The Adam Larsson Project

[Emperoreddy]

This is more the type of game I wanted to see from Lars last time. Didn't need to score, but making his presence felt with his body and stick.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Now this is exactly the type of game I was looking for from Larsson! No question he starts the next game, and if he plays like this he'll stick in the lineup. Merrill on the other hand..

Merrill had a terrible start, but I thought he really picked it up as the game went on, same with Larsson.

 

[Eric Sachs]

Now this is exactly the type of game I was looking for from Larsson! No question he starts the next game, and if he plays like this he'll stick in the lineup. Merrill on the other hand..

Merrill had a so-so game. Atrocious in the first, bounced back by the end of the game. Made a beautiful pass to Ryder for the goal.

He still made some really questionable pinches and wasn't as solid as he needs to be defensively.

Severson was a beast tonight defensively. Also had a really nice tight pass to Ryder early in the game that Ryder just missed for an easy put-in goal.

Greene was good. His usual nifty plays with the puck.

Salvador.. ugh. Probably the worst turnover I've seen by an NHL defensemen in quite some time. Amazed that he was benched.

Zidlicky had a terrible play early on the GA. Why pinch when it's a delayed penalty? He recovered somewhat.

 

[GameSeven]

Merrill had a terrible start, but I thought he really picked it up as the game went on, same with Larsson.

I wouldn't want to drag Merrill down by dissecting the game, but I would welcome a Gelinas for Merrill swap for a game.

 

[Eric Sachs]

I wouldn't mind Gelly coming in for either of the veterans. He can replace Zidlicky's offensive production and Salvador's defensive brainfarts all in one.

 

[Devilsfan992]

I'll be honest, I didn't notice it was Merrill on the assist. Definitely makes his performance a bit better in my mind, but still not that good.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'll be honest, I didn't notice it was Merrill on the assist. Definitely makes his performance a bit better in my mind, but still not that good.

He made a nifty pass to help set Ryder up.

 

[jkrdevil]

Even strength corsi tonight for Larsson...76.47%, tops among Devils defensemen. Yet only play 15:11

 

[Devilsfan992]

Even strength corsi tonight for Larsson...76.47%, tops among Devils defensemen. Yet only play 15:11

15 minutes without PP or PK is fine for now. I don't want to play him too much in his first couple games anyways.

 

[Eric Sachs]

15 minutes without PP or PK is fine for now. I don't want to play him too much in his first couple games anyways.

He definitely had some PK time. A shift or two.

and magically, I think it's the first game of the year we didn't give up a PP? First game in the last few we didn't give up multiple, for sure.

 

[Emperoreddy]

He got shifts in OT (at least one). OT shifts are usually rewards when it comes to Pete so I think that was pretty meaningful.

 

[jkrdevil]

There were six minutes of special teams total this game.

 

[It Takes 2 To Tango]

He still has top-4 potential but doesn't look to be that much of an offensive contributor which isn't a terrible things with Severson and Gelinas providing that along with Zidlicky.

Greene-Severson
Merrill-Larsson

Has the potential to be a good top-4 in the coming years.

 

[Unknown Caller]

He still has top-4 potential but doesn't look to be that much of an offensive contributor which isn't a terrible things with Severson and Gelinas providing that along with Zidlicky.

Greene-Severson
Merrill-Larsson

Has the potential to be a good top-4 in the coming years.

And that's not including Santini and Helgeson (and to a lesser extent Scarlett and Jacobs).

 

[NJD Kula]

Hmm, who sits now?

Thinking Gelly not getting back in unless as 7th dman who plays PP and 4th line forward.

 

[It Takes 2 To Tango]

And that's not including Santini and Helgeson (and to a lesser extent Scarlett and Jacobs).

The D-man factory is back up and running for NJ? It seems to be!

 

[NJDevs26]

Hmm, who sits now?

Thinking Gelly not getting back in unless as 7th dman who plays PP and 4th line forward.

Or this 'hand injury' from Sal becomes a convenient excuse to banish him without embarassing him.

 

[Devil X]

Or this 'hand injury' from Sal becomes a convenient excuse to banish him without embarassing him.

Im trying to figure out how crazy this board will go if Sal is out the next game and we run a D of:

Greene Severson
Merrill Zids
Gelinas Larrson

 

[wellonegm05*]

15 minutes without PP or PK is fine for now. I don't want to play him too much in his first couple games anyways.

Larsson was consistently used as the 2nd pairing on the PK tonight. Was quite shocked actually. he also got a shift in OT.

 

[Eric Sachs]

Im trying to figure out how crazy this board will go if Sal is out the next game and we run a D of:

Greene Severson
Merrill Zids
Gelinas Larrson

nothing in the world right now would make me happier

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Or this 'hand injury' from Sal becomes a convenient excuse to banish him without embarassing him.

I'm definitely waiting for a phantom injury regarding Salvador. I mean, when Pete of all people has been cutting his minutes then the cat might finally be out of the bag.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Hmm, who sits now?

Thinking Gelly not getting back in unless as 7th dman who plays PP and 4th line forward.

My fingers are crossed, but I've seen this play too many times to have any faith that Larsson will be in even the next game. Honestly, I think they missed Gelly tonight. Not that I want Larsson to sit, but the only way Gelinas gets back in is if Larsson sits. Historically, it hasn't mattered if Larsson has a good game. The next game is always a toss up as to whether or not he'll play.

 

[NJDevs26]

I'm definitely waiting for a phantom injury regarding Salvador. I mean, when Pete of all people has been cutting his minutes then you cat might finally be out of the bag.

Truth be told situations have dictated it in the past couple games (being behind and needing to catch up). Others pointed out in the game thread Pete hasn't always banished Sal when down in the third, but we haven't had a mobile crop of defensemen like this in past years either. It's not like you could bench him AND Fayne AND Volch AND Tallinder, whatever other offensively challenged d-men we had out there.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Truth be told situations have dictated it in the past couple games (being behind and needing to catch up). Others pointed out in the game thread Pete hasn't always banished Sal when down in the third, but we haven't had a mobile crop of defensemen like this in past years either. It's not like you could bench him AND Fayne AND Volch AND Tallinder, whatever other offensively challenged d-men we had out there.

Point was Pete has used Sal in the third when we were down THIS year. So this was actually counter to the way he has used Sal.

Obviously see what happens Saturday, but I think there was more going on with Sal sitting then just us winning.

Also that game was tied with 3:30 left in the third and Sal didn't see ONE shift. So the idea he was only sat for a lead just isn't true.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Zidlicky needs to go. Gelinas easily replaces his offense.