News Article: News from Around the League - Part XXXVI

[Bleedred]

I think part of what makes Volchenkov so good on the PK is he's great with shot blocking. When you're on the PK the play will be in your end for much of the two minutes, and a lot of shots are being fired, and someone who can block them like Anton is a good fit for the PK. It doesn't seem Deboer really trusts him to give him top minutes even strength.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

DATW is that what they told you in juniors? "hey PKing is not that important, just stand there and wave your stick around!!"

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

I think part of what makes Volchenkov so good on the PK is he's great with shot blocking. When you're on the PK the play will be in your end for much of the two minutes, and a lot of shots are being fired, and someone who can block them like Anton is a good fit for the PK. It doesn't seem Deboer really trusts him to give him top minutes even strength.

True. Anton is a beast at shot blocking and that's always a plus on the PK but the risk of injuries are also higher so it's also a risk but what can you do... we can't have it both ways.

I like Anton as a 3rd pairing d-men and a #1 PK'er. I just want to vomit when I see his contract, the lenght and the NTC... that's all.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

his contract is not THAT bad, Jesus.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

WTF do I care about CORSI stats, seriously... I watch the games and go from there. You can have the best CORSI stat alive and still cause your team more harm then anything else.

This isn't a stat league or fantasy hockey, the game is played on the ice and Volchenkov is playing minimal minutes while earning a heavy paycheck and that's all that really matters at the end of the day.

Is there a stat for average icetime Vs your paycheck? I'd bet Volchenkov would be a close second to no other then Gomez if there was such a stat.

Hey, he'd be 2nd overall in something

I don't like Volchenkov, but your attack on corsi/stats is unfounded.

No human being can possibly watch a game and objectively account for the myriad contextual variables that affect the performance you see the on the ice. That's where stats come in. Something like zone starts is probably oft overlooked by people who simply trust their eyes, however it has a noted impact on goals for and goals against when players are on the ice.

Moreover, how about something like puck touches? If Zidlicky and Volchenkov are paired together, Zidlicky will control the puck 80% of the time in the defensive zone. As a result, Zidlicky is more likely to make a bad turnover and look worse defensively, simply because he controls the puck more. Does people who simply trust their eyes account for this?

 

[njdevsfn95]

Most overated stat ever. You don't have to do anything on the PK but hold your position and waive your stick around to block passes.

That explains how we created all those SH opportunities and led the league in SHG.

Standing around and waiving the stick kills 9 out of 10 penalties.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

DATW is that what they told you in juniors? "hey PKing is not that important, just stand there and wave your stick around!!"

I didn't play defense, so I can't really tell you what needs to be done but the basics are there. You don't move past the faceoff circle, you put your stick on the ice to block the slot and you clear the net when a shot is thrown towards the net.

You're a pretty knowledgeable hockey fan, so it's kind of surprising that you seem to think that PK'ing is something different then what I'm trying to say. When was the last time you saw a d-men cover the point or skate around on the PK, just wondering?

 

[NJDevs26]

Maybe we really are close to a season now that every thread is becoming about Volchenkov again lol.

 

[NJDevs26]

his contract is not THAT bad, Jesus.

Not with a $70 million cap. With a $60 million cap next year and FA's to sign, it could be a different story.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

And if we're going to talk about CORSI, let's talk about how Volchenkov had the worst Corsi REL on the PK among all Devils' defensemen last season.

 

[MartyOwns]

after all, negotiations make strange bedfellows.

 

[Bleedred]

I don't wanna keep debating about Volchenkov, but just one question. Why did people not wanna keep Gionta in 09 for $5 million a year(He would have stayed for way less by the way) but were okay with Volchenkov for like $4.2 the very next year? I'm not asking why Lou, and management were okay with it. I'm asking why some fans did not want Gionta for that money who went on to score 28, and 29 goals in the two healthy years he played on that contract, but were cool with Volchenkov who doesn't bring hardly any scoring for $4.2? I think this is a valid question.

 

[MartyOwns]

You said a few pages back you like the idea of 1 buyout. Do you think the Devils will use it though?

i dont care much if the devils use it, per se...i would think we may be able to snap up a few 'bought-out' forwards

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

his contract is not THAT bad, Jesus.

For a d-men who's utilised as a #7 d-men in terms of minutes played per game... you're right, it's not that bad, it's horrendous.

 

[Bleedred]

Maybe we really are close to a season now that every thread is becoming about Volchenkov again lol.

The season truly doesn't start until there is a ''Is this the year Brodeur finally show his age?'' thread.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

And if we're going to talk about CORSI, let's talk about how Volchenkov had the worst Corsi REL on the PK among all Devils' defensemen last season.

