New Jersey Devils Cut 12 From Roster: Reactions & Thoughts
by John Fischer on Oct 3, 2011 6:05 PM EDT
in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis
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After a little over two weeks of training camp and preseason, which consisted of practices, video sessions, off-ice training, scrimmages, and games, NHL teams now have what could be the most difficult task left: cutting their roster down to 20 - 23 players and staying within the requirements of the salary cap. While the first or second set cuts tend to come in groups, the actual process isn't simple. Players with the potential have to be informed what they need to do to make the team. Veteran hopefuls may need to be told that being placed on waivers is what's best for them. It's easy for you and I to make the cuts, but the ones actually making the decision have to deal with the human factor.
The New Jersey Devils made several of these cuts today. As reported by Tom Gulitti at Fire & Ice and Rich Chere at NJ.com, the Devils have played eight players on waivers and already sent another three down to Albany of the AHL.
Placed On Waivers - D Mark Fraser, D Matthew Corrente, D Peter Harrold, D Jay Leach, C/W Rod Pelley, LW Stephane Veilleux, LW Vladimir Zharkov, C/W Tim Sestito
Assigned to Albany - G Keith Kinkaid, D Alexander Urbom, D Matt Taormina
No Signing After Try Out - RW Steve Bernier
On top of that, Lou has already came out and said that Steve Bernier won't be given a contract. Some of this round of cuts won't surprise many Devils fans. Others will, especially considering who's left in New Jersey right now. I feel that it's worth touching on each player in a little more detail as well as briefly looking at who's left.
The Unsurprising Cuts
Keith Kinkaid - Given that he was just signed out of college earlier this year and the Devils already have two veteran NHL-calibur goaltenders, Kinkaid had no chance to make the team. That's fine. All he had to do was show off what he could do, work with the coaches, and get prepared for professional hockey. Let's see how he does in the AHL.
Jay Leach - Albany is bereft of veteran defensemen and Leach has never stuck around in the NHL before. I don't think anyone was expecting that he'd be in the NHL outside of some spot duty. Given the number of defenseman in the system, I doubt he'll even get that.
Tim Sestito - We saw plenty of Sestito last season. He wasn't very quick, he didn't provide much defense, and he certainly doesn't provide much offense. I don't think he was really in the running for making this team, especially with the number of fourth-line caliber forwards in camp.
Alexander Urbom - This is only unsurprising because it was clear that he wasn't getting a real shot at making this team from the get-go. Gulitti's post on Urbom last week spelled it all out. He only got the last two preseason games, and he only got into the final one because Peter DeBoer to keep Bryce Salvador from turning his minor soreness into a more serious injury. This isn't totally bad news, though. He's 20, he'll get prime minutes in the AHL, and he'll still develop. He looked pretty good in those two preseason games, after all. I think he'll be in New Jersey sooner rather than later.
Peter Harrold - I wasn't aware he was even signed until it was about time for training camp. In his preview of the defensemen, Kevin summed it up the best: Harrold is really nothing more than a #7 defenseman at best. He did little in preseason to show that he wanted it.
Stephane Veilleux - Way back in August, I called the Veilleux signing a "wild card" for the fourth line. He had NHL experience, he didn't get destroyed by weak competition, and he presumably would have something to prove. Yet, from what I saw in preseason, I saw a player that was trying too hard to be the "energy" guy instead of providing actual energy. He tried to agitate players, but didn't really succeed. Outside of that, he didn't do much with and without the puck. The wild card turned out to be a dud. In retrospect, he probably should have been just brought in on a try-out.
The Unimpressive Players that were Cut
Matt Taormina - It wasn't a great camp for Taormina. He didn't really stand out in preseason. He didn't show that he could provide significant offense from the blueline. He also was unfortunate to suffer an injury near the end of preseason (via Tom Gulitti) so he couldn't have one last chance to prove himself. Taormina will be turning 25 later this month. Short of lighting it up in the AHL, I'm not confident in his future.
Matthew Corrente - In this post by Tom Gulitti, Lou was rather complimentary about Corrente. Lou said that he was caught up in a numbers game among the improvement of Larsson, Fayne, and Taormina. Well, Taormina didn't make the team, Larsson played his way onto the team in preseason, and Fayne was a NHL player last season. Corrente really didn't do much in preseason and it was clear that he didn't do much to change anyone's mind about getting more chances. Not unlike Taormina, I keep asking myself: "If he's not going to show he's a NHL player now, then when he will be?" Maybe being on waivers is the best thing for him.
Mark Fraser - I would say that Mark Fraser had a decent chance at being a spare defenseman on this team, if not the #6 guy. He's been on the team before. He's a physical defenseman who can play limited minutes. On the other hand, he has rarely shown he could be a regular defenseman in this league. His physical play tends to get him too hot-headed, which can get him into penalty trouble or out of position. Fraser was very much on the bubble. He did little in preseason, and presumably also in camp, to show he was ready for that next step. Despite having a one-way contract, the Devils have made their message loud and clear on waivers.
