2013 New Jersey Devils (Team/Player Discussion)-Offseason FA and trade talk Part XII

[billingtons ghost]

Lots of nice second and third liners right now but there is no legitimate top line. This could be a nightmare. I hate to be pessimistic but Lou is going to need to be a wizard here.

The lack of quality drafting and player development is now going to take it's toll.

Not too many legit 1st liners on Boston nor LA either the past few years. They are basically 4 lines of 2nd liners...

 

[billingtons ghost]

so TG's fire and ice blog is crashing on the Brunner news...

I wonder how close they are to getting the deal done? (or if it is done?)

looks like we signed Hrabranka

 

[rrekaj13]

so TG's fire and ice blog is crashing on the Brunner news...

I wonder how close they are to getting the deal done? (or if it is done?)

Probably done but won't be announced for 2 weeks because that's the way Lou likes to roll recently

 

[hlaverty06]

so TG's fire and ice blog is crashing on the Brunner news...

I wonder how close they are to getting the deal done? (or if it is done?)

looks like we signed Hrabranka

This signing makes this FA summer the best one yet

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Not too many legit 1st liners on Boston nor LA either the past few years. They are basically 4 lines of 2nd liners...

Kopitar am Bergeron are legit 1st liners. And they have doughty and chara respectively. We need Larsson to be our doughty.

 

[billingtons ghost]

This signing makes this FA summer the best one yet

actually, I think we signed Harry Young too, and THAT makes this the best FA summer yet.

 

[manilaNJ]

There's 2 months left in the offseason. Trades are possible as well, there is no need to try and fix this problem overnight especially at a long term like 5 years.

Yeah, there's always that path, as well. I expect trades.
If we re-sign both Josefson and Henrique and pick up a forward, that means someone's getting booted off the roster anyway.

I just wonder what's available with what we have. I could see us sending off Vets/AHL defensemen for picks and flipping those picks for more Lou-type low risk forwards.

so TG's fire and ice blog is crashing on the Brunner news...

I wonder how close they are to getting the deal done? (or if it is done?)

Apparently they're trying to look into him right now, that's how we got the word that we're in on him. Don't even know if Brunner would sign here. But he's on the radar. That's about all we know.

 

[JerryGigantic]

Our top line would be

Elias Zajac Ryder

I can go with that line.

We pick up another top 6 forward and we have a strong 2nd and 3rd line.

We have plenty of versatile in creating a 4th line.

We will need a strong defense I would still trade A-TRAIN for a pick.

We have two goalies one is a question mark for winning we will have to wait
and see but I can live with Marty as a backup goalie. Can management?

According to the 5 on 5 splits, Elias is actually more productive with Henrique (over Zajac) -- perhaps creativity over puck possession -- and I think Ryder is destined to be money with Patty.

And if Brunner (should he be signed) has defensive issues, we would want Zajac to cover his ass.

SO I'd go with something like:

Elias - Henrique - Ryder
Clowe - Zajac - Brunner

As the "Top 6"...

Leaving ...

Zubrus - Loktionov - Olesz/Bernier
Carter - Josefson - Olesz/Bernier

Extras: Tedenby, Barch, Gionta (Two way)

That seems pretty solid, actually...

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

According to the 5 on 5 splits, Elias is actually more productive with Henrique (over Zajac) -- perhaps creativity over puck possession -- and I think Ryder is destined to be money with Patty.

And if Brunner (should he be signed) has defensive issues, we would want Zajac to cover his ass.

SO I'd go with something like:

Elias - Henrique - Ryder
Clowe - Zajac - Brunner

As the "Top 6"...

Leaving ...

Zubrus - Loktionov - Olesz/Bernier
Carter - Josefson - Olesz/Bernier

Extras: Tedenby, Barch, Gionta (Two way)

That seems pretty solid, actually...

Me likey!

 

[njdevil26]

I'd go

Elias-Zajac-Brunner
Henrique-Loktionov-Ryder
Clowe-Josefson-Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier/Olesz

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

I'd go

Elias-Zajac-Brunner
Henrique-Loktionov-Ryder
Clowe-Josefson-Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier/Olesz

Why is Bernier the one slashed with Olesz? Just center Carter and have Olesz battle it out with Gionta

 

[njdevil26]

Why is Bernier the one slashed with Olesz? Just center Carter and have Olesz battle it out with Gionta

Doesn't mean he would take Bernier's slot. I'll re-word the line.

Carter-Gionta-Bernier
Olesz-Carter-Bernier

 

[Basement Cat]

Ugh these lineups look very unimpressive.

 

[SeidoN]

Carter should move to C and Olesz+Bernier in the wings.

 

[hlaverty06]

Think you have to split up Elias and Zajac for defensive play purpose

 

[Devilsfanatic0421]

Ugh these lineups look very unimpressive.

Upgrade from most of last season, imo.

Plus Cory between the pipes.

 

[Basement Cat]

Upgrade from most of last season, imo.

Plus Cory between the pipes.

not saying much.

im really hoping that Larsson takes the next step

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

I think we have a solid squad and am pretty excited by it. Before when we had Kovy I was ecstatic! I thing great upgrades over last year and 2012.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Maybe the "thorough investigation" is just a review of Brunner's twitter timeline?

https://twitter.com/damien_brunner

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Demonstrates Brunner's skill, I think. Not bad in the shootout.

 

[Rella17]

we're going to be lucky to not finish bottom 5 of the league

 

[SeidoN]

we're going to be lucky to not finish bottom 5 of the league

thats the spirit

 

[Devilsfanatic0421]

we're going to be lucky to not finish bottom 5 of the league

A little fatalistic, I think.

Even minus Quitterchuk I doubt we are worse than last season.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Full season highlights for anyone who wants to take a look.

He's incredibly fast, has great hands, can finish very well. I think he would be a great get on a 3 to 5 year deal at a 3-3.5 million cap hit. I think years 4 to 5 would be quite the steal if we pulled it off.

 

[Bleedred]

TG says we might be closing in on signing Brunner. DO IT LOU!

Perfect forward for this team. Young and keeps us from going after the old farts like Jagr.