Confirmed with Link: Devils Acquire Andrei Loktionov

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I'd rather put Loki on the wing and leave Yayo at centre. I don't think it's a better option for the Devils to cater to Loki possibly at Josefson's expense.

I'm torn on this. Josefson's looked surprisingly good along the boards in both games against the Penguins. I agree he's definitely more effective at wing than center, but Loktionov will likely be awful along the boards against NHL players. I think it'd be more effective as a whole with Loktionov at C and Yayo at LW.

 

[Devils Trap]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice
Lamoriello said they sent Loktionov to Albany to see how he compares to players there, "and when the time comes he’ll get his chance.”

 

[Atas2000]

A lot of you guys probably have no insight on his situation. His entry-level runs out. He was not happy in LA stuck behind all their centers. He is no good on the wing. He is no 4th liner by design. If the Devils don't find a place for him AT CENTER and not in Albany he'll be on the first plane to Russia after this season. That's why the Kings only wanted a 5th rounder for him.

 

[Bleedred]

A lot of you guys probably have no insight on his situation. His entry-level runs out. He was not happy in LA stuck behind all their centers. He is no good on the wing. He is no 4th liner by design. If the Devils don't find a place for him AT CENTER and not in Albany he'll be on the first plane to Russia after this season. That's why the Kings only wanted a 5th rounder for him.

We've all come to that conclusion that he'll be in the KHL next year if not given a chance on an NHL club. A lot of Kings fans have come on here, and said good things about him. Aside from the fact that he's soft.

 

[britdevil]

I don't see how he can fit at top 6 centre. Zajac and Henrique are our 1-2.

Odd trade, but hopefully he becomes an NHL'er for us. Clearly has talent.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

If Loktionov impresses and Barch sits for awhile, what the hell does that do to the lines? I honestly have no idea. Josefson - Loki - Butler would be the softest 3rd/4th line we've had in a decade, in my opinion.

 

[NjDevsRR]

If Loktionov impresses and Barch sits for awhile, what the hell does that do to the lines? I honestly have no idea. Josefson - Loki - Butler would be the softest 3rd/4th line we've had in a decade, in my opinion.

It would be perfect if Zubrus wasnt hurt. He would add size and puck possession to that line.

 

[Hisch13r]

If Loktionov impresses and Barch sits for awhile, what the hell does that do to the lines? I honestly have no idea. Josefson - Loki - Butler would be the softest 3rd/4th line we've had in a decade, in my opinion.

Maybe bring Butler up and drop Matteau down

 

[Saugus]

I don't see how he can fit at top 6 centre. Zajac and Henrique are our 1-2.

Odd trade, but hopefully he becomes an NHL'er for us. Clearly has talent.

He might find a home on the third line, which is now a third scoring line for us rather than a checking line.

 

[B A T M A N]

Kovalchuk-Loktionov-Henrique
Elias-Zajac-Clarkson
Zubrus-Josefson-Butler
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Yes, I would give him a chance on the top line. He would flourish with Kovalchuk, and has played with Henrique before. Why not? Also enables Kovalchuk and Elias to move back to their natural wing, unless they play Henrique on that side.

If anything, this move SHOULD push Zubrus out of the top 6.

 

[britdevil]

Kovalchuk-Loktionov-Henrique
Elias-Zajac-Clarkson
Zubrus-Josefson-Butler
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Yes, I would give him a chance on the top line. He would flourish with Kovalchuk, and has played with Henrique before. Why not? Also enables Kovalchuk and Elias to move back to their natural wing, unless they play Henrique on that side.

If anything, this move SHOULD push Zubrus out of the top 6.

Why are we accommodating a long shot prospect for an established Top 6 centre?

HENRIQUE IS NOT MOVING TO WING.

 

[MartyOwns]

Kovalchuk-Loktionov-Henrique
Elias-Zajac-Clarkson
Zubrus-Josefson-Butler
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Yes, I would give him a chance on the top line. He would flourish with Kovalchuk, and has played with Henrique before. Why not? Also enables Kovalchuk and Elias to move back to their natural wing, unless they play Henrique on that side.

