Suggest UFA Centers and Draft Prospects

by John Fischer on Jun 2, 2009 7:55 PM EDT Comment 29 comments

As I mentioned in yesterday's post about Nick Boynton and Karlis Skrastins, I plan on ending a daily look at unrestricted free agent defensemen this week. I hit most of the major names on this list from NHL Numbers and I'm really running out of interesting, yet realistic possibilities for the Devils' top 4. So I'll do three more days of defensemen, and then on Saturday, it's onto the next position you have been clamoring for: centers.

To make the process a little more controlled and with a little more participation, I want your suggestions for UFA centers you'd like me to take a look at as possible Devils signings. I feel that you all want to see a playmaking center or a #2 center; but given what is available, I suggest throwing some checking centers in there.Especially considering that John Madden is also a UFA and isn't a lock to return. I also suggest sticking to centers and not wings who can play center, but then after Zubrus at center for a season, maybe I don't need to tell you that? Here's a handy list of UFA centers from NHL Numbers as a place to start.

I plan on looking at centers for about a week and a half to two weeks. The more suggestions you have, the better. I will not look at each center (I don't think you would either). Please place all suggestions either here in the comments or as a @ message to my Twitter.

In addition to centers, I would like you to suggest potential draft prospects for the Devils. The 2009 NHL Draft is coming up at the end of the month and New Jersey will be drafting in the lower third of the first round again. If you know of a player that you've seen or read about that warrants further attention, let me know here (or via Twitter) as well. I suggest being realistic in terms of draft rankings, as the Devils aren't likely at all to move up into the top 10 and get Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, or whoever else is the flavor of the day. Honestly, I do not know much about who would available and worth a draft pick right now; so I would appreciate any and all help in this area.

And if you know quite a bit about a prospect and have some insight on him as far as his potential goes, feel free to write a FanPost about him instead of just suggesting his name.

All FanPosts and FanShots are the respective work of the author and not representative of the writers or other users of In Lou We Trust.

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I'd like

Sammy Pahlsson (if Madden walks) and/or Blair Betts

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 3, 2009 7:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Pahlsson would be a nice replacement for Madden.

by thejerseydevil on Jun 3, 2009 6:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's a stretch

Let Madden and Gionta walk, Holik retired, don’t resign Shanny and free up close to 12 mil in cap room. With that money try to sign the Sedin twins to play with Elias.

by hockeyfan30 on Jun 5, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think that still leaves you

with a conundrum of what to do with Rolston. I want to let Gio walk and give him a chance playing opposite Elias.

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 5, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why???

If you let Gionta walk he is a right winger. Henrik is a center and Daniel is a left wing. So you would have to switch everyone up just to get D. Sedin the right roster spot. Then Elias would go down a line and Parise would have to be a right wing and then Langenbrunner would go down to the fourth line……
Why would you do that if you could just get Mike Cammalleri??? He put up 82 points too and he isn’t a package deal. He is only 26 too. The Sedin’s are 29 i think

by LetsGoDevils on Jun 5, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking over the UFA list it seems a bit thin but it is what it is, so…

Id say the best one available is Cammalleri (although he played wing much of this year I think) and the Devils have probably no shot at him. After Cammalleri the centers I see as the most attractive options are: Saku Koivu, Jason Williams, Steve Sullivan, and Henrik Sedin. I think the Sedin’ are a package deal and that likely keeps Henrik out of the running. Im most intrigued by Sullivan (he was drafted by the Devils) although his injury history makes him more of a risk. Koivu could also be a good second line option. Williams might be the best fit though. He’s played the point on the powerplay in Carolina and I think this year with Columbus too. So if John’s post from earlier today comes to fruition (resign Oduya an not sign another D man) maybe Williams could provide us with a point man for the power play (although I think I still prefer Bergeron).

by drhgzang on Jun 5, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I could handle Williams.

Cammalleri is going to command some dough. As far as Koivu, I can’t help but think he has much left in the tank. If he comes here, I hope he proves me wrong!

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 5, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good catch

For some reason I had Gionta and Elias switched in my head. Thanks for pointing that out LGD. That definitely won’t work.

I like the idea of Cammalleri but will Lou shell out the cash for him?

An idea I had earlier was trading Zubrus and a pick to Washington for Nylander ( I know former Ranger BOOO). But he’s better than Zubrus IMO and Washington has been trying to rid themselves of him all season. (according to rumors) Zubrus came to us from Washington who I believe made a pitch for him to stay. Possible? Thoughts?

by hockeyfan30 on Jun 6, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nylander would be a playmaking center, but assuming he stays in the NHL, I question whether he would really fit in NJ. Nylander excelled in NY with Jagr and the finesse style that line brought to the ice; I think he would struggle in NJ where he’ll have to battle for the puck a lot or more and play down low. Given that his player profile notes he plays a passive game and his age dictates that will not suddenly change, I think the Devils would be better suited with someone else. The Devils don’t need a passive center. (Note that I didn’t mention his awful 2008-09 season, seriously, 33 points in 72 games?)

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 7, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking ahead to the draft, I think our most pressing needs are at centre and goaltender.

We have no NHL calibre centre prospects in the system outside of Patrice Cormier and Adam Henrique. Two centres I’ve heard good things about that fall within our drafting range are Chris Kreider and Kyle Palmieri. Both are touted as excellent skaters with playmaking ability. Palmieri I know a little more about, having seen him play in person when the US Developmental team played an exhibition against my Cornell Big Red. I have to agree with the scouts on this one, Palmieri is fast. Kreider supposedly is already a better skater than most NHL players. He is going to play at BC so it will be interesting to watch his development there, but he wouldn’t play for the Devils for a few years.

