It doesn't fool me, I just don't want him getting too many minutes.
- shvingter88

I can see your concerns with conditioning and ice-time. He is in great shape, but no matter how you cut it, he has lot a step or two. His game will shine for you guys on the PP and cycle-time on the first line. If nothing else, his locker room presence and work-ethic will do wonders for your young guys. I personally don't think this is a bad move, and would have taken him on the Flyers in a HEARTBEAT!!

You should be careful what you label as a "report" and pass off as news. Just my two cents, but you don't have to pass along everything that someone writes.

It's pretty clear that this guy does not care what he prints.
- njdevils350

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=428172

The Devils had absolutely no luck last year whatsoever. It might sound a little bitter, but it seemed as if the Devils were always trying to force their game around Kovalchuk. Forcing linemates with him that wouldn't work, forcing a PP formation that never worked, etc. This year, I think you will see a different team, a lot more team-oriented team with Kovalchuk, and I think the Devils will surprise.
- _Zippy_

This is exactly what I've been saying also. They passed up on a lot of good opportunities, especially on the PP, forcing the puck to Kovalchuk. 99% of the time on one-timers, where if he misses the net it's out of the zone. Hopefully the new pieces can form some chemistry that won't be broken up to get one player out of a slump.

I can see your concerns with conditioning and ice-time. He is in great shape, but no matter how you cut it, he has lot a step or two. His game will shine for you guys on the PP and cycle-time on the first line. If nothing else, his locker room presence and work-ethic will do wonders for your young guys. I personally don't think this is a bad move, and would have taken him on the Flyers in a HEARTBEAT!!
- Flyers_V88

I hope you are right, and thanks for contributing to the conversation with meaningful responses.

You completely ignored his argument. It was that we lost two of our possession players in Ponikarovsky and Clarkson. That's what he was talking about.

However, we replaced their possession skills with Clowe who is just as good and arguably better than Clarkson based on production. Jagr is a possession monster and will easily replace Ponikarovsky's numbers. Basically, in my opinion, we lost Clarkson and replaced him with Clowe who is just as good. Kovalchuk leaving is replaced by Ryder (an obvious huge drop off). Jagr replaces Ponikarovsky and he is a lot better and a lot more dangerous and creative offensively.

Also, we get a year older everywhere (Henrique, Josefson, Tedenby, Loktionov) and we finally have four solid lines and a very formidable goaltending tandem. I think we will be fine this year rolling a four-line game, something this team needs to be successful. We won't wow anyone, we will just play a solid team game and probably hover around a wild card spot.
- _Zippy_

Yeah. I just laugh a bit when I keep hearing how the Leafs are getting screwed with Clarkson and that he's extremely over-rated. But, I think he's a great core player to have if you just calm expectations. He scored 15 goals last year for you guys. You only had 112 the whole season lol...He only got 9 assists cause there was nobody else burying.

The East is wildly mediocre after the top couple teams. But that's what makes it so competitive though, it's going to a s-hitshow trying to snag those 2 wildcard spots. You'll be there somewhere, I expect the Leafs to be hovering around there right with you unless we can steal 2nd or 3rd place in the division.

I hope you are right, and thanks for contributing to the conversation with meaningful responses.
- jbivens13

No worries at all! I'm down with the hockey-talk, about any team, so long as there are good points being discussed. I think the biggest factor may be DeBoer's system. At this point in his career, due to lack of foot-speed, the system is the most deciding factor dictating Jagr's success. Hence why I don't think he worked as well as he could have in Boston. He had tons of chances, but he wasn't the primary guy getting the touches on that line, Marchand and Bergeron were 1 and 2, with the left-overs going to Jagr.

Yeah. I just laugh a bit when I keep hearing how were getting screwed with Clarkson and that he's extremely over-rated. But, I think he's a great core player to have if you just calm expectations. He scored 15 goals last year for you guys. You only had 112 the whole season lol...He only got 9 assists cause there was nobody else burying.


- t_leafs21

I agree with tempering expectations. The 15 he scored aren't the issue. The fact that 11 of them were in the first 15 games, and then he vanished off the planet, is the real concern. When the team desperately needed some scoring he seemed to completely lose his game. His assist totals are always low. In his 30 goal year, he only had 16 assists and the team was scoring at a decent clip (compared to this past year).

Stats aren't something that anyone should argue the "pro" side for Clarkson. He brings heart, hitting and will drop the gloves. He has toughness and some offensive talent, but he isn't a consistent scorer. Never has been. I realize this will come across as bitter, but I said the same thing about him while he was with the Devils. His stats come across like a Cy Young pitcher. High in the first column, low in the 2nd.

I hope he plays great for Toronto. Followed his heart to go home for himself and his wife. He's a great guy with tons of heart and character.

Lou, you're losing your touch. Why sign this player? He's too old and too slow. Save a roster space for a young up and coming player or at least one younger than 35.
- Crushers68

I think he's just under too much pressure to replace Kovalchuck. This doesn't do it, but you can see where he was going with the signing.

Honestly I'm fine with signing Jagr for 1 year. No risk to it. Next summer hopefully we can get a big UFA like Vanek or Gaborik to add that star forward that we clearly need now.

Lou likes low numbers
- shvingter88

Jagr doesn't care.

I think Jagr is a great move for the Devils for one year.

It's a no lose situation. Worst comes to worse, they can trade him at the deadline and get a bounty like Dallas did.