Steve Bernier - Bernier was brought in on a try out basis in the hopes he could provide some answer at right wing. Generally, I don't have a lot of hope put into players coming in on a try out because if they were really able to contribute, then they would have been offered a contract during the offseason. The Devils gave Bernier plenty of chances in preseason, but he didn't necessarily stand out. He threw some hits, he didn't look too out of place, but he also didn't contribute all that much in the run of play. Given that the Devils are lacking quality at right wing but not quantity, I think Bernier needed to be impressive. He really wasn't.
That's only just my opinion, man. Gulitti reported that the Devils did offer him a two-way deal with the intent to start him in Albany, but he declined it. Therefore, New Jersey won't sign him at all. I'm not sure why Bernier declined given that he went through the summer without any one-way contract offers. Good luck to him in his future endeavors all the same.
The Somewhat Surprising Cuts
Rod Pelley - Back in August, I wrote that Pelley would be on the bubble in the upcoming training camp. With David Steckel on the roster, Pelley wasn't guaranteed a fourth line center spot. With multiple fourth-line wingers, Pelley would have to compete for a spot on this team. Like Fraser, Bernier, Corrente, and Taormina, Pelley really didn't impress in preseason. What makes this a surprising cut is that he was put on waivers instead of Cam Janssen or Eric Boulton. In Gulitti's post, Lou named those two specifically as to why he's not in New Jersey. I think Pelley can contribute about the same as Boulton and definitely more than Janssen. Yet, when the GM says he could have an opportunity elsewhere, it seems to me his future as a Devil is in doubt - be it now or when his contract ends in 2012.
Vladimir Zharkov - Talk about a player who didn't get a fair shake in preseason. Based on Lou's comments in Gulitti's post, it seems he didn't do very well in training camp, which meant he didn't get into preseason action. When he did, he wasn't particularly impressive. I'll admit that I may be the only one surprised by this, I am a Zharkov fan. He brings more to the table to a fourth line. While that may not be much, it's certainly more effective than hitting guys with your body or fists (Boulton, Janssen). I'm hopeful that Zharkov turns this negative into a positive in Albany, perform well enough the AHL to grab the New Jersey Devils' attention, and ends up staying with the NHL for at least a half-season again.
The Surprises Left on the Roster
I'm particularly surprised that with all of the defensemen available, Anton Stralman remains on the roster. I didn't think he did well at all in preseason. I know he has NHL experience and he had good season two seasons ago, but he showed very little on offense and his defensive work left a lot to be desired. In my view, that he got tossed with the 'B' team on the penultimate preseason game was a sign that he will not remain in New Jersey. I really hope he doesn't get a contract. If the Devils want a seventh defenseman on the roster, they have plenty of other options in the system.
Another surprise is that Eric Boulton and Cam Janssen are both still on the roster. While Janssen wasn't a black hole in preseason and Boulton kept the nonsense down (but not completely), I don't see how either will contribute much more than beefiness at the NHL level. I will admit, I wasn't happy when either player was signed, and I don't think either will perform better than Adam Mair did last season. I've resigned myself to thinking that one will stay on the active roster. I just don't think both need to be on the team either. Especially over Zharkov and Pelley.
Adam Henrique and Brad Mills also survived these group of cuts. Mills notably took some dumb penalties while trying to be tough in preseason. But I guess he provided enough energy to have him around. Henrique showed some nice flashes of skill in preseason, but I'm concerned that he would only get limited ice time in New Jersey when he could be better served by a larger responsibility in Albany. I don't think either of the two are safe, though. While the Devils are down to 23 players, they don't have to assign anyone who cleared waivers down to Albany, and they have until 3 PM on Wednesday to set their roster.
Congratulations
Let's end this on a happy note: Welcome to the NHL, Adam Larsson. Good luck in your next 9 games be fruitful (and please no more than that.)
Your Take
Now that the Devils have cut 12 players from their preseason roster and are closer to setting their lineup for opening night, I want to know your take. Which of these cuts surprised you the most? Do you think all of the players on waivers will clear them? If not, who do you think will get claimed? What will the Devils do before Wednesday beyond making decisions about Stralman and Petr Sykora? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about these roster decisions in the comments. Thanks to Elektrostal_kid for first bringing it up here and here. Thank you for reading.
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You’re going to have to give up on the Larsson getting no more than 9 games thing. It’s possible he gets sent down, but I don’t see it as likely, given what I saw from him in the pre-season. He looked like an NHL player.
Surprises to me are Fraser and Pelley – both on one-ways, I’m not sure either will be picked up on waivers. They’re not cut yet, though, so we’ll have to see what happens.
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Yeah I’m interested in seeing how the Stralman/Fraser situation pans out in particular. I would be somewhat surprised if Lou decides to go with Stralman as the #7 over Fraser, but I won’t be that upset.
Why limit our best defenseman to 9 games John? /sarcasm (or is it sarcasm?)
Fraser’s underlying numbers were okay last year, but the Devils have better players around in Stralman, Urbom, and Taormina. They could send him down and call him back up if Salvador or Volchenkov get hurt. If he’s lost on re-entry waivers, eh, nothing ventured, really.
