Triumph Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I realize the 4th line has gotten the last 5 pages of this thread, but it is the least of this team's problems. Upgrading the forwards is much more important. Dainius Zubrus played probably nearly twice as much at ES as any of the CBGB guys did and his year was a disaster - he was a functional player but he just didn't provide any offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I realize the 4th line has gotten the last 5 pages of this thread, but it is the least of this team's problems. Upgrading the forwards is much more important. Dainius Zubrus played probably nearly twice as much at ES as any of the CBGB guys did and his year was a disaster - he was a functional player but he just didn't provide any offense. If Lou actually does bring all three of them back, it likely means there will be no significant improvements to the rest of the forward group. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilsrule33 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) I realize the 4th line has gotten the last 5 pages of this thread, but it is the least of this team's problems. Upgrading the forwards is much more important. Dainius Zubrus played probably nearly twice as much at ES as any of the CBGB guys did and his year was a disaster - he was a functional player but he just didn't provide any offense. Two more years of Zubrus...wonderful. Another player where the Devils can put anywhere....we know he spent a ton of time in the 1st line, but wasn't there a few times he was demoted to the 4th? Ideally, that's where he is at this point in his career. You are right about the Devils desperately needing to improve the forwards, but where do they do this? Lou brought in Ruutu at the deadline for two years at $3 million something...that seems like the upgrade over a full season. Maybe next year there is more flexibility with Ryder and Brunner gone. For now, you buy out Volchenkov and where do you go... I have no answers here. There isn't much to like up front. And that's with the hope that Jagr and Elias give you exactly the same production. Edited June 18, 2014 by devilsrule33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sokar Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 unless the Devils are willing to put Zubrus and Ruutu on the fourth line and let the CBGB line walk, Devils are not going to have room to sign a scoring forward. Devils need to start trading for or sign players that can be 1st line players Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 29th Pick Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Lou will impress me if can can pull off some trades, sign a free agent or two, and cut some dead weight this summer, enough to turn this team into a serious playoff team, but I think next season will be only marginally better than last year I think we have to wait till 2015/2016 for a much improved team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I thought we were sitting pretty under the cap especially if Marty leaves and one of Sal or Volch is bought out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slasher72 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) I think the CBGB line is here to stay. Lou will actually shock the hell out of me if he makes any major changes. I think he'll sign a few utility players and draft a forward whom we can hopefully groom into an NHL caliber player. We have some young guys in the system like Boucher and our defense is in good shape. So i think he'll be patient and keep things steady. Edited June 18, 2014 by slasher72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 29th Pick Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) well Stephan Gionta's most likely coming back, his agent said they started talks already and Lou say's he'd like to sign all three at Guliti's blog http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/devils_will_wait_before_deciding_whether_to_use_compliance_buyout_hope_to_re-sign_potential_ufas/ Edited June 18, 2014 by The 29th Pick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 If Bernier is brought back, I'll break sh!t. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Volch should definitely be amnestied or bought out, whatever. That's 4 mil off the books. Offer to re-sign Brodeur for no more than 2 mil. All three of the 4th liners should be offered no more than 1 mil a piece. Let Fayne walk. WIth that cash you can shoe horn at least two decent forwards into your lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Two more years of Zubrus...wonderful. Another player where the Devils can put anywhere....we know he spent a ton of time in the 1st line, but wasn't there a few times he was demoted to the 4th? Ideally, that's where he is at this point in his career. You are right about the Devils desperately needing to improve the forwards, but where do they do this? Lou brought in Ruutu at the deadline for two years at $3 million something...that seems like the upgrade over a full season. Maybe next year there is more flexibility with Ryder and Brunner gone. For now, you buy out Volchenkov and where do you go... I have no answers here. There isn't much to like up front. And that's with the hope that Jagr and Elias give you exactly the same production. Maybe the Devils cut bait with Zubrus. Capgeek says you can now buy out 35+ contracts with non-compliance buyouts (something that wasn't the case under the previous CBA). I mean, it'd be horrible, but it'd be the admission of a mistake. Maybe they send Zubrus or Ruutu elsewhere for a guy who is a potential compliance buyout (Mike Richards?). Ruutu waived his NTC once, that doesn't necessarily mean he still has it - when you go to a new team, they can choose to honor that clause or not. And of course Brunner or Ryder will move if NJ picks up pieces of their contract. I look at the roster and I see a giant hole in the center. I cannot imagine that they expect to fill that hole with either Zubrus, Ruutu, or Henrique, or at least I sure hope not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mort4345 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Here are the top-three things the Devils should do (in order): 1. Find any team, preferably with a GM who has no background in advanced NHL stats, and trade Bryce Salvador - I don't care if it's for a 7th-round draft pick. Just take it. 2. Do whatever it takes to sign Paul Stastny or Ryan O'Reilly - whoever winds up ultimately walking out on the Avs. Obviously this is going to be difficult, but it's worth the effort. 