105 replies to this topic

[nessus]

here's my plan B:

sign zajac to an extension of 6/36
sign semin to 5/32
trade greene/tedenby/2nd to edmonton for paajarvi

kovalchuk-zajac-semin
henrique-elias-zubrus
paajarvi-josefson-clarkson
carter-gionta-bernier

talliner-zidlicky
fayne-larsson
volchenkov-salvador

This would be almost perfect. Only problem is: will Semin sign for that much? I bet he will get some bigger offers.

[njd3b1ink]

I dont know if this is credible, but Stan Fischlers twitter account posted this earlier today.

Stan Fischler ‏@StanFischler
The Maven wishes #Zach Parise well. But it's not the end of the world for the #Devils. Lou Lamoriello's next move will be a fascinating one

and then

Stan Fischler ‏@StanFischler
@jeffschlein If I'm not mistaken, Semin's agents are in New Jersey.

Probably means nothing, but thought I would post it.

[Daniel]

I dont know if this is credible, but Stan Fischlers twitter account posted this earlier today.

Stan Fischler ‏@StanFischler
The Maven wishes #Zach Parise well. But it's not the end of the world for the #Devils. Lou Lamoriello's next move will be a fascinating one

and then

Stan Fischler ‏@StanFischler
@jeffschlein If I'm not mistaken, Semin's agents are in New Jersey.

Probably means nothing, but thought I would post it.

Someone noted this already. Semin's agents are based in Franklin Lakes.

[Dev.iL87]

I think in free agency are only three choices left...Semin, Doan and maybe Huselius.
I am not a big fan of Semin but he is pretty good player. Bad thing about him is that his cap hit will be huge (even after bad season I think it will be around 6,5 million).
Doan for right price is good choice for few years and Huselius could be available for cheap, but he played in only 41 games in last 2 seasons.

Anyway In Lou I trust

[cgb6397]

Doan and Semin are attractive to think about but not really practical, I doubt he's not back in Phoenix (though it would be nice to be on the other end of what happened earlier today) and I don't think DeBoer has the fire to keep Semin hustling and working hard all year, I'd leave that to Tortorella and watch him have a heart attack on the bench every game. The best and most realistic plan B in my mind is acquiring Gagner for Tallinder and giving Tedenby a shot.

[Marshall]

here's my plan B:

sign zajac to an extension of 6/36
sign semin to 5/32
trade greene/tedenby/2nd to edmonton for paajarvi

kovalchuk-zajac-semin
henrique-elias-zubrus
paajarvi-josefson-clarkson
carter-gionta-bernier

talliner-zidlicky
fayne-larsson
volchenkov-salvador

Yes, yes and yes. Though I think Greene + pick OR prospect would get Pääjärvi.

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

I want a mystery player

We already took care of that with Harri Pesonen.

[moustic]

When do you think will Lou pull the trigger for his Plan B ?
I can't remember but usually we have some rumor about players after that many days into the UFA market, no ? And i can't read anything about Semin (for example)

Ok maybe it's still fresh.. after the huge meltdown of yesterday...

[insanity_gallops]

Kevin Lowe has said he is not listening to trade offers for Hemsky. Or, rather, he is listening because that is the polite thing to do, but he is not interested in moving him...so that rules that out.

Doan would be a good signing if he is in place of Sykora...otherwise getting both of them is just too much age. Huselius is a true gamble, but should come cheap. He has had freak injuries lately...if he signs for $3mil he is worth the risk. He is great on the PP when healthy. Downside is that Sykora and Huselius are rather soft. Roan fits in better with the identity built by DeBoer, but he has a lot of miles already.

Personally, I am ok with Semin if he is not vastly overpaid, hoping that Kovalchuk can reign him in. Maybe he does a one year deal like Hossa with the Wings to build his credibility.

My other hope is that Buffalo gets serious about trading for Bobby Ryan and the Devils can work a deal for Drew Stafford since that would mean the Sabres have Pominville and Ryan as top two RWs. He is big, can score, and is locked in for 3 years at 4mil per season.

...so yeah. Sign Doan to a 1 or 2 yr deal (35+, I know), then either sign Semin or trade for Stafford.

Kovy Zajac Semin/Stafford
Zubrus Elias Clarkson/Doan
Josefson Henrique Clarkson/Doan
Carter Gionta Bernier

Edited by insanity_gallops, 05 July 2012 - 08:13 AM.

