Pairings today are

Salvador-Zidlicky
Greene-Larsson
Urbom-Gelinas

Wouldn't be surprised if that's our starting lineup opening night. Volchenkov probably will be in place of Urbom, but Gelinas is an upgrade over Fayne.. easily.

It seems we have enough depth for 2 2nd lines, 2 3rd lines and a solid 4th line. Which is great.. But we'll have to play mistake free hockey l to win. Teams have Zetterbergs and Crosbys, Kanes, Nashes, Ovechkins... Guys that get on the ice and can make a strong play and a wicked finish. Top d pairings will be able to shut us down. We'll just have to hope our depth can score on a weaker pairing while limiting scoring chances. We can't compete toe to toe with most of the league. But we have insane depth, especially with Brunner.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Brunner-Henrique-Jagr
Tedenby-Loktionov-Olesz
Clowe-Josefson-Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

i mean what do we do with this?
It's a great problem to have.. but I want Tedenby to play because Jagr will be gone next year and it would be nice for Teddy to have a solid year in the NHL under his belt.
The only thing I can see us starting with is

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Brunner-Henrique-Jagr
Clowe-Loktionov-Zubrus
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

a whole 3rd line's worth of talent sitting on the shelf. CBGB is an identity line, they forecheck well, wear down the D, but it would be fun to have Teddy-Lokti-Olesz get some shifts too.

Trade bait? I don't want to lose Tedenby for a bag of pucks.. or to dump Volchenkov. Tedenby put on some muscle and looked great in preseason game 1 (regardless of the "goal"). He's shifty, and now seems more solid too. He's a useful player to have on board with all that speed. There's just no spot for him. Maybe Gionta will be scratched? He's like the perfect 4th line center. Those 3 excel in this role. idk

I'm also inclined to think Volchenkov is better than Fayne. I don't hate on Fayne as a #6 guy, but that seems to be his ceiling. (but then again look at Mark Fraser lol), but I'm ok with Vochenkov on the 3rd pairing. He's slow and big, like Fayne, but he gets in the way of more shots and is tougher to play against. If he'd quit running into the goalie and even thinking about playing the puck, he wouldn't be half bad. Gelinas paired with Volchie may make them both better. A mobile puck mover for Volchenkov, a stable stay at home man to cover for Gelinas. Gelinas is a big guy too, so that helps him out defensively.

I'm also inclined to think Volchenkov is better than Fayne. I don't hate on Fayne as a #6 guy, but that seems to be his ceiling. (but then again look at Mark Fraser lol), but I'm ok with Vochenkov on the 3rd pairing. He's slow and big, like Fayne, but he gets in the way of more shots and is tougher to play against. If he'd quit running into the goalie and even thinking about playing the puck, he wouldn't be half bad. Gelinas paired with Volchie may make them both better. A mobile puck mover for Volchenkov, a stable stay at home man to cover for Gelinas. Gelinas is a big guy too, so that helps him out defensively.
- MartysBetter88

^

Everyone's punching bag (and rightfully so, he hasn't done poop up to this point) is Tedenby & everyone calls him as the odd man out now that Brunner is in camp.

However, I see Josefson/Olesz being the odd man out if Tedenby can actually find a scoring touch.

Afterall, what sort of amazing production has Josefson brought to the table? I don't mean that in a sarcastic negative way, I mean it literally. He should also be expendable at this point, at least as much so as Tedenby.

Time to produce or gtf back to Albany for some of these kids. A roster spot should be earned, plain and simple. And a scout's report or projection means nothing at this point. They used to be prospects (and still are essentially I suppose), but the Tedenbys, Josefsons, Olsezs, and even Brunners of the world need to EARN that spot. I don't care how long someone's been in the system, if you don't got "it", then you're expendable.

I hope it brings out the best in one of them.

Everyone's punching bag (and rightfully so, he hasn't done poop up to this point) is Tedenby & everyone calls him as the odd man out now that Brunner is in camp.

However, I see Josefson/Olesz being the odd man out if Tedenby can actually find a scoring touch.

Afterall, what sort of amazing production has Josefson brought to the table? I don't mean that in a sarcastic negative way, I mean it literally. He should also be expendable at this point, at least as much so as Tedenby.

