2013 New Jersey Devils (Team News, Player Discussion - Part IV)

[Zippy316]

Deboer said he likes Matteau's skating. I don't know which player he's watching because 15 is too slow.

Slow and I see him falling too.

I like his game, I like his size, it just needs work. I'm confident if he we kept him here, he wouldn't look out of place, but he wouldn't stand out like he could if he develops more.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Close to $13 mil

Bye, Zach! I don't miss you!

 

[Zippy316]

The thing about Matteau, to me at least, is you have to ask yourself this question.

Is he that much of an upgrade over the other guys that we would play there? If yes, is he that much better that makes it worth it to burn off a year of his ELC?

To me, I don't think he's so much better than Bernier, Carter, Darche, etc. to make it worth it to burn off his entry level deal. Like I said above, I have full confidence he can be a good third liner and fourth liner that you can trust with 10 minutes a game like Bernier right now, but I think he can just be so much more. There's still noticeable flaws to his game, his skating, his decision making, he makes some errant passes, he plays like it's the Q and not the NHL, but he's still a serviceable NHLer.

 

[Getzo5]

Deboer said he likes Matteau's skating. I don't know which player he's watching because 15 is too slow.

That half-breakaway he had. He sure as hell didn`t look like a bad skater.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Well thats good come trading deadline, my worry is that due to the short season there will be more buyers than sellers and more than usual.

True but it depends what they are looking to buy. If that want defense, well we got a vet D store open for business. Still definitely could be a situation where we can find suitable partners to get something positive done.

 

[Zippy316]

Does anyone else, when they go to games, find them just watching stuff totally isolated to the play at times? There's times when I like only focus on Josefson or an opposing player, and then I hear the crowd get louder and I'm like what the **** happened. I found myself watching Giroux alot.

Like the one puck that bounced out on the boards, something happened between a Flyers and Devils player before that and I was tracking that completely unaware of where the puck was.

 

[Lou is God]

True but it depends what they are looking to buy. If that want defense, well we got a vet D store open for business. Still definitely could be a situation where we can find suitable partners to get something positive done.

I'm satisfied with our defense unless Zidlicky continues to have nights like last night, center we are set too, it's a top six winger is where I would aim at.

 

[FirmestPiano]

I think matteu's skating is fine. A little awkward? yes, needs to get better at the first few strides? yes. Other than that he has pretty good top speed and has good balance.

 

[VaxjoDevil]

I don't think he means his skating technique per se. It's more of skating as in keeping the feet moving/work ethic/reacting to plays and getting there quickly.

 

[Getzo5]

Does anyone else, when they go to games, find them just watching stuff totally isolated to the play at times? There's times when I like only focus on Josefson or an opposing player, and then I hear the crowd get louder and I'm like what the **** happened. I found myself watching Giroux alot.

Like the one puck that bounced out on the boards, something happened between a Flyers and Devils player before that and I was tracking that completely unaware of where the puck was.

Try watching some Red Wings game without constantly following Datsyuk`s movement. It`s almost impossible, for obvious reasons.

I don't think he means his skating technique per se. It's more of skating as in keeping the feet moving/work ethic/reacting to plays and getting there quickly.

Well, if that`s the case, something similar can be said about EVERY player making the transition from juniors to the men`s league.

 

[VaxjoDevil]

Does anyone else, when they go to games, find them just watching stuff totally isolated to the play at times? There's times when I like only focus on Josefson or an opposing player, and then I hear the crowd get louder and I'm like what the **** happened. I found myself watching Giroux alot.

Like the one puck that bounced out on the boards, something happened between a Flyers and Devils player before that and I was tracking that completely unaware of where the puck was.

This is actually a trick that Cowbell taught me to learn about the game. Separate a good player and follow him only. It's an incredibly good lesson in how to play the game. I'd be in front of the TV and swear at the camera men for losing my guy, haha.

 

[Zippy316]

This is actually a trick that Cowbell taught me to learn about the game. Separate a good player and follow him only. It's an incredibly good lesson in how to play the game. I'd be in front of the TV and swear at the camera men for losing my guy, haha.

It's easier to do at a game. I often times do it after the whistle. That's how I caught the bench minor from the Flyers with Kovalchuk, last year, I watched Fayne sneak off the bench when the Devils iced the puck skated behind all the refs and lined up like he was meant to be there, I've caught a lot of things doing this.

 

[VaxjoDevil]

Well, if that`s the case, something similar can be said about EVERY player making the transition from juniors to the men`s league.

That's why he mentioned that he liked it. And it is impressive, while his skating technique is not bad, but certainly nothing special compared to other rookies.

 

[Getzo5]

This is actually a trick that Cowbell taught me to learn about the game. Separate a good player and follow him only. It's an incredibly good lesson in how to play the game. I'd be in front of the TV and swear at the camera men for losing my guy, haha.

Yeah, should`ve added that. When I have some assignment, like a post-game interview, I kind of tend to watch the particular player. It`s only natural.

It also works the other way. Try watching a bad player, it`s hilarious.

Those players usually stand out so it`s not hard to notice them. lol

That's why he mentioned that he liked it. And it is impressive, while his skating technique is not bad, but certainly nothing special compared to other rookies.

None of them has his frame. I truly hate when people forget about that/ignore it.

Compare comparable.

 

[Wingman77]

Does anyone else, when they go to games, find them just watching stuff totally isolated to the play at times? There's times when I like only focus on Josefson or an opposing player, and then I hear the crowd get louder and I'm like what the **** happened. I found myself watching Giroux alot.

