Should we bring back Zubrus, Clarkson, and Elias, I think the only signing we should make would be a decent scoring winger. That said, I don't know if Lou does it. It sounds like we are taking a scoring forward in the draft, so it wouldn't surprise me if Lou wants to give our pick, Mattau, and even Tedenby a chance to grab a roster spot in training camp first. I think it will be another status quo offseason.
- rmdevil313

It's funny how people's perceptions change. A year ago people wouldve been distraught to lose Zidlicky, Clarkson, and Zubrus. Fact of the matter is that theyre all dispensable. Clarkson particularly, considering he doesn't provide anything that be found in Penner, Clowe, or Bickel. Zuburus fits well into the system and hsa the versatility to play all 3 spots. But, he's always hurt. Wrist problem this year, knee problems in the 2 years prior. If he will come back at a reasonable price, great...if not move on. The team needs to be rebuilt up front anyway. Still think Zajac and Henrique are top line Centers?......

People also need to get over the fact that Josefson and Tedenby were selected in the first round. Look at the lineup this year. If they couldve played a top 9 role they would have. They were not efficient or effective enough.

However, Elias, needs to be resigned. Much like Jagr, his leadership and hockey sense are things you dont notice until theyre gone. Although he's probably a 20-25 goal scorer at this point.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Why Signing Mark Streit Doesn't Make Sense
- Todd.Cordell

Agreed

Absolute worst case draft scenario:

Doesn't matter the order so long as they go 1-8

1. Col - Jones D
2. Fla - Mackinnon F
3. TB - Drouin F
4. Nsh - Barkov F
5. Car - Nichuskin F
6. Cgy - Lindholm F
7. Edm - Monahan F
8. Buf - Shinkaruk F

9. NJ - boned

They'd probably take the best available with Nurse if they don't trade down at that point. They'd only be taking Nurse as a trading chip though. This scenario is in the back of my head as something that "would" happen to us.

Absolute worst case draft scenario:

Doesn't matter the order so long as they go 1-8

1. Col - Jones D
2. Fla - Mackinnon F
3. TB - Drouin F
4. Nsh - Barkov F
5. Car - Nichuskin F
6. Cgy - Lindholm F
7. Edm - Monahan F
8. Buf - Shinkaruk F

9. NJ - boned

They'd probably take the best available with Nurse if they don't trade down at that point. They'd only be taking Nurse as a trading chip though. This scenario is in the back of my head as something that "would" happen to us.
- TheJerseyDevil1

I've had the same sick thoughts of this too and it actually has a decent chance of happening whether any of the top 8 trade their pick or not. In this case, I think Lou takes Horvat or a d-man like you said about Nurse. If this happened, I would want to see a trade made to move to the mid-teens and still have an outside shot at Horvat with Domi, Zykov, or Rychel as a fallback option. Getting another second rounder would be great for this year as it could allow the Devils to monitor for a steal and possibly make further trades on draft day.

Absolute worst case draft scenario:

Doesn't matter the order so long as they go 1-8

1. Col - Jones D
2. Fla - Mackinnon F
3. TB - Drouin F
4. Nsh - Barkov F
5. Car - Nichuskin F
6. Cgy - Lindholm F
7. Edm - Monahan F
8. Buf - Shinkaruk F

9. NJ - boned

They'd probably take the best available with Nurse if they don't trade down at that point. They'd only be taking Nurse as a trading chip though. This scenario is in the back of my head as something that "would" happen to us.
- TheJerseyDevil1

I doubt that no defender goes in the top 8 or that a team like the Flyers doesn't trade up and select Zadorov/Nurse/Ristolainen.

Edler, Schroeder, Higgins

Henrique, Matteau, NJ's 1st

Edler, Schroeder, Higgins

Henrique, Matteau, NJ's 1st
- therealagent

We don't need defense. Our problem is forward prospects and our forwards on the NHl level.

Edler, Schroeder, Higgins

Henrique, Matteau, NJ's 1st
- therealagent

I thought that said Schneider at first. this is a huge no.

I doubt that no defender goes in the top 8 or that a team like the Flyers doesn't trade up and select Zadorov/Nurse/Ristolainen.
- _Zippy_

but they're all more attractive than the D available. I think Shinkaruk is our guy. We need that LW with wheels and tenacity that we somehow once drafted 10 years ago.. grew into a star and disappeared. We need to get that player back. OK i KNOW he's not Parise and never will be that exact player.. but we could use a player with his skills. Just wish he was a little bigger. He may be more of a Gionta than Parise.

But i think he'll be gone! look at that top 8 list.. thats about as close to exact as you could rank em.

and as far as trading down.. i'd rather stay at 9 and take the next best player available.. whether its a D, Horvat, Domi, whoever. Why trade down and pass up on "better" talent?

but they're all more attractive than the D available. I think Shinkaruk is our guy. We need that LW with wheels and tenacity that we somehow once drafted 10 years ago.. grew into a star and disappeared. We need to get that player back. OK i KNOW he's not Parise and never will be that exact player.. but we could use a player with his skills. Just wish he was a little bigger. He may be more of a Gionta than Parise.

