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

[JimEIV]

I'm looking for 3 things next season:

1. Larsson taking the next step
2. Henrique taking the next step...that isn't so much production as much as consistency and leadership.
3. Zajac regaining form...I know this sounds crazy, but I think Kovalchuk being gone is going to benefit Zajac the most in terms of minutes, pp time and linemates...less than 50+ points this season from Zajac will be a major disappointment.

 

[AfroThunder396]

We need 5 20 goal scorers to be really successful this season I think.

All but one of our top-9 has either scored 20 goals (Elias, Ryder, Zubrus, Zajac) or was on a 20 goal pace this year (Henrique, Loktionov, Brunner*). The only one that hasn't is Josefson. Even Bernier has flirted with 20 goals before, and with appropriate PP time I can see him in the ~15 territory.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I'm looking for 3 things next season:

1. Larsson taking the next step
2. Henrique taking the next step...that isn't so much production as much as consistency and leadership.
3. Zajac regaining form...I know this sounds crazy, but I think Kovalchuk being gone is going to benefit Zajac the most in terms of minutes, pp time and linemates...less than 50+ points this season from Zajac will be a major disappointment.

Feel the same way and have said this before. I also think one of Josefson or Lokti improving will be huge for us.

 

[aboriginal]

I'm looking for 3 things next season:

1. Larsson taking the next step
2. Henrique taking the next step...that isn't so much production as much as consistency and leadership.
3. Zajac regaining form...I know this sounds crazy, but I think Kovalchuk being gone is going to benefit Zajac the most in terms of minutes, pp time and linemates...less than 50+ points this season from Zajac will be a major disappointment.

all of this stuff plus carter has to have a mustache all year.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

I'm looking for 3 things next season:

1. Larsson taking the next step
2. Henrique taking the next step...that isn't so much production as much as consistency and leadership.
3. Zajac regaining form...I know this sounds crazy, but I think Kovalchuk being gone is going to benefit Zajac the most in terms of minutes, pp time and linemates...less than 50+ points this season from Zajac will be a major disappointment.

Agreed. All 3 are absolutely key to this organization's future.

 

[JimEIV]

All but one of our top-9 has either scored 20 goals (Elias, Ryder, Zubrus, Zajac) or was on a 20 goal pace this year (Henrique, Loktionov, Brunner*). The only one that hasn't is Josefson. Even Bernier has flirted with 20 goals before, and with appropriate PP time I can see him in the ~15 territory.

And that is path to success in my option. I like our lineup more today than I have in a very long time... I'm still thinking a another big center to bookend Zajac would be beneficial to this particular lineup though.

 

[JimEIV]

I didn't see anything either.

 

[AfroThunder396]

And that is path to success in my option. I like our lineup more today than I have in a very long time... I'm still thinking a another big center to bookend Zajac would be beneficial to this particular lineup though.

Absolutely. The key to forechecking is a deep four-line roster, and the key to a deep four-line roster is a balanced line-up.

I would like a little more "oomph" though. I'd like one more gamebreaker before I'm convinced we can make any noise. A championship team is only as good as their bst player, and I'm not convinced a 37 year old Elias or a goalie with <100 games can be the anchor of a championship team.

 

[JimEIV]

Absolutely. The key to forechecking is a deep four-line roster, and the key to a deep four-line roster is a balanced line-up.

I would like a little more "oomph" though. I'd like one more gamebreaker before I'm convinced we can make any noise. A championship team is only as good as their bst player, and I'm not convinced a 37 year old Elias or a goalie with <100 games can be the anchor of a championship team.

I think that's fair....but are we really looking to be a championship team this season or just turn the corner and get back to successful devil hockey?

 

[CerebralGenesis]

i'd be ok with a championship

if one of our young dmen can step up into the NHL level, we could surprise a lot of teams. That and schneider being close to as good as some people are hyping.

 

[aboriginal]

i just hope larsson ups his game and takes the next step. its ****ing time.