Todd
Now that we have signed Jagr do you think Brunner is off our radar? Or do they still take a look at signing him as well?

No worries at all! I'm down with the hockey-talk, about any team, so long as there are good points being discussed. I think the biggest factor may be DeBoer's system. At this point in his career, due to lack of foot-speed, the system is the most deciding factor dictating Jagr's success. Hence why I don't think he worked as well as he could have in Boston. He had tons of chances, but he wasn't the primary guy getting the touches on that line, Marchand and Bergeron were 1 and 2, with the left-overs going to Jagr.
- Flyers_V88

Yeah his down low strength will make him a fit in DeBoer's system in my opinion. The Devils issue will be getting pucks in the net after all of the possession and cycling, as someone on here said. If you an outlast the cycle and keep chances to the outside the Devils aren't too tough to beat.

Yeah his down low strength will make him a fit in DeBoer's system in my opinion. The Devils issue will be getting pucks in the net after all of the possession and cycling, as someone on here said. If you an outlast the cycle and keep chances to the outside the Devils aren't too tough to beat.
- jbivens13

Didn't seem that way the past couple of years when we met LOL. Honestly, DeBoer has injected a cycle-game that we never saw in recent years with New Jersey, I give him credit.

Yeah. I just laugh a bit when I keep hearing how the Leafs are getting screwed with Clarkson and that he's extremely over-rated. But, I think he's a great core player to have if you just calm expectations. He scored 15 goals last year for you guys. You only had 112 the whole season lol...He only got 9 assists cause there was nobody else burying.

The East is wildly mediocre after the top couple teams. But that's what makes it so competitive though, it's going to a s-hitshow trying to snag those 2 wildcard spots. You'll be there somewhere, I expect the Leafs to be hovering around there right with you unless we can steal 2nd or 3rd place in the division.
- t_leafs21

I'm sorry but Clarkson is very overrated. He's a good player, not a 5.25 million player and definitely not for 7 years. He only has 9 assists because he isn't a playmaker. Take a peak at his career stats.

He has a nice shot and a good knack for getting to the net as well as being able to protect the puck very well. However, his hockey vision and skating are mediocre, and that's putting it lightly. He's a nice player on a third line crash-and-bang, but he doesn't have the vision or skating to play with top six players. He's too much of a "put the puck on the net and go to the net" player.

Don't get me wrong, you will like Clarkson, but not at that price.

I can see your concerns with conditioning and ice-time. He is in great shape, but no matter how you cut it, he has lot a step or two. His game will shine for you guys on the PP and cycle-time on the first line. If nothing else, his locker room presence and work-ethic will do wonders for your young guys. I personally don't think this is a bad move, and would have taken him on the Flyers in a HEARTBEAT!!
- Flyers_V88

don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the signing.

Jagr has great puck possession and is strong on his skates. What I noticed last year, he cycles a lot and against fast teams he gets swarmed easily because he's slow. Still has great Hockey vision though. Good signing.

Only reason we're getting Jagr is so we can trade him at the deadline for a 1st rounder.

Good signing, he can still contribute and has become a good leader and influence amongst his younger teammates. His work ethic is legendary and that will rub off on the younger Devils.

Only reason we're getting Jagr is so we can trade him at the deadline for a 1st rounder.
- Twist

I like your optimism. I don't think his value is as high after another year and also Lou hates to throw in the towel on a season. So much pride. So much class.

I hope we trade our first rounder next year so then we don't have to forfeit it. hue hue hue

You didn't take into account the losses of David Clarkson and Alexei Ponikarovsky though. Those 2 players were a big part of alot of your "down low" possession. You essentially replaced those two with Clowe and Ryder and now looks to be replacing Kovalchuk with Jagr. I watched a lot of hockey last year, all 3 of the games Leafs vs Devils games. We took the series 6 points to 0 because we would just outlast your possession and let you play the perimeter game and it would amount to nothing. Then, just counter and score when the chances present themselves.

You have to play that possession game when your team lacks speed. You won't be a team that's easy to beat. Especially with a goaltending tandem like Brodeur and Schneider. But I just don't think the Devils are going to have the guns to keep up with an intense division with Pittsburgh,Philly,Washington,Carolina. Even the Islanders are on the up-swing.
- t_leafs21

Ponikarovsky was atrocious last year. And clarkson is good at possessing the puck while ignoring everyone else on the ice. People overestimate how hard it will be to replace him.

Lou, it is official. You have lost your freaking mind!

Yeah. I just laugh a bit when I keep hearing how the Leafs are getting screwed with Clarkson and that he's extremely over-rated. But, I think he's a great core player to have if you just calm expectations. He scored 15 goals last year for you guys. You only had 112 the whole season lol...He only got 9 assists cause there was nobody else burying.

The East is wildly mediocre after the top couple teams. But that's what makes it so competitive though, it's going to a s-hitshow trying to snag those 2 wildcard spots. You'll be there somewhere, I expect the Leafs to be hovering around there right with you unless we can steal 2nd or 3rd place in the division.
- t_leafs21

Clarkson's linemate in elias had 14 goals and 22 assists. Clarkson just simply is not good at creating chances for his linemates.

Only up and comer this year is Reid Boucher and he could probably benefit from some AHL time.
- Todd.Cordell

I was referring to signing a young RFA from another team. Certainly realize our cupboard is a bit bare.