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

[apice3*]

Or....

Bernier has fit very well with them. It allows you to have better depth when Bernier is playing 2RW and allows you to push guys like Clarkson down to the third line where they are even more effective.

Zubrus-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Henrique-Bernier
Ponikarovski-Zajac-Clarkson
Carter-Gionta-Kostopolous

I personally am fine with that lineup going into the playoffs. I think it gives us four solid reliable lines that can all chip in.

I have no problem with that lineup in the regular season.

I don't want Kostopolous in the playoffs. I want Clarkson on the 3rd line and Bernier on the 4th line.

Like a wrestler cutting weight and wrestling in a lower, easier class, I want a top 6 forward to allow Clarkson and Bernier to play on a lower line against easier matchups.

 

[Zippy316]

I have no problem with that lineup in the regular season.

I don't want Kostopolous in the playoffs. I want Clarkson on the 3rd line and Bernier on the 4th line.

Like a wrestler cutting weight and wrestling in a lower, easier class, I want a top 6 forward to allow Clarkson and Bernier to play on a lower line against easier matchups.

I agree. But unless we are giving up Tallinder or a D prospect like Burlon (I'd rather keep Gelinas, Urbom, Merrill, Severson, etc.), I'd rather us just stand pat. Kostopolous is capable of fourth line duties and Carter is a lot better than Barch, so I think that line will be solid for us.

 

[apice3*]

I agree. But unless we are giving up Tallinder or a D prospect like Burlon, I'd rather us just stand pat. Kostopolous is capable of fourth line duties and Carter is a lot better than Barch, so I think that line will be solid for us.

I would give up Tallinder and Burlon for a rental.

Kostopolous and Barch have a combined 0 points. They'd be a weak point in the postseason. We'd effectively be kiling the ability of our 4th line to score consistently like CBGB can.

 

[manilaNJ]

I have no problem with that lineup in the regular season.

I don't want Kostopolous in the playoffs. I want Clarkson on the 3rd line and Bernier on the 4th line.

Like a wrestler cutting weight and wrestling in a lower, easier class, I want a top 6 forward to allow Clarkson and Bernier to play on a lower line against easier matchups.

If Josefson shows signs of being able to make an impact at the NHL again, that right there gets Kostopolous out of the lineup in the playoffs.
There's still a trade to be made to alleviate the defensive carousel and to establish that top 6 a bit better.

But we're not too far from being able to get Barch/Kostopolous out of the regular rotation as is.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

I have no problem with that lineup in the regular season.

I don't want Kostopolous in the playoffs. I want Clarkson on the 3rd line and Bernier on the 4th line.

Like a wrestler cutting weight and wrestling in a lower, easier class, I want a top 6 forward to allow Clarkson and Bernier to play on a lower line against easier matchups.

To me, a lineup that would look like this would make me very happy...

*trade*-Lokti-Kovy
Elias-Henrique-Clarkson
Poni-Zajac-Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

I wouldn't mind having Clarkson on our 2nd cause there's no real "shooter" on that line and if we put Zubrus, they'll cycle like there's no tomorrow but won't shoot very often.

Our 3rd line would be freaking deadly defensively and can pin the opposition in their own end for as long as they'd want with 3 beast able to cycle the crap out of anyone.

With our 4th line, we already know what we'd get, so no need to explain why they'd be great together.

If we can somehow find a "sniper" to play alongside both Russians on our top line, that would be a very solid and balanced lineup right there. Again, someone like Cammalleri would look real good on our 1st and would give a not shot in the arm to our PP.

 

[Devils Insiders]

Ryan Jahnke discusses the rejuvenation of the Devils in his latest piece. Everything seems to be clicking. More here:

http://wp.me/p347yn-y2

 

[apice3*]

To me, a lineup that would look like this would make me very happy...

*trade*-Lokti-Kovy
Elias-Henrique-Clarkson
Poni-Zajac-Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

I wouldn't mind having Clarkson on our 2nd cause there's no real "shooter" on that line and if we put Zubrus, they'll cycle like there's no tomorrow but won't shoot very often.

Our 3rd line would be freaking deadly defensively and can pin the opposition in their own end for as long as they'd want with 3 beast able to cycle the crap out of anyone.

With our 4th line, we already know what we'd get, so no need to explain why they'd be great together.

If we can somehow find a "sniper" to play alongside both Russians on our top line, that would be a very solid and balanced lineup right there. Again, someone like Cammalleri would look real good on our 1st and would give a not shot in the arm to our PP.

I think Zubrus would be a good complimentary forward for Kovy and Loki.

Zubrus - Loki - Kovy
Elias - Henrique - trade
Poni - Zajac - Clarkson
CBGB

It's semantics though. Point is we need to trade one of the bingo ball d-men for a forward to balance the line.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

It sucks to see Zajac on the 3rd line. But if we keep winning then so be it. I'm hoping he has a big game soon.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think Zubrus would be a good complimentary forward for Kovy and Loki.

Zubrus - Loki - Kovy
Elias - Henrique - trade
Poni - Zajac - Clarkson
CBGB

It's semantics though. Point is we need to trade one of the bingo ball d-men for a forward to balance the line.

I agree, I prefer that size with them and Zubs is a better Poni. I'd start posting cup.jpg like crazy if we somehow got Ignila. We won't, but man if we did...

