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

[Blender]

I'm fine with 3.5, hopefully the term is reasonable.

 

[Team Concept]

I'm very weary of taking on a player that Detroit is letting go. That team knows a thing or two about players, and they rarely let a good one get away, or keep one they should let go.

If this is true, I will be supremely curious as to the term and money. 2 or 3 years max at 3 - 3.5 ish and I'll be OK. 4 years at anything over 3 and I'll start to get nervous. 5+ years and/or 4+ million and I won't be too happy.

I think the biggest reason why the Wings are letting him go is because of his contract demands and the fact that he has such a small sample size in the NHL. See Tedenby's stats in the Devils 2010-2011 season and what he has done since. Here is a good break down of the situation from the Wing's point of view:

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/2013/6/26/4454900/2013-14-detroit-red-wings-pro-no-damien-brunner

 

[rrekaj13]

I'm not saying I would ever want Kovy gone, but removing that contract and replacing it with other pieces isn't bad.

In: Schneider, Ryder, Brunner, Olesz, Clowe

Out: Hedberg, Tallinder, Kovalchuk, Clarkson

All in all, even with Kovy leaving, that's a pretty good off season. Even if we don't add anyone else (kind of hope we do, but wouldn't mind waiting until 2014 either)

 

[ConnNJ30]

The name Damien just work too.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Brunner is solid player.

Started very hot, lead the Wings in goals for a fair amount of time, then started to fade down, mainly bc he was getting scouted and couldn't adjust, the same toe-drag move won't work 100 times in NHL. No biggie, 26-7 year old who hasn't played in NA before, that is more or less expected.

He also did have some small groin problem but nothing too serious.

Started to look good again in playoffs playing on third line and getting some pk time.

Most would have liked to see him signed; depending on term. Personally, 3x3.5 mil is ok for him, but Wings couldn't do that. 4x3.5 isn't that bad at all.

I think he could easily be 20-25 goal scorer for that term. He is kind of hard to project, as it was just one shortened season with lots of up and downs.

With the Devils situation, the max I'd go is about that 4x3.5-75.

He has good speed but not elite speed. Shot is good, but not elite. He can beat goalies with it but Ryder has definitely better shot. Hands are ok too.

He is not physical and little perimeter player but not very soft imo. He can improve on that department, it's different game in Europe. Not a gritty player but was often willing to go to dirty areas

He will never compete for Selke but his D improved a lot during the season, started to get solid on back and forecheck towards the end. Works pretty hard. As with Wings, can be used on third line though with Wings that was more of a secondary scoring line than shutdown line.

He can pass and is ok at using his linemates. Hockey sense is average, maybe slightly above depending on definition. He made some dumb plays but again, rookie year for a guy who has never played at this level.

I hope he works out for you guys, I'd rather have him re-signed with the Wings but considering everything, I think Alfie is better fit for next year and Brunner probably doesn't fit with the long-term plans as well. Reading between the lines, he wasn't Babcock's favorite really but nothing that you should worry about imo.

I think he's a solid top 6 complementary player, who can pot 20-25 goals with pp time and get the same amount of assists.

 

[Devils Trap]

Brunner is solid player.

Started very hot, lead the Wings in goals for a fair amount of time, then started to fade down, mainly bc he was getting scouted and couldn't adjust, the same toe-drag move won't work 100 times in NHL. No biggie, 26-7 year old who hasn't played in NA before, that is more or less expected.

He also did have some small groin problem but nothing too serious.

Started to look good again in playoffs playing on third line and getting some pk time.

Most would have liked to see him signed; depending on term. Personally, 3x3.5 mil is ok for him, but Wings couldn't do that. 4x3.5 isn't that bad at all.

I think he could easily be 20-25 goal scorer for that term. He is kind of hard to project, as it was just one shortened season with lots of up and downs.

With the Devils situation, the max I'd go is about that 4x3.5-75.

He has good speed but not elite speed. Shot is good, but not elite. He can beat goalies with it but Ryder has definitely better shot. Hands are ok too.

He is not physical and little perimeter player but not very soft imo. He can improve on that department, it's different game in Europe. Not a gritty player but was often willing to go to dirty areas

He will never compete for Selke but his D improved a lot during the season, started to get solid on back and forecheck towards the end. Works pretty hard. As with Wings, can be used on third line though with Wings that was more of a secondary scoring line than shutdown line.

He can pass and is ok at using his linemates. Hockey sense is average, maybe slightly above depending on definition. He made some dumb plays but again, rookie year for a guy who has never played at this level.

I hope he works out for you guys, I'd rather have him re-signed with the Wings but considering everything, I think Alfie is better fit for next year and Brunner probably doesn't fit with the long-term plans as well. Reading between the lines, he wasn't Babcock's favorite really but nothing that you should worry about imo.

I think he's a solid top 6 complementary player, who can pot 20-25 goals with pp time and get the same amount of assists.

Sounds good. Thanks !

 

[Ripshot 43]

Signing another top 6 potential player gives us back our depth we had a week ago. Not the quality but the depth and ability to have scoring up and down the lineup and let our guys get to work. That's why I am for signing a Brunner or Graborski as long as we don't take on a terrible contract.