Like the one puck that bounced out on the boards, something happened between a Flyers and Devils player before that and I was tracking that completely unaware of where the puck was.

I often liked doing that with Colin White, he wasn't by any means the prettiest or flashiest players, but the way he played positionally, the angles he took on guys, and how he used his stick to poke check is something I always enjoyed watching

Zajac has been a guy I've been doing it with as well over the years and I encourage you to watch him for a few games, you'll notice how little, if at all he goes down - it is incredible how strong he is on the puck for not being the biggest guy

I don't think he means his skating technique per se. It's more of skating as in keeping the feet moving/work ethic/reacting to plays and getting there quickly.

Yea there are different components in regards to skating and you hit on some of them

Look at Clarkson and Matteau - Matteau isn't a fast skater, but he is a strong skater and by strong it is basically meant that his balance is solid......Clarkson is a fast skater, but he is not a very strong skater as his balance is meh and he is often falling down

 

[apice3*]

I don't see the need to bench Zidlicky after one game. I also don't see the point of dressing 7 d-men.

Larsson will get his chance, and he's kept a positive attitude throughout the process.

 

[VaxjoDevil]

It's easier to do at a game. I often times do it after the whistle. That's how I caught the bench minor from the Flyers with Kovalchuk, last year, I watched Fayne sneak off the bench when the Devils iced the puck skated behind all the refs and lined up like he was meant to be there, I've caught a lot of things doing this.

Here is a video with Tedenby from some years ago. I try to watch this before every game I play in my men's league, for inspiration and ingrain the mentality in my mind. He is constantly moving and pivoting to keep himself available for a pass. Really cool.

 

[Getzo5]

It's easier to do at a game. I often times do it after the whistle. That's how I caught the bench minor from the Flyers with Kovalchuk, last year, I watched Fayne sneak off the bench when the Devils iced the puck skated behind all the refs and lined up like he was meant to be there, I've caught a lot of things doing this.

Yes, but as you said yourself, you also missed a couple of things because of it. Everything has pros and cons.

 

[Getzo5]

Zajac has been a guy I've been doing it with as well over the years and I encourage you to watch him for a few games, you'll notice how little, if at all he goes down - it is incredible how strong he is on the puck for not being the biggest guy.

He looks as lanky as Malkin, but just like him, he`s incredibly stong on the puck, I agree.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm satisfied with our defense unless Zidlicky continues to have nights like last night, center we are set too, it's a top six winger is where I would aim at.

Sorry I meant other buyers looking to get Defense could be a good thing for us since we have surplus D we need to shed to get this potential top 6 winger, though it will take a lot more then Tall or Volch.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Matteau and Tedenby will be replaced by Elias, Darche, and a trade for a right winger (To get Janssen of the roster).

Zubrus - Zajac - Kovalchuk
Elias - Henrique - Clarkson
Darche - Josefson - (Trade)
Carter - Gionta - Bernier

Not exact lines but that's the general idea.

 

[Cowbell232]

This is actually a trick that Cowbell taught me to learn about the game. Separate a good player and follow him only. It's an incredibly good lesson in how to play the game. I'd be in front of the TV and swear at the camera men for losing my guy, haha.

I'm glad I've taught someone something... Lol

It's really just insane to watch these pro guys without the puck. Always moving, realigning their bodies to the play. It's so crucial to play well without the puck, considering you only have it a few seconds a game.

 

[DevilChuk*]

Matteau and Tedenby will be replaced by Elias, Darche, and a trade for a right winger (To get Janssen of the roster).

Zubrus - Zajac - Kovalchuk
Elias - Henrique - Clarkson
Darche - Josefson - (Trade)
Carter - Gionta - Bernier

Not exact lines but that's the general idea.

I would replace Darche with Butler/Darche but yea, looks good.

There's just really no way to keep Tedenby on this team without having an absolutely dreadful third line

Zubrus- Zajac- Kovalchuk
Elias- Henrique- Tedenby
Darche/Butler/Trade - Josefson- Clarkson
CBGB

or swap Tedenby with the Darche/Butler/Trade

that may work.. idk

 

[Saugus]

Anybody else ready to sign Marty to an extension? He looks like he's 25 again, I was thinking next year would be his final year but I'm really thinking he could go another year or two past that.

I think I'll wait to see how he's playing at the end of the contract before I decide.

I don't think Lou and Pete would have Matteau in the lineup at all if they didn't think there was a legitimate chance of him being - or of them wanting him as - an every-day player for the rest of the year.

You're probably right. Lou didn't invite him to camp just to check up on him, he has scouts for that. DeBoer isn't playing him in big situations just to see what he can do, he can see that in practice. The kid has a real shot to stick. We'll see what he does with it.

I just want management to make the correct decision with his development simply because of the history behind his draft selection. Maybe that's not fair to Matteau, but I think we can't help but think that he has that extra duty to validate his pick.

 

[VaxjoDevil]

I'm glad I've taught someone something... Lol

It's really just insane to watch these pro guys without the puck. Always moving, realigning their bodies to the play. It's so crucial to play well without the puck, considering you only have it a few seconds a game.

You taught me a lot man, believe me.

Damn the new fancy Bauer helmet I have... they have these helmets looking flat and sexy, and they fit your head bad. Hurts my freaking head. My old JOFA is the bowling ball kind, but it's the most comfortable helmet ever made.