Just like there's a chance they'll lose the next two to Detroit and take themselves out of the picture all together.
- njdevils350

The only chance is if we still had this guy......

Kind of embarrassing that someone would publish that. First of all, the Devils have Damon Severson, secondly it's fair to anticipate that they will steer clear of Russian born players for the some time (See passing on Valeri Nichushkin in the draft), third and most importantly, Yakupov is probably the worst possible fit for a physical, aggressive, forechecking, puck control system.

Nice work.
- njdevils350

I'll admit that I was a little upset with the draft day trade (and not because I didn't like Schneider) because I felt the Devils could find a "gap" goalie until one of the younger guys were ready to take over. I wanted them to draft Nichushkin but that's why I'm no GM but the Devils were in dire need of offense especially knowing at the draft Kovy was leaning on leaving the team.

Marty for Havlat.... I was just thinking that it is a little weird Marty gets this start. I really hope we aren't back to that whole this guy won his last game and this guy didnt so this guy is starting crap but anyways if he was to be traded would you not make sure you used him one more time before the deadline to give Cory just a little bit more rest before playing the rest of the games? I'm just thinking not exactly saying he will get traded because I really believe he won't.

Marty for Havlat.... I was just thinking that it is a little weird Marty gets this start. I really hope we aren't back to that whole this guy won his last game and this guy didnt so this guy is starting crap but anyways if he was to be traded would you not make sure you used him one more time before the deadline to give Cory just a little bit more rest before playing the rest of the games? I'm just thinking not exactly saying he will get traded because I really believe he won't.
- blizzzard

Before this weekend I thought no way Marty gets traded by Lou but after seeing Marty's comments, Lou's no comments, stories of Marty waiving his NTC and him starting Tuesday (a home game) I can't believe that I'm starting to think he might actually get traded (not saying I wouldn't trade him). We all know he's not the Marty of old but man it's going to be hard to see him in another jersey if it happens.....it will be a sad day for us Devil fans

Before this weekend I thought no way Marty gets traded by Lou but after seeing Marty's comments, Lou's no comments, stories of Marty waiving his NTC and him starting Tuesday (a home game) I can't believe that I'm starting to think he might actually get traded (not saying I wouldn't trade him). We all know he's not the Marty of old but man it's going to be hard to see him in another jersey if it happens.....it will be a sad day for us Devil fans
- Gambi99

I agree I think it will hit me a lot harder when it actually happens. As much as I rag on the guy he who my favorite player for a very long time along with Elias. I wouldn't push the idea of trading him so hard if our situation wasn't so tough. How many teams in the league have to forfeit a first round pick ? How many teams lost there hands down most talented player for nothing and have to forfeit their first round pick? And how many teams have to forfeit their first while losing their best player while having absolutely nothing in the prospects cupboards in the forward position and a forward core and team filled with players over 35 ? I just don't think there is a situation like this in the league. We need any extra picks we can get. I don't think he should be given away but if there is a market and a decent offer then I don't see how you can turn it down? To some extent Lou's loyalty is what got us to this spot now.

The Jackets are beating Toronto for (frank) sakes. They have the same amount of points and 2 games in hand on us and are looking to pass us tonight

it really is a joke. Our weak forward prospect pool wouldn't have mattered if Parise didn't jet and Kovy didn't "retire". It would've worked out just beautifully.. adding a complimentary forward here and there as needed, while still having Parise, Kovy, Henrique, Zajac, Zubrus, Elias as the core to carry the team. We'd only really need a young guy to establish himself for when Elias would slow down or retire.. which is exactly when Boucher or Matteau should be ready. In the meantime, since our D is loaded, we'd have enough time to develop our 2013 picks (that seem to be doing very well so far), in time to make the transition for the Elias/Zubrus retirements/departures.

but that didn't happens.
so we have Jagr, Brunner and Ryder all trying to produce what parise and kovy did with their eyes closed. Ryder has his moments but he's the most uninspiring player on all ends of the ice. Brunner is up and down. Jagr is the only truly beneficial addition, in the wake of losing to stars in Parise and Kovalchuk.

it's really not fair.. and now to ALSO have lost a 1st, for no justifiable reason. This franchise has been dealt some tough blows 3 offseasons in a row.

