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

[nugg]

if you put Jagr with Zubrus the other team will never possess the puck

Sure they will. After they fish it out of their net,

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

I really don't know why everyone is so confident we'll sign Brunner. I'm sure Lou has called about him, but I'm confused by all these reports.

People are speculating that Lou knew about Kovalchuk before free agency began. He added Clowe, Ryder and Olesz n the first day and afterwards he said he was done signing outside free agents.

Why would he all of a sudden turn to Jagr, Brunner, Grabovski etc when he knew about Kovakchuk all along and declared that he wasn't going to sign more UFA's?

Because if we don't add another top #6 forward, we'll have a even harder time to generate anything offensively compared to last year... and we finished 2nd or 3rd last in goals scored last year.

That's the only logical explanation I can give you as to why 99.9% of this fanbase is DEMANDING Brunner or someone else to slide in our top #6.

 

[SKNJD9]

I really don't know why everyone is so confident we'll sign Brunner. I'm sure Lou has called about him, but I'm confused by all these reports.

People are speculating that Lou knew about Kovalchuk before free agency began. He added Clowe, Ryder and Olesz n the first day and afterwards he said he was done signing outside free agents.

Why would he all of a sudden turn to Jagr, Brunner, Grabovski etc when he knew about Kovakchuk all along and declared that he wasn't going to sign more UFA's?

Unless Lou plans on going with Matteau or Boucher we need another forward or two. 1 or 2 injuries would destroy this team up front.

 

[Basement Cat]

If we get Jagr I hope we get another guy too like Brunner or Grabo. I just feel that we can't really on him to put in a consistent effort over an 82 game seasons, be it due to injuries or just wear and tear physically and mentally.

 

[JimEIV]

Because if we don't add another top #6 forward, we'll have a even harder time to generate anything offensively compared to last year... and we finished 2nd or 3rd last in goals scored last year.

That's the only logical explanation I can give you as to why 99.9% of this fanbase is DEMANDING Brunner or someone else to slide in our top #6.

Jagr isn't/shouldn't be a top 6 forward though...

 

[Cheddabombs]

I really don't know why everyone is so confident we'll sign Brunner. I'm sure Lou has called about him, but I'm confused by all these reports.

People are speculating that Lou knew about Kovalchuk before free agency began. He added Clowe, Ryder and Olesz n the first day and afterwards he said he was done signing outside free agents.

Why would he all of a sudden turn to Jagr, Brunner, Grabovski etc when he knew about Kovakchuk all along and declared that he wasn't going to sign more UFA's?

I don't have the direct quote but I thought he said he was done signing UFAs for now, and will turn his attention towards locking up our RFAs. With the Tallinder trade and Kovalchuk leaving, which like you said he knew of before hand, Lou is much more flexible cap-wise to go after more UFAs.

 

[R8Devs]

They are going to give Tedenby a chance and with so many forwards already so unless a trade is coming up I doubt they will sign two UFAs.

 

[Jiri Bicek]

I don't see how the lineup is so horrendous, and we'll be going through a ton of lineup changes through the season.

We could have a top-9 full of All-Stars and people would still be complaining

 

[Holtz My Bahls]

They are going to give Tedenby a chance and with so many forwards already so unless a trade is coming up I doubt they will sign two UFAs.

They'd have to dump Salvador or Volchenkov to create the space I'd imagine.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't have the direct quote but I thought he said he was done signing UFAs for now, and will turn his attention towards locking up our RFAs. With the Tallinder trade and Kovalchuk leaving, which like you said he knew of before hand, Lou is much more flexible cap-wise to go after more UFAs.

He said that at the end of Frenzy day, things have changed dramatically since then, just like Chedda here said. We moved out Tally, Kovy left, if we take Lou's cryptic words on it when zids was resigned, he made statements that he is trying to move Volch too.

No legit rumor said any Brunner signing was imminent, just that we were working on something with him as of last weekend.

Makes sense Lou would be looking for another forward with Kovy gone as well.

 

[Just Win]

If Jagr signs for 4 or less can we realistically sign Brunner as well? Or would Volch need to be moved? I know we have to ink Henrique still too, but I doubt he gets more than 3.