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Oh don’t get me wrong, I don’t like Fraser at all. I’m just attempting to think along the lines of Devils management.
I may have to give it up, but I’m still going to point out that it’s not a good idea for business or even for the player. Larsson’s likely only going to do well if it’s on his terms and I don’t know if that’s really what would happen.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
if the player is ready, which larsson appears to be, it’s a fine idea. if larsson can be an average NHL defenseman this year, it doesn’t make any sense to hold him back. if NJ were a worse or better team, in theory it could do so.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
Something annoying is “the Alexander Urbom example”.
Deboer thought he wasn’t good enough to be taken seriously but when Urbom finally got some decent ice time, he was able to improve his game. Then, Deboer admitted he was wrong about Alex.
Zharkov’s been neither impressive nor awful but on the other hand, he’s really seen minimal ice time, put on the 4th line of some AHL line-ups during the less important preseason games.
So DeBoer’s seen other things during practices to make his decision perhaps ? Sure, but as the Urbom example, I thought that, at least on-ice, Zharkov deserved a better shot.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
Urbom should definitely be the first callup if there is a long term injury to one of our defensemen. Short term stop gap solutions should be handled by the #7 (whoever that is) but anything longer than a game or two Alex better be in the lineup.
I think Taormina will also have a shot at being the first call-up…might depend on who gets injured. If it’s Larsson or Fayne, I think Taormina might be brought in to supply more offense. If it’s Tallinder, Volchenkov, Salvador, and perhaps Greene, it may be Urbom who gets the call. A lot will depend on how they perform in Albany.
Pelley
Rod Pelley is a good guy and a hardworker and has represented the Devils uniform well.. But at this point we know what we are going to get from him and that is virtually nothing offensively – 7 goals in 200+ NHL games. This was a position that should be upgraded. I wish him the best, but for a guy who was completely undrafted playing 200+ NHL games is still a decent accomplishment.
I would rather give another guy a chance that could potentially offer a more complete game
The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall. - Vince Lombardi
by Devilssection21fan on Oct 3, 2011 8:02 PM EDT reply actions
I’m surprised by some of the cuts, mainly Pelley and Zharkov. I thought they were going to make the roster, although I am not up in arms about them not making it. Mainly because I don’t think they supply something that can’t be given by someone else. Bernier not accepting a 2-way deal doesn’t make sense to me on his part. Nobody offered him a 1-way deal, why did he think he could get one else where after not doing that much in camp. I would have liked to see him on the AHL team with the chance to get called up after a month or two if he played well, oh well.
I like the idea of having both Boulton and Janssen on the roster. Call me old fashioned, or misguided, or truculent, but someone has to throw a damn body check. Look at the top 3 lines, how many of those guys are going to hit someone? Clarkie and maybe Palmieri if he remembers how big he is on that night. We have alot of young guys that aren’t that big and aren’t that physical. Plus we have some older players / prime-aged players that we depend on that aren’t that big and aren’t that physical and if I have to watch one more game at the Rock where Zajac has a guy lined up for a hit along the boards and he veers off at the last minute because he doesn’t want contact I am gonna loose it. You’re 6’4" Zajac, atleast humor me and shove the guy.
Yes, I know you win the game by scoring more goals than the other team does, or the way the Devils do it by not letting the other team score as much as you. But you need guys that can and will hit/fight and are willing to get chippy and play alittle bit outside the rules. If someone is taking cheap shots on our guys, we need someone willing to take a fighting major and perhaps an instigator and misconduct penalty to persuade him not to. I’d rather Boulton get 5, 2, and a 10 for punching Avery’s face in than Kovy. If guys start bumping Marty we need a guy that will run the other goalie. I’d rather that be Janssen getting the penalty and subsequent call from Mr. Shannahan than Clarkie.
Most of all though, in order for Boulton and Janssen to be “successful” in NJ they need to do their jobs. They can’t be Leblond or Peters and try to jump an 18 year old rookie or forget to tie down your fight strap and get thrown out in the first 10 minutes of the game or watch Jeff Carter put Anssi Salmela in the hospital with a flying blindside head shot and do nothing about it. Call it gooning it up, but they need to fight and they need to get chippy. This Devils team has been too easy to play against in recent years. Look at the top 3 lines again, is there anyone there that you are physically affraid of? Maybe Clarkie. So to sum things up. Not only am I glad that Boulton and Janssen look like they are going to make the team, but on opening night I hope they are on the same line with Steckle or Mills. Can you say “Line Brawl”?
There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis
the devils don’t need instigator penalties and suspensions. they need to win hockey games. when it comes time for the playoffs, hopefully neither boulton nor janssen will be needed anymore.
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Given that the league requires a hard salary cap, it’s more important than ever to get actual value out of every player in your lineup. Having one or two “enforcers” who do little other than hit people and punch them in the face provides little value – especially when they’re sitting in a box for 5 minutes instead of, you know, playing hockey.
