I can't believe I'm saying this....

[metallidevils]

But I like how Johnny Oduya has progressed this season. Along with White and Martin, he's the only defenseman that I feel even remotely comfortable with, and does seem to know how to play some offense. He still makes dumb choices, but he has been solid of late and IMO is progressing slowly but surely. He is perfectly capable of coming out in game 4 and singlehandly being the cause of 4 goals against, but I'll take my chances.

[Triumph]

progressing slowly?

he went from being a healthy scratch in december to the top pairing in february.

oduya's solid - i don't worry when he's out on the ice anymore.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Triumph

[skeeter]

Scott Neidermayer made an awful lot of bonehead plays in his first few years, and I can definitely remember him being in a complete daze for round 2 against Boston in 94. I wanted Oduya out of here myself, but the guy has really come a long way in a short time, I'm sure thanks mainly to Larry, who with the way this series is going, is probably very happy to be an assistant.

[theamazingtiny]

He makes the occasional bonehead play but so did rafalski and neidemeyer. I have to agree with your point though he def went from being on my sh!tlist last two playoff years (HOLDING PENALTIES!) to showing some confidence and fight. I also like how he's one of the defensemen who isn't afraid to skate it up to help the offense when the rangers just made a big play to help shift momentum.

[metallidevils]

progressing slowly?

he went from being a healthy scratch in december to the top pairing in february.

oduya's solid - i don't worry when he's out on the ice anymore.

Martin is probably the only one I never really worry about. I guess the reason I said 'slowly' is because seemingly all his mistakes lead to goals.

On an unrelated note, Salvador had a few shifts that were simply nightmares.

[RunninWithTheDevil]

But I like how Johnny Oduya has progressed this season. Along with White and Martin, he's the only defenseman that I feel even remotely comfortable with, and does seem to know how to play some offense. He still makes dumb choices, but he has been solid of late and IMO is progressing slowly but surely. He is perfectly capable of coming out in game 4 and singlehandly being the cause of 4 goals against, but I'll take my chances.

dont be ashamed. im with you

:koolaid: :koolaid:

[Devs4LIFE]

Martin is probably the only one I never really worry about. I guess the reason I said 'slowly' is because seemingly all his mistakes lead to goals.

On an unrelated note, Salvador had a few shifts that were simply nightmares.

Think so? I thought he was our most solid Dman the last couple of games.

[Biggie B]

Think so? I thought he was our most solid Dman the last couple of games.

What he said. Oduya has made quite a few goal saving plays this series.

[thelastonealive]

I'd just like to take this moment to say that I've always been on the Johnny Oduya bandwagon, even when he sucked.

[sundstrom]

Scott Neidermayer made an awful lot of bonehead plays in his first few years, and I can definitely remember him being in a complete daze for round 2 against Boston in 94. I wanted Oduya out of here myself, but the guy has really come a long way in a short time, I'm sure thanks mainly to Larry, who with the way this series is going, is probably very happy to be an assistant.

uh - perhaps. but neidermayer also had the ability to quickly recover from those mistakes and still make the play. look, i like johnny o too. but lets not go comparing him to one of the top 5 defensemen of all time, ok.

[Jimmy Leeds]

Let's not compare Johnny O to Nieds.

It's not fair to him.

[losdiablos103]

[Beezer34]

[sundstrom]

Lando's not a system, he's a MAN.

(nerd)

[njdss4]

I like Oduya. I said to myself, right when the season started, that Oduya was Rafalski's exact replacement. Rafalski made, and still makes, a lot of bad passes and doesn't look to see if someone is about to pick his pocket. Rafalski also was an offensively talented defenseman. Oduya makes the same mistakes but has the same upside that Rafalski does. Hopefully in a couple of years we'll be talking about how Oduya is the best offensive defenseman with New Jersey since Niedermayer.

[PrincetonTiger]

uh - perhaps. but neidermayer also had the ability to quickly recover from those mistakes and still make the play. look, i like johnny o too. but lets not go comparing him to one of the top 5 defensemen of all time, ok.

Niedermayer was good, but how about Orr, Harvey, Shore, Robinson, Fetisov, Coffey, Savard, Lidstrom, Bourque, and Langway? I think all of them were much better.

Just as he was underrated with the Devils, now Neidermayer is overrated. Sorry if this sounds like a flame, but I just can't stand this sentiment that Niedermayer was amazing and Oduya is average at best.

Months ago there were a ton of Oduya haters and I understand people don't like to admit they were wrong. Regardless, it's nice to see him getting some respect nowadays. I think he has been the best defenseman for either team all series.

