Lots of doom on this board for a team that just stole 4 of 6 points against some of the best teams in NHL. Whether the Devils got outplayed or not, the have a good thing going right now and hopefully they can role that mentality against the mediocre teams this week.

And for the Cory doomsday scenario people out there, Kinkaid is 7-2 with a 1.97 and a .921. Just saying. It might not be as bad as it appears.

That said, Brunner/Ryder/Lokti are detritus. I'm for bringing up a youngster or trading for picks, regardless of how low.
- ElvisLemieux

The NHL is a whole nother monster. That is good new but I would rather give him 3-4 year as a NHL back up before throwing him to the wolves. Also my doom and gloom isn't so much about this years team. It's more about the state of the franchise. Sure this year goes well that's great we are still looking at some rough years ahead if you look at what we have right now and take everything into account. If you thought we had trouble scoring now wait till Elias and Jagr are gone.

Doomed indeed.
Listen it's time for Brunner, Lokti, and Ryder to sh!t or get off the pot. These guys are not bringing much to the table right now, so start benching or cut bait.
Let's hope Lou is having lunch with the Winnipeg GM to try and pry Kane away from them!
- FAZOOL

These guys aren't going anywhere

Lots of doom on this board for a team that just stole 4 of 6 points against some of the best teams in NHL. Whether the Devils got outplayed or not, the have a good thing going right now and hopefully they can role that mentality against the mediocre teams this week.

And for the Cory doomsday scenario people out there, Kinkaid is 7-2 with a 1.97 and a .921. Just saying. It might not be as bad as it appears.

That said, Brunner/Ryder/Lokti are detritus. I'm for bringing up a youngster or trading for picks, regardless of how low.
- ElvisLemieux

Agreed and Cory doomsday brigade need to relax a bit as well. When he gets hot and Marty cools off he will start more it already happened when Marty was struggling earlier in the year. As long we a trading off dead weight not guys who contribute and should contribute in the future for picks or young prospects im all for making moves. Even for those taking about a retool that doesn't mean trade off everyone it means cut ties with the guys who don't fit like Brunner, Zid, Harold, Fayne, Lokti, Ryder, etc.. Need to keep some vets around and plus tanking has and never will be Lou's style need to realize this by now it's not going to change.

Doomed indeed.
Listen it's time for Brunner, Lokti, and Ryder to sh!t or get off the pot. These guys are not bringing much to the table right now, so start benching or cut bait.
Let's hope Lou is having lunch with the Winnipeg GM to try and pry Kane away from them!
- FAZOOL

I could care less about trading all 3 they need to go to keep Pete from mucking up the line up. It would be pretty damn hard to not turn a profit on Loktionov and at the end of the day if you get a 4th for him then How can anyone complain when we gave up a 5th for him ? Ryder can likely be held onto till the deadline and probably has the most value of the three but I have never seen anything out of Brunner dating back to pre season the guy came in and woo'd everyone because he could skate, mind you we where icing Sal, Volchenkov and Clowe at that time so I could see how he would catch a few folks eyes as he actually looked like a hockey player instead of a bulldozer on skates.

The NHL is a whole nother monster. That is good new but I would rather give him 3-4 year as a NHL back up before throwing him to the wolves. Also my doom and gloom isn't so much about this years team. It's more about the state of the franchise. Sure this year goes well that's great we are still looking at some rough years ahead if you look at what we have right now and take everything into account. If you thought we had trouble scoring now wait till Elias and Jagr are gone.
- blizzzard

Stop worrying about that poop so much. You just have to wait and see getting all worked about next years or the year afters team is ridiculous man. Calm down and get pissed about Ryder, Brunner, harold, and company playing like mites.

These guys aren't going anywhere
- shvingter88

They need to though anywhere i don't even care for who or what as long as they can play hockey a little bit and work hard.

They need to though anywhere i don't even care for who or what as long as they can play hockey a little bit and work hard.
- NickA

We all know they need to but it's just not going to happen. When has Lou ever signed players and then traded them a quarter into the season?

