Devil Fan Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Travis will win more faceoffs for us. He will add some offense and skill up front. He adds size to our forward corps and responsible defensively. He is also a solid PKer who has a good shot. Welcome back, Zajac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 reports of that line getting killed are greatly exaggerated. now that kovalchuk appears to be at 90% the line hasn't been that bad. but you could go sykora-elias-zubrus kovalchuk-zajac-palmieri parise-henrique-clarkson +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouse Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 No matter what, Zajac may be the most important forward, including Zach and Kovy. He makes everybody else better, he's our best defensive forward, and he plays a position we're shallow at. The lines, however, are going to have issues until we have Josefson. Til then, we have a lot of wings and no way to make them gel. When Josefson IS back, we could roll something like this: Parise Josefson Henrique Kovalchuk Zajac Clarkson Elias Sykora Zubrus Til then Parise Henrique Tedenby/Kovy/Palmieri (if he's back up) Kovalchuk Zajac Clarkson Elias Sykora Zubrus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nessus Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Is it too late to try Parise at center again with Zajac being out? It really sucks to see Kovalchuk on the RW. Maybe it'll be a good time to try Henrique out on the right wing, if it's possible that he'll end up being the right winger for Parise and Zajac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onddeck Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Is it too late to try Parise at center again with Zajac being out? It really sucks to see Kovalchuk on the RW. Maybe it'll be a good time to try Henrique out on the right wing, if it's possible that he'll end up being the right winger for Parise and Zajac. thats true, i dont know why we havent tried Henrique at RW, if that works then its basically an easy decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils01 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 we need him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onddeck Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 we need him so bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Zajac and Josefson can't get back quick enough. Also I'd love to have Zharkov up over the likes of Sestito, Mills, and Janssen too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onddeck Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Zajac and Josefson can't get back quick enough. Also I'd love to have Zharkov up over the likes of Sestito, Mills, and Janssen too. with the rage from this ending on hold for a very brief second, Sestito actually played pretty well tonight. a lot of energy and a lot of aggression, to the level i dont think we've seen from zharkov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 with the rage from this ending on hold for a very brief second, Sestito actually played pretty well tonight. a lot of energy and a lot of aggression, to the level i dont think we've seen from zharkov It bothers me that Sestito who isn't even that great of an AHL players gets thrown up onto NJ's 3rd line just because he can bring "energy". Zharkov is a superior possession and defensive player - probably even offensive since neither of them can score. Sestito wasn't even that great today: -2 Fenwick, -5 Corsi. With players like him getting time its no wonder a team like the Islanders matched the Devils in shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nessus Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 I really think Zharkov needs to be with the NHL team at this point. 2/3 of both the 3rd and 4th line don't even try to score, it seems. While Carter has been decent so far, he was nearly invisible this past game, in my opinion. At least Zharkov can skate well and create some type of offensive threat. Until Zajac is back, though, it's hard to expect too much from the Devils. As long as they keep up a record like their current one until Zajac returns, I'll be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane1091 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 I think Henrique and Kovy should be together, and Zajac and Parise. I think the other way around is a horrible mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 I don't see how some fans still think Zharkov has this "untapped potential" or something. Now, I'm not trying to ruffle feathers here, but could someone explain to me their reasoning? He literally has 0 finishing ability. But back OT, he needs to get back. This team needs its centers, holy hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 (edited) I don't see how some fans still think Zharkov has this "untapped potential" or something. Now, I'm not trying to ruffle feathers here, but could someone explain to me their reasoning? He literally has 0 finishing ability. He leads the AHL team in points per game He's scored well in the AHL the past seasons He plays strong defense He wins board battles He creates turnovers He seems to draw more penalties than he takes He's 21 and when he is on the ice the Devils as a team get more shots than the other team does. Edited November 26, 2011 by Devils731 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 He leads the AHL team in points per game He's scored well in the AHL the past seasons He plays strong defense He wins board battles He creates turnovers He seems to draw more penalties than he takes He's 21 and when he is on the ice the Devils as a team get more shots than the other team does. That sums it up nicely (though he's 23 going on 24). As far as I'm concerned, even if he can't translate his AHL offensive success to the NHL, his overall game should be enough to be a solid bottom 6 winger. I really hope he gets another shot soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 That sums it up nicely (though he's 23 going on 24). As far as I'm concerned, even if he can't translate his AHL offensive success to the NHL, his overall game should be enough to be a solid bottom 6 winger. I really hope he gets another shot soon. You know, I took a year off for it being 2011 instead of adding 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Rockies 1976 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 He leads the AHL team in points per game He's scored well in the AHL the past seasons He plays strong defense He wins board battles He creates turnovers He seems to draw more penalties than he takes He's 21 and when he is on the ice the Devils as a team get more shots than the other team does. 12 GP, 1 G, 7 A. It's not like he's head-and-shoulders above his Albany teammates in that regard. 26 G and 56 A in 135 GP for the Lowell/Albany Devils...wouldn't call that scoring well, really. Fiesty already pointed out the age discrepancy. He's approaching his mid-20s and is struggling to keep his job at the NHL level. I do agree w/fiesty that he could possibly be a decent 4th liner, but yeah, expecting more than that (especially offensively) would be a mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 He's already a better than decent 4th liner. He's head and shoulders above what the Devils currently put out there. I think they would struggle, at a much greater age, to average about 50 points a year, and they don't bring the puck possession that Zharkov gives you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils Pride 26 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Zharkov should be up here with his speed and defense alone. Much better than Sestito, Janssen, Mills, whoever is on the 4th line. The kid draws penalties and is great on the forecheck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas0nMacIsaac Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Zajac back in practice today and Josefson was suppose to start skating today. Josefon's progress is really encouraging, I expect him to be be back late January at this rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Zajac back in practice today and Josefson was suppose to start skating today. Josefon's progress is really encouraging, I expect him to be be back late January at this rate. Great news on both fronts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdgeControl Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Zharkov should be up here with his speed and defense alone. Much better than Sestito, Janssen, Mills, whoever is on the 4th line. The kid draws penalties and is great on the forecheck. agree we could use a shot of speed on the 4th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas0nMacIsaac Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Sestito isn't a terrible skater for the 4th line, I much prefer him over Mills or Pelley at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derlique Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Sestito isn't a terrible skater for the 4th line, I much prefer him over Mills or Pelley at the moment. Wait what? He's been drawing penalties the last two games, but I don't think this will continue. Id rather have mills or zharkov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodnar41 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Id like to see our fourth line be sestito, palmaeri, zharkov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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