That would be cool if Larsson led all defensemen on our team in points this year. He scored a goal today in Albany, but I didn't see it. I think Zidlicky may get more points than him, but that's about it.
I had the feeling when we re signed Salvador a worst case scenario was the coaches had a short leash with Adam like they did late in the season, and could throw in the A for a little while. That definitely won't happen now.
I look at Salvador more as not being able to afford letting such a stable player go and as protection for injuries. Tallinder missed a long time last year. Larsson had his moments where he was banged up. Volchenkov's style leads to injuries here and there. Having those 7 NHL defensemen we have (not counting Harrold and anyone else in Albany/other young guys) is a nice luxury if you can afford it. How DeBoer will split up the time amongst them (excluding any future injuries which make that a little easier to decide) is beyond me though.
I look at Salvador more as not being able to afford letting such a stable player go and as protection for injuries. Tallinder missed a long time last year. Larsson had his moments where he was banged up. Volchenkov's style leads to injuries here and there. Having those 7 NHL defensemen we have (not counting Harrold and anyone else in Albany/other young guys) is a nice luxury if you can afford it. How DeBoer will split up the time amongst them (excluding any future injuries which make that a little easier to decide) is beyond me though.
I'm thinking a trade could be coming. Even if it's for no real forwards. Just to open up another spot on forward would be cool if we're struggling to score. I'm thinking Tallinder would be the odd man out. Very small chance I think Fayne is a possibility. Don't see anyone else going. It could be like how we traded Steckel last year right after camp ended.
Haha World News Now on ABC just ran about a 40 second piece on the lockout ending! They showed clips of the AC charity game for Sandy back in November. Of course they show a odd man break, and Marty giving up a softy!
I'm really not in love with the fact that we'll have Butler in our top #6, most probably, plus Tedenby on our 3rd line.
AHL stats are one thing, playing with NHL caliber players who can fly (wich isn't the case with Butler) is a little worrisome. Has his skating improved since being cut/waived by the Sens last year and is Tedenby stronger on his skates then in years past?
I have dreams of Tarasenko playing with Kovalchuk in a Devils uni. Well, I wouldn't be shocked if I do.
That's the type of stud prospect we need to draft this year. I'm praying that Valeri Nichushkin drops to us by some type of miracle.
I wouldn't mind it one bit if he stayed 2 or maybe 3 years in the KHL like Tarasenko and other stud Russian prospects have been doing for the past couple of years.
Nichuskin doesn't seem like he has the same offensive tools as Tarasenko though? But I agree, we need more prospects who have the potential to be top 6 players. Lately it seems like most of the forwards we draft are bottom 6 guys.
Nichuskin doesn't seem like he has the same offensive tools as Tarasenko though? But I agree, we need more prospects who have the potential to be top 6 players. Lately it seems like most of the forwards we draft are bottom 6 guys.
Mainly because the Devils have gone defense with their high picks and forwards have been late round picks. Guys like Josefson, Tedenby, and Henrique absolutely have top 6 potential whether you believe they will reach it or not. Even Matteau and Boucher could be top 6 players, although it might seem like a bit more of a reach.
Mainly because the Devils have gone defense with their high picks and forwards have been late round picks. Guys like Josefson, Tedenby, and Henrique absolutely have top 6 potential whether you believe they will reach it or not. Even Matteau and Boucher could be top 6 players, although it might seem like a bit more of a reach.
Mainly because the Devils have gone defense with their high picks and forwards have been late round picks. Guys like Josefson, Tedenby, and Henrique absolutely have top 6 potential whether you believe they will reach it or not. Even Matteau and Boucher could be top 6 players, although it might seem like a bit more of a reach.
Can't argue with that. We all know Henrique has the ability, and I believe Josefson has too. Tedenby is still an unknown. I was more referring to the later picks in the draft where mostly Lou and Conte tend to go with the "safe" pick (black, pietila, wohlberg, hoeffel and so on). It's pretty much a lottery in the latter rounds I know, but I'd prefer it if they'd pick a boom or bust (more highly skilled/prospect known for his offense/or however you want to put it) a little more often.
If he improves on his skating, I can see Matteau as a "Brad Marchand" type player. The kid is built like a tank and if he can improve on his foot speed, we'll have a solid prospect on our hands.
If he doesn't improve all that much on his weakest attribute, I think we'll end up with a "Steve Ott" type of player.
Last edited by DEVILS ALL THE WAY: 01-07-2013 at 11:49 AM.
You need both to win. I'd rather him be a top 6 forward, like a good Ruutu, but if he becomes a bottom 6 Steve Ott that's not bad either.
I'm just amused at the people who whined about our lack of physical forwards and then threw Lou under the bus when he drafted Matteau. Can't have it both ways.
You need both to win. I'd rather him be a top 6 forward, like a good Ruutu, but if he becomes a bottom 6 Steve Ott that's not bad either.
I'm just amused at the people who whined about our lack of physical forwards and then threw Lou under the bus when he drafted Matteau. Can't have it both ways.
I don't think anyone has a problem with Matteau as player. The fact that he's only in his 1st year of junior isn't enough to tag him as a bust or a top line forward.
On my part and I can probably add CG as well, it's the fact that we didn't forfeit the 2nd to last pick that still has me scratching my head, not the actual pick itself... but it's a subject that was brought up a couple of weeks ago and just went away on it's own
I'm thinking a trade could be coming. Even if it's for no real forwards. Just to open up another spot on forward would be cool if we're struggling to score. I'm thinking Tallinder would be the odd man out. Very small chance I think Fayne is a possibility. Don't see anyone else going. It could be like how we traded Steckel last year right after camp ended.
I can definitely see a trade coming. Maybe not right off the bat. Maybe a month or two into it. Never know who will come upon a need for a defenseman, or if our forwards will be lacking. Not sure who would be the odd man out. Can really see that being a product of performance in the first portion of the season. I think Tallinder wouldn't be the odd man out unless his play dictates that. Really think he's a guy they want in the lineup given his style of play. They seemed to really want him in there late in the playoffs last year when he was healthy. I can see them shopping one of Greene or Fayne. Those are the guys I could see another team most likely offering over-value for, and would also be the most replaceable given the type of guys we have down the pipeline.
Significantly better than Matteau's. Ott scored at a 1.3 point-per-game pace in the OHL.
I feel like tidbits like this should be stickied somewhere, because a lot of people don't seem to realize that most third/fourth liners in the NHL were significant scorers in juniors.
I feel like tidbits like this should be stickied somewhere, because a lot of people don't seem to realize that most third/fourth liners in the NHL were significant scorers in juniors.
Its really amazing how many 3rd/4th liners follow that path. If Steve Bernier can continue the promise he showed last year in such a role, he would be a prime example of how players fall into this spot. Score at a great rate in juniors, don't score at any notable rate in the pros, become a bottom 6, physical forward.