[NLinfante]

Kevin Lowe has said he is not listening to trade offers for Hemsky. Or, rather, he is listening because that is the polite thing to do, but he is not interested in moving him...so that rules that out.

Doan would be a good signing if he is in place of Sykora...otherwise getting both of them is just too much age. Huselius is a true gamble, but should come cheap. He has had freak injuries lately...if he signs for $3mil he is worth the risk. He is great on the PP when healthy. Downside is that Sykora and Huselius are rather soft. Roan fits in better with the identity built by DeBoer, but he has a lot of miles already.

Personally, I am ok with Semin if he is not vastly overpaid, hoping that Kovalchuk can reign him in. Maybe he does a one year deal like Hossa with the Wings to build his credibility.

My other hope is that Buffalo gets serious about trading for Bobby Ryan and the Devils can work a deal for Drew Stafford since that would mean the Sabres have Pominville and Ryan as top two RWs. He is big, can score, and is locked in for 3 years at 4mil per season.

...so yeah. Sign Doan to a 1 or 2 yr deal (35+, I know), then either sign Semin or trade for Stafford.

Kovy Zajac Semin/Stafford
Zubrus Elias Clarkson/Doan
Josefson Henrique Clarkson/Doan
Carter Gionta Bernier

Wanna get back at Parise? Trade for his best friend the day after he decides to leave Jersey. Muhahaha.

[RedArmy8]

We are not getting Semin, he is probably not even on our radar. Lou likes players that compete: Semin does not.

['7']

Since when has Lou ever had a plan B? There will be no moves made this offseason for anybody. Did he immediately go out and get replacements for Holik, Gomez, Mogilny etc? No, never...it's not his style. Lou will make an in season trade for Parise's replacement. But make no mistake about it, Lou will soldier on with this lineup and the massive hole in it for far too long

[Mitico12]

Insanity - Drew Stafford would be an very good acquisition if we could land him. My first thought when Parise bolted was to get a player the likes of Tomas Vanek, however, his cap hit and unavailability certainly make that a pipe dream.

[RedArmy8]

Since when has Lou ever had a plan B? There will be no moves made this offseason for anybody. Did he immediately go out and get replacements for Holik, Gomez, Mogilny etc? No, never...it's not his style. Lou will make an in season trade for Parise's replacement. But make no mistake about it, Lou will soldier on with this lineup and the massive hole in it for far too long

Doing nothing?

Holik left to get overpaid (thanks Glen Sather) and we had a kid named Madden who stepped up and helped us win a Stanley Cup, and a Selke trophy.

Gomez left, we got Zubrus a player who helped us battle for the Stanley Cup last season. Meanwhile, Gomez is hated by his current teams fan base because of the stupidity of his current contract (Thanks again Mr. Sather).

Mogilny signed for big bucks in Toronto for a whole 30+ games. Lou picked up a kid named Friesen who played a key role in helping us win another Stanley Cup.

It is always better to wait and evaluate what you have, rather than making a panic move.

Last year was great example of improving as the season goes on.

[insanity_gallops]

Doing nothing?

Holik left to get overpaid (thanks Glen Sather) and we had a kid named Madden who stepped up and helped us win a Stanley Cup, and a Selke trophy.

Gomez left, we got Zubrus a player who helped us battle for the Stanley Cup last season. Meanwhile, Gomez is hated by his current teams fan base because of the stupidity of his current contract (Thanks again Mr. Sather).

Mogilny signed for big bucks in Toronto for a whole 30+ games. Lou picked up a kid named Friesen who played a key role in helping us win another Stanley Cup.

It is always better to wait and evaluate what you have, rather than making a panic move.

Last year was great example of improving as the season goes on.

While I agree with your general thoughts, some of this is revisionist history. Zubrus was blasted left, right, and center by people on this board up until this past season, really. He was producing 50+ points playing with Ovechkin, and many figured he'd put up those numbers with New Jersey... but this past season was his highest total, at 44 points. With the style played by the Devils now, he seems much more valuable.

Madden did replace Holik, true. But when Madden left, Pelley was supposed to replace him... that didn't happen.

When Mogilny left, it was Pierre Dagenais (spelling?) that was supposed to replace him... that didn't happen.

