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

[Tundra]

Lou has been pretty up and down since the lockout (the 04/05 lockout). Hes had some good years and some bad ones. We were in cap hell for a few seasons which was because of the horrendous Mogilny, Malakhov, McGillis contracts in 06/07 and then in 2011 mainly because of the Rolston contract. We couldn't even ice a full damn team at the start of that season because our cap was a mess. We were icing 11 forwards for a few weeks which is completely inexcusable. Having said that he has been much better recently. The Sykora, Bernier, Carter, Poni, Lokti, Hedberg, D'Agostini pickups were all solid in my opinion. We shall what happens with Sullivan. I have a good feeling hes gonna help us down the stretch here. Lets also not forgot about Zubrus who has been outstanding for us. I've loved signing him since the day it happened back in 07. The Salvador, Tallinder, Volchenkov contracts are pretty bad but at the time we had no options but to sign the Euro's because Martin walked so we had to replace him. Salvador was phenominal during the playoffs and we obviously knew he was gonna get paid but the length of the deal I have a problem with.

My biggest beef with him which has been mentioned many times on here is the decision to go with Tedenby, Josefson, Butler, Matteau, and Barch instead of picking up a few guys via FA that would have much better and safer. I know people say "Well who hell was available? Semin was never coming here." I think someone like Parenteau would have worked out well. Hudler as well. Those guys wouldnt have killed our cap and would have been decent fits here. Now if what some people have said is true about Vanderbeek and him having no money this past summer then I guess that negates that argument but I dont think I believe that.

In the end hes whiffed on a few signings, trades, and draft picks but what GM hasn't? You cant hit a home run on everything you do. We went to freaking finals last year and got HUGE contributions from guys Lou picked up. We have made the playoffs every year except twice since 95. Thats pretty damn good

Lou is a good GM now, as opposed to the great one he used to be, when the rest of the league was absolutely confounded by the devils methodology in terms of finding and developing top-flight talent. There is no shame in pointing that out.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Parenteau does not play defense, at all. He is made by Tavares and Duchene. I could never see Hudler fitting in here either. I wish we could have resigned Martin though even at $5 mil. He plays 25 minutes a night.

 

[Bleedred]

Lou has been pretty up and down since the lockout (the 04/05 lockout). Hes had some good years and some bad ones. We were in cap hell for a few seasons which was because of the horrendous Mogilny, Malakhov, McGillis contracts in 06/07 and then in 2011 mainly because of the Rolston contract. We couldn't even ice a full damn team at the start of that season because our cap was a mess. We were icing 11 forwards for a few weeks which is completely inexcusable. Having said that he has been much better recently. The Sykora, Bernier, Carter, Poni, Lokti, Hedberg, D'Agostini pickups were all solid in my opinion. We shall what happens with Sullivan. I have a good feeling hes gonna help us down the stretch here. Lets also not forgot about Zubrus who has been outstanding for us. I've loved signing him since the day it happened back in 07. The Salvador, Tallinder, Volchenkov contracts are pretty bad but at the time we had no options but to sign the Euro's because Martin walked so we had to replace him. Salvador was phenominal during the playoffs and we obviously knew he was gonna get paid but the length of the deal I have a problem with.

My biggest beef with him which has been mentioned many times on here is the decision to go with Tedenby, Josefson, Butler, Matteau, and Barch instead of picking up a few guys via FA that would have been much better and safer. I know people say "Well who hell was available? Semin was never coming here." I think someone like Parenteau would have worked out well. Hudler as well. Those guys wouldnt have killed our cap and would have been decent fits here. Now if what some people have said is true about Vanderbeek and him having no money this past summer then I guess that negates that argument but I dont think I believe that.

In the end hes whiffed on a few signings, trades, and draft picks but what GM hasn't? You cant hit a home run on everything you do. We went to freaking finals last year and got HUGE contributions from guys Lou picked up. We have made the playoffs every year except twice since 95. Thats pretty damn good

Hudler would have been perfect. Parenteau I thought may have been a product of Tavares, but last I saw he had around a point per game on a BAD Colorado team. Hudler has a good point pace on another BAD Calgary team. Those guys signed on July 1st though while you know who was ''Making his decision''. If we passed on Salvador both Parenteau, and Hudler got a million more a year, and for just a year more than Salvador. People said they were overpaid, but that's BS because they're not. They're worth the $4 million a year right now. Would have loved to pick up just one of them, and they'd be good insurance if Zach walked anyway. If he hadn't then we'd still have a pretty sweet deal, because Salvador was re signed before Zach made his decision.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Parenteau does not play defense, at all. He is made by Tavares and Duchene. I could never see Hudler fitting in here either. I wish we could have resigned Martin though even at $5 mil. He plays 25 minutes a night.