Agreed and Cory doomsday brigade need to relax a bit as well. When he gets hot and Marty cools off he will start more it already happened when Marty was struggling earlier in the year. As long we a trading off dead weight not guys who contribute and should contribute in the future for picks or young prospects im all for making moves. Even for those taking about a retool that doesn't mean trade off everyone it means cut ties with the guys who don't fit like Brunner, Zid, Harold, Fayne, Lokti, Ryder, etc.. Need to keep some vets around and plus tanking has and never will be Lou's style need to realize this by now it's not going to change.
- NickA

No I agree with a lot of what you are saying but Schneider is playing just hot as Marty for some reason because Marty has the win there is this thought process that he is playing better hockey. They both have very similar numbers just one has goal supposrt and the other doesn't. My problem was with it being Cory's turn in net but Marty is getting the nod. I don't think one goalie is hotter then the other right now so might as well rotate instead of not rewarding Cory for his play but rewarding Marty for his. Also got to factor in Lou won't be around forever either. So it might not be is way but it would be nice for him to leave the next guy in a good position to succeed instead of expending all our future assets like picks to make a half assed run at the play offs. We are heavily lacking in the prospect department and that's ok if all of you're best players aren't 35 or older. We found out first hand this summer what happens when you try to build through Free agency. At some point we need to start trading old guys for young guys instead of young guys or picks for old guys.

Stop worrying about that poop so much. You just have to wait and see getting all worked about next years or the year afters team is ridiculous man. Calm down and get pissed about Ryder, Brunner, harold, and company playing like mites.
- NickA

I am at max compacity and I think it has a lot to do with my Boy Larsson being injured ! I also can't stand Henrique on the 3rd line wing like You could put better lines together then Pete!

I just feel like lately we have been building for 1 year instead of building towards having a strong 10-15 years. I would honestly rather sit through bad hockey now then sit through mediocre hockey for the next 3-4 years then go through 3-4 years of bad hockey that's just pissing away 6-8 years imo. If you aren't a true contender right now start building to be one.

I am at max compacity and I think it has a lot to do with my Boy Larsson being injured ! I also can't stand Henrique on the 3rd line wing like You could put better lines together then Pete!
- blizzzard

Larsson being hurt sucks but it's because he's been playing good and paying the price to make the play. All about learning how to play and it's alright if he's a little banged up he's been playing tough minutes for us. Toughness and durability will come with experience. At least Merril looks like he will be tonight for him that's good. Henrique on wing let alone 3rd line yeah i understand. It's just infuriating lou really needs to get a guy who fits better into the system.

Larsson being hurt sucks but it's because he's been playing good and paying the price to make the play. All about learning how to play and it's alright if he's a little banged up he's been playing tough minutes for us. Toughness and durability will come with experience. At least Merril looks like he will be tonight for him that's good. Henrique on wing let alone 3rd line yeah i understand. It's just infuriating lou really needs to get a guy who fits better into the system.
- NickA

Check my above post I feel it sums it up the best !

Identity? I think that can go two ways through the draft or trades for younger players. Our draft record in the last ten years is terrible, besides a handful of players. Trading for young talent, come on, Lou doesn't do that often if ever (Lokti for example). I think that I might be able to shine some light on how to fix these things.

How to change this team and franchise:

Lou steps down as GM, but remains as the President and CEO, bring in a new face for GM who will look at this team and drafting differently.

Fire David Conte and the rest of our scouts, not good enough. Maybe 15-20 years ago, but not today. Maybe call up Lemaire for our head scouting position.

Fire PBD. I would like Laviotte because he can work with young kids and most importantly a new system.

Than a fire sale. Almost anyone, Greene, Ryder, Brunner, Lokti, Zajac, Clowe, Zubrus, Gionta, Mattau, JJ, Teddy, Sal, Volch, Zid, Harrold, any draft picks or young players you could get. They say you can't trade your whole team, that's bull$hit, it's not that you can't it's because no one has the balls to do it.

Depending on how/who you trade, let the young guys play like JJ, Mattau, Teddy, Larsson, Merrill, Gelly, Fayne, Henrique (in this natural position at center).