I think we can fit in Brunner and Jagr cap wise but would have barely any room after that. But i highly doubt we sign both. They both need to play in a top 6 role to be effective just like Ryder. Unless one of Ryder/Brunner/Jagr would move to LW i don't see enough room for them.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

I don't see how the lineup is so horrendous, and we'll be going through a ton of lineup changes through the season.

We could have a top-9 full of All-Stars and people would still be complaining

The amount of question marks they have up front is almost in double digits. The top 6 is ok if guys bounce back but the bottom 6 is full of guys who have yet to prove anything. Josefson has 6 goals in 91 games, Olesz hasn't played in the league in 2 years, Gionta can't win a faceoff to save his life, Lokti has to prove himself over an 82 game season, and I don't even know what to say about Tedenby anymore. They need some help.

 

[MartyOwns]

People are speculating that Lou knew about Kovalchuk before free agency began.

my gut feeling is that this is wrong. yes, lou admitted he knew about the possibility dating back to last year, but I got the impression that lou was taken by surprise by his sudden choice, and most likely the impersonal and inappropriate way he did it.

 

[Devil X]

I really don't know why everyone is so confident we'll sign Brunner. I'm sure Lou has called about him, but I'm confused by all these reports.

People are speculating that Lou knew about Kovalchuk before free agency began. He added Clowe, Ryder and Olesz n the first day and afterwards he said he was done signing outside free agents.

Why would he all of a sudden turn to Jagr, Brunner, Grabovski etc when he knew about Kovakchuk all along and declared that he wasn't going to sign more UFA's?

I dont believe those people. I think it blind sided Lou just like it did us.

He signed Clowe to replace Clarkson hell i think he just gave Clowe the contract he offered Clarkson.

Ryder was signed to add scoring to Kovalchuk and Elias. Lou knew we needed more goals. Ryder was pretty much brought in to replace the Parise scoring we lost.

Now we are in a hole again. Lou has 9 mill in cap space he will bring in a forward. Whether its Brunner, Jagr, Garbo, or through a trade he will bring someone in.

Olesz does not count he will be battling it out for a bottom 6 role and will be waived if he doesnt make it and ill bet someone will take him off waivers.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

Jagr isn't/shouldn't be a top 6 forward though...

He can be a "flex" option as a 2nd line RW'er when he's on his game but I do agree that he shouldn't see top #6 minutes on a regular basis.

I don't see how the lineup is so horrendous, and we'll be going through a ton of lineup changes through the season.

We could have a top-9 full of All-Stars and people would still be complaining

This has to be a joke, right?

Look at our lineup and try to tell me with a straight face that we have the assets up front to land us a top #8 seed... when knowing that we suck at producing pts from the backend.

 

[Emperoreddy]

my gut feeling is that this is wrong. yes, lou admitted he knew about the possibility dating back to last year, but I got the impression that lou was taken by surprise by his sudden choice, and most likely the impersonal and inappropriate way he did it.

I think it is possible Lou heard those rumblings again before free agency but didnt take it that seriously because...well it sounded absurd. Imagine he thought he could talk him out of it again, or he would come to his senses.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I care more about what the team looks like in March 2014 than I do in October 2013.

 

[Desert Devil]

Jagr would be awesome here. Definitely would have to get his jersey. I just don't see Lou signing him.

 

[TrufleShufle]

Edit: nvm

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

He can be a "flex" option as a 2nd line RW'er when he's on his game but I do agree that he shouldn't see top #6 minutes on a regular basis.



This has to be a joke, right?

Look at our lineup and try to tell me with a straight face that we have the assets up front to land us a top #8 seed... when knowing that we suck at producing pts from the backend.

Yea assuming were a bit offensively challenged up front, the lack of production from the blue line is going to really hurt. There going to need goals from ANYWHERE to stay afloat. Larsson really needs to take some big steps this year. ****, they might have to win or finish top 5 in the Jennings race to get a playoff spot if the forwards struggle.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

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

That could work I guess.

 

[MartyOwns]

not for nothing...but jagr would light. lundqvist. up.

 

[Holtz My Bahls]

Poor Moose.

 

[MartyOwns]

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

That could work I guess.

id switch henrique and clowe

 

[Holtz My Bahls]

not for nothing...but jagr would light. lundqvist. up.

Just shoot high on him, not his pads that are the size of the Empire State Building.