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

[Semak]

Not the worst idea. Let him get some confidence that he won't get by sitting in the box, check Loki out, and we keep Matteau which adds some good size to that line and don't lose any assets through waivers.

My thoughts exactly.

I just find it disheartening that it just seems that the mentality around here is if a player doesn't make it or play lights out by the time they are 22, it's trade time. Nothing wrong with getting more seasoning in the A and coming back to stay full time later in the season or next season. This team is built to win now but unless they are getting a top notch top 6 player in their prime or close to it, JJ is part of this team's future. This is an aging roster, and can't trade one of the few fwd prospects they have just cause he's not scoring yet.

This isn't EANHL 13, and the NJD org is usually more patient with their kids.

 

[Jack Griffin]

Maybe we should try to replace the meathead playing on Josefson's wing before we do anything with Josefson

 

[Emperoreddy]

My thoughts exactly.

I just find it disheartening that it just seems that the mentality around here is if a player doesn't make it or play lights out by the time they are 22, it's trade time. Nothing wrong with getting more seasoning in the A and coming back to stay full time later in the season or next season. This team is built to win now but unless they are getting a top notch top 6 player in their prime or close to it, JJ is part of this team's future. This is an aging roster, and can't trade one of the few fwd prospects they have just cause he's not scoring yet.

This isn't EANHL 13, and the NJD org is usually more patient with their kids.

Plus there isn't any risk. Loki doesn't pan out, well we got him for free basically so just send him down, if he clears he clears and JJ gets his spot back. Butler has looked good up here, especially on the PP, and Harold is useful depth. No reason to lose them to waivers when you have one young bottom 6 center struggling for points, and have another one with apparently a lot of upside waiting for a shot.

You could send Matteau back too, but he is looking better and his size does add something to the bottom line (assuming Poni goes straight to the top line, which is a safe bet). Plus you never know when the injury bug might strike again.

Best to keep as many forwards in the system now that we have depth. If that means JJ gets sent down, then he gets sent down. Does not mean he is a bust at all, and it is foolish to think that. He isn't Tedy.

 

[Bleedred]

The problem with Josefson (Aside from having a sucky weak shot) is that he's been playing with Barch. Barch is not an incompetent hack like Janssen, but playing with him will do nothing for a player on a line with him. If it does it won't be often.

No coincidence that both the guys who've been regulars on his line have a couple points, but only through special teams and not at even strength with him. Josefson has a better chance at getting shorthanded points now which his only point is, just as Butler has a better chance at getting PP points which he already has.

 

[Semak]

Maybe we should try to replace the meathead playing on Josefson's wing before we do anything with Josefson

The problem with Josefson (Aside from having a sucky weak shot) is that he's been playing with Barch. Barch is not an incompetent hack like Janssen, but playing with him will do nothing for a player on a line with him. If it does it won't be often.

No coincidence that both the guys who've been regulars on his line have a couple points, but only through special teams and not at even strength with him. Josefson has a better chance at getting shorthanded points now which his only point is, just as Butler has a better chance at getting PP points which he already has.

With you boys. I want to see Bernier/Poni (if he doesn't work out on the first line)-JJ-Butler. That line has a bit of everything and might bring more scoring.

I love CBGB, but Bernier looks a lot more active and confident this year. Give him a chance to put up some points with better offensive players.

 

[Bleedred]

Speaking of Bernier How about another 666 when Zubrus gets back? All we need now is a healthy Zubrus.

They weren't the best offensive line, but they chipped in sometimes and were just really hard to play against. Could be a good 3rd line or even a 4th if we get could stop using Barch every game.

 

[Zippy316]

1) Henrique-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
2) Elias-Zajac-Clarkson
3) Ponikarovsky-Josefson-Butler
4) Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Thoughts?

 

[Richer's Ghost]

put Matteau back in there and take out Loktionov, then shake.

What comes out?

1) Elias-Henrique-Kovalchuk (scoring)
2) Ponikarovsky-Zajac-Clarkson (forecheck and cycling monster)
3) Matteau-Josefson-Butler (grinder)
4) Carter-Gionta-Bernier (all the above)

 

[Holtz My Bahls]

put Matteau back in there and take out Loktionov, then shake.

What comes out?

1) Elias-Henrique-Kovalchuk (scoring)
2) Ponikarovsky-Zajac-Clarkson (forecheck and cycling monster)
3) Matteau-Josefson-Butler (grinder)
4) Carter-Gionta-Bernier (all the above)

I like these a lot.

 

[njdevil26]

IF Loktionov is good enough to stick in the lineup:


Henrique-Zajac-Kovalchuk
Elias-Josefson-Clarkson
Ponikarovsky-Loktionov-Butler
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Switch Jo and Sushi depending on how good Sushi really is.

 

[funetiklee]

it looks like Loktionov is headed back to Albany already.