But i think he'll be gone! look at that top 8 list.. thats about as close to exact as you could rank em.

and as far as trading down.. i'd rather stay at 9 and take the next best player available.. whether its a D, Horvat, Domi, whoever. Why trade down and pass up on "better" talent?
- MartysBetter88

Nurse and Zadarov are both ahead of Monahan and Shinkaruk in the ISS rankings. Nurse is also ahead of lindholm.

In the CSS rankings, Nurse is also ahead of Monahan and Shinkaruk. I think there's a good chance that a D man gets drafted ahead of us.

Damn Streit!



We could use a "journeyman" offensive defenseman. If we get an FA, it'll likely be on the front end, fringe top 6 player. I'd like Ryder or Horton, but they're probably not going anywhere. If we lose Clarkson, Clowe is not his replacement; this team will lose its playoff identity unless we get a player that has Clarkson's toughness and goalscoring capacity... Clowe does not score often.

Damn Streit!



We could use a "journeyman" offensive defenseman. If we get an FA, it'll likely be on the front end, fringe top 6 player. I'd like Ryder or Horton, but they're probably not going anywhere. If we lose Clarkson, Clowe is not his replacement; this team will lose its playoff identity unless we get a player that has Clarkson's toughness and goalscoring capacity... Clowe does not score often.
- archromat

MTL has said they will not be resigning Ryder so there's that. I wouldn't mind him on a one or two year deal.

MTL has said they will not be resigning Ryder so there's that. I wouldn't mind him on a one or two year deal.
- Kaymondel

That would be awesome. He's an underrated two way player.

That would be awesome. He's an underrated two way player.
- archromat

I thought Ryder was weak defensively? Don't know for fact but I thought that was the rap on him when he was in Boston?

That would be awesome. He's an underrated two way player.
- archromat

he's on my list. I'd welcome him here for 2 yrs/9mil with open arms! It's a little much, but you always overpay for UFAs.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder will make a decent 2nd line... on paper at least (and an expensive one). Idk how Ryder's wheels are. I don't think he's that bad defensively. He had to play D with Boston, and Therrien also preaches defense.

I wish Clarkson and other GMs could do a "wrap-around" and wrap his mind around that he's a 3rd liner. I really want him back, but not as a 2nd line player.. and not paid as a 2nd line player.
Zubrus/Matteau-Josefson/Henrique-Clarkson would be a solid 3rd line, this year and in the future. Lose Clarkson and we're another RW short. If he goes then we should definitely bring in Stalberg as his replacement. Regardless, Ryder would be a good fit.


Zubrus/9th-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Matteau/Boucher/9th/Zubrus-Josefson/Henrique-Stalberg
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

That's not bad at all, and we still have our identity. Zubrus would be a great stabilizer on Lokti's LW. I think our 4th line, is a big part of that identity. Even Zubrus, and the 2-way talent we have in Kovy, Elias and Zajac is a big part of it. I like Clarkson and his aggressiveness .. when he shows it, but we can have that in Carter and Bernier.. and Matteau, if he starts. The others can lead by scoring and solid D. Not every team needs a Lucic in the top 6.

Don't count on a ninth overall playing in the first year. That seldom happens.

he's on my list. I'd welcome him here for 2 yrs/9mil with open arms! It's a little much, but you always overpay for UFAs.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder will make a decent 2nd line... on paper at least (and an expensive one). Idk how Ryder's wheels are. I don't think he's that bad defensively. He had to play D with Boston, and Therrien also preaches defense.

I wish Clarkson and other GMs could do a "wrap-around" and wrap his mind around that he's a 3rd liner. I really want him back, but not as a 2nd line player.. and not paid as a 2nd line player.
Zubrus/Matteau-Josefson/Henrique-Clarkson would be a solid 3rd line, this year and in the future. Lose Clarkson and we're another RW short. If he goes then we should definitely bring in Stalberg as his replacement. Regardless, Ryder would be a good fit.


Zubrus/9th-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Matteau/Boucher/9th/Zubrus-Josefson/Henrique-Stalberg
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

That's not bad at all, and we still have our identity. Zubrus would be a great stabilizer on Lokti's LW. I think our 4th line, is a big part of that identity. Even Zubrus, and the 2-way talent we have in Kovy, Elias and Zajac is a big part of it. I like Clarkson and his aggressiveness .. when he shows it, but we can have that in Carter and Bernier.. and Matteau, if he starts. The others can lead by scoring and solid D. Not every team needs a Lucic in the top 6.
- MartysBetter88

Ryder is more of a perimeter player and a poor fit for the system. He benefited greatly from playing with Plekanec and he'll cash in elsewhere.

Stalberg, Clowe, Bickell, Penner and perhaps Brunner (after a year in Detroit's system) are better fits for the Devils offensive system that's based on getting the puck deep and working on the walls.

Thats also a reason I don't understand much of the persistence with Tedenby and Josefson. I believe it's time to move on. Theyre nice little players. But, they were drafted under a different regime for a totally different system.

Don't count on a ninth overall playing in the first year. That seldom happens.
- archromat

hence the slash.. Zubrus/9th