Get to Know Your New Devils- Kurtis Foster and Timo Pielmeier

by Kevin Sellathamby on Dec 13, 2011 10:04 AM EST in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis

So outside of last night's game, the big news yesterday was the Devils announcing a trade with the Anaheim Ducks- acquiring defenseman Kurtis Foster and Goalie Timo Pielmeier for Mark Fraser, Rod Pelley and a 7th round pick in 2012. From what the Devils gave up, they gave up very little- two players who are of little use to the team and a 7th round pick. Which makes the deal pretty good seeing as the Devils got assets they can use- a defenseman and a goaltending prospect. Here's a little more info on the two guys the Devils acquired.

Kurtis Foster

Kurtis Foster

#0 / Defenseman / New Jersey Devils

Height: 6-5

Weight: 226

Born: Nov 24, 1981

Foster is most often remembered for suffering a broken femur a couple of years back. He's managed to make a full recovery and has proven to be a serviceable defenseman. This season he's only played 9 games for the Ducks due to injuries. His contract is expiring, likely meaning he won't be with the team after July 1st

What Can He Bring?

The first would be an NHL Defenseman- which is something the team needs right now with both Anton Volchenkov and Andy Greene on IR. This would likely mean Alex Urbom, who hasn't been great in the two games he's played in, will probably be the odd man out. When both Greene and Volchenkov are back, Foster will likely serve as a competent 7th defenseman- which is good because Mark Fraser wasn't able to provide much competition for the other defensemen.

Foster's biggest strength has to be his power-play ability. He has been relatively good at putting up points on the powerplay. 14 of his points last season came on the man advantage- on a pretty horrible Oilers powerplay. Foster is a right handed shot, meaning he can replace either Mark Fayne or Adam Larsson on the right point. Or alternatively, he could move to the point with one of Larsson or Fayne.

Foster's problem might be his physical play- despite being incredibly big, he's not very good at hitting people. He's also a black hole when it comes to possession- the team's corsi with him on the ice is -16.22: not exactly very stellar. Then again, his possession numbers may be the result of Anaheim's terrible possession numbers. Playing on a better possession team will probably mean he won't be absolutely horrendous in that regard.

Timo Pielmeier

Pielmeier was the other piece in the trade- a goaltending prospect who's being pushed out of the Ducks organization due to other goaltenders in the system. He has some potential- he was an ECHL all-star last season with Bakersfield, and had a short stint in the NHL with the Ducks after Jonas Hiller was hurt. Here's some more info on Pielmeier from noted goaltending expert Justin Goldman

As we clearly saw against the Blues last Saturday night, Timo Pielmeier is nowhere close to being ready for NHL duty. He’s still developing his skills as an AHL rookie in Syracuse and working on his consistency at that level. Last season was his first as a pro and he played extremely well in the ECHL for the Bakersfield Condors. He was not only an ECHL All-Star, but he also lit the lamp and scored a goal. He’s still a terrific prospect with excellent raw skills and quickness, but shouldn’t be expected to fight for an NHL job for at least another two years.

He's most likely going to stay in the ECHL with Kalamazoo, or be loaned to another ECHL team seeing as once Maxime Clermont is healthy, Pielmeier won't get consistent playing time.

As for his ultimate upside, you can't always know what you're getting with goaltenders. Pielmeier could either end up being a career AHLer or potentially an NHLer if he continues to develop and gets chances with Albany. He's not going to make an immediate impact, but having him around adds to the team's goaltending depth- which has improved significantly from last season.

What do You Think?

What do you think of the trade? Do you think Foster and Pielmeier are worth Fraser, Pelley and a 7th round pick? Do you like that the Devils got two useful pieces for a pair of bench warmers? Leave your thoughts in the comment section.

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Comments

Who can argue against getting rid of two interchangeable spare parts while making our very green blue line a little more…black? red? blue? Well, whatever the opposite of green is in terms of experience.

It’s not a great idea to go too long with only 2 of 6 D-men being past their second season in the NHL…

by Marty 4 Prez on Dec 13, 2011 10:22 AM EST reply actions

I agree, especially considering how little we were using Fraser and Pelley. I liked Pelley better than Sestito but still, he’s an 13th or 14th forward option this year, so I don’t mind losing him. As for Fraser, I’ve always believed that he could develop into a responsible stay-at-home blue liner in a Colin White mold, even tougher. I don’t know if it’s a lack of consistency or a lack of playing time or some bad penalties or that broken hand that ultimately kept him out of the lineup, but I think he’ll be good at Anaheim. He seemed like a good teammate too, so I don’t like to see him go, but these last couple of years, he was so rarely being used and seemed so nervous at every call-up that I think it makes sense to give him up for a Dman who can actually contribute now, even if primarily on the PP. I would love to see Kovy get down low on PPs instead of playing the point – I want to see him get those kinds of PP goals that Stamkos had last night, wide open at the side of the crease.

by JPete on Dec 13, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

I agree with you they should try Kovalchuk down the left side on the powerplay. Trying wouldn’t hurt! Stamkos is having allot of success since he got moved from the point to the left wing.