 

[njdevil26]

Albany Devils PR ‏@AlbanyDevilsPR
The #NJDevils have returned C-Andrei Loktionv to The #ADevils // More: http://******/hIfZ3

 

[GameSeven]

put Matteau back in there and take out Loktionov, then shake.

What comes out?

1) Elias-Henrique-Kovalchuk (scoring)
2) Ponikarovsky-Zajac-Clarkson (forecheck and cycling monster)
3) Matteau-Josefson-Butler (grinder)
4) Carter-Gionta-Bernier (all the above)

In theory those sound *real* good, but two things give me pause...

I think Elias has been *huge* for Clarkson's production. I don't expect him to maintain the ridiculous scoring pace he's currently on, but I'm afraid separating him from Patty would hasten his regression to the norm.

And I still think Poni slots better as a 3rd line FWD than a 2nd, outside of spot duty.

I still would like a top 6 forward to complete an ideal lineup, but we're miles better than we were two weeks ago, which was still a pretty damn good place.

 

[NJDpassantino]

We have to keep winning games, 9th place in the east is only 6 points away. I actually thought there was a larger margin. So I hope we can come out friday against philly and set them back further. Me personally I do not care if we lose to the top 3 teams. I just wanna make sure we dont lose to teams trying to get in a playoff spot.

 

[glenwo2]

We have to keep winning games, 9th place in the east is only 6 points away. I actually thought there was a larger margin. So I hope we can come out friday against philly and set them back further. Me personally I do not care if we lose to the top 3 teams. I just wanna make sure we dont lose to teams trying to get in a playoff spot.

As the Crypt-Keeper(God rest his soul) of the Raiders once said :

"Just win, baby!"

 

[Chessarmy]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice
Lamoriello said they wanted to re-sign Ponikarovsky last summer, but were waiting on another player, and Poni signed with WPG.

Confirming what we all thought.

haha, I love how Lou just said "another player" . **** you Zach

 

[Emperoreddy]

The problem with Josefson (Aside from having a sucky weak shot) is that he's been playing with Barch. Barch is not an incompetent hack like Janssen, but playing with him will do nothing for a player on a line with him. If it does it won't be often.

No coincidence that both the guys who've been regulars on his line have a couple points, but only through special teams and not at even strength with him. Josefson has a better chance at getting shorthanded points now which his only point is, just as Butler has a better chance at getting PP points which he already has.

Oh I definitely think that is part of it too. I am hoping going forward that in non Atlantic games where we have no need for a goon, that 4th line is Matteau-JJ-Butler.

On paper not a bad line, skill and some size. Though if we roll that for a bit and Yayo still isn't putting points up I'd like to give Loki a look. Doesn't mean yayo is a bust, but we need points out of that line this year to make a deep run.

 

[Zippy316]

Oh I definitely think that is part of it too. I am hoping going forward that in non Atlantic games where we have no need for a goon, that 4th line is Matteau-JJ-Butler.

On paper not a bad line, skill and some size. Though if we roll that for a bit and Yayo still isn't putting points up I'd like to give Loki a look. Doesn't mean yayo is a bust, but we need points out of that line this year to make a deep run.

Keep Matteau on the first line, and play Poni with a JJ and Butler. If need be, switch them but there, it allows a more balanced line up. Plus I want to see what JJ and Butler can do with a legitimate LW.

 

[Devil X]

Rich Chere ‏@Ledger_NJDevils
Martin Brodeur joking about the new David Clarkson: "He doesn't fight as much. Maybe he's too big now to fight."

Oh Marty with a fun little jab at Clarky

 

[Emperoreddy]

Keep Matteau on the first line, and play Poni with a JJ and Butler. If need be, switch them but there, it allows a more balanced line up. Plus I want to see what JJ and Butler can do with a legitimate LW.

Maybe, but I'd give Poni a look up top first, see if he can help Zajac on the cycle. Ideally Poni would be down on the 4th line, but right now no.

 

[RandoDoomer]

haha, I love how Lou just said "another player" . **** you Zach

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"

 

[BrodeursCups]

Just call him Mr "1pt in his last 8 games who bases life changing decisions on what a friend wants to do."

 

[rtr1105]

Right now I think:

Henrique-Zajac-Kovalchuk (scoring and good D; showed good chemistry when together)
Matteau-Elias-Clarkson (Elias and Clarkson have good chemistry, could really help with Matteau's development)
Ponikarovsky-Josefson-Butler (Josefson will have capable scorers, since he is a playmaker with the inability to finish)
Carter-Gionta-Bernier (self explanatory)

 

[Wingman77]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice
Devils goalie plan is Brodeur Friday vs. Flyers, Hedberg Saturday at Isles.

 

[njdevil26]

“We’re going to miss him, but the music has been much better in the locker room. I have a lot more space in the main locker room, too, since he sits beside me,” Patrik Elias said jokingly about the Devils’ unofficial dj.

-Patrik Elias on Zubrus

Haha

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