If someone is taking cheap shots on our guys, we need someone willing to take a fighting major and perhaps an instigator and misconduct penalty to persuade him not to.
Has there ever been any actual evidence of fighting actually acting as a deterrent?
They can’t be Leblond or Peters and try to jump an 18 year old rookie or forget to tie down your fight strap and get thrown out in the first 10 minutes of the game or watch Jeff Carter put Anssi Salmela in the hospital with a flying blindside head shot and do nothing about it.
Not having an enforcer would prevent the former while actually having a proper player on the roster. As for the latter, punching Jeff Carter in the face repeatedly may feel good but it doesn’t bring back Salmela in that case and it doesn’t necessarily stop Carter from doing any bad things in the future. If anything, that’s where the league needs to step in and punish players – something that appears to be happening for a welcome change.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
by John Fischer on Oct 3, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Given that the league requires a hard salary cap, it’s more important than ever to get actual value out of every player in your lineup. Having one or two "enforcers" who do little other than hit people and punch them in the face provides little value – especially when they’re sitting in a box for 5 minutes instead of, you know, playing hockey.
Because of this salary cap, the players on your 4th line are going to make at the most $1 million, and not many will make that much. Because of this, how good are 4th line players really going to be? Another question: How good of a team do you expect to be if you are depending on production from your 4th line, why can’t your top 3 lines score? The 4th line is most likely going to be borderline AHL/NHL players, career 4th liners, well past their prime vets who are looking for one last cup run, and players on their ELC/2nd contract. You’re not going to sign 2nd/3rd line talent and put them on the 4th line, and you’re not going to needlessly burn up ELC years from your young prospects and give them 8 minutes a night. Would I have preferred that Lou found a way to get somebody like Colby Armstrong or BJ Crombeen or Cody McLeod to take on a gritty tough guy role on this team? Yes, but those guys weren’t available. Right now this team needs grit and toughness on the 4th line, we got the potential for lots of scoring on the top 3 lines. It’s a dirty job, but you need someone that can do it well, guys like Pelley and Sestito trying to fight and getting their asses kicked doesn’t fire up your team and it doesn’t fire up the crowd as much as having a guy like Boulton win a fight.
If someone is taking cheap shots on our guys, we need someone willing to take a fighting major and perhaps an instigator and misconduct penalty to persuade him not to.Has there ever been any actual evidence of fighting actually acting as a deterrent?
Not having an enforcer would prevent the former while actually having a proper player on the roster. As for the latter, punching Jeff Carter in the face repeatedly may feel good but it doesn’t bring back Salmela in that case and it doesn’t necessarily stop Carter from doing any bad things in the future. If anything, that’s where the league needs to step in and punish players – something that appears to be happening for a welcome change.
I actually meant ‘persuade’ in a euphamistic sense here. The fight instigator takes away alot of the bite that enforcers used to have when it came to policing the game. That said, I still think that you have to have an eye for an eye policy when someone starts taking liberties with your guys. I don’t have any evidence, but I don’t need evidence to have an opinion. I’ve played hockey before. It’s demoralizing to sit on the bench and have guys take cheap shots and run your teammates and no body does anything about it. (Full disclosure: I usually was the guy that did something about it.) I can’t imagine it would be any different in the NHL. After that hit on Salmela the Devils fell apart later in that period and gave up a 2 goal lead and lost the game. Now, is someone jumping Carter going to bring Salmela back, no. Is it going to keep Carter from ever throwing another cheap shot ever again, no. It does send a message to him and the Flyers, though. It lets them know that we are men, and that crap isn’t going to fly. It lets them know that we are united, and we will defend each other when someone trys to victimize one of the group. Is there a chance that seeking revenge is only a ploy to placate the fans, perhaps. In that case I can’t understand why anyone would want to make them happy. You know the fans, we are the ones who pay to get in the building and buy the products that are advertised on TV so the Devils can pay the salaries. And this fan wants fights, and the last time I checked. My money is just as valuable as your money.
I actually don’t mean those last few sentences to sound angry at you John. It’s just that I am tired of being told by other fans that my opinion means less than theirs because I don’t agree with them. I hate it the most when sports writers, people who haven’t paid to see a game in 20 years and get unlimited access to the players, get on their soap box and tell you, the fan that spends his hard earned money on tickets and has virtually no access to the players, that one of the things you like the most about your sport, the thing that makes it truely unique from other team sports, is horrible and you have no right to like it.
There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis
playing boulton or janssen over zharkov will probably cost the devils around 1 win over the course of the season. zharkov draws penalties and doesn’t take any. those two guys take a bunch and don’t draw many. zharkov pushes the play forward, boulton pushes it slightly backward, and janssen pushes it way backward.
there’s just not much evidence that fighting does anything to help an nhl team win. i’m sure it felt good for you and your teammates when you won one, but it’s not important at the nhl level. we don’t see it in the playoffs.
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I know Zharkov’s corsi number is good but the guy has 2 goals in 78 games. Besides, I don’t think we’ll lose him on waivers.
Pelley is probably done as a Devil. Hopefully someone claims him. If the Devs put him on re-entry waivers they could save half his contract. Ditto Fraser.
