62 replies to this topic

[Devils Pride 26]

I think if Greene plays well enough when he comes back from his injury it should be a showcase period to trade him to a team that needs a puck-moving defenseman. This team is rather full of that particular kind of player and should use that glut to get something it actually needs.

What do you trade him for though?

[Triumph]

All the sudden we have a glut of them? I wouldn't ever trade Greene or a guy like him - what do we need back for him? He's like 2 years away from UFA, he's not drawing interest. Throw in the fact that Oduya's no guarantee to stick around in Jersey and who knows about Salmela too. Worst case scenario Salmela sits, but I can definitely see him being the kind of player who doesn't play in the playoffs because he's too big a gambler.

Odds are this will be moot as one of White or Salvador will get injured by the time Greene is ready to return.

Edited by Triumph, 23 November 2008 - 09:54 PM.

[Devils Pride 26]

Elias Zubrus Gionta, that line has shown shades of the A line in the last 4 games. If every thing is clicking I'm fine putting Rolston with Madden for a while.

[NewarkDevil5]

All the sudden we have a glut of them? I wouldn't ever trade Greene or a guy like him - what do we need back for him? He's like 2 years away from UFA, he's not drawing interest. Throw in the fact that Oduya's no guarantee to stick around in Jersey and who knows about Salmela too. Worst case scenario Salmela sits, but I can definitely see him being the kind of player who doesn't play in the playoffs because he's too big a gambler.

By my count we've got Martin, Oduya, Salmela and Greene that are all skating defensemen. By my count that puts us one ahead of our ideal number of 3 skaters to go with our 3 hitters. Since offensive defensemen are more valuable on the open market than defensive defensemen, that makes any one of those players a valuable commodity and therefore a waste to have sitting around watching games from the crowd or playing in Lowell. Of the four, Greene has the least overall potential in my opinion and should therefore be the one that gets moved. As for their contract situations, well I haven't looked too terribly carefully at that aspect so my reasoning could be flawed from that end.

Odds are this will be moot as one of White or Salvador will get injured by the time Greene is ready to return.

This last is one of the most illogical statements I've ever read from you, Tri. Players have timetables for recovery, not injury. There's no telling when Salvador or White get injured. It could happen tomorrow or three years from now.

[Jake]

Obviously, if the top line keeps playing like they have been, there is no way they will be broken up. I say try him in Jamie's spot.

Elias-Zub-Gio
Parise-Zajac-Rolston
Pando-Madden-Langs
Clarkson-Holik-Rupp

[Banzai Riley]

lolz, guess I was wrong.  From Fire and Ice:

Sutter said after the game he would keep Zubrus at center even after Brian Rolston returns from his high right ankle sprain. Rolston had been shifted to right wing before he was injured in Atlanta on Oct. 16. He might be going back to right wing when he gets healthy.

So Zubes will stay, which means we'll have him, Zajac, Madden and Holik in the middle when everyone gets back.  Therefore, the speculation becomes which line does Rolston join?  I said (wrote) my part in the earlier post but now I have no idea.  Maybe Pando-Madden is the only line that will be open for him when he gets back?  Like the OP said, not a bad problem to have.

[britdevil]

Elias - Zubrus - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Rolston - Madden - Clarkson
Pandolfo - Holik - Rupp

[HellOnICE]

Pando shouldn't be on the ice for as much as he is playing against other team's top lines anymore. Maybe for 15/20 seconds, but not the whole shift, because he can't provide any counter attack whatsoever. That Madden-Rolston-Clarkson line could produce time in the other team's zone good enough to keep their good guys away from ours. It's got some speed, defense and toughness.

Jay-Holik-Rupp is a very good, defensive fourthline with guys you can plug in most of the other lines short term.

[Triumph]

By my count we've got Martin, Oduya, Salmela and Greene that are all skating defensemen. By my count that puts us one ahead of our ideal number of 3 skaters to go with our 3 hitters. Since offensive defensemen are more valuable on the open market than defensive defensemen, that makes any one of those players a valuable commodity and therefore a waste to have sitting around watching games from the crowd or playing in Lowell. Of the four, Greene has the least overall potential in my opinion and should therefore be the one that gets moved. As for their contract situations, well I haven't looked too terribly carefully at that aspect so my reasoning could be flawed from that end.