 

[DiscoBall]

CapGeek ‏@capgeek 2m

#NHL #NJDevils Ryane Clowe's contract is for $4.85M each season. Also got NMC. http://www.capgeek.com/player/120

finally verified on capgeek

 

[JimEIV]

i'd be ok with a championship

if one of our young dmen can step up into the NHL level, we could surprise a lot of teams. That and schneider being close to as good as some people are hyping.

I think we'd all be OK with a championship... but we're gonna need some time I think... I'll be satisfied with a good season of solid hockey personally.

 

[aboriginal]

eh its not the end of the world. anyone can be moved or anything can happen.

 

[JimEIV]

i just hope larsson ups his game and takes the next step. its ****ing time.

Larsson will take the next step this season...if not this season it won't happen.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

stepping to the closer seats in the pressbox?

 

[Chessarmy]

i just hope larsson ups his game and takes the next step. its ****ing time.

This.

Its been a few years now, he's had ample playing time, its time for him to step up and prove why he was drafted 4th overall.

 

[B A T M A N]

Small price to pay for Clowe. His deal is kind of unmoveable anyway, so it's not the end of the world.

I've wanted Clowe for 5 years, so I don't care about a NMC.

 

[DiscoBall]

eh its not the end of the world. anyone can be moved or anything can happen.

I know, but you think Lou would have learned from Volchenkov.

 

[aboriginal]

Larsson will take the next step this season...if not this season it won't happen.

then they gotta take the reigns off and let him do his thing and give him every chance to do it. if hes losing out to ****ing volch at even strength or a butt ****ing forward on the pp, then the coaches need a brain enema. i get the tough love thing but he needs to get more opportunities. i really hope this is the season he breaks out.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I think that's fair....but are we really looking to be a championship team this season or just turn the corner and get back to successful devil hockey?

Well, you know what Lou would say to that.

But realistically - I expect this team to make the playoffs regardless. I don't expect us to make any noise as we're currently constructed.

Whether it's via trade or developing our young talent, we need to gain a gamebreaking skater. Schneider and Marty are gamebreaking goalies, but we need a skater that can assert himself and take control. A guy we can rely on to carry the team and win us a series by himself.

As much as I hate to say it, Devils hockey alone doesn't win championships, all of our Devils championship teams have had that one guy that can take control and win a series by himself. Maybe it's Henrique, maybe it's Larsson, maybe it's Loktionov or Merrill or Brunner*, maybe it's someone currently not in the organization. I can't say.

All of our rosters have had that in the past - MacLean, Stevens, Neidermayer, Prime Elias, Parise (and yes, even Kovalchuk). We don't have that guy yet on the team.

But we don't have it now, and I don't quite feel comfortable going into the season without one, regardless of being a contending team or not.

And I don't buy the idea you outlined of "why can't we just reload for a year and contend next year." I think it's closed minded to think like that. Why CAN'T we do both at the same time? Walking into 2012 many were convinced it would be a transition year, but we made adjustments and developed our roster and were able to get within arm's reach of a Cup.

 

[aboriginal]

I know, but you think Lou would have learned from Volchenkov.

well lous a banana so whatever.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

I think we'd all be OK with a championship... but we're gonna need some time I think... I'll be satisfied with a good season of solid hockey personally.

i will personally be happy with a playoff team right now. Anything past that is gravy, sounds similar to 2012, which is why I would be down with another miracle run.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Larsson will take the next step this season...if not this season it won't happen.

TBH, it's more on DeBoer and the coaching staff letting him loose and letting him make plays. Like we mentioned before, PP time. If the opportunity is given to him, I'm almost sure he'll step up.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Larsson will take the next step this season...if not this season it won't happen.

I agree. But what exactly is the next step?

-Exiting the healthy scratch rotation?
-Getting solid PP time?
-Playing on the first pairing every night?
-Scoring 40 points?
-Turning into a legit franchise defenseman?
-All of the above?

Lots more questions than answers. He can turn into anything right now. He'll definitely improve but the magnitude of his improvement is what I'm watching for. "The nex step" is too vague for me to be satisfied right now - I want finite, tangible, measurable improvement.