Jagr's not going to sign with a non-contender. Enough w/ the Jagr gossip.

How could Henrique NOT be involved if the Devils pull off getting Phaneuf?

I guess the bottom line that you can't have the team identity be the farewell lap for a 42 year old goalie and a bunch of spare parts hoping to gel in order to not get embarrassed. While I'd love to not give up Henrique, building a team from Schneider and Phaneuf outward is a better blueprint for future success than a messy hodgepodge of B-minus players (most of which are overpaid). However, Dion's contract being up after next year is a bit too risky.

Jagr's not going to sign with a non-contender. Enough w/ the Jagr gossip.

How could Henrique NOT be involved if the Devils pull off getting Phaneuf?

I guess the bottom line that you can't have the team identity be the farewell lap for a 42 year old goalie and a bunch of spare parts hoping to gel in order to not get embarrassed. While I'd love to not give up Henrique, building a team from Schneider and Phaneuf outward is a better blueprint for future success than a messy hodgepodge of B-minus players (most of which are overpaid). However, Dion's contract being up after next year is a bit too risky.
- ElvisLemieux

Jagr signed with dallas. Its a one year deal. He knows he'll be traded if the team is out of the playoff picture.

Jagr's not going to sign with a non-contender. Enough w/ the Jagr gossip.

How could Henrique NOT be involved if the Devils pull off getting Phaneuf?

I guess the bottom line that you can't have the team identity be the farewell lap for a 42 year old goalie and a bunch of spare parts hoping to gel in order to not get embarrassed. While I'd love to not give up Henrique, building a team from Schneider and Phaneuf outward is a better blueprint for future success than a messy hodgepodge of B-minus players (most of which are overpaid). However, Dion's contract being up after next year is a bit too risky.
- ElvisLemieux

(frank) Jagr.

I'm one of the few OK with trading Henrique. I understand the fans that like him, I do too. He gave us great memories during the Cup run, but outside of that he's done nothing that says he's a "must keep at all costs" type of player. Take away the time he played with Kovy & his stats are very lackluster. The only, literally ONLY thing that worries me about giving him up is that he played well in the playoffs & you always need playoff performers. But again, it was with Kovy.

Once he was removed from a star FW, he produced very very little.

Phaneuf, for all his shortcomings, is better than any defenseman NJ currently has on the roster. I agree with building from the net out. Part of that is getting legit defensemen & not a mix-match of garbage bin players.

If you're gonna rebuild, then rebuild. An extension should be worked on ASAP obviously (but we all know how Lou, despite being burned multiple times, refuses to talk contracts during the year so I guess NJ is (frank)ed there).

Phaneuf-Greene would be an interesting combo. Problem is poor Larsson is stuck with carrying the weight of some other crap ass dman like Volchenkov or Salvador...or god forbid...Zidlicky!

NJ can get no one of value without moving Henrique. No one else has a track record, or at least not a favorable one. Josefson, Tedenby, Urbom....their value is minimal at best. Sorry, but those kids aren't getting moved for a top 6 FW or a top pair D man. Reality sucks.


If NJ can move some older FWs this year to restock their system at the deadline that should be done as well.

NJ has the worst organizational depth in the NHL. Gonna be hard to rebuild without reliable talent coming up.

Anybody know what Toronto's needs are? I feel like they are in flux so often that its hard to keep track of what they want.

(frank) Jagr.

I'm one of the few OK with trading Henrique. I understand the fans that like him, I do too. He gave us great memories during the Cup run, but outside of that he's done nothing that says he's a "must keep at all costs" type of player. Take away the time he played with Kovy & his stats are very lackluster. The only, literally ONLY thing that worries me about giving him up is that he played well in the playoffs & you always need playoff performers. But again, it was with Kovy.

Once he was removed from a star FW, he produced very very little.

Phaneuf, for all his shortcomings, is better than any defenseman NJ currently has on the roster. I agree with building from the net out. Part of that is getting legit defensemen & not a mix-match of garbage bin players.

If you're gonna rebuild, then rebuild. An extension should be worked on ASAP obviously (but we all know how Lou, despite being burned multiple times, refuses to talk contracts during the year so I guess NJ is (frank)ed there).