3. Get Cory Schneider locked up long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slasher72 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) MadDog2020, on 17 Jun 2014 - 10:19 PM, said:MadDog2020, on 17 Jun 2014 - 10:19 PM, said:If Bernier is brought back, I'll break sh!t. Lou is likely bringing back the CBGB line intact. I guarantee you he thinks the team is ready to compete "as is". I just hope he signs Schneider. That's my main worry this offseason. Edited June 18, 2014 by slasher72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slasher72 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 well Stephan Gionta's most likely coming back, his agent said they started talks already and Lou say's he'd like to sign all three at Guliti's blog http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/devils_will_wait_before_deciding_whether_to_use_compliance_buyout_hope_to_re-sign_potential_ufas/ This is exactly what I expect from Lou. I expect him to sign Carter, Bernier, and little Gio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDEVS1730 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Here are the top-three things the Devils should do (in order): 1. Find any team, preferably with a GM who has no background in advanced NHL stats, and trade Bryce Salvador - I don't care if it's for a 7th-round draft pick. Just take it. 2. Do whatever it takes to sign Paul Stastny or Ryan O'Reilly - whoever winds up ultimately walking out on the Avs. Obviously this is going to be difficult, but it's worth the effort. 3. Get Cory Schneider locked up long term. This. I also hope at least Carter stays, I always thought he was pretty good. Other than that hopefully Lou can pull off a major overhaul or something... Edited June 18, 2014 by NJDEVS1730 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ELIAS6 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 i want carter to come back.. i wouldnt mind gio coming back he works hard every single game and we could use his speed.. bernier oh my god take a fvcking hike loser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grcenter47 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 i am not sure if this was discussed earlier in the thread but if we buy out salvador and volchenkov, would everyone be comfortable with calling up someone from the minors or would it too pricey to go after Niskanen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RizzMB30 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 This is exactly what I expect from Lou. I expect him to sign Carter, Bernier, and little Gio. You missed the fact that Bernier hasn't heard anything from Lou just yet, just Gio according to TG and some other good faith talks. To be honest I'd like to see Boyle brought in to play 4th line/3rd line center if you're not going to get CBGB cheap. In a perfect world, I'd like to see just Carter back and leave some room for younger players to step into New Jersey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sokar Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I think Salvador does not have a no trade clause if that is the case I could see him traded to islanders to help them get to cap floor I dont expect anything big back maybe 5th rd pick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Sislo resigns according to TVA Sports...1.125/2 years 2 way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RizzMB30 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Sislo resigns according to TVA Sports...1.125/2 years 2 way Very nice. 2-way is just so he plays anywhere, I'd sign on the dotted line if I were him too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 29th Pick Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 If Bernier is brought back, I'll break sh!t. he's had enough of a chance for the Devils and the NHL...time to let him find somewhere else to play, maybe with Teddy in the KHL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 29th Pick Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Here are the top-three things the Devils should do (in order): 1. Find any team, preferably with a GM who has no background in advanced NHL stats, and trade Bryce Salvador - I don't care if it's for a 7th-round draft pick. Just take it. 2. Do whatever it takes to sign Paul Stastny or Ryan O'Reilly - whoever winds up ultimately walking out on the Avs. Obviously this is going to be difficult, but it's worth the effort. 3. Get Cory Schneider locked up long term. I'll take a 7th round pick for him....hey you never know what you'll get, Lundqvist was a 7th rounder...yeah lucky grab maybe but what the hell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Very nice. 2-way is just so he plays anywhere, I'd sign on the dotted line if I were him too 2 way doesn't change where he can play, it means he gets paid less if he's in the AHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 2 way doesn't change where he can play, it means he gets paid less if he's in the AHL. it also means he can go back and forth without having to pass through waivers, i believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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