What we have left and what we could do

[FightCommies77]

First off, we still have Brodeur. Nobody else in the Atlantic (or the East) has a goaltender like him. And despite what everybody says about Brodeur only being good because of the NJ defense, lets see. When we lost both Stevens and Niedermayer, He came back with a 40+ win season. Whenever we seem to lose some core defenseman Marty fills the gap himself by playing better himself and even more spectacular. He'll probably do the same this year.

Next up is filling the Gomez void. Lets face it, last year had to be one of his worst. He was lazy and just couldn't get the job done most of the time.

I'm not sure if anybody has thought of this, but we could put Madden in that spot. He's got a wicked shot and can set up goals just as good. We just don't see it often because hes on the checking line. He's a smart player and if he could adjust to working with Gionta and Elias or Parise/Zajac then it would be a good line. Hell, even move up Brylin from the checking line. Him and Madden already work well together, seeing most of their goals came off each others assists. Work up Cam Janssen a bit and add him to the checking line in their stead. It would be much more intimidating and if you teach him not to take stupid penalties, which I've seen improve, then he would be a good addition. While hes sitting in the box from a Fighting Major, Madden could easily take his spot for a few.

But then, who do you pick fill Maddens shoes? Jimmy Dowd, if Lou cares to resign him and thats what im thinking hes gonna do. Towards the end of last season, He was on the PK a lot more often and he showed that he could do it very well. I think he even filled in the spot whenever Madden missed a game. He might not be as great as Madden, but hes still a really good substitute and well, Pando is still there. We can even throw Langenbrunner in the mix.

The offensive lines could be as follows

Elias-Parise-Gionta

Brylin-Madden-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Dowd-Janssen

Rasmussen-Zajac-Rupp

The 4th line would have some kind offensive threat if you added Zajac. Rupp and Rasmussen will continue to get the energy going with their checking. They aren't bad players themselves and they've done some good in the last year.

Losing Raf was a hit to the defense, but we still have Martin, Whitey, and Oduya Lukowich played some big minutes towards the end of the season last year and during the playoffs and he can continue to do that. Souray would be a nice addition, He started out in Jersey and he's really matured since then. His last season with the Habs was outstanding and i think he could be a great PP setup man.

As for the rest, we have a few prospects (Clarckson) and Greene wasn't all that bad last year.

That ends my optimism, I really think that would work out. We would still be contenders as long as everybody stayed healthy.

[MadDog2020]

First off, we still have Brodeur. Nobody else in the Atlantic (or the East) has a goaltender like him. And despite what everybody says about Brodeur only being good because of the NJ defense, lets see. When we lost both Stevens and Niedermayer, He came back with a 40+ win season. Whenever we seem to lose some core defenseman Marty fills the gap himself by playing better himself and even more spectacular. He'll probably do the same this year.

Next up is filling the Gomez void. Lets face it, last year had to be one of his worst. He was lazy and just couldn't get the job done most of the time.

I'm not sure if anybody has thought of this, but we could put Madden in that spot. He's got a wicked shot and can set up goals just as good. We just don't see it often because hes on the checking line. He's a smart player and if he could adjust to working with Gionta and Elias or Parise/Zajac then it would be a good line. Hell, even move up Brylin from the checking line. Him and Madden already work well together, seeing most of their goals came off each others assists. Work up Cam Janssen a bit and add him to the checking line in their stead. It would be much more intimidating and if you teach him not to take stupid penalties, which I've seen improve, then he would be a good addition. While hes sitting in the box from a Fighting Major, Madden could easily take his spot for a few.

But then, who do you pick fill Maddens shoes? Jimmy Dowd, if Lou cares to resign him and thats what im thinking hes gonna do. Towards the end of last season, He was on the PK a lot more often and he showed that he could do it very well. I think he even filled in the spot whenever Madden missed a game. He might not be as great as Madden, but hes still a really good substitute and well, Pando is still there. We can even throw Langenbrunner in the mix.

The offensive lines could be as follows

Elias-Parise-Gionta

Brylin-Madden-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Dowd-Janssen

Rasmussen-Zajac-Rupp

The 4th line would have some kind offensive threat if you added Zajac. Rupp and Rasmussen will continue to get the energy going with their checking. They aren't bad players themselves and they've done some good in the last year.

