GDT: Devils vs. Penguins, 7:30PM, NBCSN

[Offseason Champs]

I'm of the opinion that they're better off than they are worse. Definitely need to add a top 6 guy, which isn't easily done, but it's still doable. Find a way to bring in a decent scorer for the top line, give Loki and Kovy some more time to find a groove, and I think they're gonna be fine. Between the pipes is a dicey situation, but not really something we can worry about next year unless one of them doesn't come back.

That said, our D needs a minor overhaul, shipping out some of the older slack and bringing up guys who are on the cusp and deserve a real shot at the bigs.

I'm cautiously optimistic, but as long as some basic needs are addressed this offseason (scorer, plz) I can see this team making the playoffs. It'll be a bit more... interesting with realignment, but I think they can pull it off. Going deep in the playoffs or making a run at it... well... that's a different story...

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think we could have been a bubble team, but the injuries to Marty and Kovy hurt us. But even you said so yourself that we needed another top 6 guy right? I mean for next year now.

I think we need one to take the next step. As is we will still be a bubble team next year if Lou doesn't bring in another forward. We are a bubble team, just on the wrong side of the bubble. We could in theory finish 4 points out of 8th. That isn't a horrid blow the team up season. Not a good one, and sucks just the same, but not enough reason to go into full doom and gloom mode here.

Lou needs to make some moves. We need another top 6 forward to get this things following and humming. Really what we need is a top 6 forward who can play with Zajac. Elias-Zajac-??? if that is the right guy could be a very good line.

Henrique-Loki-Kovy then the big third line of Zubs-JJ-Clarkson? and CBGB.

I don't think that is a good forward group and with our system can beat lots of teams. Get some more speed and smarts on defense by clearing the logjam and we can get close to what the finals team was last year.

The draft, and maybe trading Tally for more picks is more for the long term. We need new forward talent in the system badly. Kids that can replace guys like Patty when the time comes.

 

[Wingman77]

Oh I'm agreeing. Just more snide then normal after watching this team this season. My faith in Lou is certainly not at a high.

I'm actually not too worried

While there need to be some changes made to the offense in regards to the top 6 and some fat getting cut from the D and we were exposed bad at times, things looked a lot worse than the really are or could be

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm actually not too worried

While there need to be some changes made to the offense in regards to the top 6 and some fat getting cut from the D and we were exposed bad at times, things looked a lot worse than the really are or could be

I still stand that a a good portion of it was the wockiness of a short season as well.

Trimming the fat on D needs to happen and should be Lou's biggest task. We need to get some kind of forward that can play on the 2nd line with Zajac, and a third liner if Clarkson leaves. I think the goalies will hold up, and we have enough D depth that we can put a strong unit out there. Getting that extra forward which could really get the team over the hump will be the hardest part.

 

[Tretyak 20]

There is no way to pass Buffalo

its 9-12. One of those spots. Hopefully we stand pat at 10 at least, not like beating the rangers on saturday will knock them out anymore and I don't give a **** what they get seeded

If Buffalo wins and we loose, we draft ahead of them, since we would have a tie in points and fewer regulation wins.

 

[Bleedred]

Lou has done a pretty good job at clearing deadweight after years like this. Most of those years being first round failures. Poni will not be back, and I guarantee that. I don't think Zidlicky will be back either despite us needing his offense from the blue line. If we didn't bring back Sykora then I can see Zidlicky being sent out in favor of a younger player in our organization. Only problem is unless we got rid of Volch/Tally then we have no room for a younger player in our organization unless we let Harrold walk, and one of them becomes a number 7.

 

[Wingman77]

I still stand that a a good portion of it was the wockiness of a short season as well.

Trimming the fat on D needs to happen and should be Lou's biggest task. We need to get some kind of forward that can play on the 2nd line with Zajac, and a third liner if Clarkson leaves. I think the goalies will hold up, and we have enough D depth that we can put a strong unit out there. Getting that extra forward which could really get the team over the hump will be the hardest part.

While we likely would have made it in an 82 game season, it was for the better that our weaknesses were exposed earlier because had we made the playoffs, things may have seemed better, to management too than they were

 

[Tundra]

I still stand that a a good portion of it was the wockiness of a short season as well.

Trimming the fat on D needs to happen and should be Lou's biggest task. We need to get some kind of forward that can play on the 2nd line with Zajac, and a third liner if Clarkson leaves. I think the goalies will hold up, and we have enough D depth that we can put a strong unit out there. Getting that extra forward which could really get the team over the hump will be the hardest part.

We need to get younger and faster up front. For example, Viktor Stalberg is 27 and Lou should seriously explore what it would take to sign him. I'd really be depressed if Lou went out and depleted organizational resources for a player north of 32.

 

[SKNJD9]

Proud of this team for not folding when it could of been so easy to do so.

 

[JimEIV]

Zubrus will be 35 in a couple of months, Elias will be 38 before next season ends, Hedberg will be 40 at the end of next season, Marty will be 42 next season, Salvador will be 38 next season, Volchenkov will be 32 with a 40 year old body, Tallinder will be 35, Zidlicky will be 37.....

BLOW. IT. UP.

 

[Bleedred]

Proud of this team for not folding when it could of been so easy to do so.