You're not going to get anything for Greene straight up, so why bother? Contract situations are the most important thing to look at now. Oduya's UFA after this season. Salmela's RFA, but you never know if he'll be pining for the fjords and move back to Scandanavia. And I think that ideal is bunk, post-lockout - if you've got a bunch of skating defenders, you're simply ahead of the game. There's no guarantee that Greene or Salmela can maintain this play over the long haul. Greene can be the throw-in to a deal but he cannot be a centerpiece. The Devils now have, or think they have, substantial depth at all positions.

This last is one of the most illogical statements I've ever read from you, Tri. Players have timetables for recovery, not injury. There's no telling when Salvador or White get injured. It could happen tomorrow or three years from now.

But it's more likely to happen sooner than later. Salvador, since the lockout, has played in 46, 64, and 64 games. Pre-lockout, the most he played in was 75. Colin White has played in 82 games once - since arriving to the NHL, he's missed a minimum of 9 games in all other seasons. Both of them are injury-prone guys.

[MantaRay]

Vrana-Rolston-Rupp.

[theamazingtiny]

Elias - Zubrus - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Rolston - Madden - Clarkson
Pandolfo - Holik - Rupp

These are the exact lines I would suggest. I think these lines would be total win, with scoring spread evenly. I know most people will think sacrilege to break up Madden-Pando but they havn't exactly been shut down pairing in awhile. I'd like to see these lines tried. Someone email them to Brent.

[MantaRay]

These are the exact lines I would suggest. I think these lines would be total win, with scoring spread evenly. I know most people will think sacrilege to break up Madden-Pando but they havn't exactly been shut down pairing in awhile. I'd like to see these lines tried. Someone email them to Brent.

I think Clarkson playing with Pando and Madden give them some spark these past few weeks.

[theamazingtiny]

I think Clarkson playing with Pando and Madden give them some spark these past few weeks.

So then you put Rolston there and BOOM offensive explosion right?

[MantaRay]

So then you put Rolston there and BOOM offensive explosion right?

No.

Clarkson gives them a physical presence that Rolston does not.

[sokar]

put rolston with zajac and parise move langenbrunner with madden and pandolfo

[MantaRay]

put rolston with zajac and parise move langenbrunner with madden and pandolfo

No. Langs-Parise-Zajac are a solid group. No sense breaking them up. I would rather have 4 solid lines moving forward.

[jsonnabend]

put rolston with zajac and parise move langenbrunner with madden and pandolfo

This is so clearly the answer, I'm not sure why we're even discussing this. ;-).

No one has answered my earlier question. What does Langenbrunner contribute to his line? Better yet, what does he contribute that Rolston wouldn't contribute more of?

- Jeff

[MantaRay]

This is so clearly the answer, I'm not sure why we're even discussing this. ;-).

No one has answered my earlier question. What does Langenbrunner contribute to his line? Better yet, what does he contribute that Rolston wouldn't contribute more of?

- Jeff

Langenbrunner is stronger along the boards, provides the grit for line and has great chemistry with Zajac and Parise.

Edited by MantaRay, 24 November 2008 - 04:53 PM.

[GOLDJR41]

It's been said before but here is my ideal situation:

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston
Parize-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Pando-Madden-Gionta
Vrana-Rupp-Clarkson.

Move Rupp to wing when Holik gets back and there you have it.

[jsonnabend]

Langenbrunner is stronger along the boards, provides the grit for line and has great chemistry with Zajac and Parise.

I gotta say, I don't see any of that.

How are you determining that he's "stronger along the boards", for instance?

As for chemistry, I haven't seen any magical connection. Any examples you have in mind? It's possible I just missed them.

And Langenbrunner couldn't finish into an empty net half the time, I think. Put two finishers on that line, coupled with Zajac's size and improved play, and you have a stronger scoring threat. I don't think the same could be said simply by adding Rolston to Madden/Pandolfo.

- Jeff