19 replies to this topic

[SterioDesign]

seems like there's a bunch of discussion about this through other discussions, i think we all know that we need more offence but in a perfect world what do we need exactly? Where's our holes

im sticking to Kovy on the left side too, this i we're he's been his best and where he has all his little tricks. And remember this is in a perfect world... we have guys like zubrus and Elias who can play absolutely anywhere but let's put them where they should really belong and see whats up. And i think that with his play clarkson is solidifying his role as a top 6 player like Lou always wanted.

This Season:
Kovalchuk - Zajac - yyyy
Elias - Henrique - Clarkson
xxxx - Josefon - Zubrus
Carter - Gionta- Bernier

xxxx- (candidate: Matteau, Darche, x player through trades, signing)
yyyy- (candidate: i dont have a fvcking clue, x player through trades, signing)

you could make a case that since Matteau will likely end up on the 3rd line and that there's a spot available there might as well keep him instead of trading or trying to get someone for that spot. But thats up to the coaches they know more than we do whats best. If he could eventually slide 2nd line winger too well Elias won't be there forever so.

Long Term:
Kovalchuk - Zajac - yyyy
xxxx - Henrique - Clarkson
Matteau - Josefon - zzzz
Carter - Gionta- Bernier

xxxx- (candidate: Matteau, x player through trades, signing)
yyyy- (candidate: i dont have a fvcking clue, x player through trades, signing)
zzzz -(candidate: Pietila, x player through trades, signing)

I could be wrong about this as i'm not following the AHL that much but i don't think any of the current lineup there as a real good shot at sticking in the NHL other than Butler maybe (on offence i mean), i feel the guys who could have a legit shot are the 2nd wave like Boucher, Gavrus, Black, Coleman, Wohlberg, Kerfoot... they could all endup AHLers for life for all i know.

thoughts? i'm not really sure of all projections of what's coming our way for all those guys, anyone have a clearer idea?

Edited by SterioDesign, 30 January 2013 - 03:43 PM.

[Zubie#8]

When Adam returns I think the lines will be this.

Henrique Zajac Kovalchuk
Zubrus Elias Clarkson
Butler Josefson Darche
CBGB

Just need to upgrade that third line and we will be fine. Hopefully Lou will make a Poni type acquisition, a guy who can play bottom 6 minutes but who can also be used as a top 6 guy.

As for long term I still think we will be fine for the next three years. I honestly do not see Elias Clarkson or Zubrus leaving or retiring. Elias and Zubrus are also aging quite nicely. We just need to strengthen our forward pool during these next three years.

Edited by Zubie#8, 30 January 2013 - 03:28 PM.

[Jerseydevils0324]

Since it seems to be that PDB likes to put inexperienced/risky players on our top line, I don't think it would be out of the ordinary to see Butler tried with Zajac and Kovy. Butler can't be worse than Teddy or Palmieri who Kovy and Zajac have been stuck playing with before, plus he has more experience than Matteau. Lines could be

Kovy-Zajac-Butler
Elias-Josefson-Clarkson/Zubrus
Darche-Henrique-Clarkson/Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

I am a little hesitant to slide Henrique back into the top-6 upon his return. JJ, in my mind, has earned a shot at top six minutes. Whereas Adam hasn't played a game in 2 months, and even then, JJ was outproducing him in the AHL.

[SterioDesign]

When Adam returns I think the lines will be this.

Henrique Zajac Kovalchuk
Zubrus Elias Clarkson
Butler Josefson Darche
CBGB

Just need to upgrade that third line and we will be fine. Hopefully Lou will make a Poni type acquisition, a guy who can play bottom 6 minutes but who can also be used as a top 6 guy.

As for long term I still think we will be fine for the next three years. I honestly do not see Elias Clarkson or Zubrus leaving or retiring. Elias and Zubrus are also aging quite nicely. We just need to strengthen our forward pool during these next three years.

yeah but i really meant beyond that what our team would be like in like 5 years let's say.

[Zubie#8]

yeah but i really meant beyond that what our team would be like in like 5 years let's say.

I'm assuming we will still have Kovy Zajac Josefson Clarkson and Henrique. 5 years is too far away to think about. We just have to develop players through the system like we always do and look for suitable trades or signings.

Edited by Zubie#8, 30 January 2013 - 03:32 PM.

[Devilsfan118]

Who cares about what the team will look like in 5 years?

[SterioDesign]

Who cares about what the team will look like in 5 years?

i do, good to see that we have stability and have some guys locked up for awhile and have some positions set for awhile. and what we potentially have on our farm team coming our way.

[Jerseydevils0324]

Yeah, we'll be fine. With our cap space and the loss of some significant forwards this past offseason (Zach, Poni, Sykora), we will definetly sign some mid-six forwards this offseason. I think Clowe or Ryder could be nice additions that won't break the bank, well they shouldn't at least.

Edited by Jerseydevils0324, 30 January 2013 - 03:42 PM.

[DH26]

Yeah, we'll be fine. With our cap space and the loss of some significant forwards this past offseason (Zach, Poni, Sykora), we will definetly sign some mid-six forwards this offseason. I think Clowe or Ryder could be nice additions that won't break the bank, well they shouldn't at least.

I dunno I think Lou might be back to his pre-2004 lockout mentality of pretty much signing no significant free agents pretty much at all. He got burned on most of them besides Zubrus/Tallinder pretty much (I'm not counting Kovy since that was a resigning) so it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't try anything new besides maybe Reid Boucher and hope Matteau/Josefson could step into the top 6

[cgb6397]

Another scoring winger. That way everyone can get bumped up a line spot and Henrique can stay at center

[Devs1965]

Im sorry we looked like a good hockey team last night not a great one, we need another line that can score if that game was 2-0 in the 3rd period = game over. instead, like a instant replay from last year we tried to hold on to a 1 -0 lead. I was saying to myself they need to score, but we sat back and bam Bruins score, I could have scripted it.
Oh and while I'm at it keep JJ off the shoot out rotation, what was that? Real poor attempt needs work.

Edited by Devs1965, 30 January 2013 - 06:20 PM.

[EdgeControl]

I dont waste Zubrus on a third line. he extends possessions feeds scorers

[hystyk28]

I don't see why Bernier gets a spot unconditionally. Darche is a better player and I would not be shocked to see him or even Matt Anderson replace him in the lineup.

[Zubie#8]

Bernier has been playing well. He has a lot of chemistry on that line with Gio and Carter, he is very good on the boards and is not a liability. The problem right now is our 4th line is our 3rd line.

['7']

What i'd like is a full fledged Parise replacement...but i dont think Lou is in blockbuster mode for 2013. What we will likely get is a Grant Marshall type...

[devilsfan26]

Oh and while I'm at it keep JJ off the shoot out rotation, what was that? Real poor attempt needs work.

You're going to judge his shootout ability on one attempt? Obviously the coaching staff liked what they saw out of him in practice enough to have him go in the shootout.

[StormJosh]

How about signing Radek Dvorak to a low salary 1 year deal. He seems like he could fit on the 3rd line.

[SterioDesign]

What i'd like is a full fledged Parise replacement...but i dont think Lou is in blockbuster mode for 2013. What we will likely get is a Grant Marshall type...

The closest thing to zach is henrique, i find both players really similar.

[CarpathianForest]

I think Greg Zanon's beard would be a great pickup for our third line.

[oconnellrules]

just need a legit winger who can chip in 15 goals with good speed. soooo someone like sykora, but faster and a little tougher.

easy right?