The only one I don’t want to see claimed is Corrente. If he clears waivers he can be sent to AHL and it costs nothing.
I don’t see the point in having Boulton, Janssen and Mills on the roster. I think Mills brings the most out of all three because he can play on the PK. So hopefully Janssen will get sent down.
I don’t get why they would send down Fraser and Corrente. I don’t like the idea of signing another defensemen. Maybe the plan is to put Fraser through waivers then re-entry waivers just to see if someone will pick him up. If not he’ll just stay as the 7th D man
fourth line
I dont always agree with John, but right here I want to express my 100 percent agreement on the fourth line regarding Boulton/Jansen vs. Pelley/Zharkov. Boulton and Jansen are proven NHL players, but they have proven to be marginally helpful at best, and the dumb penalties they take more often hurt the team leaving their net impact a nevative one most of the time. I dont want either on the team. Conversley, and espesially if this team is going to pursue the puck more and emphasiz speed and skill to a greater degree than past year, that should be reflected throughout the WHOLE lineup. Pelley and Zharkov bring a far more versatile set of skills to the table. I dont see the rational for a top three lines that are one thing, and then a fourth line that is full of monsters and dead weights, penalties waiting to happen. Moreover by looks of Shannahan’s rulilngs, the kinds of fights and hits that boulton and janssen deliver are going to be more penalized this year than ever before. their game is on the verge of being extinct in the NHL, thankfully. its time for the Devils to move on as well.
The only point I’ll argue is Henrique. I think he will be somewhere on the top three lines getting substantial minutes at least until Zajac comes back.
honestly im fine with either boulton or janssen being on the team, but not both. its a horrible redundancy that the team will not benefit from. If i had to pick, id go with boulton i guess.
John you need to get over one year of Larsson’s eligibilty getting burned. unless hes completely awful in the first 9 games, its going to happen. dont think of using those free years as a standard, more of a nice alternative the cba provides. if the guy is one of the 6 best defensman in the organization, it doesnt benefit the team to have him in the minors. if he ends up being valuable to the team, I am sure Lou will manage to sign him when hes becomes a free agent. He wouldnt have signed the guy this summer if he didnt consider hed have to re-sign him in 3 years and have him potentially being a ufa in 7 years.
Draft picks getting contracts and not playing in the NHL is common place, namely because they can slide so a team doesn’t paint themselves into a corner sooner than they have to. And it certainly benefits the team is Larsson can play somewhere and develop where his errors won’t cost the NHL team, he can get top minutes more easily, and adjust to the pace of the game. There aren’t too many prospects who suffer from not playing in the NHL right away, as opposed to prospects who do.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
I'm good on Fraser.
He was like a poor man’s Colin White. A very poor mans. Too many errors and not enough good things done during his stay in Jersey.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle
What do you guys think about spreading the line up a bit Elias on the third line but dont forget he’ll get PP and PK time and you could always double shift him with some who didnt show up for the game to make up for min.
Parise-Jose-Teddy
Kovy-Zub-Clarkson
Henric-Elias-Sykora
Bolt-Steck-Palm
Talli-Larrson
A-train-Fyne
Sal-Green
John you gotta let go of this “burning Larsson’s ELC a year early” obsession.
Your argument for keeping Larsson in Sweden just doesn’t hold anymore. First off, the money – Larsson isn’t counting for a $2-3M cap hit the way other high draft picks do. There’s no cap space issues here anymore. He’s going to “earn” his cap hit and then some. In fact, Larsson is easily a 2nd pairing defenseman right now, which you know is about a $3M value. He may not get 24 min a game in the regular season, but I bet he still places in the Devils’ top 3 D for total ice time.
The only valid argument left is that he hits unrestricted free agency at 25 instead of 27. But it’s really silly to give this so much weight. If he goes on to be an AHL all-star defenseman this year and leads the Albany blueline in all three zones, would you still argue for him to stay in Albany next season too, so that he becomes a UFA at 26 instead of 27? The fact is, players of his caliber are players you build a franchise around. As much player movement as there is these days, you’ve got to take the view that you will want him to play his entire career in NJ. And if that’s the case, why make his NHL career shorter by 2 yrs?
Finally, just look at the Devils’ defense. Larsson is already the most irreplaceable member. He’s an offensively-skilled righty shot, a type that the team so dearly missed last year. In DeBoer’s system, with the defensemen pinching as much as they do, it’s so much more important than ever to have righties playing the right side and lefties playing the left side, so they don’t have to make plays along the boards on their backhand. And that’s why Stralman is being kept around – I guarantee you he’d have been gone already if he were a lefty.
So suppose you send Larsson to Albany, you’re left trying to fill a hole at right D. Sure, Fayne could ably step in on the PP – Larsson has looked better, but Fayne wouldn’t be out of place. But you’d suggest the Devils do what to fill Fayne’s spot? Sign Stralman? You already don’t think much of him. Promote Corrente? Larsson is WAY ahead of him already. Promote Taormina, Urbom, or Fraser, all lefties? Be prepared for either offensive ineptitude or for Brodeur to face 2-on-1s at least twice a period.