If anything, this move SHOULD push Zubrus out of the top 6.

I mean, they did put matteau on the 1st line with mixed results. it could happen, but I don’t see it in the next 1-2 years. I think this is a guy who will start his nhl career on the 4th line and either move up or go down to albany

 

[CerebralGenesis]

A lot of you guys probably have no insight on his situation. His entry-level runs out. He was not happy in LA stuck behind all their centers. He is no good on the wing. He is no 4th liner by design. If the Devils don't find a place for him AT CENTER and not in Albany he'll be on the first plane to Russia after this season. That's why the Kings only wanted a 5th rounder for him.

Thanks for the enlightenment.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I'm sure someone from the Devils spoke to the kid or his agent. The must have promised him a shot just as long as he learns the system and shows well in Albany.

I don't believe Lou's just gives away draft picks.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Too much depth. This team sucks

 

[apice3*]

A lot of you guys probably have no insight on his situation. His entry-level runs out. He was not happy in LA stuck behind all their centers. He is no good on the wing. He is no 4th liner by design. If the Devils don't find a place for him AT CENTER and not in Albany he'll be on the first plane to Russia after this season. That's why the Kings only wanted a 5th rounder for him.

Cool. Willing to bet that 5th rounder doesn't make much of an impact at the NHL level if he even gets there.

I'm sure someone from the Devils spoke to the kid or his agent. The must have promised him a shot just as long as he learns the system and shows well in Albany.

I don't believe Lou's just gives away draft picks.

The Devils don't promise anything. His shot is he gets to play in Albany and if he plays well and has the right attitude, he'll get a call up.

 

[TeutonicDevil]

Cool. Willing to bet that 5th rounder doesn't make much of an impact at the NHL level if he even gets there.

The Kings already traded our 5th to Florida for Keaton Ellerby. So at least they got something out of it.

 

[B A T M A N]

Why are we accommodating a long shot prospect for an established Top 6 centre?

HENRIQUE IS NOT MOVING TO WING.

Because Henrique has never moved to wing before.

LOKI IS NOT MOVING TO WING EITHER.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

I'm sure someone from the Devils spoke to the kid or his agent. The must have promised him a shot just as long as he learns the system and shows well in Albany.

I don't believe Lou's just gives away draft picks.

I don't think you can do that to get his reaction before a trade happens. It would be illegal.

But I can see them talking to him after the trade to inform him of what they want to see from him in order to make it to where he wants to be.

I'm not worried about it.

 

[apice3*]

Because Henrique has never moved to wing before.

LOKI IS NOT MOVING TO WING EITHER.

Henrique has moved to wing to behalf of Elias, Zajac, etc. He's not moving to wing on behalf of a prospect.

 

[B A T M A N]

Just proving a point that Henrique as a winger is not as impossible as he claims.

 

[apice3*]

Just proving a point that Henrique as a winger is not as impossible as he claims.

It's not impossible for him to move to wing, but I can't fathom any situation arising where Loktionov gets a top 6 center spot over Henrique.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Cool. Willing to bet that 5th rounder doesn't make much of an impact at the NHL level if he even gets there.



The Devils don't promise anything. His shot is he gets to play in Albany and if he plays well and has the right attitude, he'll get a call up.

What I'm trying say is that the Devils didn't trade for this guy just so he has a shorter flight to Russia. Why trade for a guy who just plans to bolt. I doubt Lou works that way.

 

[britdevil]

Just proving a point that Henrique as a winger is not as impossible as he claims.

Henrique is a centre, has always played centre and will continue to play centre.

Especially over an enigmatic Russian prospect...

 

[MauDevils]

“Well, we were the beneficiary then if that’s the reason they traded him,” Lamoriello said of the Kings fearing Loktionov might return to Russia.

Sounds like Lou is working the kool aid into his diet already.

All this talk of Lokti vs Henrique, but I think it's actually competition for Josefson. Either that or maybe it's JJ moving to wing. His Faceoff numbers are pretty bad anyway.