresh start with young players that will all learn together. Let them build something new.

True, but you don't want them to build and learn through losing.

 

[AfroThunder396]

It's kind of 6 of one and half dozen of another, isn't it?

What I mean is, if you begin a purge and trade Zidlicky, Jagr and maybe another player what are you left with? What do you think the result of that is going to be? Do you think the team is going to have a better culture or produce more wins?

Moving those players for picks and prospects may make us a better team tomorrow but it severely weakens this years team and makes them far less competitive.... that sounds like tanking to me...no matter how you spin it, weakening your team today to be better tomorrow is pure tank in my eyes.

Perhaps, it depends on what you get back. If you're concerned about getting roster players back, I'm sure that could be factored into the trade discussions. Some Arnott for Stecekl + 2nd deals.

I'm not advocating trading the whole roster. But I don't see Zidlicky's role on this team when he's healthy, he's expendable. Losing Jagr would hurt the team, but it's not like a death sentence or anything. Addition by subtraction exists, and I'd argue that veteran complacency by certain specific players is a major issue on the roster right now.

 

[Bologna 1]

from a hockey standpoint, i wouldnt have anything against trading jagr. however, i ****ing love the guy and hes hilarious so from a fan's perspective i want him to stay in NJ til he retires. i honestly think he could be a great coach someday (if he wants) and it would be awesome if it was for the devils.

 

[JimEIV]

Perhaps, it depends on what you get back. If you're concerned about getting roster players back, I'm sure that could be factored into the trade discussions. Some Arnott for Stecekl + 2nd deals.

I'm not advocating trading the whole roster. But I don't see Zidlicky's role on this team when he's healthy, he's expendable. Losing Jagr would hurt the team, but it's not like a death sentence or anything. Addition by subtraction exists, and I'd argue that veteran complacency by certain specific players is a major issue on the roster right now.

Don't get me wrong, I do not disagree with what you are saying one bit.

But it seems to me that right now, the tank advocates and the anti-tank people are really saying the same thing just in different ways.

 

[Bologna 1]

Man I hope Bernier is ok.

he's been one of the few bright spots on a pretty consistent basis. been playing great hockey, just simple get in on the forecheck, crash and bang, get to the net. i figured maybe he just needed a kick in the ass by being sent down (similar to 2011-12 season).

 

[captainscott]

Don't get me wrong, I do not disagree with what you are saying one bit.

But it seems to me that right now, the tank advocates and the anti-tank people are really saying the same thing just in different ways.

the term tank gets used incorrectly i don't think many teams in history ( I'm sure there have been some) but in modern history i wouldn't say teams actually tank games.... an organization going into full blown rebuilding mode is basically tanking, as you point out.

i would have no problem seeing guys like whitney/boucher/matteau start to play on a regular basis. or if they want to leave boucher in albany to develop more play frigging sislo 15 mins a night who cares.. i want top 3 pick devils are knocking on the door for it

 

[glenwo2]

FWIW from TG;



The Devils/hockey are their toy, the arena is their business/focus

What that tells me is they basically gave Lou a blank checkbook and told him to do whatever he can to make the Devils successful.

Basically....they provide the money, Lou provides the results.

 

[SeidoN]

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/succeeding-as-a-young-defenceman-in-the-nhl-no-easy-task-1.172456

so Severson is kinda okay

 

[Tretyak 20]

Not much of an advanced stats guy usually, but this article does a great job analyzing the important stats to compare young defensemen. Our boy Severson looks pretty darn good.

http://www.tsn.ca/succeeding-as-a-young-defenceman-in-the-nhl-is-no-easy-task-1.172456

Based on that article and this board's opinions, one would have to say both Ekblad and Jones are "floundering" picks who weren't worth their draft position!

Before people criticize Larsson, they should read those first two paragraphs about a hundred times.

 

[Tretyak 20]

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/succeeding-as-a-young-defenceman-in-the-nhl-no-easy-task-1.172456

so Severson is kinda okay

Severson is doing awesome, and I think he'll be a fantastic D. It will be interesting to see the reaction around here when he inevitably regresses, though.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Severson is doing awesome, and I think he'll be a fantastic D. It will be interesting to see the reaction around here when he inevitably regresses, though.

