Confirmed with Link: Updated: Devils SIGN Brunner (2 years, $2.5M AAV)

[MJB Devils23*]

At the beginning of the offseason, I said that we should probably drop Clarkson and sign Brunner with his money instead. Getting him at $2.5M AAV is really, really nice. Between him and Ryder, we got a pair of real bargains on goal-scoring wingers.

As for all those counting the Devils out, my advice would be ignore them. We've got great coaching, a very solid defense with an incredibly bright future in front of it (perhaps better than solid, depending on Larsson's progression), and a very well balanced forward corps. I very much like our lineup of centers, because it's good offensively but very good defensively, which is how the Devils traditionally build in the middle.

I don't know what the lineup is going to look like now, because we've got too many forwards, but I trust DeBoer to put that together.

Very well said CD. How would you make the lineup though?

 

[Banana Sandwiches]

Low risk, high reward, similar to signing Sykora 2 years ago (although Brunner is much less of a question mark). I like this.

 

[Chessarmy]

If I had to make a top line, it would Elias - Zajac - Brunner. Elias and Brunner clearly meshed right away, and Zajac and Elias are wizards along the boards, opening up space for Brunner.

And from a much more speculative angle, this team needs Zajac to succeed. Putting him with Elias (essentially the Gandalf of Corsi) and a good shooter and giving them tons of ice time seems like just the way to do it, to me.

After that, coming up with lines is hard. Every time I do it I end up with Jagr on the 3rd line or Zubrus on the 4th or something weird. I think someone's gone, and not just Tedenby or Gionta. OR Lou's just gonna play it patient and wait for the injury bug to kick in. Lord knows we have enough geezers to make that plan prudent.

Elias-Zajac-Brunner
Zubrus-Henrique-Jagr
Clowe-Loktionov-Ryder
Olesz-Carter-Bernier

 

[Bologna 1]

wasn't a fan of his Pejorative Slured penalties tonight but still seems like a solid pickup nonetheless.

 

[NJDevilsFan21]

Elias-Zajac-Brunner
Zubrus-Henrique-Jagr
Clowe-Loktionov-Ryder
Olesz-Carter-Bernier

Zajac and Henrique need to step it up this year. If they do we're going to do quite well.

 

[apice3*]

Elias-Zajac-Brunner
Zubrus-Henrique-Jagr
Clowe-Loktionov-Ryder
Olesz-Carter-Bernier

There's no way Loktionov makes the team over Josefson after this postseason. Josefson has been incredible so far. Loktionov has been invisible.

Now that could be due to the amount of time Josefson has seen, but he's also made the most out of it.

I mean, the only player that I would be shocked if they made the team would be Tedenby, but I don't see any lineup having Loktionov in and Josefson out.

 

[Czech Trio]

This signing eliminates Tedenby from a spot. It leaves Olesz/Josefson/Gionta/Bernier/Carter/Loktionov for 4 spots I think.

All I say is it will be hard to cut Olesz/Josefson/Bernier/Carter, Loktionov is a question mark, and Gionta is gone. Good ol' Barch too.

 

[apice3*]

I think people are going to be surprised with what happens to Barch. I really don't see him being sent down.

 

[Chessarmy]

If Loktionov doesn't make the team after not getting a chance in LA, he's probably done with the NHL

 

[MJB Devils23*]

If Loktionov doesn't make the team after not getting a chance in LA, he's probably done with the NHL

I hope that doesn't happen.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

I don't see Loktionov bolting yet. He could probably latch on somewhere else but since most teams rosters are about to be full, he'll probably have to start back up in the A. I don't think hes done here yet even though his spot it his in jeopardy. It is pretty hilarious that after he turned down big money from across the pond in order to stay here, he ends up potentially being the odd man out.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Honestly doubt he will be the odd man out, especially over like for example Gio.

A lot of line-ups have been pushing JJ or Loki out of the line up to have one of our wingers center the 3rd or 4th line.

Reality is I see Olsez, Loki and JJ rotating quite a bit and of course injuries will open up spots.

Gio, Tedy, and Barch are still the real odd men out.

 

[NJDevs26]

I think people are going to be surprised with what happens to Barch. I really don't see him being sent down.

Not me, I fully expect him to stay. Pete and Lou still haven't gotten off their kick of having one-dimensional enforcers (and Barch ain't even much of an 'enforcer').

 

[njdevils1982]

Honestly doubt he will be the odd man out, especially over like for example Gio.

A lot of line-ups have been pushing JJ or Loki out of the line up to have one of our wingers center the 3rd or 4th line.

Reality is I see Olsez, Loki and JJ rotating quite a bit and of course injuries will open up spots.

Gio, Tedy, and Barch are still the real odd men out.

every time i see his first name spelled with that Y in it i think....."why, lou....why?"

 

[Devilsfan2326]

Loktionov will play for the big Devils this year. He showed enough last year to be, at least, in the same opinion as Josefson.

They'll be taking turns in favorable limelight.

 

[njdevils1982]

Not me, I fully expect him to stay. Pete and Lou still haven't gotten off their kick of having one-dimensional enforcers (and Barch ain't even much of an 'enforcer').

so he'll play 2 shifts a period and end up in the box once or twice a game. they need to get over this fixation.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I don't think Lokti really looked any worse than Josefson. I thought they both looked solid. Jo just got more of a chance to prove himself. This from a huge Josefson supporter. I'd be happy if both made the team.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't think Lokti really looked any worse than Josefson. I thought they both looked solid. Jo just got more of a chance to prove himself. This from a huge Josefson supporter. I'd be happy if both made the team.

I agree, tough part is Olsez has looked pretty good as well, and with Brunner here I don't think there is any way for all three to be in the lineup without injuries. I still think all three will be with the big club but not all on the ice at the same time.

 

[Devilsfan2326]

Injuries play a big part in everything as you know.

Wasn't it two years ago that Josefson got injured [playing really well until then] giving Henrique his first big chance?

Wasn't it last year that Josefson [again] got injured, giving Loktionov his big chance?

Well maybe no centers get injured long-term this year. A winger does and Josefson finds his home on that wing.

 

[glenwo2]

Can anyone say for certainty that this Brunner signing spells the end of Little Gio as a New Jersey Devil? (or in other words, it leads him to be cut)

 

[Bleedred]

Can anyone say for certainty that this Brunner signing spells the end of Little Gio as a New Jersey Devil? (or in other words, it leads him to be cut)

Who knows. A couple guys will have to be cut. One of Josefson and Gio will have to be cut. Possibly even two of Josefson, Gio, and Lokti. I think Josefson will ultimately win out. Lokti has been injured, and just hasn't had a chance to get anything going. The injury could wind up passing him by for now though. When some injuries happen he'll be back.

If anything, we'll even have good depth to call up if guys aren't picked up on waivers. Hopefully it will spell the end of the Sestito call ups for good.

 

[glenwo2]

Somehow, If I had a choice between Matteau being called up or Sestito, It's pretty much a no-brainer there. lol.


Anyway, here's to hoping that Brunner pulls a "Sykora" and contributes just as much as Sykie did during the season but also contributes(hopefully) in the postseason....

 

[Kurt Cobain]

Love this signing..man were deep at forward

 

[MJB Devils23*]

Somehow, If I had a choice between Matteau being called up or Sestito, It's pretty much a no-brainer there. lol.

Anyway, here's to hoping that Brunner pulls a "Sykora" and contributes just as much as Sykie did during the season but also contributes(hopefully) in the postseason....

Brunner had 9 points in 14 games last year in the playoffs.

 

[Saugus]

For the price, I really like this signing. I was expecting it to be one year, but two years is not bad.