Yup they could have stopped and quit a 2-0 tonight.

Why stop here though? The Rangers game is a non factor for both teams, but it would be nice to make good on last week in that building. They can chant ''Seasons over'' at us after beating up on the Rangers hopefully.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Lou has done a pretty good job at clearing deadweight after years like this. Most of those years being first round failures. Poni will not be back, and I guarantee that. I don't think Zidlicky will be back either despite us needing his offense from the blue line. If we didn't bring back Sykora then I can see Zidlicky being sent out in favor of a younger player in our organization. Only problem is unless we got rid of Volch/Tally then we have no room for a younger player in our organization unless we let Harrold walk, and one of them becomes a number 7.

I don't see Harrold coming back. We have more promising D-men that could benefit from playing some games with the big team and practicing with it. I think we will try to keep Zids if the price is right, but I really doubt we overpay for him either.

I do agree I'd prefer Lou to get a younger forward to add to the top 6, but it all depends. I am not in favor of a rebuilding year with this team.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Zubrus will be 35 in a couple of months, Elias will be 38 before next season ends, Hedberg will be 40 at the end of next season, Marty will be 42 season, Salvador will be 38 next season, Volchenkov will be 32 with a 40 year old body, Tallinder will be 35, Zidlicky will be 37.....

BLOW. IT. UP.

Yet 6 out of 8 of those guys are players that most people want gone at all costs. Chill the **** out.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

I think we need one to take the next step. As is we will still be a bubble team next year if Lou doesn't bring in another forward. We are a bubble team, just on the wrong side of the bubble. We could in theory finish 4 points out of 8th. That isn't a horrid blow the team up season. Not a good one, and sucks just the same, but not enough reason to go into full doom and gloom mode here.

Lou needs to make some moves. We need another top 6 forward to get this things following and humming. Really what we need is a top 6 forward who can play with Zajac. Elias-Zajac-??? if that is the right guy could be a very good line.

Henrique-Loki-Kovy then the big third line of Zubs-JJ-Clarkson? and CBGB.
s.

I'd like one of Horton, Filppula or Ryder to fill that hole you identified.

Get one of them, then re-sign the Big Three sarcasm and we'll be solid up front.

 

[SKNJD9]

Honestly of all the UFA's the only one I'll truly be upset over losing would be Elias.

I want Zubie and Zids back too...but not nearly as much as Patty obviously...

I got choked up when it was real that Marty might not be back...i expect the same for Elias.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

If Buffalo wins and we loose, we draft ahead of them, since we would have a tie in points and fewer regulation wins.

?

We have 17 ROW and they have 14 ROW.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yet 5 out of 7 of those guys are players that most people want gone at all costs. Chill the **** out.

Kovy is 30, Clarkson is 29, Henrique is 23, Loki is 22, JJ is 22, Zajac is 27, Greene is 30, Larrson is 20, Fayne is 25.

Don't. Blow. It. Up.

Tweak. It.

Jesus Lil Gio is 29 LOL. don't know why I thought he was younger.

 

[Tundra]

Honestly of all the UFA's the only one I'll truly be upset over losing would be Elias.

I want Zubie and Zids back too...but not nearly as much as Patty obviously...

I got choked up when it was real that Marty might not be back...i expect the same for Elias.

I have a different perspective. I only want Patty back if Lou can upgrade the top 6 significantly. Patty doesn't need this stress at this stage of his career quite honestly. If this is the same roster at the 2014 opener, I don't want Patty back. It would be time.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

Zubrus will be 35 in a couple of months, Elias will be 38 before next season ends, Hedberg will be 40 at the end of next season, Marty will be 42 next season, Salvador will be 38 next season, Volchenkov will be 32 with a 40 year old body, Tallinder will be 35, Zidlicky will be 37.....

BLOW. IT. UP.

I'd rather blow it up in 2015 and get that sweet McDavid.

Our poor forward corps and aging goaltending worries me to no ends right now. Lou will need to do something and he typically doesn't so ya...worried.

 

[Oneiro]

Not that it's a surprise or anything, but just looking at Gelinas today, you can see that the younger generation was flat-out built for this style of hockey. Speed.

You're not going to find a defenseman in the first 2-3 rounds that has stone hands anymore. The whole league adjusted and we didn't. Kept on going back to the well of experience. Experience isn't a joke, but neither is talent. And as much as I think some of you guys are a bunch of whining *******, I think Lou has shown a fundamental lack of respect for talent.

Sure, it has to be the right guy. You can't throw money at the wrong guy. But waiting's not going to you much good either.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Being there was great to see comeback win. Pride.

 

[Uli Hiemer]

I'd like one of Horton, Filppula or Ryder to fill that hole you identified.

Get one of them, then re-sign the Big Three sarcasm and we'll be solid up front.

I don't know how appealing the Devils are to free agents

 

[Tretyak 20]

Pete has been heaping praise on Gelinas tonight.

And why not? He looked good from what I saw.

 

[Tundra]

I don't know how appealing the Devils are to free agents

I think Euros generally have a higher opinion of the devils org than their North American counterparts. Remember Kovy telling the story about Tverdovsky and another Euro showing him their devils stanley cup ring??? They also spoke well of the org.

 

[The Great Dame]

Hey, I missed the game, how was Gelinas?