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

[Bleedred]

I agree. Josefson could be the man out , while Teddy might make the team with a strong camp. We need guys who can bury puck a lot more than guys that play good defense.

I agree. I could care less how great Josefson is at defense. We have enough two way players. I could also care less how bad Tedenby is at defense if he's able to produce some offense.

For the first time in about 2 years, I'm more impressed with Tedenby than Josefson. It's just one preseason game, so I'm not ready to say I'm confident in Tedenby yet. Though he was damn good last night, and Josefson was (As usual) invisible.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

I could easily see a scenario where Josefson is one of the odd men out. If Tedenby and Loktionov outplay him for the rest of camp then I don't see how you take him over them. If Josefson doesn't start to look noticeable and acquire some sort of offensive game then I don't see how he can be in the lineup consistently and this is coming from someone who still thinks Josefson will be a decent player for us at some point but time might be running out for him.

 

[Bleedred]

I could easily see a scenario where Josefson is one of the odd men out. If Tedenby and Loktionov outplay him for the rest of camp then I don't see how you take him over them. If Josefson doesn't start to look noticeable and acquire some sort of offensive game then I don't see how he can be in the lineup consistently and this is coming from someone who still thinks Josefson will be a decent player for us at some point but time might be running out for him.

I was much higher on him, but there's just better players on this team than him. Especially with Brunner arriving. He just doesn't do anything to stand out really.

I want Brunner on this team bad. I think he'll be pretty damn good for us. We sign him, we can afford an injury worst case scenario on forward. Last year we couldn't afford any injuries on forward and the injuries to Zubrus and Kovalchuk killed us.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Forwards:
9 Locked
Jagr
Elias
Zajac
Clowe
Henrique
Ryder
Zubrus
Carter
Bernier

In the hunt for the 4 remaining roster spots
Olesz
Gionta
Josefson
Tedenby
Loktionov

Not going to make the team
Barch
Matteau
Boucher
etc.

Brunner is better than all those fighting for a roster spot.. so signing him would only have 3 roster spots remaining (including one scratch). That's 2 very hard cuts and a third player that's a shame to leave on the bench.

Good problem to have but not an easy one to solve.

IF this is the way the team is looking at it (and they should be...with all the forwards Barch should not be on this team) I'd say Gio and Tedy are still the ones that are most likely getting cut (traded or sent back to Albany. IDK).

There then enough talent to roll 4 good lines and I think both Loki and JJ have the potential to be better centering there then Gio. Of course if you want to sit one of them and let Olesz in for one of them, one centers the third line and Carter moves to center the 4th line.

 

[Nubmer6]

I think comparing Loktionov and Josefson is like comparing apples to oranges. At this point, it doesn't look like Josefson is going to pan out as a scorer, so his real competition is with Gionta for a 4th line position.

Loki is more competing with Tedenby for a scoring role in the top 3 lines (since it's looking like we're more going to go with 3 scoring lines than 2 scoring lines and a checking line).

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Josefsons problem is injuries. Lets see if he can stay healthy for an entire season and how he does then before shipping him off.

 

[JK3]

Forwards:
9 Locked
Jagr
Elias
Zajac
Clowe
Henrique
Ryder
Zubrus
Carter
Bernier

In the hunt for the 4 remaining roster spots
Olesz
Gionta
Josefson
Tedenby
Loktionov

Not going to make the team
Barch
Matteau
Boucher
etc.

Brunner is better than all those fighting for a roster spot.. so signing him would only have 3 roster spots remaining (including one scratch). That's 2 very hard cuts and a third player that's a shame to leave on the bench.

Good problem to have but not an easy one to solve.

Unfortunately I don't see Lou icing a team without one goon, slug, enforcer type so Barch may be in. Then you have Olesz who's a big body and seemed to be a lock plus you know Deboer is going to play the **** out of him a la Clarkson. Pete loved to play Gio too but CBGB may be done to make room for some talent. Then you have Brunner so not much room left for the rest. I'd rather have Lokti over Yayo, I don't think Teddy will make it.

 

[SeidoN]

TG says Brunner was assigned 24 in Detroit. usually wears 96

9+6=15

 

[Classic Devil]

TG says Brunner was assigned 24 in Detroit. usually wears 96

9+6=15

He's going to get 12.

 

[SeidoN]

He's going to get 12.

guessing or did someone say?

 

[Classic Devil]

guessing or did someone say?

Guessing, but it's the only number that is open.

