USC09 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5784087&categoryid=2459791 As much as I hate Scott Burnside, I think he has a point in this video. He talks about how Marc Savard was very influential in Ilya Kovalchuk's career in Atlanta. So, now the question is who could be that #1 center the Devils need? Savard is likely out til January with post concussion symptoms and Boston is not likely to trade him. So, for now Zajac and Arnott need to show poise and start improving their play and skate with Kovalchuk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxchaznjxx Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 burnside is a dumbass. but i don't think zajac has taken that next step to be considered a #1 center. i think he's benefited more by playing with zach than the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 29th Pick Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 (edited) We have needed a play-making center for ever, Gomer was good at getting the puck to his wingers in scoring position, but after he left, there was and is a void in that area (I hate Gomer too, but he did a good job in that department). Edited November 9, 2010 by hargsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 I don't think zajac is a good center for kovy, and obviously arnott is not a viable long-term solution. So yes, I agree we need a 1b center for our 1b line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Should be able to get a serviceable one with that top 5 draft pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucifersDog Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 burnside is a dumbass. but i don't think zajac has taken that next step to be considered a #1 center. i think he's benefited more by playing with zach than the other way around. Agree Zach and Parise have been good together but Kovy doesn't have chemistry with anyone at this point except Lou and Vanderbeek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I'm worried more about the defense. Kovy doesn't have a center, he's right, but Zach Parise has his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrthemike Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I agree with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hystyk28 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 We have needed a play-making center for ever, Gomer was good at getting the puck to his wingers in scoring position, but after he left, there was and is a void in that area (I hate Gomer too, but he did a good job in that department). I just said this 2 days ago. I really like Zajac, but he isn't a #1 center, and for all th flak that Gomez took for passing too much, the team could use a fast playmaking center like that. I think he may be one of the best fits out there actually.(not dollar wise of course.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrydevil Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Kovy doesn't have chemistry with anyone at this point except Lou and Vanderbeek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLL765 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I never thought Zajac had it in him to be a true #1 center. He meshes VERY well with Parise though and on a line with him, he puts up 1st line pts. We do need to get someone else who can put up around 70pts or more to play with Kovy. Arnott's not the man, I wouldn't mind resigning him as a 3rd line center next year if his play improves and we can get him for 2mil or less, this way he can still play with Elias. I feel this team needs another good playmaking center for Kovy and 2 decent right wings for the top 2 lines. Zubrus is good, but hasn't put up top 6 pts while he's been here, so I'd slot him as a 3rd line guy for now, though I'd like to see him used in a trade to get someone who better fits here. Don't get me wrong, Zubrus has played very well, but he's not worth 3.4mil when he can't even top 50pts on any line here. I feel like he'd benefit from a change of scenery and we should use the fact that he has value to get something in return for him. Maybe we could get a decent D-man for him at some point and possibly save $$ in the process. If what I said above happens, it opens up more cap space to sign a RW in the off season to play on the top line. I feel our need is greater at RW than center because I'd hate to sign a big name when Josefson could turn out to be a solid 2nd center. Of course he could be a bust, but I would hate to waste big bucks on a UFA center when we might have what we need right here in NJ for dirt cheap...for at least until he asks for that big payday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimaira_Devil_#9 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Josefson will hopefully exceed Zajac in terms of ability if he reaches top potential. Zajac, arnott are a good 1-2, just that no one is performing at the moment. The real issue is at the back end IMO. We have lost Stevens, Niedermayer, Rafalski and Martin and added no one of any real quallity back there. By adding a true #1 D man i think it would solve a lot of our problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overtime98 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Burnside is an idiot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 (edited) Kovy doesn't have chemistry with anyone at this point except Lou and Vanderbeek. LOL. Sad but true. Maybe a few years ago this was true. But Arnott and Zajac are a good 1 & 2. The problem is we have no one on defense capable of getting the puck to them. Edited November 10, 2010 by MantaRay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitico12 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5784087&categoryid=2459791 As much as I hate Scott Burnside, I think he has a point in this video. He talks about how Marc Savard was very influential in Ilya Kovalchuk's career in Atlanta. So, now the question is who could be that #1 center the Devils need? Savard is likely out til January with post concussion symptoms and Boston is not likely to trade him. So, for now Zajac and Arnott need to show poise and start improving their play and skate with Kovalchuk. Agreed. Gomez would tear it up with Kovy. If there was ever a time for Lou to get nostalgic, it is now. Bring back Gomer to pair up with Kovy and then you would see results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdevil26 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Burnside also suggest that he needs jelly to...... nevermind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Agreed. Gomez would tear it up with Kovy. If there was ever a time for Lou to get nostalgic, it is now. Bring back Gomer to pair up with Kovy and then you would see results. And where's THAT cap space going to come from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 And where's THAT cap space going to come from? The next two players who wind up on LTIR by the end of the week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 The next two players who wind up on LTIR by the end of the week Fair enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 How about we trade Parise for Malkin, and then since Zajac won't have much of a use with out Zach - we trade him for some defense. Come Deadline: Trade Parise for Malkin. Trade Zajac for defense. Trade Jamie, Arnott, Clarkson for cap space, picks, whatever. Kovalchuk-Malkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devlman Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 (edited) THANK YOU!!!!!! Zajac is NOT a No. 1 Center for anybody! Hes a 2nd line center at best. Rarely do I agree with Burnside but im glad someone else has seen this! Ive been saying this for the past two years. Zajac is the most overrated player on the team and lives off free passes from the team and fans. We should be expecting a lot more out of him. If it was possible id take Gomez back in a heartbeat....or take a gamble on acquiring Savard Edited November 10, 2010 by devlman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Gomez and Savard aren't the answers. I think Malkin is gettable and better than both of those guys, not too mention younger and healthier. Parise for Malkin is a good a deal as we can straight up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devlman Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Gomez and Savard aren't the answers. I think Malkin is gettable and better than both of those guys, not too mention younger and healthier. Parise for Malkin is a good a deal as we can straight up. Trading Parise isnt the solution to anything though. So, in that regard, Malkin is not attainable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 If Zajac can't be considered a number 1 center then there is no way Gomez can be considered one. Zajac is a way better hockey player than Gomez is. Offensively Zajac is on par with Gomez and defensively Zajac destroys Gomez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devlman Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 If Zajac can't be considered a number 1 center then there is no way Gomez can be considered one. Zajac is a way better hockey player than Gomez is. Offensively Zajac is on par with Gomez and defensively Zajac destroys Gomez. True Gomez isnt a no.1 center. I just think he'd work great with Kovy. Offensively, Zajac cant hold Gomez' jockstrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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