Phaneuf-Greene would be an interesting combo. Problem is poor Larsson is stuck with carrying the weight of some other crap ass dman like Volchenkov or Salvador...or god forbid...Zidlicky!

NJ can get no one of value without moving Henrique. No one else has a track record, or at least not a favorable one. Josefson, Tedenby, Urbom....their value is minimal at best. Sorry, but those kids aren't getting moved for a top 6 FW or a top pair D man. Reality sucks.


If NJ can move some older FWs this year to restock their system at the deadline that should be done as well.

NJ has the worst organizational depth in the NHL. Gonna be hard to rebuild without reliable talent coming up.
- FLdevilsFAN

If you look at everyones season last year their performance seems lackluster. Also take into account that Henrique was moved up and down the lineup and played long stretches at an unnatural position and I don't think its fair to say he's "done nothing." I really don't think the trade route is a smart one to pursue because we will be giving up future assets for a player that will most likely have 1 year left and could easily bounce. Then we would be back where we started and have to try and rebuild without those previous assets. Sign Brunner, and go from there.

Anybody know what Toronto's needs are? I feel like they are in flux so often that its hard to keep track of what they want.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Not sure, but NJ really has no moveable pieces outside of Henrique, Boucher, and a handful of D prospects. Not sure how Henrique can't be involved.

I wish they'd stand pat for now with the exception of signing Grabo & Brunner on 3 yr deals max.

Not signing Zidlicky alone would've improved the defense but that ship sailed.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Henrique-Grabovski-Brunner

That's a respectable top 6 without giving up anything.

Not sure, but NJ really has no moveable pieces outside of Henrique, Boucher, and a handful of D prospects. Not sure how Henrique can't be involved.

I wish they'd stand pat for now with the exception of signing Grabo & Brunner on 3 yr deals max.

Not signing Zidlicky alone would've improved the defense but that ship sailed.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Henrique-Grabovski-Brunner

That's a respectable top 6 without giving up anything.
- FLdevilsFAN

I like Grabovski as a player and would love to see him here but I don't think Lou would bite on him with all his off-ice issues and personality problems

If you look at everyones season last year their performance seems lackluster. Also take into account that Henrique was moved up and down the lineup and played long stretches at an unnatural position and I don't think its fair to say he's "done nothing." I really don't think the trade route is a smart one to pursue because we will be giving up future assets for a player that will most likely have 1 year left and could easily bounce. Then we would be back where we started and have to try and rebuild without those previous assets. Sign Brunner, and go from there.
- rmdevil313

I agree with you. What I'm getting at isn't that Henrique sucks or has done nothing literally. What I'm trying to say is he's done nothing to show that he's an untouchable player. At least in my opinion anyway. He's very much trade bait, if not the only real piece NJ has to use via trade.

Which is why I really don't want them to make a move. At least not unless it involves one of the plethora of defensive prospects NJ has clogging up the blueline.

I like Grabovski as a player and would love to see him here but I don't think Lou would bite on him with all his off-ice issues and personality problems
- TheJerseyDevil1

That's why I don't want him for more than 2-3 years. After getting bought out he may need a "show me contract", which is why it might work. He has a chip on his shoulder after Toronto. He may be exactly what the lineup needs.

Brunner I wouldn't like on a longterm deal either because honestly the kid has no track record. At least Grabo has shown in the past what he's capable of.

And i may be wrong here but I thought Grabo was OK on faceoffs.

That's why I don't want him for more than 2-3 years. After getting bought out he may need a "show me contract", which is why it might work. He has a chip on his shoulder after Toronto. He may be exactly what the lineup needs.

Brunner I wouldn't like on a longterm deal either because honestly the kid has no track record. At least Grabo has shown in the past what he's capable of.

And i may be wrong here but I thought Grabo was OK on faceoffs.
- FLdevilsFAN

Nah I agree with you on Grabo, I'd love to see him play in our lineup but I just don't think Lou would do it. He's kinda picky when it comes to personalities and I don't think he'd want someone who punched a woman in the face and called his coach a (frank)ing idiot.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Clowe-Grabo-Brunner
Josefson-Loktionov-Zubrus
CBGB

Phaneuf-Greene


Assuming Henrique is moved...not horrible, but NJ could just sign Grabo & Brunner.