Larsson’s defensive play cemented his spot on this team, but it’s his offensive ability that makes him the single most important Dman on the team already. Fayne is similarly valuable, but Larsson has already surpassed him. But lose Tallinder, Volchenkov, Greene, or Salvador and you can call up Urbom or Taormina and still get by okay without drastically changing things. No need to change the PP formation/lineup. No need to have players switch to an unnatural side.
I’m not obsessed, I may be stubborn and I’m still saying it’s not a good idea. It’s rare that defensemen break into the NHL at such a young age as it is and they’re a mixed bag when it comes to performance. To call Larsson, an 18 year old defenseman playing his first season of pro hockey in North America, important or irreplaceable is foolish, especially since the blueline was well and stingy last season without him and especially based on his preseason performance alone. I think Larsson will be great, but it’s a risk both long-term (contract) and short-term (impact on team) to throw him into the NHL right away.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
well, there’s still the 9 games to decide. but when we look at the overall results while ignoring larsson himself, we are leaving out the most important data point. larsson is not a composite or amalgam of every 18 year old NHL player.
unfortunately there’s no corsi and stuff in the preseason, but larsson looked pretty darn good to me.
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I’m not surprised that Fraser and Pelly were put on waivers. I feel that Fraser’s problem is he thinks when he should react. That’s why he makes mistakes, and mistakes that are costly. Watching him in the pre-seson games convinced me he was playing himself off the team. Pelly just doesn’t have the skills that many of the younger guys have, and in this league skill counts.
I’m surprised that Zharky was put on waivers. There is something about his play that makes you a fan, one who is pulling for him to succeed. I expect to see him picked up by another club. In Urbom’s case I think that Lou and DeBoer feel he needs more time in the minors to improve his positioning and decision making. I thought he played well, but looked to me as if getting more coaching time without the pressure of an NHL season will give him the time to continue his development. If he is called up in mid-season you will see a much more confident, stronger and more solid a defender.
As for Adam Larsson, he looks ready for this level. I think that having Tallindar as a mentor and Larry Robinson as a coach will allow him to quickly adjust to the North American style. I feel his play will just get better and better over the course of the season. He got a good taste of what happens at the NHL level when he played against the Flyers. Now he knows. And being among so many of his fellow Swedes will help him adapt to the new culture and environment.
I’m wondering if the Devs might be looking to put a claim on any other teams waived players as the Pelly release has me a bit confused. Hopefully Zharkov, Tao and Corrente will still be in Albany and get another shot at some point. The thing is you only get so many cracks at it and Rowdy Roddy Pelly just didn’t have enough big moments with that chance. Best Hot Rod moment was last year vs BUF when he takes slapshot to face and comes back to lineup w/ full shield up sporting busted nose in a blowout loss in the infamous JMac benching Kovy game. Truly a tough customer and good team player. I hope he catches on w/ somebody.
John or anyone else; What is the rule for becoming an UFA vs. RFA . Is it age or time of service or so many years after signing your ELC? THNX
AS far as AL goes his play has forced the Devs to not only play him but also give him big minutes. The skill is obvious but the hockey sense is genius. If Merril gets here soon the Devs could be set on their blueline for a long time.
For UFA status, it’s called the 27/7 rule. You get your first shot at the UFA market when you are either 27 years old, or played 7 seasons in the NHL (40 games+ in a season). Whichever is first.
I’m not going to lie to you. It felt good and I’m going to do whatever is in my power possible to stay there as long as I can. - Petr Sykora on playing on a line with Elias and Parise.
Thanx
Lou will gladly pay AL Tuesday for hamburgers today. Hopefully he’ll outperform this contract and many more. It was only preseason but man was it good to see someone QB the point and show chemistry w/ Kovy. I guess we’ll know more in the next few weeks about this kid.
The Kovy-Larsson-Sykora PP umbrella was the most effective passing unit I’ve seen the Devs ice in the recent past. I wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of it during the regular and post seasons.
I’m not going to lie to you. It felt good and I’m going to do whatever is in my power possible to stay there as long as I can. - Petr Sykora on playing on a line with Elias and Parise.
Mills, Boulton, Janssen and Stralman are still on the team. My liver does not approve.
Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
That's it. I'm sending you to El Paso to live with your real parents.
by Kevin Sellathamby on Oct 4, 2011 9:35 AM EDT reply actions
Zharkov
Will be back, assuming he clears. Considering what he recently went through mentally (Vasynuv’s death) just a few weeks ago it’s not that surprising he didn’t have the best camp.
If the Devils are trying to see who might have value on waivers (which is what I think they are doing with Fraser/Pelley as I don’t think either gets assigned to Albany) than why not throw Steckel on there?
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
because steckel is better than all of them.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
it’s not, though. parise is better than all of them. whatever, point is, steckel isn’t a player who belongs on waivers nor a player that NJ can afford to lose.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
If David Steckel is someone the Devils can’t afford to lose, than the draft should be fun and exciting again this year.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Steckel may not be irreplaceable, but he fills a need for the team and I can’t imagine Lou would be willing to risk putting him on waivers.