There are a few players that I would like or I feel would be good to acquire:
Tomas Fleischman
Shawn Matthais
David Rundblad (see what the cost could be, could be great with Larsson)
Tomas Kopecky
Kulikov
Jiri Tlusty

Those are off the top of my head, any others that could be available are welcomed. Only Kopecky is over 30 right now, 31, and Fleischman is 29. The rest are in their mid 20's. With these players I think our second and third line could be greatly improved with Kopecky and Matthais on the third and Fleischman could move to center for the second or first line and tlusty on the second or first. (These depend on line changes)

Elias/Tlusty-Henrique/Fleschman-Jagr
Elias/Tlusty-Henrique/Fleschman- Teddy/Zurbrus
Teddy/Zubrus-Matthais-Kopecky
CBGB

Identity? I think that can go two ways through the draft or trades for younger players. Our draft record in the last ten years is terrible, besides a handful of players. Trading for young talent, come on, Lou doesn't do that often if ever (Lokti for example). I think that I might be able to shine some light on how to fix these things.

How to change this team and franchise:

Lou steps down as GM, but remains as the President and CEO, bring in a new face for GM who will look at this team and drafting differently.

Fire David Conte and the rest of our scouts, not good enough. Maybe 15-20 years ago, but not today. Maybe call up Lemaire for our head scouting position.

Fire PBD. I would like Laviotte because he can work with young kids and most importantly a new system.

Than a fire sale. Almost anyone, Greene, Ryder, Brunner, Lokti, Zajac, Clowe, Zubrus, Gionta, Mattau, JJ, Teddy, Sal, Volch, Zid, Harrold, any draft picks or young players you could get. They say you can't trade your whole team, that's bull$hit, it's not that you can't it's because no one has the balls to do it.

Depending on how/who you trade, let the young guys play like JJ, Mattau, Teddy, Larsson, Merrill, Gelly, Fayne, Henrique (in this natural position at center).

There are a few players that I would like or I feel would be good to acquire:
Tomas Fleischman
Shawn Matthais
David Rundblad (see what the cost could be, could be great with Larsson)
Tomas Kopecky
Kulikov
Jiri Tlusty

Those are off the top of my head, any others that could be available are welcomed. Only Kopecky is over 30 right now, 31, and Fleischman is 29. The rest are in their mid 20's. With these players I think our second and third line could be greatly improved with Kopecky and Matthais on the third and Fleischman could move to center for the second or first line and tlusty on the second or first. (These depend on line changes)

Elias/Tlusty-Henrique/Fleschman-Jagr
Elias/Tlusty-Henrique/Fleschman- Teddy?
Tlusty/Zubrus-Matthais-Kopecky
CBGB
- Devils9503

So basically we trade for the Florida panthers

We all know they need to but it's just not going to happen. When has Lou ever signed players and then traded them a quarter into the season?
- shvingter88

Viktor Kozlov? None have played well don't think it's too crazy to believe they can be traded l. I agree it would be out of character for Lou to do but not that shocking. He has done more shocking things in my lifetime that if it where to happen I wouldn't be all that surprised.

So basically we trade for the Florida panthers
- shvingter88

So basically we trade for the Florida panthers
- shvingter88

lol Panthers North. It's just they got some good players like Matthais and Kulikov who are young enough and are solid for their respective positions and than Fleischman and Kopecy, Fleischman could be great with either Jagr or Elias, and Kopecky who would be an upgrade on the third line right wing, than putting Ryder or Brunner there.

Viktor Kozlov? None have played well don't think it's too crazy to believe they can be traded l. I agree it would be out of character for Lou to do but not that shocking. He has done more shocking things in my lifetime that if it where to happen I wouldn't be all that surprised.
- NickA

I think teddy and JJ are the only ones to go

lol Panthers North. It's just they got some good players like Matthais and Kulikov who are young enough and are solid for their respective positions and than Fleischman and Kopecy, Fleischman could be great with either Jagr or Elias, and Kopecky who would be an upgrade on the third line right wing, than putting Ryder or Brunner there.
- Devils9503

I doubt Florida gets rid of their young guys. Fleischman would be pretty cool I guess.

