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

[Kurt Cobain]

They better play him. He's been one the most mistreated prospects that we have ever had. Really think he could be a solid 3rd line center for years to come if he just gets his chance. JUST GIVE HIM A CHANCE PETE!

 

[kiwidevil]

If he was good he would play. Stop acting as if he is some brilliant talent getting held back. Or that it's managements fault he is forever injured.

He get's bullied around, he has no ability to finish and he isn't some top tier defensive guy he is made to be on these boards.

Just because people think he is fast and was drafted in the first round they think he is better than what he has shown. Where, in reality, most of these AHL call ups we've had over the past years have outplayed him quite easily.

 

[JimEIV]

They better play him. He's been one the most mistreated prospects that we have ever had. Really think he could be a solid 3rd line center for years to come if he just gets his chance. JUST GIVE HIM A CHANCE PETE!

Mistreated? I don't know about that...I definitely think he didn't get a fair shake last season... I think he deserved a shot over Loktionov personally, but it's hard to argue his case when he has produced so little offense.

You can talk about his linemates, his minutes or anything else but it is hard to get past the fact he has 2 goals in his last 49 games.

I mean when you want to be a top 9 forward and Cam Janssen is scoring more goals than you, you've gotta tough road ahead of you.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

If he was good he would play. Stop acting as if he is some brilliant talent getting held back. Or that it's managements fault he is forever injured.

He get's bullied around, he has no ability to finish and he isn't some top tier defensive guy he is made to be on these boards.

Just because people think he is fast and was drafted in the first round they think he is better than what he has shown. Where, in reality, most of these AHL call ups we've had over the past years have outplayed him quite easily.

Yea, Tim Sestito and his zero career goals really have impressed.

 

[kiwidevil]

Yea, Tim Sestito and his zero career goals really have impressed.

Right? Since I specifically mentioned, Sestito???

But, since you bought it up:

Sestito did match Josefson's point totals last year, in 11 less games.

 

[Kurt Cobain]

If he was good he would play. Stop acting as if he is some brilliant talent getting held back. Or that it's managements fault he is forever injured.

He get's bullied around, he has no ability to finish and he isn't some top tier defensive guy he is made to be on these boards.

Just because people think he is fast and was drafted in the first round they think he is better than what he has shown. Where, in reality, most of these AHL call ups we've had over the past years have outplayed him quite easily.

Its not management's fault its Pete's fault. Brilliant talent? If your referring to my comment then you're putting words in my mouth. Pet has played him with inferior talent and not give him enough ice time. How can you ever prove yourself if your never given the chance and not ever in the lineup consistently? Not a way to instill confidence in a player by any means. He has talent, he has speed and he has solid two way ability. I don't think anyone thinks this guy is a future top six forward but he has NHL player written all over him and it doesnt take a scout to see that. Might I ask which ahl call ups have outplayed him? Sestito, Whitney? Not a chance. Give him third line minutes and decent linemates and hell prove himself as an NHL player. You're selling him way to short.

 

[kiwidevil]

What "real talent" has he ever shown?

The bar just keeps getting set lower and lower for this guy every year, to the point he will forever be called one of these guys that never got a chance.

 

[Kurt Cobain]

Mistreated? I don't know about that...I definitely think he didn't get a fair shake last season... I think he deserved a shot over Loktionov personally, but it's hard to argue his case when he has produced so little offense.

You can talk about his linemates, his minutes or anything else but it is hard to get past the fact he has 2 goals in his last 49 games.

I mean when you want to be a top 9 forward and Cam Janssen is scoring more goals than you, you've gotta tough road ahead of you.

Well Pete basically mistreated him by not giving him a fair shake last season. The way he has been put in and out of the lineup in such an erratic manner has made it hard to determine his offensive potential, in my opinion. It's safe to say he's not a natural goal scorer(that's putting it in the nicest way possible) but until he's played in a consistent manner I'll hold off on just looking at his stat line and making the determination that he doesn't have what it takes. I just go by what I see. I see an excellent skater with decent skill and solid two way play. I really think if he's given the third line center role he can be a 10 -12 goal 20 assist player who could be a very good penalty killer with that speed of his. Calling him the most mistreated prosect we've had was probably over the top on my part, but I still think he has been slightly mistreated and deserves better. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Kurt Cobain]

What "real talent" has he ever shown?

The bar just keeps getting set lower and lower for this guy every year, to the point he will forever be called one of these guys that never got a chance.

He's got speed and an NHL skill set. Idk what to tell you if you don't see it. Guys don't get drafted in the first round if they have no talent. His problem is mental and a lack of confidence. Could that stop him from becoming a full time NHL player? Of course, it has happened to guys with ever more natural talent than Jacob. I'm just saying give him his fair chance and he can be an every game third line player. I dont see that as such a rediculous comment to make, it's not like I said he could of been the next Elias had we developed him better.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Right? Since I specifically mentioned, Sestito???