Zubs skating even without a stick is still great news. Finally cleared. Now we need news that Marty is practicing with the team. Assume they had today off so we shall see tomorrow.

 

[Emperoreddy]

It sucks to see Zajac on the 3rd line. But if we keep winning then so be it. I'm hoping he has a big game soon.

Ya, but it isn't a typical 3rd line since it would be just as capable of scoring as the firs two. Just enjoy the depth.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

I think Zubrus would be a good complimentary forward for Kovy and Loki.

Zubrus - Loki - Kovy
Elias - Henrique - trade
Poni - Zajac - Clarkson
CBGB

It's semantics though. Point is we need to trade one of the bingo ball d-men for a forward to balance the line.

I'm not a fan of Zubrus on the top line for the simple fact that we'd be too easy to contain IMO since Kovalchuk would be our only threat on that line. I'd like to have two scoring wingers for Lokti to feed, putting the oppositions #1 pair somewhat on their heels, not knowing wich side to "cheat" on.

I just think that if we slide Zubrus on the top line, the other team will just funnel to the right side, leaving Kovalchuk no other options but to try and do everything on his own and we all know how great that works out for us when he does that.

 

[Hisch13r]

Kovalchuk ES or SH

Will he finish the season with more even strength goals or shorty's?

 

[Richer's Ghost]

should have made it on special teams or even strength.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

I'll take special teams if that were the option

 

[Volodya Krutov]

should have made it on special teams or even strength.

The Lokovy line shouldn't even be called a 1st line, not even a 2nd line. I think Elias and Zajac's line are getting more ES ice-time than them. But Kovalchuk's still facing all the Charas and other shutdown pairings of the world.


Unless they're getting a legit top 6 forward, and I personally don't see this happening this season, it's going to be ST, easily.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Special teams for sure. As for the poll, it better be even strength or we are screwed come playoffs.

 

[Bleedred]

Special teams for sure, but he'll probably finish with more even strength goals than shorthanded goals.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Dumbest HFBoards poll in a very long time?

 

[apice3*]

I'm not a fan of Zubrus on the top line for the simple fact that we'd be too easy to contain IMO since Kovalchuk would be our only threat on that line. I'd like to have two scoring wingers for Lokti to feed, putting the oppositions #1 pair somewhat on their heels, not knowing wich side to "cheat" on.

I just think that if we slide Zubrus on the top line, the other team will just funnel to the right side, leaving Kovalchuk no other options but to try and do everything on his own and we all know how great that works out for us when he does that.

Kovy will put up points no matter who his linemates are. I think Zubrus is a good fit because he'll do the dirty work that Loki and Kovy are weak at. If we put a pure scorer with them, they won't have as much possession time. Also, Zubrus is relentless on the forecheck to create even more chances.

This is where we miss the big guy so much. Won't crack 40 points in his best years, but does so much off the stat sheet to make players around him better.

 

[Bleedred]

Pelley didn't even choose to leave the team. If he had done something like Rupp did, then I could understand disliking him. Fraser and Pelley were simply traded away, and that's not their fault.

If he had chose to leave the team I think I would have liked him even more. I didn't dislike him because he left the team, I disliked him cause he was a crap player.

Everyone in our bottom 6 now is way better than he is. Even Kostopolous, Barch has a different role than Rod so I won't include him.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Zubrus is Poni+, he'll be ok with the Russian mob.

All the Lokovy line needs to do is to stay even at 5on5. Kovalchuk's facing the shutdown pairings. If Pistol Pete leave Ilya without real top 6 support, I think it's because he's planning to give our other top 9 players the easier match-ups, in short to take advantage of our scoring depth. Elias, Henrique, Zajac and Clarkson being constantly productive at ES should be a must do though. Bernier, Carter and friends would be helpful too. Loki boy and Kovalchuk meshing together'd be the icing on the cake.

But for all his old 50 goal scorer fans, Kovalchuk's likely to sacrifice a fair amount of his ES point production for the sake of the team. And If the plan doesn't work, he's an easy target.

 

[Emperoreddy]

In other news Marty and Tally are still skating but not going to Philly. When asked Pete said Marty COULD start Saturday but most likely won't. Guess that means he is close.

 

[RandoDoomer]

So Clarkson hasn't scored in 13 games? Time to send him back to the AHL "where he belongs".

 

[glenwo2]

So Clarkson hasn't scored in 13 games? Time to send him back to the AHL "where he belongs".

Sean Avery was right.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I'm at the point where, unless there is a deal that blows us away. We need to just roll with what we have.

If Calgary offers a deal for Iginla that is reasonable and the Devils can give up, by all means take it. But I don't want the Devils running around thinking we HAVE to improve the team. Imagine icing Zubrus-Loktionov-Kovalchuk and Elias-Henrique-Iginla....

Agree 100%. I think your lineup is spot on, and the only guy out there who I really think can help this team should slot into that #2 RW spot. I can think of no one better than Iggy - not sure what it would take, but I think we would fit the criteria of 'a team with a chance to win'.

What would it take? Merrill + a 1st + ?

If the price is steeper than that, I am actually fine with giving Matteau minutes or even calling back Josefsson to push Kostopoulous out if we REALLY need scoring.