 

[hlaverty06]

Thanks for the scouting report! Appreciated !

 

[Pattysaurus]

I certainly wouldn't mind him at all but I'm a little worried about what the term will be.

Brunner shouldn't get more than Ryder, right?

 

[Devils Trap]

I certainly wouldn't mind him at all but I'm a little worried about what the term will be.

Brunner shouldn't get more than Ryder, right?

3.5 is right around what people think he will get. Possibly a bit more

 

[njdevil26]

As long as it's not a 7 year 8 mil per year deal I don't care what his numbers and term is. I know we think it's our job to approve of the deals our GM hands out... but with 10 mil in cap space, whatever Brunner gets is not going to handcuff the team in any way. It adds much needed offense, and will be wrapping up one of the best offseasons Lou has ever had.

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

Sign me up for that lineup any day.

Plus, if the kid is terrible, Lou has ways of making people disappear. I am also certain that the defense is not set yet and another body is going to be shipped out.

 

[Status Quo*]

Nice little surprise to wake up to!

 

[jkrdevil]

Brunner is solid player.

Started very hot, lead the Wings in goals for a fair amount of time, then started to fade down, mainly bc he was getting scouted and couldn't adjust, the same toe-drag move won't work 100 times in NHL

I know someone who just got a 7 year deal in Toronto that disagrees

 

[Devils Trap]

I know someone who just got a 7 year deal in Toronto that disagrees

I was about to say

I asked around the Wings board. They said he has good/great speed, shot, and playmaking

 

[apice3*]

Very skeptical of this signing.

 

[Captain Lou]

It's obvious we are just bidding against ourselves right now for this guy. If he was getting 3.5 M offers he would already have signed somewhere. No more than $3M per for 3 years.

 

[SeidoN]

It's obvious we are just bidding against ourselves right now for this guy. If he was getting 3.5 M offers he would already have signed somewhere. No more than $3M per for 3 years.

mostly agree. cant think of too many teams who have a sudden need for a top 6 RHW and willing to give a little extra term. man, if we hadnt gotten Ryder, this would look bleak as heck

 

[manilaNJ]

I can't find any reason to be unhappy about this.
Especially if I'm reading from Wings fans that he was producing/giving good minutes on the 3rd line. Detroit uses their 3rd liners like we do.

So long as Lou uses his head here and doesn't ink too much $$ or too many years out of desperation, I'll be happy if he's a Devil.

 

[Captain Lou]

And to add to the person who said he can't get more than Ryder; he hasn't really done anything to deserve more than Henrique. I expect him to make more simply because he is a UFA, though.

I suppose he is nice complimentary player. I would be ok with 2 years, $6M. If he wants the extra year, give him 7.5 or 8M for 3.

 

[Devils Trap]

I can't find any reason to be unhappy about this.
Especially if I'm reading from Wings fans that he was producing/giving good minutes on the 3rd line. Detroit uses their 3rd liners like we do.

So long as Lou uses his head here and doesn't ink too much $$ or too many years out of desperation, I'll be happy if he's a Devil.

Brunner has good offensive skills, kinda lacks size and defense. Just shelter him with our good defensive players

 

[GoAwayDanCleary]

If Damien "The Nose" Brunner signs with NJ you guys will love him. He may not be the biggest, fastest or mist skilled but he works his ass off. His back-checking also improved dramatically over the course of the season. He brings a lot of energy and loves to score.

 

[Devils Trap]

If Damien "The Nose" Brunner signs with NJ you guys will love him. He may not be the biggest, fastest or mist skilled but he works his ass off. His back-checking also improved dramatically over the course of the season. He brings a lot of energy and loves to score.

The nose ??

That was Clarkson mocking Marchard (I believe)

 

[manilaNJ]

Brunner has good offensive skills, kinda lacks size and defense. Just shelter him with our good defensive players

The third line is going to have one of Clowe, Zubrus or Bernier on it - So that should be fine.
If he winds up any higher than that, he'll have one of Zajac or Elias with him.
Finding two-way guys to shelter others won't be a problem, I feel.

 

[apice3*]

I can't find any reason to be unhappy about this.
Especially if I'm reading from Wings fans that he was producing/giving good minutes on the 3rd line. Detroit uses their 3rd liners like we do.

So long as Lou uses his head here and doesn't ink too much $$ or too many years out of desperation, I'll be happy if he's a Devil.

He has only played 44 games and mostly on a line with Zetterberg, so who knows if he can produce with the likes of Loktionov and Zubrus or something.

He's bound for a sophomore slump as 90% of players are, although this is a really unique situation. As far as I can tell, he's the first player in NHL history to produce at the rate he did as a "rookie" and then change conferences in his second year. And on top of that, the only team in the conference that has played against him is Columbus. So maybe he'll by-pass the sophomore slump.

 

[Wingman77]

Not sure why he would know.

Probably because Brunner is Swiss?

We need offense yea, but I'm pretty meh on him

For nobody to have signed him yet and Detroit to not have interest in bringing him back on top of him being relatively soft, obviously not an easy transition coming into a more aggressive league, but hopefully he'll adapt a bit better