I'll admit that I was a little upset with the draft day trade (and not because I didn't like Schneider) because I felt the Devils could find a "gap" goalie until one of the younger guys were ready to take over. I wanted them to draft Nichushkin but that's why I'm no GM but the Devils were in dire need of offense especially knowing at the draft Kovy was leaning on leaving the team.
- Gambi99

Certainly can't argue with Schneider, but Nichushkin would've have been a perfect fit for the team if Kovalchuk had stayed. Tough to handle down low. Would've had someone on the team that he could relate to and learn from while adjusting as teenager.

it really is a joke. Our weak forward prospect pool wouldn't have mattered if Parise didn't jet and Kovy didn't "retire". It would've worked out just beautifully.. adding a complimentary forward here and there as needed, while still having Parise, Kovy, Henrique, Zajac, Zubrus, Elias as the core to carry the team. We'd only really need a young guy to establish himself for when Elias would slow down or retire.. which is exactly when Boucher or Matteau should be ready. In the meantime, since our D is loaded, we'd have enough time to develop our 2013 picks (that seem to be doing very well so far), in time to make the transition for the Elias/Zubrus retirements/departures.

but that didn't happens.
so we have Jagr, Brunner and Ryder all trying to produce what parise and kovy did with their eyes closed. Ryder has his moments but he's the most uninspiring player on all ends of the ice. Brunner is up and down. Jagr is the only truly beneficial addition, in the wake of losing to stars in Parise and Kovalchuk.

it's really not fair.. and now to ALSO have lost a 1st, for no justifiable reason. This franchise has been dealt some tough blows 3 offseasons in a row.
- MartysBetter88

Everything you've pointed out illustrates how well Lamoriello has handled losing Parise and Kovalchuk. Brunner, Jagr, Ryder and Jagr are all stop gaps trying to piece together a competitive team. Same reason you've heard nothing of DeBoer's job being in jeopardy. The franchise was forced into an impossible position. What team wouldn't feel great with Parise and Kovalchuk?

Moving forward they will have plenty of cap room and owners with deep pockets. They will reload sooner rather than later.

The closer we get to the deadline, the more I feel that nothing will happen. Either nothing or a smalltrade getting something stupid like Erat. At this point I just hope we can snag a decent free agent or two over the summer and try to move on.

The closer we get to the deadline, the more I feel that nothing will happen. Either nothing or a smalltrade getting something stupid like Erat. At this point I just hope we can snag a decent free agent or two over the summer and try to move on.
- notlouis

you're name intrigues me, notlouis.

you're name intrigues me, notlouis.
- MartysBetter88

Your

I really hope Lou makes a legit move to better this team for the next 10 or so years. We need to stop concerning ourselves with the play offs and just worry about bettering the team for the next decade. A trade Involving someone like Larsson or something along those lines for Eberle or any of the young guys we have discussed. These moves usually don't happen till the draft but it would be nice if Lou could work something at the deadline. From watching Oil change and I am not sure if any of you guys have seen it or not but you got Hall, Nuge, Eberle and Schultz all hangin out together and they all just seem so imature ( Eberle is the most mature ) I really think it plays a big part in why they lose games. They have all the skill but they had no one to teach them how to compete and go about themselves as pro's. Now I am sure some of it is a little out of context and they do get serious but I really thought how they are just a bunch of kids. We have 3 kids on our team and the rest of the team is loaded with vets and some of the best vets you can learn from in the entire league. I feel Potential has a lot to do with developement but the veteran players there to learn from will go that much further with kids who have a ton of potential. The better players you play with and against the better you should get. Logan Cotoure has developed into a star and a lot of that has to do with being around Marleau Thornton and the slew of stars in the org. If we could get any of the young kids from Edmonton I think we could turn them into extremely dangerous players. Even Yaks but I agree he is the last one of the super kids we want but Jagr and Elias could do wonders for that kid and I don't know if anyone could say they wouldn't

I had a feeling Spezza would become available. (frank) if he didn't have back problems. He has filthy mitts and would be a great add. Ek thinks the Kings are in on him though I wonder if the Kings move for Spezza that Lou can get Richards from the kings and they can roll with Stoll as their shutdown/defensive forward.

I had a feeling Spezza would become available. (frank) if he didn't have back problems. He has filthy mitts and would be a great add. Ek thinks the Kings are in on him though I wonder if the Kings move for Spezza that Lou can get Richards from the kings and they can roll with Stoll as their shutdown/defensive forward.
- blizzzard

I would take anyone over lokti at this point

Henrique seems to be doing well on the wing with patty

I would take anyone over lokti at this point

Henrique seems to be doing well on the wing with patty
- shvingter88

Yea I am pretty shocked but it makes you wonder if Adam works well on Patty's wing and Adam is a natural center and Patty and natural wing then why wouldn't we have Adam centering Patty and Bernier. I don't see the point of Adam on the wing when he is with Patty. I went in the isles thread and offered up Larsson+Santini+Matteau + our first in 2015 for JT because everyone knows they won't get their poop together and he will want to leave.