Time to produce or gtf back to Albany for some of these kids. A roster spot should be earned, plain and simple. And a scout's report or projection means nothing at this point. They used to be prospects (and still are essentially I suppose), but the Tedenbys, Josefsons, Olsezs, and even Brunners of the world need to EARN that spot. I don't care how long someone's been in the system, if you don't got "it", then you're expendable.

I hope it brings out the best in one of them.
- FLdevilsFAN

JJ is good defensively, much better than teddy. That is why.

JJ is good defensively, much better than teddy. That is why.
- shvingter88

I feel like at this point we should be favoring guys who can score a bit even if they're not as good defensively. We've got lots of defensive responsibility on our team.

In my opinion right now I'd rather have Teds on the team than JJ.

- Adam Larsson really impressed me against the Rangers. He played almost 25 minutes and looked like a seasoned veteran. He was poised with the puck, made some good outlet passes and setup a few nice chances on the power play. Larsson showed a bit of edge, too, as he had a pretty big hit on Aaron Asham.

I was so pissed when you guys won the lottery that year

Though Strome was a good consilation prize . Larrson is going to be awesome.
- Cptmjl

Strome might well be a Calder candidate this year. You guys got Reinhart the next year, he should be pretty good...

JJ is good defensively, much better than teddy. That is why.
- shvingter88

Doesn't matter, he can be a defensive wizard all he wants, but someone has to score in NJ and if you're getting 3rd line center mins and can't produce or be that go-to faceoff guy when the game is on the line, IMO your value really isn't that high. There's more than enough 3rd liners to bring in, ones that can produce. Josefson should be on the block as much as Tedenby or anyone else for that matter.

Time to put up or shut up for Tedenby & JJ.

I like Josefson and Tedenby and want them to succeed. But, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and fold that poop!

Doesn't matter, he can be a defensive wizard all he wants, but someone has to score in NJ and if you're getting 3rd line center mins and can't produce or be that go-to faceoff guy when the game is on the line, IMO your value really isn't that high. There's more than enough 3rd liners to bring in, ones that can produce. Josefson should be on the block as much as Tedenby or anyone else for that matter.

Time to put up or shut up for Tedenby & JJ.

I like Josefson and Tedenby and want them to succeed. But, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and fold that poop!
- FLdevilsFAN

JJ was more of an option just because he was a centre and we didn't have anyone better to take the role. Now that we have a more productive guy in Loktionov, JJ's spot is up for grabs

Schneider was a steal, he's gonna be great in Jersey.
- Garnie

totally agree. He's incredibly sound technically. Great body position and is able to recover and stay in position for a rebound. He would have been the perfect goaltender for the Isles but the Devils snagged him first. Horvat should become a decent player but Schneider is a top 10 goaltender in this league at the very least. There are not many other goalies I'd take ahead of him at this point.

I can't understand all this hype for Josefson ..... I mean what has he done or accomplished ?!?!?!!!!?????? .....NOTHING!!!!!!!......i hope we Gionta we can't break that 4th line it brought us to the finals(Bernier Carter)... Gionta adds speed grit and good penalty kill ......about Brunner he was 67% percent on faceoffs last year I hope he gets signed as well he's fast has a quick release good on faceoffs (mentioned before)....plays a good 2-way game ...... Don't forget in Detroit Babcock insisted on playing well without the puck!!! ...... Sign Brunner add Gionta and we'll be fine
JERSEY LOUD JERSEY PROUD!!!!!!!!! GO DEVILS'

I can't understand all this hype for Josefson ..... I mean what has he done or accomplished ?!?!?!!!!?????? .....NOTHING!!!!!!!......i hope we Gionta we can't break that 4th line it brought us to the finals(Bernier Carter)... Gionta adds speed grit and good penalty kill ......about Brunner he was 67% percent on faceoffs last year I hope he gets signed as well he's fast has a quick release good on faceoffs (mentioned before)....plays a good 2-way game ...... Don't forget in Detroit Babcock insisted on playing well without the puck!!! ...... Sign Brunner add Gionta and we'll be fine
JERSEY LOUD JERSEY PROUD!!!!!!!!! GO DEVILS'
- DEVILKNIGHT

What hype?

Hey does anyone know what number Brunner will wear tonight? Just curious.