I just feel like lately we have been building for 1 year instead of building towards having a strong 10-15 years. I would honestly rather sit through bad hockey now then sit through mediocre hockey for the next 3-4 years then go through 3-4 years of bad hockey that's just pissing away 6-8 years imo. If you aren't a true contender right now start building to be one.
- blizzzard

I'm not as worried in the next three to four years. I think we will have good goaltending and defense it's just a matter of bringing in some forwards or developing the one's we have drafted. Hopefully we got some diamonds in the rough in the last few drafts up front. If we can give Henrique consistent linemates since Kovy and Parise he will be okay. I think he has been playing pretty good considering PDB bounces him around like a bouncy ball in the lineup for the last two years. Overall I like where the d seems to be going and as long as your D is good you should always have a chance.

I think teddy and JJ are the only ones to go
- shvingter88

They will only get us a career AHler though. I would think Brunner and Lokti could fetch a rental.

I wouldn't trade the whole team but every move I made would be for the now and future. Ever move Lou makes is always about strictly the now and he is usually giving up the future to get it. Think about the 2 guys who could be moved for the biggest returns outside of Gelinas and the 2 Adams. I would Move Zajac for a very good prospect and or young player and Same with Greene. Think about how stupid everyone thought Burke was when he gave up 2 first and a second for Kessel. Hardly anyone is laughing now ( I will say Seguin is a stud but I am sure when they added Kessel they didn't plan on giving up the number 2 pick. They probably imagined it would be higher ) I would move Zajac and Greene and a pick to the Oilers for Hall and a pick. Maybe we send a 2nd and they send a third. Think about how much those two guys improve the Oil and think about how much Hall could improve us moving forward. You still have Elias, Jagr and a whole group of veterans to show Hall how to be a great player and you have a slew of defensive prospects coming up to help fill the hole Greene left. Henrique can for the most part fill the role Zajac plays and we have 4-5 solid building blocks in Schneider, Larsson, Henrique, Hall, Gelinas.

They will only get us a career AHler though. I would think Brunner and Lokti could fetch a rental.
- NickA

An ahl rental

lol Panthers North. It's just they got some good players like Matthais and Kulikov who are young enough and are solid for their respective positions and than Fleischman and Kopecy, Fleischman could be great with either Jagr or Elias, and Kopecky who would be an upgrade on the third line right wing, than putting Ryder or Brunner there.
- Devils9503

I'm all for adding Kopecky and Fleischman just as long as we keep the few guys who contribute and fit on our team already. Like zubrus, greene, zajac. They aren't the greatest but unless we are getting evander kane or eberle for them we are more than likely making a lateral move. Not saying we can get kane or eberle for any of those 3 but it has to be a clear upgrade for it to be worth it. Or at least for a guy age 20-26.

I wouldn't trade the whole team but every move I made would be for the now and future. Ever move Lou makes is always about strictly the now and he is usually giving up the future to get it. Think about the 2 guys who could be moved for the biggest returns outside of Gelinas and the 2 Adams. I would Move Zajac for a very good prospect and or young player and Same with Greene. Think about how stupid everyone thought Burke was when he gave up 2 first and a second for Kessel. Hardly anyone is laughing now ( I will say Seguin is a stud but I am sure when they added Kessel they didn't plan on giving up the number 2 pick. They probably imagined it would be higher ) I would move Zajac and Greene and a pick to the Oilers for Hall and a pick. Maybe we send a 2nd and they send a third. Think about how much those two guys improve the Oil and think about how much Hall could improve us moving forward. You still have Elias, Jagr and a whole group of veterans to show Hall how to be a great player and you have a slew of defensive prospects coming up to help fill the hole Greene left. Henrique can for the most part fill the role Zajac plays and we have 4-5 solid building blocks in Schneider, Larsson, Henrique, Hall, Gelinas.
- blizzzard

I just posted something similar that if we where to trade guys like Zajac or Greene. You know guys who aren't completely useless it has to be for a clear upgrade or for a young guy. Though i'm not sure oilers trade hall for that he is pretty (frank)ing good. Would love him though reunite him with henrique.