Yea I am pretty shocked but it makes you wonder if Adam works well on Patty's wing and Adam is a natural center and Patty and natural wing then why wouldn't we have Adam centering Patty and Bernier. I don't see the point of Adam on the wing when he is with Patty. I went in the isles thread and offered up Larsson+Santini+Matteau + our first in 2015 for JT because everyone knows they won't get their poop together and he will want to leave.
- blizzzard

Jesus

Been tough times as a Devils fan. Not only are we in the margins(that dreaded 9-13th spot in our conference), we don't have a sunrise on offense either.

Lou's not likely to do much today or tomorrow... fill in roster holes, so to speak... but in the summer, he's going to have to engineer some offensive hope onto this team.

I could see one of our young gun d-men getting moved (Scarlett, Severson, Gelinas, Merrill, or Larsson) for some offensive hope, maybe tomorrow but way more likely in the summer. Who it will be, I just hope I'm not disappointed.

Our special teams are firing on all cylinders, but our 5-on-5 needs help, big time. You know who I'd like? Dustin Byfuglien... he can grind a mean forecheck if he's trained up a bit. Problem is, I'm not sure the Jets are our best trading partner. The Avs would probably be our best trading partner, and that's taking a risk on UFAs.

Jesus
- shvingter88

JT is a (frank)ing animal ( yes he is shut down for the year ) But I would bet even that wouldn't get it done. I am willing to be JT has more league wide Value then Kovy did when we traded for him and more value the Parise has ever had he is signed long term to a 5 something million dollar deal and is one of the top player in the entire league. Plus we get rid of all our soft euro and American prospects and keep our Canadian kids ! it's a win win man

Been tough times as a Devils fan. Not only are we in the margins(that dreaded 9-13th spot in our conference), we don't have a sunrise on offense either.

Lou's not likely to do much today or tomorrow... fill in roster holes, so to speak... but in the summer, he's going to have to engineer some offensive hope onto this team.

I could see one of our young gun d-men getting moved (Scarlett, Severson, Gelinas, Merrill, or Larsson) for some offensive hope, maybe tomorrow but way more likely in the summer. Who it will be, I just hope I'm not disappointed.

Our special teams are firing on all cylinders, but our 5-on-5 needs help, big time. You know who I'd like? Dustin Byfuglien... he can grind a mean forecheck if he's trained up a bit. Problem is, I'm not sure the Jets are our best trading partner. The Avs would probably be our best trading partner, and that's taking a risk on UFAs.
- archromat

I don't think he has the mindset to stay in the shape that would make him a star. Buff is a novelty player to me. He is one of a kind and can be usefull but realistically he is just a second or third liner and a pp specialist on defense.

JT is a (frank)ing animal ( yes he is shut down for the year ) But I would bet even that wouldn't get it done. I am willing to be JT has more league wide Value then Kovy did when we traded for him and more value the Parise has ever had he is signed long term to a 5 something million dollar deal and is one of the top player in the entire league. Plus we get rid of all our soft euro and American prospects and keep our Canadian kids ! it's a win win man
- blizzzard

JT's their marketing plan. You'd have to give a pragmatic reason for them to want to move him, not a hockey reason. Ie, they'd need someone else to sell tickets.

JT is a (frank)ing animal ( yes he is shut down for the year ) But I would bet even that wouldn't get it done. I am willing to be JT has more league wide Value then Kovy did when we traded for him and more value the Parise has ever had he is signed long term to a 5 something million dollar deal and is one of the top player in the entire league. Plus we get rid of all our soft euro and American prospects and keep our Canadian kids ! it's a win win man
- blizzzard

(frank) Canada

JT's their marketing plan. You'd have to give a pragmatic reason for them to want to move him, not a hockey reason. Ie, they'd need someone else to sell tickets.
- archromat

I agree he is unrealistic but if I was Lou I would be saying what just tell me what it will cost there is I would say a 70% chance that he ends up wanting out. He loved playing with real players on team Canada and I think while he is off recovering he will be thinking a lot about his gold medal and not sure much about the team he will be coming back to in the fall. You want to be the team to ask and get in on this before the rangers or pens or any other team finds out they are even thinking about moving him because most teams can out bid us by a large margin especially when it comes to a talent such a JT. If we resign Cory long term and could wheel a trade for anything near JT I think we will have no problem adding the top end players in the f/a who wouldn't want to play for a team with young promising defense a star center and a legit star goalie ? If he ever gets moved it will be to the sharks or something for like Cotoure

Let's face it we're screwed!
No moves will be made, status quo for the rest of the year.
And IMO Marty won't be moved; i think the only other team he'd be willing to go to is Montreal and i don't see a need for Marty over there.

(frank) Canada
- shvingter88

Don't be mad man. Phil Kessel is a hell of a talent. It's a shame he only has one nut or he might be a top 5 player in the league.