116 replies to this topic

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Stevens and Elias are different players. Age wouldn't effect Stevens's game as much. Bringing up Daneyko and Nieuy are silly as they aren't Parise status and were not relied on as heavily. But that's irrelevant - because like I have said a few times now - I don't want to "get rid" of anyone." I am saying we shouldn't re-sign Zach Parise (IF HE DOESN"T SHOW UP IN GAME 4) to a big contract. Everyone else is signed. And that's a completely legit POV.

The problem with your overall mentality re: this situation is that you're basically boiling everything down to his performance in one game, or at least you're coming off that way. So if Zach has a monster Game 4 and, say, scores a couple of goals, suddenly that makes him worth the big coin? Even if the Devils lose that game 5-2? And I think he HAS shown up in Games 1-3...it doesn't look to me like the Devils as a whole aren't showing up.

I have my own reasons for why the Devils probably shouldn't re-sign Zach, that won't hinge on his Game 4 performance:

1) Someone will likely overpay for him. I know the Devils have some serious money coming off the cap, starting with Brodeur, but the idea of two huge, long-term deals does make me a little nervous...I've never been a big fan of getting "top-heavy", even though Kovy's yearly cap hit is actually not too crazy.

2) Zach does a lot of great things and can drive play, but his game is so based on playing high-energy...I do worry about his ability to sustain that level of energy as he gets older. I also think we've already seen his best, that he's already peaked...not saying he's some kind of scrub now, I still think he's a very good player, but he's likely going to get signed to superstar dollars. GMs make the mistake of signing good to very good players to this kind of money all of the time, thinking that doing so will somehow lead to superstar performance. When Zach does sign that kind of contract, it won't be nearly as glaring of a mistake as the Rangers signing Gomez, but it will still be a mistake...one Lou should not make.

The only way I see it making sense for Zach to stay is if the contract isn't for a ridiculous term (6 years or less) and the cap hit isn't crazy (no more than $6.5 million per year)...I know this will never happen. If some other team wants to cough up 7 or more seasons or $50 million plus, I don't think the Devils should match it. I think Lou can find a way to re-invest the money they would've given to Zach where they'll remain competitive, and the team's spirit won't be broken.

[BlueSkirt]

with a thin UFA crop this year (essentially Parise & Suter) the law of supply & demand hold and teams will be throwing lots of cash toward these two.
Parise can get more $ elsewhere for sure. He's got one heckuva decision in front of him. A team with a bright young star in net seems to be the best fit for #9.

[ZeroGravityFat]

if he is not impressed with our young offense and wedgewood in the works, that's his choice. if i were him, after this much koolaid, i would pull an elias and listen to uncle lou.

[Bartholomew Hunt]

I hope he is not re-signed....sorry, just not worth the money. "Captain" Wednesday is his last chance to lead this team.

Youre a joke. Youre just another devils fan that apparently doesnt understand the game other than whos on the score sheet. You wanna make a corny status, make it about that bum kovalchuk. They only times he's been visible this series is when hes turning over the puck everytime he touches it. Go root for the rangers buddy because youre a joke of a devils fan.

[Pepperkorn]

I hope he is not re-signed....sorry, just not worth the money. "Captain" Wednesday is his last chance to lead this team.

Profoundly inappropriate, written in haste and frustration. also completely off the topic of playoff run.

A thread best saved for June 30th

[ThreeCups]

keep in mind that Zach is like second highest in playoff points on the team this season. In addition, he's the second Captain in team history to lead the Devils to the SCF.

That being said if he walks, he walks. Give the "C" to Kovy.

This is leadership:

If he is out purely for the money, show him the door. He has pulled a vanishing act in the Finals, and hasn't been putting the neck in the net...

I would give the "C" to Zajac if he leaves. Let Patty and Kovy keep the "A".

He's not an NHL Playoff elite player.

He will command big $s.. not sure he is worth it

Perfect summary. I am a huge Zach fan and love him as our Captain...but his scoring ability is limited compared to a real sniper like Kovy or a Malkin, etc. If you play Zach tough down low, it is not impossible to shut him down. (see: PRONGER)

[ThreeCups]

No more than 8 million per. I'll take it if that's the case...

That'd be an overpayment for sure. Out of loyalty I would give him a contract with a cap hit like Kovy's...not any more than that...and certainly not the duration of Kovy's deal either...

[redruM]

I'll Take Zach over Kovy any day of the week, & twice on sunday

[redruM]

& BTW Zidlicky might be the biggest flop of all... he has me going friggin crazy, hope he doesnot come back...

[Lateralous]

I've never liked the idea that we were built around our three best players being LWs, essentially forcing at least one of them to play out of position. That being said, Elias only has a few years left so if the cap hit is right (7 million or below IMO) and we don't have to front load the contract throwing us into further financial trouble I wouldn't mind having Zack back.

Also, what effect does Zack leaving have on re-signing Zajac next offseason? We don't have the talent to withstand another run of Lou letting player after player walk again for a series of offseasons.

Edited by Lateralous, 05 June 2012 - 08:25 AM.

[Triumph]

The problem with your overall mentality re: this situation is that you're basically boiling everything down to his performance in one game, or at least you're coming off that way. So if Zach has a monster Game 4 and, say, scores a couple of goals, suddenly that makes him worth the big coin? Even if the Devils lose that game 5-2? And I think he HAS shown up in Games 1-3...it doesn't look to me like the Devils as a whole aren't showing up.

