Speculation: Tomas Kaberle eyeing return to the NHL

[livewell68]

I really just wasn't sure exactly which point you were trying to get across.

Also, you say Jagr "barely played" with Jamie Benn in Dallas, yet Benn was Jagr's most common linemate that entire season. They played over 300 minutes together. You're right about Boston though, seems like his linemates were all over the place.

Jagr likes stability, regardless of what the icetime shared stats say about his time with Dallas, Jagr and Benn went through long stretches where they weren't on the same line. Jagr also played a ton with Benn on the powerplay as he was leading his team in powerplay goals before he got traded. The reason why I bring up powerplay numbers is because Jagr thrives at 5-on-5 play, playing puck possession, not on the powerplay. Benn and Jagr never had any chemistry together as you can see yourself, Benn's offensive numbers weren't spectacular.

The point I was trying to make is that certain players tend to thrive in very specific situations. Jagr needs to be to go to guy for him to play his best, in Dallas it was never going to be him, Benn was the guy. The Jagr and Benn experiment never worked because Benn doesn't play a puck possession game like Jagr does, his game is more suited for North American, North-South hockey.

The relevance to Kaberle is what you makes you think he can't bounce back in New Jersey? He will be surrounded by familiar faces and his Czech friends might help him get a new lease on hockey. As I mentioned before, hockey is far more cerebral than it is physical otherwise the biggest, fastest and strongest guys would always be the best in the NHL. That's not the case. Confidence is huge for any player and as soon as Kaberle lost his confidence, his game went south.

I don't think he's any less skilled now (skating, passing, shooting) than he was even 6 years ago. The fact that he's played so little over the past 3 years means his body hasn't aged as quickly as his age says it should.

You keep insisting that Kaberle can't skate, he can and he's far better skater than pretty much half the Devils defense. If that's not an asset to a team, then not sure what is.

BTW, in regards to Kaberle getting a fair share in Boston, you should look at the stats. I found this quote from another forum.

You mean by demoting him down to the 3rd line and complaining about how he played on the powerplay? Even though he lead the team in PP points in the playoffs? He also tied with Seidenberg for most points by a Boston dman… and despite playing 10 minutes less per game than Seidenberg.

Kaberle would be the Devils best powerplay defenseman.

 

[Classic Devil]

I don't think Kaberle would be better than Zidlicky as a PP guy. But that said, I'm not opposed to bringing him to camp.

 

[MadDevil]

If anything I think Kaberle would be a temporary replacement if Gelinas holds out, or the kids stumble and they need to sign a cheap, experienced defenseman. If he even has anything left of course.

 

[Czech Trio]

If anything I think Kaberle would be a temporary replacement if Gelinas holds out, or the kids stumble and they need to sign a cheap, experienced defenseman. If he even has anything left of course.

Gelinas won't be on this team if he holds out into camp.

When was the last Devil RFA to hold out and miss training camp?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Jagr likes stability, regardless of what the icetime shared stats say about his time with Dallas, Jagr and Benn went through long stretches where they weren't on the same line. Jagr also played a ton with Benn on the powerplay as he was leading his team in powerplay goals before he got traded. The reason why I bring up powerplay numbers is because Jagr thrives at 5-on-5 play, playing puck possession, not on the powerplay. Benn and Jagr never had any chemistry together as you can see yourself, Benn's offensive numbers weren't spectacular.

The point I was trying to make is that certain players tend to thrive in very specific situations. Jagr needs to be to go to guy for him to play his best, in Dallas it was never going to be him, Benn was the guy. The Jagr and Benn experiment never worked because Benn doesn't play a puck possession game like Jagr does, his game is more suited for North American, North-South hockey.

The relevance to Kaberle is what you makes you think he can't bounce back in New Jersey? He will be surrounded by familiar faces and his Czech friends might help him get a new lease on hockey. As I mentioned before, hockey is far more cerebral than it is physical otherwise the biggest, fastest and strongest guys would always be the best in the NHL. That's not the case. Confidence is huge for any player and as soon as Kaberle lost his confidence, his game went south.

I don't think he's any less skilled now (skating, passing, shooting) than he was even 6 years ago. The fact that he's played so little over the past 3 years means his body hasn't aged as quickly as his age says it should.

You keep insisting that Kaberle can't skate, he can and he's far better skater than pretty much half the Devils defense. If that's not an asset to a team, then not sure what is.

BTW, in regards to Kaberle getting a fair share in Boston, you should look at the stats. I found this quote from another forum.



Kaberle would be the Devils best powerplay defenseman.

no he absolutely wouldn't. at his age, he'd be our 3rd best Powerplay defenseman.

 

[Classic Devil]

Gelinas won't be on this team if he holds out into camp.

When was the last Devil RFA to hold out and miss training camp?

Niedermayer and Arnott, I think.

 

[Bleedred]

Gionta signed very close to training camp one year. It was the season after he scored 48 goals. I think he must have signed the week camp started, from what I remember at least.

 

[MadDevil]

Gionta signed very close to training camp one year. It was the season after he scored 48 goals. I think he must have signed the week camp started, from what I remember at least.

Didn't he actually go into training camp without a contract?

 

[Bleedred]

Didn't he actually go into training camp without a contract?

He may have, but I swear I remember Lou saying no one who is not under contract would be allowed at camp.

I remember something vaguely though.