He already showed regression after his first 10 games or so. He's still been good for the most part. I don't think you'll see any significant regression from him.

 

[JimEIV]

Severson is doing awesome, and I think he'll be a fantastic D. It will be interesting to see the reaction around here when he inevitably regresses, though.

It most likely is going to happen...and it almost always happens in year 2. We'll see how that goes...But he will be regressing from an extremely high level, so it might not be so bad...Time will tell.

He already showed regression after his first 10 games or so. He's still been good for the most part. I don't think you'll see any significant regression from him.

He hasn't "regressed"... He has gotten better as the season has gone on....If you mean he cooled off in the scoring department, well yeah, of course that was going to happen he scored 4 goals in his first week practically...People got excited about that, but the real thing to be excited about, and I tried to say this earlier in the year, is his poise, his positional play and his awareness that is really better most of our regular defensemen on this team, he didn't seem to need to adjust to NHL speed/time and space AT ALL and he just turned 20 years old in September...

When you see these things, you have to wonder how far he can go because he is starting out at an extremely high level, a level I haven't seen before from a rookie Dman here in New Jersey...He has handled 25 minute nights like he was a seasoned pro and nothing seems to phase him.

 

[Devilsfan992]

It most likely is going to happen...and it almost always happens in year 2. We'll see how that goes...But he will be regressing from an extremely high level, so it might not be so bad...Time will tell.



He hasn't "regressed"... He has gotten better as the season has gone on....If you mean he cooled off in the scoring department, well yeah, of course that was going to happen he scored 4 goals in his first week practically...People got excited about that, but the real thing to be excited about, and I tried to say this earlier in the year, is his poise, his positional play and his awareness that is really better most of our regular defensemen on this team, he didn't seem to need to adjust to NHL speed/time and space AT ALL and he just turned 20 years old in September...

When you see these things, you have to wonder how far he can go because he is starting out at an extremely high level, a level I haven't seen before from a rookie Dman here in New Jersey...He has handled 25 minute nights like he was a seasoned pro and nothing seems to phase him.

Jim I'm with you, I think he's clearly our best defenseman in terms of upside. He has it all to be a very good top pairing defenseman for the Devils.

 

[StnTwnDevil]

He already showed regression after his first 10 games or so. He's still been good for the most part. I don't think you'll see any significant regression from him.

I agree. It'd be nice if there was a more consistent line-up when he comes back. I think everyone will benefit from that.

 

[Tretyak 20]

It most likely is going to happen...and it almost always happens in year 2. We'll see how that goes...But he will be regressing from an extremely high level, so it might not be so bad...Time will tell.

I agree time will tell. Most defensemen take years to learn how to excel in the NHL. I for one will not be making a final judgement on Severson for several more seasons. I must admit, though, that I'm very encouraged by his progress so far.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

I've been hailing sev for 2 years now

But carry on

 

[Eggtimer]

I was hoping that with DeBoer being let go that Larsson Gelinas Merrill would see increased TOI and maybe see more PP time .

Seems like Harrold is getting even more ice time now and is even on the PP more lately.

This season is done . What's the benefit of giving Harrold PP time over anybody else?
Harrold is a 31 year old career minor league player that should (hopefully ) have no future in NJ moving forward past this year .(I am not sure if his contract is up after this year or if he has one more left ....oh god I hope not another year)

Only reasons I can think of giving Harrold more TOI and PP time over the kids:

1."Showcasing" (lol) him to try to up his trade value? I personally don't see it as I am sure he would clear waivers no problem let alone having any trade value.

2.Management wants to continue developing the kids at a pace they see fit. Concentrate on defensive side of the game first and throwing them on the PP might effect their confidence or give them too much to work on all at once ? Trying to shelter the kids and give them favorable match ups ?