But, since you bought it up:

Sestito did match Josefson's point totals last year, in 11 less games.

None of the garbage they bring up from Albany is better than him. He gets stuck on the 4th line with clowns like Janssen and people wonder why Josefson doesn't put up points. There is no reason why he shouldn't be the 3rd line center on opening night. If he was in the lineup every night and not scratched for the Rudy Ruettiger's of the organization because he made one mistake, then he will do just fine. I don't see any reason why he can't be like what Kruger is to Chicago. They are very similar players.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Tim Sestito has still never scored an NHL goal. I'd rather have Kostopoulos back. Or Brad Mills.

 

[Kurt Cobain]

Tim Sestito has still never scored an NHL goal. I'd rather have Kostopoulos back. Or Brad Mills.

Dear God I pray Sestito never gets called up ever again. He doesn't belong in the NHL under any circumstance.

 

[manilaNJ]

It should be noted that even Patrik Elias had to take a patient route to becoming a full time NHLer.

Josefson was brought up and thrown to the wolves in a lost season and succeeded.
He was injured, began to work his way back to that point and reinjured himself.

Since that point, he hasn't played well enough above anybody else in the lineup for an extended period of time. Which sounds ludicrous considering we iced guys like Janssen and Sestito - but he brought next to nothing to the table in the opportunities he was given.

It's frustrating to watch, because I very much want to be a fan of his. And when he was given a spot next to Jagr & Zajac, he wasn't a defensive anchor... but he stunted that line offensively while they were out on the ice. He missed on several opportunities by either refusing to shoot or skating right past the opportunity.

In 2012, between injuries, we had a viable top 6 and the ability to be patient to bring him up the roster. We haven't had a legitimate top 6 since Parise left and when 90% of the roster is offensively snakebitten and already overreaching for offense... what do you do with Josefson? I'd like to have seen him play more, but even so not that much more than he already did.

You look at a player like Gelinas, while he was defensively regressing towards the end of the season, was still making his case to be in the lineup through his offense. He was wedged in as a 4th line forward/PP specialist.. but there was an element of his game that forced the coach to want to keep him in the lineup.

Even look at how Merrill made his case despite there already being 8 other defensemen on the roster.

Josefson needs to make that statement this season. He will get that opportunity. It will be up to him how long his leash is, though.

 

[Kurt Cobain]

It should be noted that even Patrik Elias had to take a patient route to becoming a full time NHLer.

Josefson was brought up and thrown to the wolves in a lost season and succeeded.
He was injured, began to work his way back to that point and reinjured himself.

Since that point, he hasn't played well enough above anybody else in the lineup for an extended period of time. Which sounds ludicrous considering we iced guys like Janssen and Sestito - but he brought next to nothing to the table in the opportunities he was given.

It's frustrating to watch, because I very much want to be a fan of his. And when he was given a spot next to Jagr & Zajac, he wasn't a defensive anchor... but he stunted that line offensively while they were out on the ice. He missed on several opportunities by either refusing to shoot or skating right past the opportunity.

In 2012, between injuries, we had a viable top 6 and the ability to be patient to bring him up the roster. We haven't had a legitimate top 6 since Parise left and when 90% of the roster is offensively snakebitten and already overreaching for offense... what do you do with Josefson? I'd like to have seen him play more, but even so not that much more than he already did.

You look at a player like Gelinas, while he was defensively regressing towards the end of the season, was still making his case to be in the lineup through his offense. He was wedged in as a 4th line forward/PP specialist.. but there was an element of his game that forced the coach to want to keep him in the lineup.

Even look at how Merrill made his case despite there already being 8 other defensemen on the roster.

Josefson needs to make that statement this season. He will get that opportunity. It will be up to him how long his leash is, though.

Opportunity. That's all I want for Jacob. But if he's gonna be given the opportunity I don't want him taken out of the lineup after a bad game which is something I feel Jacob had to deal with more than any other forward the last two seasons. There were other forwards who would play terrible and continue to be given the same amount of ice time and still be played every game. Josefson wasn't given that benefit of the doubt like others. And if were gonna ever begin developing NHL forwards again(we've been one of the worst organizations in that department the last ten years) we need to live with some growing pains when it comes to young players. Just give him the opportunity and don't play games with his confidence and I really believe he can be an NHL player as I have said over and over again in this thread.

 

[manilaNJ]

Opportunity. That's all I want for Jacob. But if he's gonna be given the opportunity I don't want him taken out of the lineup after a bad game which is something I feel Jacob had to deal with more than any other forward the last two seasons. There were other forwards who would play terrible and continue to be given the same amount of ice time and still be played every game. Josefson wasn't given that benefit of the doubt like others. And if were gonna ever begin developing NHL forwards again(we've been one of the worst organizations in that department the last ten years) we need to live with some growing pains when it comes to young players. Just give him the opportunity and don't play games with his confidence and I really believe he can be an NHL player as I have said over and over again in this thread.