For that matter, he's been better than Neidermayer this post-season. Anyone disagree?

[spyro]

Niedermayer was good, but how about Orr, Harvey, Shore, Robinson, Fetisov, Coffey, Savard, Lidstrom, Bourque, and Langway? I think all of them were much better.

Just as he was underrated with the Devils, now Neidermayer is overrated. Sorry if this sounds like a flame, but I just can't stand this sentiment that Niedermayer was amazing and Oduya is average at best.

Months ago there were a ton of Oduya haters and I understand people don't like to admit they were wrong. Regardless, it's nice to see him getting some respect nowadays. I think he has been the best defenseman for either team all series.

For that matter, he's been better than Neidermayer this post-season. Anyone disagree?

Yeah he has looked really solid, I hope he keeps up his strong play. If only game four could be like a couple games he had against Philthy.

Edited April 15, 2008 by spyro

[sundstrom]

Niedermayer was good, but how about Orr, Harvey, Shore, Robinson, Fetisov, Coffey, Savard, Lidstrom, Bourque, and Langway? I think all of them were much better.

Just as he was underrated with the Devils, now Neidermayer is overrated. Sorry if this sounds like a flame, but I just can't stand this sentiment that Niedermayer was amazing and Oduya is average at best.

Months ago there were a ton of Oduya haters and I understand people don't like to admit they were wrong. Regardless, it's nice to see him getting some respect nowadays. I think he has been the best defenseman for either team all series.

For that matter, he's been better than Neidermayer this post-season. Anyone disagree?

Neidermayer is quite possibly the best skater the NHL has ever seen. His talent is unquestioned. Defensemen that were better - Orr, Stevens, Robinson, and perhaps Bourque. I discount Fetisov because his best years were not in the NHL. Defense is more than the points, although those obviously help. There is no greater winner in hockey by level than Neidermayer. Sure Larry's got more cups because of the Habs dominance. Neidermayer has been amazing. Oduya has had a nice 2nd half to his season.

I'm not trying to put Oduya down at all. I just don't think its at all accurate or fair to put the two in the same sentence.

[Dadds3424]

i have to say i have been really impresed with his play the last half of the seaseon hes turning into a very solid dman he has made some really impresive plays along with a hell of a end to end goal

[britoon]

Yes, I have to agree. Oduya has been improving considerably this season. I just hope that he gains a bit more confidence so we can see some more from his goal-scoring alter ego; Johnny Orr-duya.

[Deek_1969]

Niedermayer was good, but how about Orr, Harvey, Shore, Robinson, Fetisov, Coffey, Savard, Lidstrom, Bourque, and Langway? I think all of them were much better.

Just as he was underrated with the Devils, now Neidermayer is overrated. Sorry if this sounds like a flame, but I just can't stand this sentiment that Niedermayer was amazing and Oduya is average at best.

Months ago there were a ton of Oduya haters and I understand people don't like to admit they were wrong. Regardless, it's nice to see him getting some respect nowadays. I think he has been the best defenseman for either team all series.

For that matter, he's been better than Neidermayer this post-season. Anyone disagree?

Dude...are you joking? Johnny O was a nightmare a few months ago. Every other game he was losing pucks right infront of Marty. He made all kinds of bad passes that caused break aways. You get respect when you earn it and he is finally doing so. Regardless, I would say Martin has been the best D man for the Devils and Rosival for the Rags.

HAHAHAHA....I can't believe you are actually comparing Johnny O to Nieds. Johnny O is nowhere near the playmaker, skater, passer or shooter Nieds is or ever was. Next you will say we should sign him for $6 per season.

But in all fairness he has been play much better the past couple of months. He should continue to improve under the Great Larry Robinson.

Edited April 16, 2008 by Deek_1969

[njdss4]

Dude...are you joking? Johnny O was a nightmare a few months ago. Every other game he was losing pucks right infront of Marty. He made all kinds of bad passes that caused break aways. You get respect when you earn it and he is finally doing so. Regardless, I would say Martin has been the best D man for the Devils and Rosival for the Rags.

HAHAHAHA....I can't believe you are actually comparing Johnny O to Nieds. Johnny O is nowhere near the playmaker, skater, passer or shooter Nieds is or ever was. Next you will say we should sign him for $6 per season.

Yeah, I would only go as far as to say he could be the most offensive defenseman for New Jersey SINCE Niedermayer. I also agree that Martin has been NJ's best D-man. His consistency and occasional genius offensive plays make him incredibly valuable.