In Zajac’s absence, I expect to see Steckel taking a lot of defensive-zone faceoffs. Henrique and Josefson might not be ready to do that against top competition, and Steckel could take some of the pressure off Elias and Zubrus in that respect.
I don’t see Lou married to Steckel in any way, but it looks like he is here to stay,
If you are looking for a good value PK/4th line center, there is one on waivers right now. Blair Betts.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Steckel and Betts are pretty much comparable 4th line centers.
Steckel is younger and bigger and better face off numbers. Other then that, neither is demonstably better then the other as far as I can tell.
that’s silly. point is, the devils already have one center down. their 2 main centers right now are people who’ve spent a large portion of their career playing wing. then there’s one or two very inexperienced players. steckel drives play slightly just with his faceoff ability. is steckel a 4 wins a year player? no, but i imagine he’s a 1 win a year player, and his replacement could be -1 wins a year (rob niedermayer?).
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
Oh boy. Are you going to be in ‘Player X is worth X wins’ mode all year?
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
what else am i supposed to say, ‘david steckel is probably a decent player who contributes?’ hockey hasn’t (and will likely not be able to) ever figure out exactly how many ‘wins’ a player is worth, but yeah, i consider it a valid way to measure a player’s worth, even if it’s inexact.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
So is there a methodology behind it, or is it more just a ‘feel’ of how a player plays.
GVT offers that (or trys to) but I know you are not a fan of that.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
it’s based on my perceptions of the value of goal scoring, assisting, penalty drawing/taking, zone start, play driving, and faceoff ability, without hopefully double counting anything. so, no, there isn’t a methodology.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
You seam to be implying that if someone claims Fraser/Pelley on waivers then the Devs have an option to retain the player. I don’t think that is true, I think the waivers are irrevocable and if another team claims the player then they go to that team. Waivers work different in hockey then baseball.
I’d bet that Pelley has played his last game as a NJ Devil.
Nope, not implying that at all. But even if they clear waivers they don’t have to be assigned to Albany.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Then what does it mean to say ‘the Devils are trying to see who might have value on waivers’?
OK, a player put on waivers doesn’t have to sent down. But why else would you put a player on waivers? For kicks and giggles?
The plan is to either send Pelley and Fraser down to AHL or release them outright. Only an injury can prevent this from happening.
They threw Pelley/Fraser out there hoping someone might make their decision easier, that’s all. I am sure if they are on a budget, the Devils don’t want to bury $1MM in Albany.
I am still surprised no one picked up Fraser.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
One way to avoid burying two one-way contracts at Albany is to keep Pelley in NJ and send down Janssen with his two-way deal instead.
That makes perfect sense. Why Janssen wasnt sent through waivers, I can’t explain.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Pelley up and Janssen down makes sence to me as well. Pelley seams like a decent 13th forward.
But LL wants the goons at the NHL.
I get the goon appeal, even if I dont agree with it. Not sending Janssen though waivers (no one was claiming him) and having some flexibility was surprising.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Would he even need to clear waivers, having a 2-way contract?
Go Devils
Go Jets
Need to lose weight?
Janssen and Boulton
Does everyone remember the Devils 2nd to last game last year against the Rangers (they lost 5-2 at MSG)? I was at that game (btw the Garden is such a dump) and watched the Devils get physically dominated, just like they had been for a good part of the season. Granted the Devils had lots of injuries, including Volchenkov, Salvador, and Parise for at least good parts if not all of the season, but getting out hit 40-22 in a game is just unacceptable, and the Devils sought to address that issue this offseason (and really, it was the only thing they tried to improve on in free agency). That is why Janssen and Boulton made the roster, and my guess is that they will be the ones scratched in games that the coaching staff feel do not require such players. Pelley was supposed to be the next John Madden (according to Lou 2 years ago I think) and never even came close in his development. Zharkov was given a big opportunity but his lack of finishing (2 goals in 78 games) makes it hard to think that he really is that much of an improvement offensively in a 4th line role. I like Zharkov, and I think he will be back midseason once we see some injuries, but he is better off getting more ice time in the AHL right now.
Here is how I would like to see the lines opening night:
Parise-Elias-Sykora
Kovy-Josefson-Palmieri
Tedenby-Zubrus-Mills
Henrique/Boulton/Janssen-Steckel-Clarkson
I put Mills over Clarkson because he is faster and might be more complementary to Tedenby.
Volchenkov-Greene
Fayne-Larsson
Salvador-Tallinder
Stralman
getting out hit 40-22 in a game is just unacceptable
Not really. It’s an unimportant and questionably kept stat. The unacceptable part was getting outscored 5-2.
There’s little evidence to suggest that the former led to the latter.
Agreed
The Rangers were also playing for their playoff lives, whereas the Devils were playing out the string. Eric Boulton and Cam Janssen wouldn’t have changed much of anything about the game, and quite possibly would have taken stupid penalties trying to instigate some rough stuff and trying to keep up with a desperate opponent.
