Confirmed with Link: Josefson re-signed (2 years, $800k AAV)

[JackHughes86]

Jacob Josefson just needs to stay healthy

 

[JimboA]

delete

 

[JimEIV]

Hey guys. I'm a neutral fan and I don't really know much about the Devils so I thought it's best to ask you. Is JJ injured or is he just not good enough? Can't find any info about him.

I'm sure you are going to get some pretty interesting answers here...

But I would say, in the most diplomatic way, there just isn't a spot for him right now.

 

[The 29th Pick]

Hey guys. I'm a neutral fan and I don't really know much about the Devils so I thought it's best to ask you. Is JJ injured or is he just not good enough? Can't find any info about him.

yeah he's a healthy scratch and wont see much playing time till someone in the lineup gets injured.
he hasnt really proved he's as good (or better) than anybody that's playing right now
his future (in NJ) doesnt look to promising right now

 

[JimboA]

delete

 

[DatBoyJPP]

He's better than Gionta or Tootoo. DeBoer is just a stubborn coach

 

[The 29th Pick]

He's better than Gionta or Tootoo. DeBoer is just a stubborn coach

yeah true, but he's not your prototypical 4th liner either
he's just in a bad situation in NJ

 

[NJDevs26]

I really don't know what was going through Josefson's mind when he signed a two-year deal, someone needs to explain that one to me (or why Lou would offer one for that matter). He was already like fifteenth on the depth chart and that was before Gomez and Tootoo's camps.

 

[The 29th Pick]

I really don't know what was going through Josefson's mind when he signed a two-year deal, someone needs to explain that one to me (or why Lou would offer one for that matter). He was already like fifteenth on the depth chart and that was before Gomez and Tootoo's camps.

yeah good point or question, I made a similar point in the Larsson thread (I think) why would Lou offer Adam 1 year but JJ 2 years ? really weird

 

[MadDevil]

I really don't know what was going through Josefson's mind when he signed a two-year deal, someone needs to explain that one to me (or why Lou would offer one for that matter). He was already like fifteenth on the depth chart and that was before Gomez and Tootoo's camps.

This is also part of why I think the "mishandling of youth" thing is overblown. If it was really that bad, why would Josefson sign a two year deal? And if the coach just doesn't like him, why would we offer him a two year deal?

 

[NJDevs26]

He played 27 games last year, and is going to play far less this year barring divine intervention. He's clearly NOT what Pete wants in a fourth-line player and he doesn't have the offensive ability to play on a top three line. He also can't stay healthy, given all that there's literally no future for him here. When he signed a two-year deal I figured he'd be given one last chance to win an everyday job but clearly in hindsight he was always on the outside looking in.

Which again makes the two year deal mystifying. I get he's not a UFA and he might not want to go home to Sweden but still, you'd think he and Lou would both want to keep their options open at least. Why clog up a roster spot with someone who's so obviously not in the plans? It's not like he really plays even when he's in the lineup...basically 10-12 minutes max.

 

[RSeen]

He played 27 games last year, and is going to play far less this year barring divine intervention. He's clearly NOT what Pete wants in a fourth-line player and he doesn't have the offensive ability to play on a top three line. He also can't stay healthy, given all that there's literally no future for him here. When he signed a two-year deal I figured he'd be given one last chance to win an everyday job but clearly in hindsight he was always on the outside looking in.

Which again makes the two year deal mystifying. I get he's not a UFA and he might not want to go home to Sweden but still, you'd think he and Lou would both want to keep their options open at least. Why clog up a roster spot with someone who's so obviously not in the plans?

It is still early, there will be injuries eventually. He is going to get a chance.

 

[NJDevs26]

It is still early, there will be injuries eventually. He is going to get a chance.

How, exactly? Brunner's ahead of him in the pecking order in terms of top nine duty, and I honestly think they would rather sign Gomez than play Josefson if there was a center injury (he wouldn't still be hanging around if he was behind four guys PLUS Jacob). Then there's Boucher and Matteau at Albany, who I think would both be ahead of Josefson if there was anything long-term to replace. If you gave Pete truth syrum he'd probably even rather play Sislo or the corpse of Bernier before Josefson, but Josefson's here and a former first-rounder so he might still play above them at least.

 

[tailfins]

I thought I'd bump this thread since the Larsson one was starting to have a bit of a JJ discussion.

JJ has been playing well of late. I think most of the board is happy with what they've seen. What's next for him?

Right now, my hope for him is a Sami Pahlsson type of career. Smart player with some speed, defensively responsible, an all situations kind of guy but who is never much of a point producer.