I don't know man this whole last offseason was pretty much a mess. The Parise fiasco, nobody knowing if we were broke or not, the Butler signing was terrible, not even thinking about bringing back Sykora, etc. Now that we have Lokti and D'Agostini the whole "who should be get to replace Parise" thing is kind of moot even though we still cant score for beans lol. I'll chalk that up to guys underachieving and the injury situation. I just thought those guys could have helped some. I still dont know about Martin. It seemed like his mind was already made up and he was never coming back. Same thing with Gionta.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Martin wanted out and was not even considering staying. Gionta was purely a cannot afford scenario from a budgetary principle.

 

[Bleedred]

I don't know man this whole last offseason was pretty much a mess. The Parise fiasco, nobody knowing if we were broke or not, the Butler signing was terrible, not even thinking about bringing back Sykora, etc. Now that we have Lokti and D'Agostini the whole "who should be get to replace Parise" thing is kind of moot even though we still cant score for beans lol. I'll chalk that up to guys underachieving and the injury situation. I just thought those guys could have helped some. I still dont know about Martin. It seemed like his mind was already made up and he was never coming back. Same thing with Gionta.

Gionta actually wanted to come back, and I have it on good word that he wanted to sign again, and for less then what Montreal gave him. Possibly even less than the $4 million a year he made on the contract before. He never received an offer cause Lou wanted to give that spot to Bustfors, and save money. Madden was also not brought back mostly for cap reasons. Had we not used Bustfors in the Kovy trade, losing Gionta would be stinging a lot more right now.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Hudler would have been perfect. Parenteau I thought may have been a product of Tavares, but last I saw he had around a point per game on a BAD Colorado team. Hudler has a good point pace on another BAD Calgary team. Those guys signed on July 1st though while you know who was ''Making his decision''. If we passed on Salvador both Parenteau, and Hudler got a million more a year, and for just a year more than Salvador. People said they were overpaid, but that's BS because they're not. They're worth the $4 million a year right now. Would have loved to pick up just one of them, and they'd be good insurance if Zach walked anyway. If he hadn't then we'd still have a pretty sweet deal, because Salvador was re signed before Zach made his decision.

Totally agree. I really like Parenteau's game. Currently hes at 15 goals, 22 assist, and 37 pts. Those numbers would help us IMMENSELY right now cuz this team can't score in a whorehouse. After the 2 solid years he had on Long Island, hes showing hes legit. If hes a product of Duchene or Tavares then I dont see why he wouldnt work out here with Zajac or Henrique. This all pretty much moot though. The Lokti and Dags pickups have pretty much negated some of the holes we had this summer... but again we still cant score so who the hell knows

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

I never really had much of problem with Martin or Gionta walking. Martin has been up and down in Pittsburgh like he was with us and that contract is pretty iffy but then again we have Vochenkov signed for 6 yrs at 4.25 per which makes me wanna vomit. We all knew Gionta overachieved the year he potted 48 and he really came back down to earth the last couple years here and hes been pretty average with the Habs so I cant complain about that decision. Bergfors actually replaced him well for a good couple months until hes confidence went down the toilet and Lemaire had it with him. Still cant believe we got Kovy for him, Oduya, Cormier, and a first. Holy lord that was robbery

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Gionta actually wanted to come back, and I have it on good word that he wanted to sign again, and for less then what Montreal gave him. Possibly even less than the $4 million a year he made on the contract before. He never received an offer cause Lou wanted to give that spot to Bustfors, and save money. Madden was also not brought back mostly for cap reasons. Had we not used Bustfors in the Kovy trade, losing Gionta would be stinging a lot more right now.

Madden was not welcome after the Julien incident. No way Lou looks past that. Too bad too, he was my favorite Devil of that era.

 

[Bleedred]

I never really had much of problem with Martin or Gionta walking. Martin has been up and down in Pittsburgh like he was with us and that contract is pretty iffy but then again we have Vochenkov signed for 6 yrs at 4.25 per which makes me wanna vomit. We all knew Gionta overachieved the year he potted 48 and he really came back down to earth the last couple years here and hes been pretty average with the Habs so I cant complain about that decision. Bergfors actually replaced him well for a good couple months until hes confidence went down the toilet and Lemaire had it with him. Still cant believe we got Kovy for him, Oduya, Cormier, and a first. Holy lord that was robbery

To think some people at the time thought we lost on the trade. Even if we didn't re sign Kovy the biggest loss would have been the first round pick. I was never big on Bergfors, and had a feeling he'd be a total washout but some were high on him. Then there was Cormier, who? And who could forget good ole Johnny Odontya! I kinda wish Tedenby went in that trade. Just to ensure we don't have to see him again, and maybe he would have gotten a chance to play somewhere else. They apparently wanted him, but Lou said no and somehow talked them down to Cormier.

 

[Bleedred]

Madden was not welcome after the Julien incident. No way Lou looks past that. Too bad too, he was my favorite Devil of that era.