Also, there is no way Brad Mills belongs in the lineup at the expense of a healthy David Clarkson. Clarkson has a lot of warts, but he’s an NHL-caliber player. On the other hand, Brad Mills is a marginal fourth-liner at best…. and the pre-season demonstrated he will take a number of lazy and/or stupid penalties that hurt the team. Furthermore, David Clarkson makes a lot of money, and he isn’t going to be relegated to the press box unless his play devolves to the point where there isn’t much of a choice but to do so.
More than that, how would Brad Mills complement Mattias Tedemby? His offensive game leaves a lot to be desired, and Tedenby likely needs someone who can keep up with him when he’s flying (which is neither Mills nor Clarkson) and someone who can help him in the offensive zone. Personally, I’d stick Mattias with Parise and Elias — those two are established offensive players who will create space and opportunities for Tedenby, plus they’re defensively responsible and can cover for any lapses on Teddy’s part.
As for Petr Sykora, I’ve stated in other threads that I am not a fan and don’t see any particular reason to keep him around. I don’t know that he offers enough to justify bringing him aboard, and I don’t see a major role for him if/when this team’s forward lines get healthy. There are always similar veterans available on the cheap during the season if the need arises. More than that, I think most any reasonably talented forward skating on the right wing with Zach Parise and Patrick Elias will acquit themselves well regardless of who they are.
As for Anton Stralman…. no. Please, no. There’s already a surplus of bodies on the blue line in the system, many of whom can be third-pairing/sevent defensemen in Newark. I don’t see a good reason to add another at this point…. especially when Lamorello has used the word “budget” and I suspect he doesn’t have unlimited resources to spend this year. If that’s the case, there’s little reason to squander some of the limited remains on that guy.
There are always similar veterans available on the cheap during the season if the need arises
You mean like right now? The Devils’ right wing depth is terrible.
As for Anton Stralman…. no. Please, no. There’s already a surplus of bodies on the blue line in the system, many of whom can be third-pairing/sevent defensemen in Newark.
How many of them are right handed shots who can play the power play? I’m not wedded to the idea of Stralman, but he’s a suitable 3rd pairing defender who can work a PP. The Devils have scrimped on this sort of player for years and it’s hurt their power play.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
It looks like now more than ever your thought is right. Ales Hemsky should be NJ’s target.
And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?
Which trade would you propose for Hemsky ?
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Oct 4, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
No Idea, but I’d send some lower tier prospect plus the caps second rounder for him for sure.
And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?
How many of them are right handed shots who can play the power play? I’m not wedded to the idea of Stralman, but he’s a suitable 3rd pairing defender who can work a PP.
I agree, Stralman could be useful at times… Or even more often. Besides injuries, Adam Larsson’s not Lidström yet, we’ve to be cool with the kid. Stralman as a right-handed defenseman with some respectable offensive skills could be needed later.
So I’ll say it once again, I wouldn’t mind seeing Stralman as our Salmela 2.0 (heavy protected minutes).
But god defense’s been awful during preseason… Himself said he’s had a bad camp anyway.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Oct 4, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with Triumph. Yes, their are many “third-pairing/sevent” defensemen in Newark, but that being said, how many of them can actually play on a powerplay unit and be successful? Stralman reminds me of the 2003 version of Oleg Tverdovsky, a guy who will play limited minutes, but can be effective on the powerplay. However, Stralman is only 25/26 years of age. He has room to grow as a player, especially in a system that consistently churns out responsibly defensive minded players.
Having him on the team is not keeping a younger prospect from making the roster. Urbom will continue to develop in Albany until he is ready to take on a role in Newark. Corrente, Fraser, and Taormina currently bring less to the table than Stralman.
This is a low-risk, high-reward move if and when they sign Stralman. If he plays well, fantastic. If he busts, the Devils have plenty of defensemen ready to step in and take his place.
by DiffuseTheBob on Oct 4, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, there is no way Brad Mills belongs in the lineup at the expense of a healthy David Clarkson. Clarkson has a lot of warts, but he’s an NHL-caliber player. On the other hand, Brad Mills is a marginal fourth-liner at best…. and the pre-season demonstrated he will take a number of lazy and/or stupid penalties that hurt the team
I don’t necessarily agree with Mills being in the lineup but he won’t take those types of penalties all year. He’s not that bad of an option on the 4th line
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Maybe Brad has compromising photos of Lou. Like maybe talking with Sather :-)
Go Devils
Go Jets
Need to lose weight?
D- men
I’m still worried about our defense? I hope Salvador stays healthy!! We will know in the first couple of weeks who & what needs tweaking.
Cam Janssen
My wife and I saw Janssen score his 1st & only NHL goal. Having Cam or a player like him will be “protection” for #9
RANGERS SUCK!!!
LET’S GO DEVILS!!!
Black_Adder_US
Ps – Welcome home Cam!!!.
PPS I’m looking forward to a parade up Broad St. rather a “party in a parking lot”.
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