Losing Raf was a hit to the defense, but we still have Martin, Whitey, and Oduya Lukowich played some big minutes towards the end of the season last year and during the playoffs and he can continue to do that. Souray would be a nice addition, He started out in Jersey and he's really matured since then. His last season with the Habs was outstanding and i think he could be a great PP setup man.

As for the rest, we have a few prospects (Clarckson) and Greene wasn't all that bad last year.

That ends my optimism, I really think that would work out. We would still be contenders as long as everybody stayed healthy.

[SC Devs Fan]

I'm not sure if anybody has thought of this, but we could put Madden in that spot. He's got a wicked shot and can set up goals just as good.

Edited July 2, 2007 by SC Devs Fan

[stevestevens]

Elias-Parise-Gionta

Brylin-Madden-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Dowd-Janssen

Rasmussen-Zajac-Rupp

Thats way off. Brylin on second line dosent seem tomake the playoffs in my head. I am optimistic but we definatly need a center to come in to help us. Zubrus?

[Devils731]

If the Devils added no forwards I would probably try something like this out:

Elias-Zajac-Gionta

Clarkson-Parise-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Madden-Pelley

Rupp/Brylin-Brylin/Vrikhuola-Ras/Vrana

I don't know, it'll be a big camp for some of the AHL guys to try and win spots from guys who are more placeholders. I'd rather have the Devils sign a defenseman at this point than a forward. It's easier to get by with poorer forwards than poorer defenseman.

[emptynet]

Parise shouldnt be a center in the NHL. I just dont think he has what it takes. When he played center he was lost and below average. Now with him on the wing he's a monster. Putting Parise at center would be like Elias at center, it would be a waste of talent. Madden is not a 2nd line center.

Simply put the Devils need a number one center. No one on this current team can fill that role. Possibly Zajac somewhere down the road, but he needs more time and experience.

[msweet]

NO DOWD!!!

[FightCommies77]

NO DOWD!!!

[devils26]

I'd rather have the Devils sign a defenseman at this point than a forward. It's easier to get by with poorer forwards than poorer defenseman.

[Triumph]

some people are forgetting that scott gomez was put on both wings (and used at center) until finally becoming a full-time center in 2003.

i wouldn't move parise over this year either, but i think it's coming. while excellent LWs are hard to come by, that's because most LWs were centers before being moved over.

[TravisZajac]

Elias-Parise-Gionta

Clarkson-Zajac-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Madden-Brylin

Rupp-Viukhola-Janssen/Minard

Or

Elias-Parise-Gionta

Ufa-Zajac-Lanbenbrunner

Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson

RUpp-Viukhola-Brylin.

[point]

Whats wrong with Dowd?

[metallidevils]

This team wasn't all that spectacular to begin with....how many games did we win by more than one goal? Our defense got burned by a 2-man team in round 1, and in round 2 we all saw that our team is more or less incapable of winning if marty has a few bad games.

Then, after all of that happens, we lose our number 1 center and our number 1 defenseman. And we're STILL in good shape? I didn't think we were in good shape to begin with!

Madden can't fill in Gomez's shoes, and Jim Dowd can't fill in ANYONE's shoes. Repeat after me: "JIM DOWD SUCKS. MIKE RUPP IS NOT MUCH BETTER. NEITHER SHOULD BE ANYWHERE EXCEPT MAYBE THE 4TH LINE."

I like the first lineup that TravisZajac has the best. The first line is pretty obvious, the second line is good enough. Putting Brylin and Madden with Langs only renders langenbrunner useless, and gives us 3 lines that can't score. At least Zajac + Langs might result in a few.

[Voros19]

Parise shouldnt be a center in the NHL. I just dont think he has what it takes. When he played center he was lost and below average. Now with him on the wing he's a monster. Putting Parise at center would be like Elias at center, it would be a waste of talent. Madden is not a 2nd line center.

Simply put the Devils need a number one center. No one on this current team can fill that role. Possibly Zajac somewhere down the road, but he needs more time and experience.

Just because Parise wasn't equipped to be an NHL center two years ago (when he was a ROOKIE) doesn't mean he isn't now. He made tremendous strides in his game over the past two seasons, especially in getting stronger along the boards and on the puck.