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

[NJDevs26]

I actually forgot about Fraser being part of the Foster deal lol, probably cause I don't think he actually played for Anaheim. I know he was cut and picked up by the Leafs later in the year.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

James Reimer isn't awful, the Leafs are awful. Hopefully Fraser ends up leading this season in +/- so casual fans and NBC "analysts" start to figure out how little it means.

Also, the problem with playing Barch over someone like Anderson or Josefson is that he has to play with Henrique and Poni or else CBGB is getting split up. I don't like those options.

 

[Bleedred]

James Reimer isn't awful, the Leafs are awful. Hopefully Fraser ends up leading this season in +/- so casual fans and NBC "analysts" start to figure out how little it means.

Also, the problem with playing Barch over someone like Anderson or Josefson is that he has to play with Henrique and Poni or else CBGB is getting split up. I don't like those options.

James Reimer was terrible last year. This year he's a lot better. I'm not gonna say he's as bad as his team makes him look, but I remember a lot of HORRIBLE goals he gave up when watching him last year. I know we made him look like a superstar that last time we played him though. Jonas Gustavsson was even worse last year for them.

I would say goaltending has been the Leafs biggest problem the last few years. Toskala, Gustavsson, etc. That's a lot of bad goaltending. To me they're not a team like Tampa that's defense is so poor it makes the goalies look bad.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Jonas Gustavsson has the worst save percentage of any goalie since he's entered the league. He better be worse than Reimer.

I dunno though, I definitely see some TERRIBLE defending from Toronto. Like bottom-of-the-league quality, and their goals-against numbers tend to reflect that. Even when their D was stacked, they were at the bottom of the league in goals-against.

EDIT: The actual stat is "no goalie who appeared in at least 100 games between 09 and 12 posted a lower SV% than Jonas Gustavsson." It is totally within anyone's right to call him the worst goalie in the league.

 

[Bleedred]

Jonas Gustavsson has the worst save percentage of any goalie since he's entered the league. He better be worse than Reimer.

I dunno though, I definitely see some TERRIBLE defending from Toronto. Like bottom-of-the-league quality, and their goals-against numbers tend to reflect that. Even when their D was stacked, they were at the bottom of the league in goals-against.

Their defense isn't that great either. I think their goaltending might be the reason why they're in 7th right now. They also are usually in the top 8 only 20+ games into the season. They were last year anyway. I'm kinda hoping they fall out though. I don't see the Rangers or even Flyers staying out. The Flyers do have games in hand on everyone in the conference so maybe they really do still suck.

And yeah Gustavsson ewww haha. I watched the Sharks, and the Wings last week. The Sharks have been really struggling mightily to score. They scored one goal on him, and it wasn't even a great goal to give up, some shortside crap. Niemi was playing real good, but the Wings scored with minutes left. Then the Wings won in the shootout. I wanna say nobody even scored on Gustavsson at all in the shootout, and it went like 5 rounds. Maybe somebody did score? I can't remember, but I don't think they did.

 

[Devils Insiders]

We take a look at the grueling five games in seven days stretch. It's certainly not going to be easy. Trevor Jahnke previews further:

http://wp.me/p347yn-uC

 

[Getzo5]

The @PredsNHL claim forward Bobby Butler on waivers.

Now give us Halischuk back.

 

[lucscaps]

The @PredsNHL claim forward Bobby Butler on waivers.

Now give us back Halischuk.

I will second this

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Hopefully he plays, he deserves a full-time shot with a team. I think his biggest problem with New Jersey was being on the line where it's easiest to double-shift Kovalchuk.

 

[Banana Sandwiches]

I will second this

I third this. I liked Halischuk a lot in his brief time with NJ. That guy worked his ass off all the time.

 

[NJDevs26]

And Nashville claims Butler, good for him.

 

[Devilswede]

Our biggest weakness becomes even bigger now. Even if Butler hasn't been superb, he was still the best option we had from the minors. We have zero depth on the wing.

 

[Jersey Man]

According to TG:

Butler claimed by Nashville

 

[OOOOIIIO]

New Jersey a needs top 6 winger. Get Bobby Butler who is a top 6 or bust kinda guy. Put him on the 4th line. Lose him on waivers. New Jersey needs a top 6 winger.

 

[JMarce]

I know he was getting benched and not playing well but what exactly was the point of putting Butler on waivers right now? to create a spot for someone like Matt Anderson? Seems silly to get rid of some of what little wing depth we have when Zubrus is still weeks away from returning.

 

[Getzo5]

New Jersey a needs top 6 winger. Get Bobby Butler who is a top 6 or bust kinda guy. Put him on the 4th line. Lose him on waivers. New Jersey needs a top 6 winger.

Let`s be honest for a second. He wasn`t good enough for our top6.

 

[NJDevs26]

They never really gave him a chance that's true...on the other hand Lokti started on the fourth line too and earned his way up. Butler never did that and he did have a little PP time, unlike Lokti.

 

[OOOOIIIO]

Let`s be honest for a second. He wasn`t good enough for our top6.

And Matteau is... come on now.

 

[Getzo5]

It`s not silly. They knew he wouldn`t stay with the team so they gave him the opportunity to make it elsewhere.

Maybe he asked for it too.

And Matteau is... come on now.

You know what? I`d actually say yes. He`s a complimentary player and a big body. As he gets more comfortable and gains more experience, he should be even more helpful and contribute regularly.

For the record, I still don`t think he should be in NJ, but that doesn`t change my previous point. Butler wasn`t a good fit for our top6. He doesn`t create much offense, forecheck effectively (he was trying though), hit hard, create space or cover for his teammates.

They never really gave him a chance that's true...on the other hand Lokti started on the fourth line too and earned his way up. Butler never did that and he did have a little PP time, unlike Lokti.

What I hate is that they didn`t utilize him on the PP. It worked against the Pens and I haven`t seen the same scheme ever since.

Why? It was successful. Well, I have no idea.

 

[None Shall Pass]

If you look up "meh" in the dictionary, Bobby Butler's picture is right next to it.

I will never understand outrage over this.

 

[KovalSNIPE]

Damn it...

Even though he wasn't playing well enough to be top 6, still the fact and assurance of having him in the minors lighting it up and possibly getting his game together was heart-warming. I liked having him in the organization. Now we have barely any depth on the wing. Wish him the best and maybe he comes back next year if he reaches free agent status again!

Question: Why did he have to be put on waivers if he was on a two-way contract? I thought two-way contracts avoid waivers...

 

[JK3]

Don't understand what's going on here. What was the point of putting him on waivers in the first place? Not a huge loss but we're down another forward.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Butler is like Bergfors without the "at least he kinda scores sometimes" quality.

 

[Getzo5]

Butler is like Bergfors without the "at least he kinda scores sometimes" quality.

this is fairly accurate.

Reid Boucher is coming to Albany next year. He won`t be missed.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Don't understand what's going on here. What was the point of putting him on waivers in the first place? Not a huge loss but we're down another forward.

Lou will put players on waivers if he feels they may get a chance to play elsewhere rather than hamstring them to the AHL if they are not a going concern for this team long term. He's done it before.

Classy thing to do imo.