 

[Brodeur]

Gionta signed very close to training camp one year. It was the season after he scored 48 goals. I think he must have signed the week camp started, from what I remember at least.

Gionta and a handful of other guys signed on the eve of the 2006-07 season. Lou was basically waiting for official word on Mogilny's cap status before proceeding: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2611800

 

[Captain Lou]

Kaberle stays on the cap no matter what and Severson does not. It's good business to keep your options open for as long as you can because you never know who might become available and the space you might need.

Not true. It's only the 2nd year of over 35's that always count.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

I don't think Kaberle would be better than Zidlicky as a PP guy. But that said, I'm not opposed to bringing him to camp.

I don't think Kaberle would be better than anyone at anything worthwhile.

Maybe at watching guys skate by him...

 

[Lindys Lazy Eye]

Jagr likes stability, regardless of what the icetime shared stats say about his time with Dallas, Jagr and Benn went through long stretches where they weren't on the same line. Jagr also played a ton with Benn on the powerplay as he was leading his team in powerplay goals before he got traded. The reason why I bring up powerplay numbers is because Jagr thrives at 5-on-5 play, playing puck possession, not on the powerplay. Benn and Jagr never had any chemistry together as you can see yourself, Benn's offensive numbers weren't spectacular.

The point I was trying to make is that certain players tend to thrive in very specific situations. Jagr needs to be to go to guy for him to play his best, in Dallas it was never going to be him, Benn was the guy. The Jagr and Benn experiment never worked because Benn doesn't play a puck possession game like Jagr does, his game is more suited for North American, North-South hockey.

The relevance to Kaberle is what you makes you think he can't bounce back in New Jersey? He will be surrounded by familiar faces and his Czech friends might help him get a new lease on hockey. As I mentioned before, hockey is far more cerebral than it is physical otherwise the biggest, fastest and strongest guys would always be the best in the NHL. That's not the case. Confidence is huge for any player and as soon as Kaberle lost his confidence, his game went south.

I don't think he's any less skilled now (skating, passing, shooting) than he was even 6 years ago. The fact that he's played so little over the past 3 years means his body hasn't aged as quickly as his age says it should.

You keep insisting that Kaberle can't skate, he can and he's far better skater than pretty much half the Devils defense. If that's not an asset to a team, then not sure what is.

BTW, in regards to Kaberle getting a fair share in Boston, you should look at the stats. I found this quote from another forum.



Kaberle would be the Devils best powerplay defenseman.

That video is from 2008. You aren't going to get 2008 Kaberle on the 2015 New Jersey Devils.

 

[livewell68]

From http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=729484&navid=DL%7CMTL%7Chome

The only change was that I worked with a trainer back home for a few weeks to make sure I was doing all of the exercises correctly. I added that in,” offered Plekanec, who trained alongside the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Jiri Tlusty, Radko Gudas and Tomas Kaberle in Europe. “I was back on the ice at the end of July with my former team in Kladno five times a week. It’s pretty much always been the same group. That’s the way I like to approach my summers. It’s been working for me.”

If Jagr seems to trust Kaberle to work out with him and practice then Kaberle at least deserves the benefit of doubt. Another thing to consider is that Jagr is not a dumb man and wants for the Devils to succeed and you can bet that he's the one behind Kaberle even getting a look at training camp, so maybe Jagr feels Kaberle still has enough left in the tank?

He wouldn't just want Kaberle to play for the Devils simply because it will make him happy, there must be more to it right?

 

[njdevils6]

the real question is what looks better to you guys

6th dman
Kaberle

7th
salvador

or

6th
salvador

7th
harrold

 

[MadDevil]

the real question is what looks better to you guys

6th dman
Kaberle

7th
salvador

or

6th
salvador

7th
harrold

Probably the latter, unless Kaberle has an amazing camp (which is pretty unlikely).

 

[Deleted member 28548]

the real question is what looks better to you guys

6th dman
Kaberle

7th
salvador

or

6th
salvador

7th
harrold

Believe it will be more likely we see Salvador as a sixth and Harrold / Severson as a 7th.

 

[Missionhockey]

Believe it will be more likely we see Salvador as a sixth and Harrold / Severson as a 7th.

It wouldn't make sense to have Severson as the 7th D. If he can't crack the every day line up he'll be in Albany.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

the real question is what looks better to you guys

6th dman
Kaberle

7th
salvador

or

6th
salvador

7th
harrold

Hah, like we're ever gonna see Salvador as a healthy scratch.

 

[njdevils6]

w.e Lou will just say he is injured which set is better in ur eyes

 

[Bleedred]

I'm okay with signing him if this Gelinas thing drags out. As long as it keeps Petey Jr out of the every night lineup.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I'm okay with signing him if this Gelinas thing drags out. As long as it keeps Petey Jr out of the every night lineup.

Judging by Kaberle's numbers with Boston, we'd be better off with Harrold. But I guess there's a chance Kaberle gets the old "Czech-buddy-bump" and rejuvenates his career here.

 

[MoonDragn]

You know you guys make Kaberle out to be old and washed up. But the fact is Salvador is 2 years older than him.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

and Salvador stinks.

 

[Devils Dominion]

You know you guys make Kaberle out to be old and washed up. But the fact is Salvador is 2 years older than him.

Kaberle has played over 200 more games than Sal though.

But, I am with the 98% of the fanbase that doesn't want to see Sal on the ice.