On the one hand, and maybe some of the posters here that are older than I can help my memory on this... I can't remember a young kid who has shown as little as Josefson who's ever just been given a roster spot. They've all had to earn it. No player that simply wasn't projected to be a 4th line punching bag or 6th/7th defensemen, anyway.

On the other hand, I agree, he's had more than a few unfair shakes in the way of scratches have gone. This is where I think it's also a little bit out of his control. When you're perpetually on the bubble and devoid of offensive talent, there's a lot of pressure on your depth players to carry more weight than they can handle.
Given at least 2 reliable scoring lines to work with, I think that allows the coaching staff to give a guy like Josefson who has more to prove, but doesn't have much in the way of goal scoring to do it with, a much longer leash.

 

[MadDevil]

What "real talent" has he ever shown?

The bar just keeps getting set lower and lower for this guy every year, to the point he will forever be called one of these guys that never got a chance.

I think Josefson can be a decent bottom six forward, but I also kind of agree with your second point. He can't hide behind the "didn't get a fair shake" argument forever. At some point he has to distinguish himself enough to earn a regular spot in the lineup.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If he was good he would play. Stop acting as if he is some brilliant talent getting held back. Or that it's managements fault he is forever injured.

He get's bullied around, he has no ability to finish and he isn't some top tier defensive guy he is made to be on these boards.

Just because people think he is fast and was drafted in the first round they think he is better than what he has shown. Where, in reality, most of these AHL call ups we've had over the past years have outplayed him quite easily.

like who? Tim Sestito and Stephen Gionta?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

What "real talent" has he ever shown?

The bar just keeps getting set lower and lower for this guy every year, to the point he will forever be called one of these guys that never got a chance.

lets say what you are saying is true.

then WHY did the team draft him? if he sucks so much and the Devils took him, isn't that on the Devils?

to just completely absolve the team of any blame is seriously crazy.

 

[JimEIV]

lets say what you are saying is true.

then WHY did the team draft him? if he sucks so much and the Devils took him, isn't that on the Devils?

to just completely absolve the team of any blame is seriously crazy.

Because he had skills that if progressed would be valuable...

That is why every bust is a bust (not saying Josefson is a bust)...Because their skills never progress much further than draft day...No one can foresee this, unless you get god as your head of scouting this will ALWAYS happen more often than not.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Because he had skills that if progressed would be valuable...

That is why every bust is a bust (not saying Josefson is a bust)...Because their skills never progress much further than draft day...No one can foresee this, unless you get god as your head of scouting this will ALWAYS happen more often than not.

and the team takes no blame for those skills not progressing?

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

I hope JJ is ready to really want it and plays the game all his fans here (myself included) know he can play. I love his speed and hockey IQ when it comes to defense. His emergence would go along way in my hunch of this team being one of the best in the east with his and others play.

 

[JimEIV]

and the team takes no blame for those skills not progressing?

None whatsoever...You fly or you sink in pro sports. You make the most of any opportunity you get or you're out. It really is that simply.

If a guy like David Clarkson can come into the league and score 3 goals, 4 points in his first 7 games anybody could make a statement in 30 or 40 games...

Had Clarkson not done that is butt would've been back in Lowell so fast you're head would've spun...He got called on look and busted through the door. He not only busted through the door he increased his role and production in each of his first 3 years from his first opportunity.

The organization can't do that for anybody...They can only provide the opportunity.


You're trying to blame the university for a kid that fails out.

 

[NJDevs26]

Let's be honest, Josefson WAS awful in the lockout season when he got a legit opportunity. He was a PK'er and getting decent icetime and he bombed.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

None whatsoever...You fly or you sink in pro sports. You make the most of any opportunity you get or you're out. It really is that simply.

If a guy like David Clarkson can come into the league and score 3 goals, 4 points in his first 7 games anybody could make a statement in 30 or 40 games...

Had Clarkson not done that is butt would've been back in Lowell so fast you're head would've spun...He got called on look and busted through the door. He not only busted through the door he increased his role and production in each of his first 3 years from his first opportunity.

The organization can't do that for anybody...They can only provide the opportunity.


You're trying to blame the university for a kid that fails out.

thats all I needed to read to let me know not to waste any more time on the subject. thanks.

 

[manilaNJ]

Let's be honest, Josefson WAS awful in the lockout season when he got a legit opportunity. He was a PK'er and getting decent icetime and he bombed.

Exactly.
He played well in his short stints prior to the lockout season and was given the minutes he earned.
He fell flat on his face in the lockout season, there was little to redeem about his play. He started out being given the most shorthanded minutes of any forward, so it's not as if the coaching staff never trusted him - but even his PK work suffered before he was inevitably sent down.

He didn't earn a carte blanche from the coaching staff.
Players come in and play their way up from the 4th line all the time. That's all on Josefson from this point out. And on his health, of course.