Rock Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/devils/devils_welcome_back_oduya_pandolfo_YDaf8p1K8uiFUxIYiEyeXI Johnny Oduya (hip/groin) and Jay Pandolfo (dislocated shoulder) are likely to join the team in practice today, while Rob Niedermayer (shoulder separation) already is practicing with the varsity. When those three return to action, perhaps by week's end, they'll knock three others out of the lineup, and off the 23-man roster. Jacques Lemaire and Lou Lamoriello will have decisions to make on defensemen Mark Fraser and Matt Corrente, and among forwards Rod Pelley, Tim Sestito, Dean McAmmond, Vladimir Zharkov, Matt Halischuk, Illka Pikkarainen and Andrew Peters, and others in Lowell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exit56 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) I'd love to see a 4th line of McAmmond, Zharkov, and Halischuk. They'd actually get 10-12 minutes a game and score (or at least hit 6 posts a game) Fraser will probably stay up, and they'll send Corrente down so he plays every game and continues to improve. I'd imagine Lou will try to swing a trade for some of these other guys. Pikka is invisible, Pelley has regressed, and Sestito shows a lot of promise, but I don't expect him to stick till next year.. Edited November 30, 2009 by Exit56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdevil26 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 This is a moment of truth for me with Lou. He really seems to love Pikkarainen and apparently sees something in him that no one else does. With the injured players coming back and the youngsters playing so well... there's really no place for him on this team. Same with Peters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I would think the Devils will be sending guys who don't have to clear waivers first, for the most part. If the Devils want Peters playing most nights I'd probably like to see them send both Halischuk and Zharkov down so they can play 20 minutes a night and come back up later in the year. In that scenario I'd send Hali down first since he got the most NHL experience so far this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I would think the Devils will be sending guys who don't have to clear waivers first, for the most part. If the Devils want Peters playing most nights I'd probably like to see them send both Halischuk and Zharkov down so they can play 20 minutes a night and come back up later in the year. In that scenario I'd send Hali down first since he got the most NHL experience so far this year. i don't think so. i think sestito is the first one sent down - he's waiver-eligible, but no one is going to pick him up, the only thing he does well at the NHL level is hit and take faceoffs. halischuk is playing better every game - he belongs in the NHL now, although it's a question whether he's going to stay here. with clarkson out, i think halischuk sticks. parise-zajac-bergfors rolston-elias-langenbrunner pandolfo-niedermayer-halischuk peters-mcammond-pikkarainen pelley/PL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdevil26 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) There's absolutely no room for Zharkov at the moment but I wish he'd stick around. I also just wrote something about this topic here: http://www.haveanotherdoughnut.com/?p=132 Edited November 30, 2009 by njdevil26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I dunno, I have a feeling Zharkov is going to be given a chance to take Halischuk's playing time. JL seemed to really like his play, as did most everyone who watched. Zharkov was arguably better in the preseason as well and was tearing up the AHL. I think Zharkov gets at least 1 more game to show whether his play in the first one was a fluke or not but if he repeats that performance I think they would give him playing time and let Hali play against the weaker AHL for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdevil26 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) I dunno, I have a feeling Zharkov is going to be given a chance to take Halischuk's playing time. JL seemed to really like his play, as did most everyone who watched. Zharkov was arguably better in the preseason as well and was tearing up the AHL. I think Zharkov gets at least 1 more game to show whether his play in the first one was a fluke or not but if he repeats that performance I think they would give him playing time and let Hali play against the weaker AHL for a bit. I agree with you. I just really would like to keep guys like Pikkarainen, Pelley, and Peters away from the lineup. Peters maybe against a team like the Flyers... but even there, we need the muscle but EVERY Flyer including Cote can skate circles around Peters. I just get excited thinking about our young guys though in the next couple of years: Zharkov, Corrente, Bergfors, Eckford, Halischuk, Urbom, Josefson, Tedenby, P. Cormier... Edited November 30, 2009 by njdevil26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I dunno, I have a feeling Zharkov is going to be given a chance to take Halischuk's playing time. JL seemed to really like his play, as did most everyone who watched. Zharkov was arguably better in the preseason as well and was tearing up the AHL. I think Zharkov gets at least 1 more game to show whether his play in the first one was a fluke