I have my own reasons for why the Devils probably shouldn't re-sign Zach, that won't hinge on his Game 4 performance:

1) Someone will likely overpay for him. I know the Devils have some serious money coming off the cap, starting with Brodeur, but the idea of two huge, long-term deals does make me a little nervous...I've never been a big fan of getting "top-heavy", even though Kovy's yearly cap hit is actually not too crazy.

2) Zach does a lot of great things and can drive play, but his game is so based on playing high-energy...I do worry about his ability to sustain that level of energy as he gets older. I also think we've already seen his best, that he's already peaked...not saying he's some kind of scrub now, I still think he's a very good player, but he's likely going to get signed to superstar dollars. GMs make the mistake of signing good to very good players to this kind of money all of the time, thinking that doing so will somehow lead to superstar performance. When Zach does sign that kind of contract, it won't be nearly as glaring of a mistake as the Rangers signing Gomez, but it will still be a mistake...one Lou should not make.

The only way I see it making sense for Zach to stay is if the contract isn't for a ridiculous term (6 years or less) and the cap hit isn't crazy (no more than $6.5 million per year)...I know this will never happen. If some other team wants to cough up 7 or more seasons or $50 million plus, I don't think the Devils should match it. I think Lou can find a way to re-invest the money they would've given to Zach where they'll remain competitive, and the team's spirit won't be broken.

This is just not adjusting to a 70M cap world. I recognize that that number will come down a bit, but there's just no question that Zach is worth it right now at a 7.5M cap hit. Whether that's true going forward is anyone's guess, but the risk is losing the Devils' best forward and their second best guy is 36. It's a difficult crossroads, but I don't think this team is better off losing Parise - it's never going to find a player like that on the open market and even if Henrique is somewhat of a facsimile it throws the Devils right back into the 2nd tier of contenders.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

This is just not adjusting to a 70M cap world. I recognize that that number will come down a bit, but there's just no question that Zach is worth it right now at a 7.5M cap hit. Whether that's true going forward is anyone's guess, but the risk is losing the Devils' best forward and their second best guy is 36. It's a difficult crossroads, but I don't think this team is better off losing Parise - it's never going to find a player like that on the open market and even if Henrique is somewhat of a facsimile it throws the Devils right back into the 2nd tier of contenders.

In bold: exactly. Zach may be worth $7.5 million over the next two to three years, but I'm not taking a chance on five years beyond that at that same cap hit.

You are right, it is a difficult crossroads, and it's not a knock on Zach...I like him a lot. But at the money he's likely to get, I'd take a pass.

[Marv4Life]

I think Zach is going to re-sign at the end of the day. But he is not worth the offers he's likely to get. He's not a game-changer; he's not a guy who can take over a game and carry a team on his back. If he does walk, I wouldn't mind as long as we get someone to replace him who addresses a need(legit blueliner). Besides if he stays Coach Pete is just going to stick him on the same line as Kovy anyways.

Kovy isn't captain material and he's been atrocious in this series but he has herniated disks despite our genius of a coach giving him a crapload of minutes so he can't be the one to blame for this team's issues.

Edited by Marv4Life, 05 June 2012 - 08:54 AM.

[DJ Eco]

Youre a joke. Youre just another devils fan that apparently doesnt understand the game other than whos on the score sheet. You wanna make a corny status, make it about that bum kovalchuk. They only times he's been visible this series is when hes turning over the puck everytime he touches it. Go root for the rangers buddy because youre a joke of a devils fan.

Wow, the irony in this post is appalling.

You should go root for the Rangers after a post like that. Playing with practically a broken back since Round 1 of the playoffs, Kovy's still our top scorer these playoffs. And you're one of the very very (and always present) few that still insist on trashing him. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Daniel]

Guess we should also get rid of Zajac, Kovy, Henrique, Elias, Zubrus. No points for any of them during the finals. All totally overpaid for literally zero production. Other guys who suck: Ryan Kessler, Brad Richards, Jason Spezza, Pavel Datsyuk.

Zach also done a really awful job as captain. I mean, any fool can be a leader on a team that goes to the SC Finals.

[DJ Eco]

I'll Take Zach over Kovy any day of the week, & twice on sunday

& BTW Zidlicky might be the biggest flop of all... he has me going friggin crazy, hope he doesnot come back...

It's because of Zidlicky and Kovy's play in earlier rounds we're even in the Stanley Cup Final. Some of the idiocy of you guys is just unbelievable... I'm really ashamed to be a Devils on days like this..

Edited by DJ Eco, 05 June 2012 - 08:59 AM.

[njdevil26]

Zach will stay.

Hopefully he can use the $ from his new contract to buy himself two or three months worth of SHOOTING LESSONS. That's the only problem I have with his game.

[DJ Eco]

Zach will stay.

Hopefully he can use the $ from his new contract to buy himself two or three months worth of SHOOTING LESSONS. That's the only problem I have with his game.

Same... Shoots right into the goalie, almost every time, no creativity or vision on the shot..

[Zubie#8]

Same... Shoots right into the goalie, almost every time, no creativity or vision on the shot..

This is not news at all. Zach needs to be within a few feet to get his goals, unless it is a deflection. If he was a little bigger with a better shot he is Sidney Crosby.

Edited by Zubie#8, 05 June 2012 - 09:13 AM.

[losdiablos103]

if he is not impressed with our young offense and wedgewood in the works, that's his choice. if i were him, after this much koolaid, i would pull an elias and listen to uncle lou.

Patty is all class. I have have weird feeling towards Zach. I talked to him last season when he was hurt at the meet and greet and he was a nice guy, BUT I also get that feeling that his dad will persuade him to take the money and run. Unless he goes to an already contending team, he will never win anything, since I don't see him winning sh!t this year, obviously.