When Niedermayer left, Malakhov and McGillis were supposed to provide blueline stability... and that move damn near screwed the franchise for years.

When Gionta left, it was expected that Niclas Bergfors would step up. He performed well for the first half of the season - and enabled Lou to swing a deal for Kovalchuk. THAT was a great plan that panned out because Kovalchuk was willing to sign long-term with New Jersey. It was iffy until then, though - would have been a lot for a rental that only helped NJ win 1 playoff game.


Overall, Lou's desperation scrambles/Plan B approaches haven't worked that well. That's why I wouldn't be shocked if he took a new approach this off-season and makes an offer to a player like Semin, but it wouldn't be for nearly as much money as Parise gets. Semin made $6.7mil last season, I'd be fine taking a risk on Semin for 1-3 years at $6mil per season.

I'd still prefer a deal to Buffalo, where they get Greene + prospect + 2nd rounder for Stafford... after they ship players and picks to Anaheim for Bobby Ryan.

[insanity_gallops]

We are not getting Semin, he is probably not even on our radar. Lou likes players that compete: Semin does not.

People said similar things about Kovalchuk before he came to NJ. Doesn't care about winning, only wants to score, doesn't rely on his teammates, is a puck hog, can't pass well, isn't consistent...

All I am saying is that I think Kovalchuk could get into Semin's head. Kovy truly bought in... Ovie seems like he is faking it.

[RedArmy8]

People said similar things about Kovalchuk before he came to NJ. Doesn't care about winning, only wants to score, doesn't rely on his teammates, is a puck hog, can't pass well, isn't consistent...

All I am saying is that I think Kovalchuk could get into Semin's head. Kovy truly bought in... Ovie seems like he is faking it.

That's fair.

[ZeroGravityFat]

krys barch for 2 years, cup is ours.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

People said similar things about Kovalchuk before he came to NJ. Doesn't care about winning, only wants to score, doesn't rely on his teammates, is a puck hog, can't pass well, isn't consistent...

All I am saying is that I think Kovalchuk could get into Semin's head. Kovy truly bought in... Ovie seems like he is faking it.

Admittedly, this is why I find him intriguing. I'm just wondering what his price will be. If it's 4-5 years at $6 - $6.5 million, I'd be tempted. Anything more in cash or term, I don't think I could do it.

[RedArmy8]

While I agree with your general thoughts, some of this is revisionist history. Zubrus was blasted left, right, and center by people on this board up until this past season, really. He was producing 50+ points playing with Ovechkin, and many figured he'd put up those numbers with New Jersey... but this past season was his highest total, at 44 points. With the style played by the Devils now, he seems much more valuable.

Madden did replace Holik, true. But when Madden left, Pelley was supposed to replace him... that didn't happen.

When Mogilny left, it was Pierre Dagenais (spelling?) that was supposed to replace him... that didn't happen.

When Niedermayer left, Malakhov and McGillis were supposed to provide blueline stability... and that move damn near screwed the franchise for years.

When Gionta left, it was expected that Niclas Bergfors would step up. He performed well for the first half of the season - and enabled Lou to swing a deal for Kovalchuk. THAT was a great plan that panned out because Kovalchuk was willing to sign long-term with New Jersey. It was iffy until then, though - would have been a lot for a rental that only helped NJ win 1 playoff game.


Overall, Lou's desperation scrambles/Plan B approaches haven't worked that well. That's why I wouldn't be shocked if he took a new approach this off-season and makes an offer to a player like Semin, but it wouldn't be for nearly as much money as Parise gets. Semin made $6.7mil last season, I'd be fine taking a risk on Semin for 1-3 years at $6mil per season.

I'd still prefer a deal to Buffalo, where they get Greene + prospect + 2nd rounder for Stafford... after they ship players and picks to Anaheim for Bobby Ryan.

I think Zubrus was blasted because people here had false hopes of him replacing Gomez point for point, not recognizing that isn't that type of player, but one who is really built for Playoff hockey and puck possession.

When Pelley didn't happen as planned, we got Ryan Carter and then dealt Pelley for Foster who turned into Zidlicky.

The 3M's were a rare panic move by Lou after the blow by Nieds. I Lou's favor he DID get the best available free agents before getting into a bidding war. To me the effort was sound, the players just failed to be the players the were before the layoff.

Again, Lou is a great tinkerer who evaluates as the season goes on.