Now there's a use for your CORSI stats right there... good job

 

[Bleedred]

i dont care much if the devils use it, per se...i would think we may be able to snap up a few 'bought-out' forwards

Lecavalier PLZ! If he comes for cheap, and Zajac doesn't re sign.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

I don't wanna keep debating about Volchenkov, but just one question. Why did people not wanna keep Gionta in 09 for $5 million a year(He would have stayed for way less by the way) but were okay with Volchenkov for like $4.2 the very next year? I'm not asking why Lou, and management were okay with it. I'm asking why some fans did not want Gionta for that money who went on to score 28, and 29 goals in the two healthy years he played on that contract, but were cool with Volchenkov who doesn't bring hardly any scoring for $4.2? I think this is a valid question.

I had the same question about letting Rafalski walk for $6M and then signing Rolston for $5M. Different offseasons, though, so its hard to compare.

We could certainly use Gionta now.

 

[jkrdevil]

There is no need to buyout anyone. They are already under the proposed cap for next year and have money coming off in Elias (who may be re-signed but not at 6), Zubrus and Tallinder. There is more than enough money to re-sign Zajac and add pieces.

We are in good shape moving forward.

 

[Bleedred]

I had the same question about letting Rafalski walk for $6M and then signing Rolston for $5M. Different offseasons, though, so its hard to compare.

We could certainly use Gionta now.

That's one thing we can agree on. Rafalski would have stayed for $4.5 million I think it was. Lou didn't wanna give him a raise from the $4 million was it? That he was making. He would have stayed for $4.5, but left for Detroit for 6. He was under 35 that Summer too, and would have retired anyway in the Summer of 2011. He may have even only signed for 3 or 4 years instead of 5 also.

I agree we could use Brian Gionta right now. It's pretty sad cause he wanted to stay, and was very adamant about that. I've heard from someone who knows him that he would have stayed for like $3.5 which was a paycut from what he was getting before that. Someone on this board who knows him confirmed this as well. I don't think I want him at $5 million if the cap goes down to $60 million, but in 2014 I can see him coming back especially if Stephen stays.

 

[Bleedred]

There is no need to buyout anyone. They are already under the proposed cap for next year and have money coming off in Elias (who may be re-signed but not at 6), Zubrus and Tallinder. There is more than enough money to re-sign Zajac and add pieces.

We are in good shape moving forward.

Here's the thing though. If Lou lets these guys go to UFA next year we could be overpaying for everybody. Perhaps someone like Zajac doesn't wanna stay. Not Lou's fault. Perhaps JVB, and finances had something to do with letting Marty go to the market, and others until the final offer to Parise was made.

If Clarkson goes to the market some ****in idiot like Burke will pay $5 million a year for the hometown boy. I wouldn't be surprised. Whereas he would probably sign an extension with us for $4 million a year. Patty's agent is that dick Allan Walsh. We could be looking at giving Patty what he made last contract. Especially if he goes to the market. Hopefully Lou doesn't overpay for Zubrus, but he probably will, and especially if he goes to the market. Tallinder is signed until 2014, but Zidlicky is off this Summer.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

The bottom line is that Volchenkov needs to be impeccable defensively, and for a lot minutes, to justify his contract. As it stands, Volch is good in patrolling his own end, but is pretty bad on transition and in the offensive zone. Not worth close to $4.2M, probably more like $2.0M.

 

[jkrdevil]

Different positions have different values along with each offseason having different marketplaces. You can't compare across positions and offseasons.

Oh and if they keep Gionta, Kovalchuk most likely never would have made it into a Devils uniform. Letting Gionta walk opened up cap flexibility allowing the move to be made.

 

[NJDevs26]

Gionta was supposed to be replaced by the likes of Bergfors and Tedenby lol. Plus his goal scoring went downhill the two years before he left. Volch seemingly added the physical shutdown D we hadn't had since the lockout.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

Here's the thing though. If Lou lets these guys go to UFA next year we could be overpaying for everybody. Perhaps someone like Zajac doesn't wanna stay. Not Lou's fault. Perhaps JVB, and finances had something to do with letting Marty go to the market, and others until the final offer to Parise was made.

If Clarkson goes to the market some ****in idiot like Burke will pay $5 million a year for the hometown boy. I wouldn't be surprised. Whereas he would probably sign an extension with us for $4 million a year. Patty's agent is that dick Allan Walsh. We could be looking at giving Patty what he made last contract. Especially if he goes to the market. Hopefully Lou doesn't overpay for Zubrus, but he probably will, and especially if he goes to the market. Tallinder is signed until 2014, but Zidlicky is off this Summer.

I'm personally pretty skeptical of the argument that Lou could simply alleviate this free agency mess by negotiating earlier.

Reality check: these players have agents who are pretty in tune with their market value and they are probably pretty hesitant to agree to anything before UFA.

Honestly, as a player, why wouldn't you go to UFA, even if you love your home team. Do what Elias did. Gauge your worth, milk some extra money, and stay put.