or not but if he repeats that performance I think they would give him playing time and let Hali play against the weaker AHL for a bit. oh i think zharkov will get another game, but i doubt on the strength of 2 games that he'll beat out halischuk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 oh i think zharkov will get another game, but i doubt on the strength of 2 games that he'll beat out halischuk. Then label me less impressed with Hali's play so far this year. Many games he's an afterthought along with PL3, Sestito, Peters, Pikk, Pelley, etc.... He had possibly his best game of the year last game and it still wasn't as good as Zharkov's, IMO. Zharkov kept his feet moving more than Hali does and I think that's something that Lemaire would really want with how the Devils want to play. Zharkov also went to the net constantly, which is good out off a lower lined player playing with less skilled guys rather than Hali who has played more in the perimeter. I don't think it really changes the Devils chances of winning regardless of which one plays but I think I can argue it's better for the current team and their long term growths to play Zharkov over Hali if I'm choosing between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilNurn Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 What's Pelley's contract status? I know he wouldn't be happy if he were sent down but it seems McAmmond has him beaten for the spot. Is he waiver-eligible? Although I feel like even if he is, no one would pick him up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeesjetsfan Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I'd like to see Zharkov and Halischuk stick, but I doubt Zharkov will get the minutes he needs to continue his development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amberite Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Here's hoping for Zharkov and Halischuk. I don't know how we're going to do it, but I'd really like to see BOTH of these guys stay here. Make it happen, Lou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prucenterrules Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I'd love Zharkov, Halischuk, and McAmmond but I think it would be better for Zharkov to get more minutes in Lowell. I think Halischuk and McAmmond stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias26 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I liked Zharkov's debut a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I'd love Zharkov, Halischuk, and McAmmond but I think it would be better for Zharkov to get more minutes in Lowell. I think Halischuk and McAmmond stay. Why is it more important to get Zharkov AHL time than Halischuk? They both project for somewhat similar roles in the NHL and Zharkov already has more AHL minutes than Halischuk and has better performance there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Par9 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Could we release Pelley. Sestito is a agressive young forward with a scoring touch. Pelley well is a defensive center but we already have McAmmond, Nieds, and Pandolfo of all whom play a great defensive game and two are centers. Corrente should be sent down to develop and get ready for next year and I would do the same for Zharkov. Fraser should stay considering he has played a stonewall defensive job. But again on Zharkov and Hali even if Zharkov beats out Hali he can't play in Lowell he is NHL ready and has promise. So I guess I wouldn't mind seeing... Parise-Zajac-Langs Rolston-Elias-Bergy Pandolfo-Nieds-Zharkov?? Halichuk-McAmmond/Sestito-Pikks Extras Peters and PL3 White Oduya Greene Salvador Fraser/Corrente Mottau I feel like I'm missing a RW and so I put Zharkov in. Nieds, Pando, and Zharkov would make a damn could checking line. Finnaly once Martin comes back send Corrente down and I believe Eckford will already be down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucifersDog Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 The team is doing well we don't need Pando and I certainly will say the same about Zubrus. Play the kids that have shown they belong for development in the NHL. Get rid of the one that have shown nothing. This will be difficult for Lou to pull off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Par9 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Pando is usable and it will bite us when we don't have experience and leadership come PO time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Could we release Pelley. Sestito is a agressive young forward with a scoring touch. Pelley well is a defensive center but we already have McAmmond, Nieds, and Pandolfo of all whom play a great defensive game and two are centers. I think you'd be surprised that Pelley and Sestito are the same age. Pelley also has a much better offensive career so far across all levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Parise Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Parise-Zajac-Langs Rolston-Elias-Bergy Pandolfo-Nieds-Zharkov?? Halichuk-McAmmond/Sestito-Pikks Extras Peters and PL3 White Oduya Greene Salvador Fraser/Corrente Mottau sorry par, i stopped reading ur lines after the rolston-zubrus-rolston line a while back, and I'M the one with the retarded horse avatar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.