That would also minimise chance of Ilya giving turnover

by kovalchuk007 on Dec 13, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

I would love to see Kovy get down low on PPs instead of playing the point – I want to see him get those kinds of PP goals that Stamkos had last night, wide open at the side of the crease.

I thought Elias was a playmaker and Kovy a sniper, but it’s the Devils, so our PP system is simply asking someone like Kovalchuk to set-up Elias on the right circle for one-timers, but the opposite just never happens

That makes a lot of sense.

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by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 13, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

It does happen, just not as often. What also happens is that Kovalchuk is a much more threatening player so opponents are watching for passes to him from Elias. They are also wary when he gets the puck that he can shoot it, so that opens up Elias.

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by Triumph44 on Dec 13, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

You’re right. Nonetheless Kovy should definitely be that “back-door” player in the left circle and not Elias in my opinion.
I’m just getting really tired to see the way they use Kovy on that team, like he was a playmaker more than anything else.

What’s your opinion about the PP, would you move Kovy or not ?

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 13, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

He IS a playmaker though, in addition to being a shooter. The point is where he’s played for most of his career. I don’t think the team has the horses to move Kovalchuk off the point – the D, besides Taormina and maybe Fayne, just aren’t very good PP QBs. (I include Foster in this as well, he has one great season and a bunch of not good ones)

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by Triumph44 on Dec 13, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Good move to add flexibility

Fraser and Pelly have been albatrosses all season – DeBoer doesn’t really trust them to play regularly, but with one-way contracts they can’t be sent be simply sent down to Albany. So they have been stuck perpetually as the 7th D-man/13th forward. This replaces the pair with a single player who can be trusted in the lineup (and should actually benefit the team when he is in). Even with the extra salary, I don’t see how this could be anything but a good move for the Devils.

by DrWhizBang on Dec 13, 2011 10:51 AM EST reply actions

Foster couldn’t crack the Anaheim lineup, and that’s a team icing Sheldon Brookbank for every game. I wouldn’t get too excited about the ‘can be trusted in the lineup’ part.

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by Triumph44 on Dec 13, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

He did miss a lot of this year due to injury, so there’s that

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Dec 13, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Transactions / Injuries / Suspensions
2011/12/12 Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks.
2011/10/21 Missed 5 games (left thigh injury).
2011/10/13 Loaned to Syracuse (AHL) for conditioning.
2011/09/19 Left thigh injury, sidelined indefinitely.

by Marty 4 Prez on Dec 13, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

He missed 5 games from the thigh injury, played 2 in the minors, and was in 9 games for the Ducks. There’s still some games missing – I think he was a healthy scratch for several of them.

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by Triumph44 on Dec 13, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

That may have been due to a lack of conditioning because of taking time off for a previous injury. Click on his SBNation profile.

by Dr. Witticism on Dec 13, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Rod Pelly

Bummer, who am I going to watch travel across Canada this year. Maybe Kovy will take us on a tour of Russia.

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by joshd12 on Dec 13, 2011 10:56 AM EST reply actions

Good trade

At least on paper. I did like Fraser’s size and willingness to bang and stick up for teammates.

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by Real Big Devils Fan on Dec 13, 2011 11:02 AM EST reply actions

I like the deal simply because I wont miss what we gave up.

by Bobby V on Dec 13, 2011 11:43 AM EST reply actions

Since we are trying to stay within a new team budget, how does this affect the cap space available for late season additions.

by DevilsDDS on Dec 13, 2011 11:52 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Fraser and Pelley are each making $550k this season (one way deal – meaning whether in Albany or New Jersey – they are getting that $550k). Foster has a hit and salary of $1.8 million and Pielmeier is on a two way contract (two separate salaries between NHL and AHL).

The Devils definitely added to their expense sheet but they have a little more flexibility in calling guys up (ones who won’t be making NHL money in the AHL).

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by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 13, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

With Foster now, I’d be curious to see if Pete will put 2 defensemen on the point and move Kovy elswhere at times.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 13, 2011 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Traded away basically….a defensemen that would never make it….a bubble 4th line center….and a 7th round pick which are relatively worthless. For a defensmen that will help out for a year and prospect. Not too bad….though i still would love for the devils to draft Marcoux this year.

by dandello9 on Dec 13, 2011 12:30 PM EST reply actions

This has been fantastic. All of the players that I immediately traded away back when I first bought NHL 12 have been traded in real life. Next up, Salvador.

by RoBo_Cop on Dec 13, 2011 2:30 PM EST reply actions