Is that what happened? He was the one who fired the puck too wasn't he? It was kinda sad he couldn't have been a Devils lifer. I remember an interview with Gulitti I guess it was right before he went to UFA. He was asked if he felt wanted, and said yes. Then he was asked if he felt wanted earlier in the season and he replied back that he was unsure or something.

 

[JerryGigantic]

Henrique and Loktionov are already part of NJ.

Our forward pipeline consists of Boucher, Coleman, Matteau, Gavrus, umm?

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

What the ****?

 

[Oneiro]

Loktionov and D'Agostini, whether or not they are adept two-way players, came from organizations that valued two-way play. So, they've functioned in that kind of system and acquiring them made sense.

The poor middle act of a pathetic and thankfully brief season is not a reason to regret missing out on every UFA winger out there. No question we needed goals, but I'd bet that Lou would argue that having a little backbone and conviction goes farther. And if you stick to your guns, you will get burned sometimes.

By now, it should be obvious how careful we need to be when signing UFAs who come from outside the Devils culture or system or whatever you want to call it. Lou's Paradise. If we haven't traded for or signed the guy mid-season (Kovy, Loki, Carter, Salvador, etc), I'd think twice.

EDIT: That Graham Black thing is ****ing awesome.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

With the new CBA, Zajac's contract looks more like a 2nd line center than anything else. 8 years is maybe a bit long but take a look at Getzlaf's contract or wait for the next one Malkin's going to get. Those are real 1st line centers contract and that's damn lot more of money than Travis.

Otherwise, yes we should've traded one defence-man and we'll have to find a legit top 6 forward during the off-season. BUT we just went to the SCF last season and I don't want to forget that. That was a hell of a run. Lou's getting a huge free-pass from myself for this season.

Also, Loktionov's real deal IMO and I personally like D'Agostini too. It took 2 years for Kovalchuk to feel comfortable playing here, give Matt some time, he'll fit in !

 

[Czech Trio]

I hope we can lock Loktionov up long term this offseason.

 

[The Joker]

I hope we can lock Loktionov up long term this offseason.

Locktionup

 

[Devils Insiders]

It's poetic that Steve Sullivan has returned to the team that originally drafted him. Ryan Jahnke explains further:

http://wp.me/p347yn-BM

 

[Traitor Zach]

I'd be stunned if anything prevented Loktionov from coming back. The Devils were a perfect opportunity for him this year and he's made the most of it.

I could easily see Loktionov getting a 3 yr deal of some kind, maybe two at the least. He's fit in here and I just don't see why he would even want to go back to the KHL. That option is always there down the line anyway with the changes that go on with every team at some point in terms of roster changes/coaching changes/philosophy, etc.

 

[JerryGigantic]

It's poetic that Steve Sullivan has returned to the team that originally drafted him. Ryan Jahnke explains further:

http://wp.me/p347yn-BM

Nice write up. Rooting for the old man. (Who is 7 years younger than me.)

 

[The Great Dame]

Lets not forget that the Kovy trade brought us Jon Merrill too!

 

[Czech Trio]

Messing around on capgeek for next year being as realistic and "Lou-like" as possible:

Adam Henrique ($3.000m) / Andrei Loktionov ($2.500m) / Ilya Kovalchuk ($6.667m)
Patrik Elias ($5.000m) / Travis Zajac ($5.750m) / Matt D'Agostini ($1.900m)
Dainius Zubrus ($3.000m) / Jacob Josefson ($1.100m) / TRADE/ UFA ($5.000m)
Steve Bernier ($0.775m) / Stephen Gionta ($0.563m) / Ryan Carter ($0.775m)
Krystofer Barch ($0.750m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Adam Larsson ($0.925m) / Andy Greene ($3.000m)
Bryce Salvador ($3.167m) / Mark Fayne ($1.300m)
Henrik Tallinder ($3.375m) / Alexander Urbom ($0.857m)
GOALTENDERS
Martin Brodeur ($4.500m)
Johan Hedberg ($1.400m)
OTHER
Buyout: Trent Hunter ($0.667m)
Buyout: Eric Boulton ($0.250m)
RETAINED SALARY TRANSACTIONS (0.066% of upper limit)
Anton Volchenkov ($0.043m—1.0%)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $56,261,667; BONUSES: $285,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $8,323,333

 

[SKNJD9]

Marty's son Jeremy was drafted in the 8th round by Oshawa today.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 3m
Martin Brodeur's son, Jeremy, was drafted by Oshawa in the OHL draft today. Pete DeBoer is the owner of the Generals. #OHL #NJDevils

 

[Uli Hiemer]

Marty's son Jeremy was drafted in the 8th round by Oshawa today.

Todd Cordell ‏@ToddCordell 3m
Martin Brodeur's son, Jeremy, was drafted by Oshawa in the OHL draft today. Pete DeBoer is the owner of the Generals. #OHL #NJDevils

he's the better of the two goalies. anthony was passed over in the ohl draft.

 

[777]

Any updates on Kovalchuk?