Options are there. I just hope Lou at least signs Brunner. The roster could use a potential 20-30G guy no matter how you look at it.

Nah I agree with you on Grabo, I'd love to see him play in our lineup but I just don't think Lou would do it. He's kinda picky when it comes to personalities and I don't think he'd want someone who punched a woman in the face and called his coach a (frank)ing idiot.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Patrice Cormier, Ben Johnson, Matteau, Merrill. NJ has had its fair share of characters issues. Anything could happen.

Not expecting the kid to come in a put up 62 goals, but it wouldn't be horrific for NJ to give Boucher a shot this season. They have to replace Parise & Kovy...and Clarkson's offense somehow.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Clowe-Henrique-Brunner
Boucher-Loktionov-Zubrus

After thoroughly thinking about this (which is usually a bad thing) this is the best case scenario that I came up with. Even though I always imagined Henrique to be in their long-term plans, that was before Kovy blindsided us. Henrique is worth more than Phanuef. I'd rather send Henrique to Buffalo for a package of picks/Vanek. Replace Henrique with a free agent signing of Grabovski. So now we still have 3 solid centers with JJ still in the works too, and a top line winger that we desperately need. D will have to suffice without Phaneuf.

Elias-Zajac-Vanek
Clowe-Grabovski-Ryder
Tedenby-Loktionov-Brunner
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Jagr's not going to sign with a non-contender. Enough w/ the Jagr gossip.

How could Henrique NOT be involved if the Devils pull off getting Phaneuf?

I guess the bottom line that you can't have the team identity be the farewell lap for a 42 year old goalie and a bunch of spare parts hoping to gel in order to not get embarrassed. While I'd love to not give up Henrique, building a team from Schneider and Phaneuf outward is a better blueprint for future success than a messy hodgepodge of B-minus players (most of which are overpaid). However, Dion's contract being up after next year is a bit too risky.
- ElvisLemieux

He signed with Dallas last year, were they contenders?

After thoroughly thinking about this (which is usually a bad thing) this is the best case scenario that I came up with. Even though I always imagined Henrique to be in their long-term plans, that was before Kovy blindsided us. Henrique is worth more than Phanuef. I'd rather send Henrique to Buffalo for a package of picks/Vanek. Replace Henrique with a free agent signing of Grabovski. So now we still have 3 solid centers with JJ still in the works too, and a top line winger that we desperately need. D will have to suffice without Phaneuf.

Elias-Zajac-Vanek
Clowe-Grabovski-Ryder
Tedenby-Loktionov-Brunner
Carter-Gionta-Bernier
- TheJerseyDevil1

I guess Zubrus goes back to Buffalo along with Henrique? good deal for them. I'd rather keep both.

Phaneuf, Jagr, Brunner, Raymond, Oshie..

rumors everywhere.

Apparently Brunner is signing with you guys
2 years 1.5M/yr

@SpectorsHockey FWIW, @SwissNHL claims Damien Brunner will sign tomorrow with the #NJDevils. Two years, $3 million.

Apparently Brunner is signing with you guys
2 years 1.5M/yr

@SpectorsHockey FWIW, @SwissNHL claims Damien Brunner will sign tomorrow with the #NJDevils. Two years, $3 million.
- Sabreshark

Is it 3 million total or 3 million per?

Is it 3 million total or 3 million per?
- tomburton99

I'd honestly be fine with either. 1.5 would surprise me.

Apparently Brunner is signing with you guys
2 years 1.5M/yr

@SpectorsHockey FWIW, @SwissNHL claims Damien Brunner will sign tomorrow with the #NJDevils. Two years, $3 million.
- Sabreshark

Great deal

Great deal
- shvingter88

I believe it's 3mil a year for 2 years that's what spectorshockey is reporting now

I'd honestly be fine with either. 1.5 would surprise me.
- MannySilvers

If it's 1.5 per, that's the best contract handed out to UFA so far this off season.

If it's 1.5 per, that's the best contract handed out to UFA so far this off season.
- tomburton99

If so that + Ryder's would probably out do the badness of Clowe's

Short term "show me what you got" contract plus for $3M...well...we have cap space now

Been away since friday, and I must say, this place has really gone to poop in my absence. I do apologize to everyone.

Also, Todd must love all the hits he getting recently.