Yeah, and Grabner didn't even make that team. Bernier has two 30-point seasons under his belt, which is WAY more than we can say about any other fourth liner set to make the team. I'm just saying there's a chance he's not totally washed-up yet.
However, Boulton - Steckel - Bernier would be mind-numbingly slow. Ugh LET'S JUST GET TO CAMP ALREADY.
No worries, we got Janssen to throw in there for a little speed
Yeah, and Grabner didn't even make that team. Bernier has two 30-point seasons under his belt, which is WAY more than we can say about any other fourth liner set to make the team. I'm just saying there's a chance he's not totally washed-up yet.
If I recall correctly, Tallon admitted he blundered a bit with Grabner (who also admitted he had a bad camp with Florida) in that he kept Steve Reinprecht because he was making 2 million.
While I don't disagree with any of this, the Devils have turned garbage into serviceable on multiple occasions in the past. I'm not expecting a top-4 defenseman, but I'd love a serviceable #6 who can knock a forward off the PP.
No doubt. But ultimately, fringe is fringe. See: Mike Mottau, et al. Really, I was responding to the previous posts, which IMO, over-stated the importance of this camp invite, and ignored the player's notable shortcomings. On HF, we tend to focus on specialization a bit much, IMO. In the NHL, if you dress (only) six dmen, you must have the confidence that each one can contribute 5 on 5. I am dubious about that in the case of this player.
Bernier is your prototypical "tools but no toolbox" player. He was pegged as a future power forward in the years after he was drafted, but has bounced around since joining the league. I think that PWF potential is, at the absolute most, minimal, but he could have a future as a decent 3rd liner. Not a bad camp invite, but I doubt he makes it.
He wasn't earlier in the summer when Lamoriello essentially said he wouldn't give Brylin a tryout this year.
If Brylin asked to come to camp Lou would let him. Brylin decided to sign to play in the KHL instead of wasting a month of the KHL season while he accomplished nothing in an NHL training camp.
Bernier is your prototypical "tools but no toolbox" player. He was pegged as a future power forward in the years after he was drafted, but has bounced around since joining the league. I think that PWF potential is, at the absolute most, minimal, but he could have a future as a decent 3rd liner. Not a bad camp invite, but I doubt he makes it.
I don't see him earning a roster spot either, but it's not impossible. There's a part of me that wouldn't be overly surprised if he outplayed Clarkson in camp, although I am expecting a bounce-back season from Clarkie.
Like the Stralman signing. Excuse my ignorance but which Petr Sykora? The former Devils player or the pretty useless player? If the former, I like it. He seemed to be slowing down with the Penguins but he looked like he could still play
I really hope Stralman finds a spot somewhere. Not sure what happened to him. To me, he was pretty decent in Toronto, and I wasn't thrilled when he was traded.
could just be a symbolic thing. Let him play some preseason games before he calls it an NHL career.
Maybe. I don't think there's any way he could knock Tedenby or Palmieri out of their spots. Bernier has a better chance, he's Palmieri's biggest competition now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brodeur
Not expecting anything, but it's a no risk reclamation project. Way back when, Danny Briere was stagnating in the Phoenix but was kept on the team if only because he was a former 1st round pick. Then they waived him and every NHL team passed on him which became a wakeup call for Briere.
I'm not sure it'll happen with Bernier, but if it does and we benefit from it, great.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerryGigantic
And personally I think Salvador was one click from being washed up before the concussion, and will be a total liability now -- on multiple levels (on ice, contract).
I think you might be right. Nobody knows what to expect from Salvador after being out an entire year.
I don't see him earning a roster spot either, but it's not impossible. There's a part of me that wouldn't be overly surprised if he outplayed Clarkson in camp, although I am expecting a bounce-back season from Clarkie.
To add to that, you have to consider the relationship between Clarkson and DeBoer - I thought "Clarkson" immediately when typing that out, but:
a) I think Clarkson is clearly the better player
b) The DeBoer/Clarkson relationship
I think the only way he makes it is if the Devils suffer major injuries before camp (very doubtful) or Palmieri completely bombs (again, also very doubtful). It certainly isn't impossible, however, especially if he can use his size to his advantage for once in his career.