 

[SeidoN]

Guessing, but it's the only number that is open.

im still hoping 15 for the regular season. Pesonen has no business in a 'roster number'

even as a call-up id pick someone else

 

[Guttersnipe]

Forwards:
9 Locked
Jagr
Elias
Zajac
Clowe
Henrique
Ryder
Zubrus
Carter
Bernier

In the hunt for the 4 remaining roster spots
Olesz
Gionta
Josefson
Tedenby
Loktionov

Not going to make the team
Barch
Matteau
Boucher
etc.

Brunner is better than all those fighting for a roster spot.. so signing him would only have 3 roster spots remaining (including one scratch). That's 2 very hard cuts and a third player that's a shame to leave on the bench.

Good problem to have but not an easy one to solve.

Is Carter a lock? He's been real solid, but he's a UFA next year while Loki, Teddy and JJ will be RFAs.

I have no idea how this will all shake out, but if Brunner is good for 15-20 goals he's in. Unless he's a hot mess without the puck this team needs all the offense it can get.

The brutal schedule, especially six weeks of back-to-back home/away weekends, will chew up the vets. The rest of the team is players who are trying to bounce back after sub-par seasons, new guys who have to learn the system and kids who need to establish themselves in the NHL. I'm super excited to see where this crazy train ends up, but all these unknowns are very un-Lou like.

I thought we saw quintessential Volch last night. Stalwart defense, especially on the 3-on-5, combined
with a uncomfortable slowness that is almost preternatural. It's hard to believe he's only 31.

 

[Bleedred]

I could actually really see Brunner not signed right away. Maybe see how a couple other guys do in the first few games and if they aren't cutting it, then Brunner is brought in.

 

[Devil X]

I think Brunner was brought in because of Elias and Jagr. Saw a comment today the Elias groin/hammy were bothering him and as he said like it has been for a while (sounded like into last season and before) But he said he can manage it with rest. Think Lou might be concerned that his 2 best scoring players are already sore and groins hurting that he wanted to bring someone in who can play those mins if its needed.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Patty has some thoughts on Brunner

Rich Chere ‏@Ledger_NJDevils 4h
Patrik Elias on Brunner: "You can see he has skills. He reminds me a little of Sykie (Sykora) the way he moves when he's on the ice."

Rich Chere ‏@Ledger_NJDevils 4h
Elias said, like Sykora, Brunner is confident with the puck and doesn't need many chances to score

With Michael Ryder, Ryane Clowe, Jaromir Jagr and Brunner, the Devils could be better than they’ve been since Zach Parise left.

“We hope so,” Elias said. “But you can add the biggest names you want. You don’t know how it will work with the team. To be, Clowe looks real good on the ice. He’s a strong guy and a smart player. You add Brunner and the other guys and I think these guys can combine for more offense than Kovy and Clarkson, the two guys we had.”

Patty likes our team

 

[SeidoN]

the thing that annoys me is that, this is not a team that needs to add something to be successful. its a team that needs to remove things. but it wont happen :/

 

[Baggy Spandex]

Patty likes our team

Good, because I like our team too. It's like when your girl breaks up with you, then you realize after a while you can go out and put up some numbers.

 

[Semak]

Hope not, his being a 1st rounder from 2009. Too soon to lose for nothing IMO. If someone has to go it has to be Barch, and we just hope Clowe can stay healthy enough to do the dirty deeds (enforcing, not cheap hits).

They won't be done(paid) dirt cheap

 

[nugg]

They won't be done(paid) dirt cheap

That should be

 

[NC107*]

I could actually really see Brunner not signed right away. Maybe see how a couple other guys do in the first few games and if they aren't cutting it, then Brunner is brought in.

I don't think the Devils have that choice. Either sign him at end of camp or he can be signed by any team.

 

[DevilChuk*]

I don't think the Devils have that choice. Either sign him at end of camp or he can be signed by any team.

Stralman hung around for awhile until the Rangers signed him.

He can stay as long as he wants but can't play in any regular season games without a contract. Other teams can sign him at any time.. including right now.

 

[Bcap88]

I think Brunner could really do some damage with Elias. He was most sucessful when playing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg in Detroit. Dont get me wrong Elias isint those two but he is pretty dam good

 

[apice3*]

The difference between Brunner and guys like Darche and Stralman is that Brunner isn't trying out for a reserve role. He's better than some of the guys that we were penciling in last week. Darche and Stralman never had that separation.

Brunner will be signed.

 

[Bleedred]

Darche also stayed almost a month into the season last year. Then we traded for Poni and he left and retired.

I don't see Brunner staying around for weeks or anything, but maybe for the first week of the regular season. Then if guys aren't doing anything, Brunner gets signed.

I think Brunner is likely signed before the season starts though.