It's early, his stats this year seem to back up his good play as well. His Corsi (EV) is second to his 2011-2012 season, and his defensive zone starts are higher than his career average. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Deboer trusts him yet, but clearly he's showing some good signs. That said, he's got 2 points, so he's clearly not doing much to push himself into the conversation re: powerplay time or even top six time.

What say the rest of your?

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

If JJ becomes a 10/25-30 guy strong PK I will be happy.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I love his motor. He's an excellent skater, and I love his willingness to fight along the boards and engage the dirty areas.

 

[devilsblood]

(I copy and pasted my post from the Lars thread).

He needs to produce more points, I said it a couple games back(playing more then 9 minutes a game would help), but he has offensive flair. The play that led to Ruutu goal was a good example of it. Got no points for it, but it was a fairly impressive show of skill. As was his shootout goal, and his shorthanded goal. So this is not something I'm pulling out of my arse here.

A play last year sticks in my mind as well. Came into the zone with some speed, pulled up at the right circle which created space, holds the puck looking for a team mate, only to find that Cam is the next guy into the zone. Hard to produce when a) you play 9 minutes, and b)play once every 4 games like last year and c)guys like Cam are your linemates.

I'm sticking to it here, JJ's game has not seen some incredible transformation, he's merely been given an oppurtunity.

 

[devilsblood]

I kind of liken him to Zelepukin. He was one of my favorite players back in the day as well.

 

[Zippy316]

He's fast, he works hard, and he's responsible.

Once people lower the expectations of a first round pick and just let him play his game, he's a good player. If he can improve his offensive game a little, he could be a much better player. The Sami Pahlsson comparison is pretty good. I hope his offensive game progresses soon.

 

[Devs4L]

He's handling the puck more. This had been one of my biggest criticisms of him. We've known he has good hands, but he rarely shows them because he gets rid of the puck long before he needs to. He's handling it and hanging on to it a little more now. It's good to see.

If he can find consistency and develop into a 3rd/4th line center, I'd be thrilled. I don't have much hope he'll ever be a top 6 guy, but that's fine. Just would like him to develop into an 82 game player. Hope he keeps this up.

 

[Oneiro]

I could see him hitting 50 pts win with a player like Cammalleri or even Boucher next to him.

It's all guessing, but I think this is just the start.

 

[JimEIV]

I love his motor. He's an excellent skater, and I love his willingness to fight along the boards and engage the dirty areas.

This is a relatively new development...We saw a bit of that at the end of last season but he has taken his game to a different level this season...It has only been 10 games but it is pretty encouraging.

Would love to see him get real top 6 minutes with some top 6 players and see if he can produce some points.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I'd like to see if an Elias-Josefson-Havlat line could do anything. I think Joe's hustle and speed, combined with the creativity and chemistry of Havlat, could be the spark that Elias needs to get going.

Cam-Zajac-Jagr
Elias-Joe-Havlat
Roo2-Rico-Ryder
Scrubs

 

[tailfins]

I'd like to see if an Elias-Josefson-Havlat line could do anything. I think Joe's hustle and speed, combined with the creativity and chemistry of Havlat, could be the spark that Elias needs to get going.

Cam-Zajac-Jagr
Elias-Joe-Havlat
Roo2-Rico-Ryder
Scrubs

I like that people still have hope for JJ's offense. I can't agree with bumping Henrique to the third line in favor of Josefson, though. I'd rather see a Ruutu, Josefson, Ryder third line first. If Josefson can't produce on that line, there's no way he should move up to a top six role at this point.

I think Jim's suggestion would be Josefson over Jagr in the top six. I have same issue with that as Henrique.

 

[devilsblood]

I like that people still have hope for JJ's offense. I can't agree with bumping Henrique to the third line in favor of Josefson, though. I'd rather see a Ruutu, Josefson, Ryder third line first. If Josefson can't produce on that line, there's no way he should move up to a top six role at this point.

I think Jim's suggestion would be Josefson over Jagr in the top six. I have same issue with that as Henrique.

Unless the idea is to spread the offense(which Im not a big fan of)I can't see JJ jumping Rico onto Elias's line. Plus I think Patty and Havlat could use a finisher, and Rico is def more that then JJ currently is.

And Jim suggested JJ in Jagr's spot?

But I do like JJ together with Ruutu, I think they meld well, and I guess Ryder on the RW, again for finishing abilities, though I'm not so hot on any of our options there(actually liked Gio but), but maybe more important then who the RW is, is just giving JJ some more minutes to work with. below 10 minutes of toi, and below 9 minutes of es is not enough.