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

[Ripshot 43]

Who in their right mind would think that people have lowered expectations for Loktionov?

Last season was the worst possible season it could be for him in terms of point production. He only improves from here considering the amount of talent that he has.

If you read back, the majority of posters here do. A group even take him out of the every day line up. I'm not one of them though. I thought his defensive problems were way overstated anf I didn't think he was dependent on any one linemate. I look forward to what he brings this year anf will not underrate him.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Lokti has defensive problems?

 

[Wingman77]

Almost 99% of teams don't have 15-16 one-way forward contracts on their roster going into camp.

Lou does not care how other teams do their business or what the majority does

There isn't any issue with the 2-3 extra one-ways because the bottom guys can either be cut or waived which allows them to go elsewhere whether that be another team or the AHL

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Lou does not care how other teams do their business or what the majority does

There isn't any issue with the 2-3 extra one-ways because the bottom guys can either be cut or waived which allows them to go elsewhere whether that be another team or the AHL

Yes exactly. I don't understand the fixation with the roster. This isn't at all like the "too many defenseman" situation either. In that scenario we were stuck with overpaid guys we couldn't move, and they were restricting our youngsters from developing.

Here, we have a bunch of interchangeable parts that will be insignificant to our cap situation next year.

"We have too many forwards!" doesn't fly here. We don't have enough quality NHL caliber forwards to score at an even average level, in my opinion.

I have high hopes for Olesz, Josefson, and Lokti next year but the realist in me believes only one of those guys will probably work out. Remember when we were relying on Teddy and Butler? That didn't work out so well.

Given the fact that I was in the Anti-Sykora camp last off-season I've learned my lesson and will never claim to have "too many forwards" unless we're throwing out 12 proven NHL quality guys.

 

[Wingman77]

Yes exactly. I don't understand the fixation with the roster. This isn't at all like the "too many defenseman" situation either. In that scenario we were stuck with overpaid guys we couldn't move, and they were restricting our youngsters from developing.

Here, we have a bunch of interchangeable parts that will be insignificant to our cap situation next year.

"We have too many forwards!" doesn't fly here. We don't have enough quality NHL caliber forwards to score at an even average level, in my opinion.

I have high hopes for Olesz, Josefson, and Lokti next year but the realist in me believes only one of those guys will probably work out. Remember when we were relying on Teddy and Butler? That didn't work out so well.

Given the fact that I was in the Anti-Sykora camp last off-season I've learned my lesson and will never claim to have "too many forwards" unless we're throwing out 12 proven NHL quality guys.

Yup, you can't rely on the majority of guys living up to stock or staying healthy

There is no such thing as too much depth for such reasons

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

On a side note, without rehashing any specific predictions, I believe Loktionov has a great year next year. Loktionov averaged 1.67 shots a game (47 shots in 28 games) and that number will certainly rise with Kovalchuk here. He only attempted 35 shots in 28 games even strength.

He showed a fantastic shot despite his low shooting numbers, 1.242 G/60 led the team by a landslide. He can certainly work on his vision a bit more (only Adam Henrique had a lower assist rate among active forwards), but I think we've seen some promising games from him to suggest it's there.

Without Kovy, he can either take that big next step and grow rapidly or fail miserably (like Adam did without Zach and Kovy). I think he has the talent to move forward and grow.

 

[apice3*]

Lokti has defensive problems?

He's not bad to the point where he's a liability but he's certainly not a good defender.

Put it this way, pretty much every Devils forward last year played on the PK at some point. The only two regulars off the top of my head that didn't get any PK time were him and Clarkson.

 

[Bleedred]

If you read back, the majority of posters here do. A group even take him out of the every day line up. I'm not one of them though. I thought his defensive problems were way overstated anf I didn't think he was dependent on any one linemate. I look forward to what he brings this year anf will not underrate him.

I personally am a lot higher on him than no hands Josefson. Nothing personal against JJ, but Lokti brings a nice offensive element that I haven't seen from Josefson yet.

Now if he continues to bring that offensive element, that remains to be seen. It just seems a lot of people took him out of the lineup after Kovalchuk left. I don't see why that is. Like I said, he could become a big nothing, I've really liked what I've seen so far.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

I personally am a lot higher on him than no hands Josefson. Nothing personal against JJ, but Lokti brings a nice offensive element that I haven't seen from Josefson yet.

Now if he continues to bring that offensive element, that remains to be seen. It just seems a lot of people took him out of the lineup after Kovalchuk left. I don't see why that is. Like I said, he could become a big nothing, I've really liked what I've seen so far.

I tend to agree with this.

Without Kovalchuk, Lokti is definitely more of a variable. I guess that's what makes people uneasy.

 

[Bleedred]

I tend to agree with this.

Without Kovalchuk, Lokti is definitely more of a variable. I guess that's what makes people uneasy.

There's always a chance he could take a plunge. I had high hopes for Tedenby and Palmieri too. Both of them showed nice offensive flashes early on. Same thing can happen to Lokti possibly, but I've been pretty positive about him.

 

[kiwidevil]

Loktionov will be a top 2 centre on this team.

For those who say he is not great defensively. Remember he has only played 28 games in Pete's system.

 

[Bleedred]

Loktionov will be a top 2 centre on this team.

For those who say he is not great defensively. Remember he has only played 28 games in Pete's system.

It's not even that I find people skeptical of his defense. It seems many are skeptical of his offense too.

I'm not sure if he'll be a top 2, but I think he'll be a top 3. I think he already beats out Josefson on a higher spot if he continues to show some of that offense that he did last year.

 

[JerryGigantic]

 

[NC107*]

I am hoping that they all have a great year. As of now it is the year of the competition for Henrique, Tedenby, Josefson, Olesz & Lokti. Imagine what happens if they all improve and Zajac gets back to his old self.

 

[apice3*]

Loktionov will be a top 2 centre on this team.

For those who say he is not great defensively. Remember he has only played 28 games in Pete's system.

He's also extremely undersized and can't win faceoffs.

 

[hlaverty06]

I believe firmly Lokti will push JJ out of 3 C if Henrique and zajac are 1 and 2 and JJ may be moved deadline in a deal

 

[Balance]

If you read back, the majority of posters here do. A group even take him out of the every day line up. I'm not one of them though. I thought his defensive problems were way overstated anf I didn't think he was dependent on any one linemate. I look forward to what he brings this year anf will not underrate him.

I really don't give a damn about what a majority thinks. Mob mentality is always opposite to the truth.

As far as his defensive skills, that is laughable. At least half of the offensive unit is much worse than Loktionov defensively.

 

[elindholm]

He's also extremely undersized and can't win faceoffs.

Extremely undersized? I was watching 36 hrs. w/ Mike Richards when Lokti was still /w Kings. they were eating sushi at a restaurant, Lokti was eating alone and Richards and 2 other players asked lokti to join them. He's easily same size as Richards or bigger.