3.Lou and coaching staff are dilutional and believe that playoffs are still "possible" and they feel Harrold is > Larsson Merrill and gives the team the best chance to win? They cannot possibly think this can they? Do they think Harrold brings more offence and is getting more TOI because we are usually down a goal or two and need him for ??????

4. Harrold has incriminating photos of Lou of Conte.

I honestly do not see why the Devils continue to throw this 5'3" minor league #7 Dman over the boards as much as they have been.

He should only be a #5-6 Dman at the best , playing 10-15:00 tops , and only when we have injuries . He should never dress or play over Larsson Merrill Gelinas and even Helgeson (maybe over Helgeson if Zidliki and or Greene is hurt and need a somewhat more mobile Dman)

 

[Eggtimer]

I agree time will tell. Most defensemen take years to learn how to excel in the NHL. I for one will not be making a final judgement on Severson for several more seasons. I must admit, though, that I'm very encouraged by his progress so far.

Severson shows more poise and sees the ice and controls the play better right now than most veteran NHL defensmen.

He has the ability to slow the game down ,never looks panicked , has his head up all the time while carrying the puck , just little things that to me shows that he is going to be at the very least a solid #3 Dman at the very worst.

A player doesn't just lose that ability or regress in those aspects of the game. If anything , he will continue to develop his offensive game and continue to bulk and strengthen up , improve his skating , and has top 30 dman in the league potential IMO.

 

[JimEIV]

Severson shows more poise and sees the ice and controls the play better right now than most veteran NHL defensmen.

He has the ability to slow the game down ,never looks panicked , has his head up all the time while carrying the puck , just little things that to me shows that he is going to be at the very least a solid #3 Dman at the very worst.

A player doesn't just lose that ability or regress in those aspects of the game. If anything , he will continue to develop his offensive game and continue to bulk and strengthen up , improve his skating , and has top 30 dman in the league potential IMO.

Yup, and you just don't see those things from a kid fresh out of junior...It is damn impressive.

 

[MadDevil]

I agree time will tell. Most defensemen take years to learn how to excel in the NHL. I for one will not be making a final judgement on Severson for several more seasons. I must admit, though, that I'm very encouraged by his progress so far.

That's how I've been trying to look at all the kids. Some of these guys are going to progress quicker than others. Kids like Severson and Merrill have a bit of an advantage over a kid like Larsson because they've played in North America all their lives. Larsson came straight over from Sweden and was put into the NHL as a 19 year old. Given that he's played on a team that has been pretty bad for the last 2+ years, it's really not a surprise that he's been up and down. I think giving him a defined role this year has helped him focus his game a bit more. Hopefully he can continue to build on that and earn more responsibilities going forward.

 

[JimEIV]

I don't think anyone believes Larsson isn't going to be a good player.

What I honestly hope for is in 3 years we have 4 incredible defensemen that all compliment each other...Merrill, Severson Larsson and Santini..All very different players with different strengths that when combined create the best defensive corp in the NHL. + Schneider

That is what I am hoping for.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

The time is now to formally pair Greene and Larsson together.

They are already first choice pairing on PK, they need to be at even strength too.

Greene and Harrold isnt working. Harrold makes too many mistakes and I dont think his game is suited to logging big minutes. Greene also hasnt been that great lately.

 

[New Jack City]

I don't think anyone believes Larsson isn't going to be a good player.

What I honestly hope for is in 3 years we have 4 incredible defensemen that all compliment each other...Merrill, Severson Larsson and Santini..All very different players with different strengths that when combined create the best defensive corp in the NHL. + Schneider

That is what I am hoping for.

yep and then add McEichel/Zacha/Strome/Marner

 

[Billdo]

The time is now to formally pair Greene and Larsson together.

They are already first choice pairing on PK, they need to be at even strength too.

Greene and Harrold isnt working. Harrold makes too many mistakes and I dont think his game is suited to logging big minutes. Greene also hasnt been that great lately.

Well since we can't use #PDBlogic anymore, who do we blame when that inevitably doesn't happen?

 

[JimEIV]

I've been hailing sev for 2 years now

But carry on

You surely were and I remember being skeptical.