I also have to think it is time to draft Brodeur’s successor, and soon. I don’t want to have to face the unpleasant business of picking up a goalie via free agency or a trade when Marty retires, because we all know Frazee is not the answer . A goalie I have heard good things about is Olivier Roy (no relation to Patrick), but he will likely go in the first round. I think we can’t afford to use our first rounder on the relatively weak goalie crop this year when this year’s group of centres is so strong.

Disclaimer: What follows is blatant homerism, but I think it is valid.
Lou is known for finding free agent gems from undrafted players. To my knowledge, no team has drafted Ben Scrivens, the goalie for the Cornell Big Red. This past season he started every game, and in 36 games he had 7 shutouts, a save percentage of .928 and a GAA of 1.96, and I expect him to get better next year as a senior. I would feel very comfortable with Scrivens becoming a Devils goalie prospect, but that might just be my wild flight of fancy.

One more useless post brought to you

by Saugus on Jun 6, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

This is excellent and not at all a useless post. I’ll be referring to it later on.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 7, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did a little more research on draft eligible centres, and I came up with a few other players who could reasonably be drafted by the Devils.

Louis Leblanc: USHL rookie of the year, point per game production (28G 30A in 56 games). Decent size and good speed.

Drew Shore: On the US Development Team, led team with 25 assists, second in points with 38. Good hands. Will play for Denver U next year.

Also I found out more about Kyle Palmieri, apparently he used to play for the Devils under-16 team and is from NJ. In addition to his speed, he has good hands and vision and shows a knack for scoring clutch goals. He’s going to Notre Dame next year. The more I hear about him, the more I want the Devils to draft him. Time will tell.

One more useless post brought to you

by Saugus on Jun 7, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

more on palmieri

Sources say he finished really well at the NHL Combine last week. He played for the USA U-17 and U-18 national development teams and was clutch at both levels. This years U-18 team won the IIHF World Championship.

by pariseisagod on Jun 9, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know I sound really high on Palmieri, but it’s warranted. I heard that he was kicked off the US Developmental Team because he refused to rat out his teammates when they were caught “befriending” the local ladies in Sweden. That screams good character to me. I’ve also heard that he is “this year’s Zach Parise”, in that his work ethic belies his size.

One more useless post brought to you

by Saugus on Jun 9, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well having known Palmieri i can attest to the fact that he is of good character. Calling him “this years Zach Parise” is no lie. he would do great with the franchise

by pariseisagod on Jun 12, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, you know Kyle Palmieri?

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 12, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes i know him

by pariseisagod on Jun 13, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about...

Phil Kessel?

Spector reported today that supposedly he and Boston are pretty far apart as far as money goes. Boston wants him to take 3.5 mil like Krejci and Phill wants 5 mil.

Young, skilled, and 5 mil is just 1 mil above what Madden was making. He could fit under our cap and possibly leave room for other moves.

by hockeyfan30 on Jun 7, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Correcting myself...

the 5 mil is 1 mil more than Gionta made not Madden.

by hockeyfan30 on Jun 7, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm...

I love how Kessel plays and he did just break out last season.

Unfortunately, he did it mainly at right wing. The guy took only 87 faceoffs this past season. I think he was drafted as a center and spent his first two seasons taking over 300 faceoffs so he may be able to be converted back. How he would fit, who knows.

$5 million/year is tempting for Kessel but he’ll have to not be qualified to become available, if I recall contract rules correctly. Again, compensation is not something the Devils (or many teams) can really afford for RFAs. I get the impression that this is posturing by both sides. But if he becomes available…Kessel is certainly tempting if he has no issue going back to center.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 7, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not precise on the details of how Restricted Free Agency works, but my understanding is that Kessel would become available if he rejected the qualifying offer from the Bruins (possible if they are so far apart), or one wasn’t made (unlikely for someone with his talent). At that point other teams could tender offer sheets. If Kessel signs an offer, Boston would be allowed to match it, or let him go and accept compensation in the form of draft picks. However, if either Boston or Kessel files for arbitration, teams can’t make offers. He’d become a UFA at the end of the contract decided by the arbitrator, most likely next year or 2011.

I’m wary of offer sheets as a viable method to acquire players. Poaching RFAs is somewhat taboo among NHL GMs, as evidenced by the furore caused when Edmonton signed Penner to one. Lou is far too smart and classy to annoy Chiarelli by throwing an offer at Kessel. Also for a player of Kessel’s calibre the compensation would be exorbitant, unless by some miracle he signs for less than $2.6M/year, in which case we’d only give up our second round pick. Any higher and we’re talking about first rounders and multiple picks. It’s a tempting idea, but in the end I don’t think it’s worth it.

One more useless post brought to you

by Saugus on Jun 7, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dominic Moore, perhaps?

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 8, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think he’s a good fit. My friends who are Leaf fans describe him as a career fourth liner who had a big spike in production in a contract year. They seemed surprised that Burke was able to get a second round pick from Buffalo for him at the deadline. I doubt he would be useful to the Devils.

One more useless post brought to you

by Saugus on Jun 8, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps. It’s worth a look because, well, the crop of centers aren’t exactly as varied as the defensemen this year.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jun 8, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was my line of thinking.

by Mandmeisterx on Jun 9, 2009 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Antropov?

Big, young, and has some skill. Is he ready for a breakout season? Put some skilled players around him and he could produce. Not to mention he goes hard to the net. Something the Elias line could benefit from.

by hockeyfan30 on Jun 8, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs