Free Agents & The Devils: Take 1

I read through the article and I disagree with much of it. However, in fairness we’ll know much more on June 26, 2009. Capt. Lou stated that there will be changes made with players, not coaches if the goal is not reached. Therefore let’s look at some things and ideas that I think (hope) would happe this summer.

There is not a doubt in my mind that the Lou will make a trade on or right before draft day (June 26). Things need shaken up and bad contracts need to be extracted. However thatss easier said than done because I can’t imagine too many teams want the horrendus Zubrus contract.

There is not a doubt in my mind that the Devs want to and will bring back Gionta. Anyone who thinks someone can just go form LW to RW (Roslton) with no problem is fooling themselves. What Elias and Gio need is a playmaking center. Unfortunately, Brian Rolston forgot to how to play center. The Devils still have to find someone to replace the playmaking of Gomez and Rolston failed (this year) in this role. The goal for every team is to have two scoring lines, one with a Power Forward center and that is Zajac, what we need is the playmaker for the other. This should be a goal of ours, what we thought we took care of last year.

People better realize that it’s time for the Rod Pelley era to begin. Pelley will be up next year (DEFINITE) and this is the time since they’ve been grooming him to take the place of John Madden. I want John Madden back on this team. Has he lost a step? Did he suffer because of the horrible pairing of “shutdown” Mottau and White? Or is that John just can’t log 17-20 mins a night any longer? There will be takers for Madden because he’s a good vet and example to show to young players how to play the game. I can’t see him coming back for a 1 mill or 1.5 so I think Madds may walk and that is unfortunate. He’ll always be a Devil, but the day may have possibly come to say goodbye. Rod Pelley can do the job and it’s time people better realize that he will be in the opening lineup. Everyone want’s THE STAR PLAYER well that’s not the Devils. Go root for the NYR for your quick fix to nowhere.

Mike Rupp? Re-sign Mike Rupp? Okay, the man is what he is and that’s a marginal fourth liner and a great “black ace.” Mike Rupp MUST be let go. It’s time to also bring up Matt Hailichuk and if not in October than December/January. The Devils do not need to bring back Mike Rupp. Also, I’d like to see the Devils bring up Patrick Davis from the Lowell Devils. To graduate a bum goon like PL3 and not our other kids is disgracfeul.

One of the big reasons why the Devs have been stagnant is because of not letting our players fully mature/groom. Halishuck and Davis are ready for the NHL. It’s time the Devils got younger and this is the best way. These kids CAN play the game and just because the team was not good overall does not mean that they can’t play. So right there Mike Rupp has been filled with kids who have speed, hunger and some skill.
This is how the cap is open for more FA’s as well, even if it’s only two. Also we should give some time to Vrana and see if he can be that playmaking center.

I think the Devils should take a run at Saku Koivu. The Sedin’s are like Scott and Rob, a package deal. NO ROOM AT THE INN. Derrick Roy? Umm, no..we need a goal scorer, leader and excellent passer. Saku Koivu is what the Devils need. By the way, we must make more minutes available for David Clarkson and either play or trade Bergfors.

As for defense: Our best D men in the playoffs were Johnny Oduya and Andy Greene.
It’s is time not only for he Devils to graduate their young players, but to hold certain one’s accountable to the standards that others have been held to. That being said: Paul Martin MUST STEP UP. Paul martin is becoming a bust, if not already is a bust in regards to what he was brought here to be. It was unfair to call him the next Niedermeyer when drafted. Paul is not even Johnny Oduya. Paul can’t QB a power play to save his life, in the last moments of games..crucial moments he gives up the puck like a prostitute at the bunny ranch. Sure Paul can skate like the wind, but so could Peggy Fleming. The best thing Paul does on a PP is fake a shot or keep the pucck in..that’s it. Martin’s shot makes Rafalski look like Souray. The Devs need a #1 PP QB/Offensive D man for the first unit. THIS IS NOT PAUL MARTIN. Also Paulie has become just a long home run passer from his own blue line. Secondly, Mike Mottau must be moved at all costs. The 30 year old journeyman has reached his summit. Mottau can skate, but much like the bunny ranch, he gives it up all night or he wan’t to pretend he and Whitey are the legendary combo of Fetisov/Kasatanov. Unless your those legends STOP making 6 passes in your own zone. Colin White? I think he could be trade bait as well and Salvador is a solid D man.
Andy Greene is a young guy that can grow and he should be in the line up. He has a heavy shot from the point and he should be a QB PP on the second unit. Finally on D, let’s drop the BS. Mottau’s plus/minus. His pairing (until the playoffs) was on the ZZPop line most of the year and he was the benefit of their hardwork. So Mr. Cowbell at the Rock..shove your February 2009 arguement with me. I win, you lose and so did WE at the same time.

As far as graduating D players to NJ? We should’ve kept Salmela, no question. Corrente is not ready, but might be rushed now. Tyler Eckford is not even close to being ready. Mark Fraser? He may not be a swift skater but he takes care of the front pretty well. Then again he is a 5th D man

As far as goalies? Martin Brodeur is STILL fine to play 72 games a year. He is NOT tired, he is NOT old. The only thing that’s tired is watching him being the ONLY one show up and our D get manhandled on the boards and make horrible passes. Sure Marty can bail them out but this team asks to much from one player in this regard, not his playing time. Clemm is GONE!! He is not coming back since he want’s to start and if not start get a nice pay day. Clemm’s time has come and he is gone. Frazee will be in Lowell and Coleman in Lowell in Trenton so don’t look for them to be moved up and they will not rush Frazee. Why? There is no point. So do we bring back Weekes? Does he want to sit? Does he even have another choice in the NHL other than be a back up? If not Weekes, how about Valliquette? This is the least of our worries and anyone who think’s otherwise is foolish.

So we have money but not a tunz of it. Hopefully we can make a deal on June 26 to free up some money. Offenisve D men don’t grow on trees. So we may need D and again a play making center IF they don’t think Vrana can truly be the guy.

So in order I think we need defense and a playmaking center. The SAME AS LAST YEAR UNFORTUNATELY!!!

I have two other questions/ideas: 1. Do the Devils take a run at Havlat if they can open up some money from a trade? He is Patty best friend and might want to come be his right wing. Gio can play third line RW, he has a great defensive game and played that role in 2003. What if Tedenby does come over this year and excels in camp. Also, we need to get Tedenby to at least play in Lowell. We have so many LW’s as it is. I think Shanny should come back as well for a $1 mill.

We’ll see, but make no mistake we must start to graduate players from Lowell and not just become some old free aganet team, I know that we must go for the Cup big time since Marty is on the back end of his career, but we must move on with youth as well.

Before I go into who the Devs should sign from other teams (other than Koivu) we must take care of our own. I think June 26, 2009 will give us a better picture.

The poll is open until Monday the 18th, we’ll see what’s out there until then.

I really wish there was a source for the Lowell Devils, you really can’t get a grasp on how a player is doing on stats alone.