Really?

Overall, though, I'd agree, but at the same time, the Devils aren't a physical team and I don't see why we should have a physical center when the rest of the team isn't.
- willschulme

I think Crosby's one of the toughest players to knock off the pucks when he's down low. He as a ton of lower body strength, there's a reason he's so good.

yeah but rest of the team is garbage
- MrToast

Faceoffs aren't that important in hockey. Having one or two guys who can win a draw consistently is not a bad idea, especially in odd man situations, but I'm not going out and looking for face-off specialists if I'm Lou.

- You listed Sedin, Crosby, Kesler, Pavelski and O'Reilly as being physically stronger than Elias, which is dumb. They're all within 2 inches and except for Sedin (who's almost 10 pounds lighter) all within 5 lbs of him. Unless you're implying Elias is fatter than those guys, I don't think there's any reasonable way you could say those guys are significantly stronger. And henrique is listed as an inch shorter and only 1 lb heavier than Elias.
- Elias is a better center than Henrique in virtually every way, which is why Deboer moved Henrique to Elias's wing, and not the other way around.
- Zajac is our top center.
- CaptCrankypants

Really... You think Elias a 38 year old finesse scorer like Elias plays more physical than Ryan O'Reilly and Ryan Kesler who can both drop the gloves at any time?


I don't know if I should even bother to respond after that first line. When I say a player plays physical/two-way that isn't entirely dictated by their height/weight.

- You listed Sedin, Crosby, Kesler, Pavelski and O'Reilly as being physically stronger than Elias, which is dumb. They're all within 2 inches and except for Sedin (who's almost 10 pounds lighter) all within 5 lbs of him. Unless you're implying Elias is fatter than those guys, I don't think there's any reasonable way you could say those guys are significantly stronger. And henrique is listed as an inch shorter and only 1 lb heavier than Elias.
- Elias is a better center than Henrique in virtually every way, which is why Deboer moved Henrique to Elias's wing, and not the other way around.
- Zajac is our top center.
- CaptCrankypants

I see what you're saying, but at this point in their respective careers, I'd say Henrique is becoming more valuable as a center. Coming out of the olympic break, he was the best player on the team. He's only going to get better and Elias should be in steady decline.

Elias is a better center than Henrique in virtually every way.
- CaptCrankypants

Except faceoff percentage, skating, checking, and shot blocking.

guys why do you care about toughness so much.

being good at checking doesn't mean anything

i don't understand

Faceoffs aren't that important in hockey. Having one or two guys who can win a draw consistently is not a bad idea, especially in odd man situations, but I'm not going out and looking for face-off specialists if I'm Lou.
- CaptCrankypants

not saying it is. just we have one player who is good at them.

- You listed Sedin, Crosby, Kesler, Pavelski and O'Reilly as being physically stronger than Elias, which is dumb. They're all within 2 inches and except for Sedin (who's almost 10 pounds lighter) all within 5 lbs of him. Unless you're implying Elias is fatter than those guys, I don't think there's any reasonable way you could say those guys are significantly stronger. And henrique is listed as an inch shorter and only 1 lb heavier than Elias.
- Elias is a better center than Henrique in virtually every way, which is why Deboer moved Henrique to Elias's wing, and not the other way around.
- Zajac is our top center.
- CaptCrankypants

Kesler, pavelski and ror are most likely stronger than patty

guys why do you care about toughness so much.

being good at checking doesn't mean anything

i don't understand
- MrToast

Because it works for the kings

Why does it matter how strong Elias is. The guy can play.

guys why do you care about toughness so much.

being good at checking doesn't mean anything

i don't understand
- MrToast

I often look for reasons to argue

Except faceoff percentage, skating, checking, and shot blocking.
- TheJerseyDevil1

At this point, Elias is a better distributor and playmaker then Henrique is, and that's why you see him at center. Elias at center allows Henrique to focus more on the offensive side of his game, and we saw how lethal he can be offensively. Henrique thrived once he was moved on Elias' wing. Also, Elias has said he likes center because he controls the game more, Elias likes to have the puck on his stick.

I'm in favor of playing Henrique at wing for the time being, until Elias either declines or retires, then letting him slide into the second line center position. Right now, this allows Henrique to continually improve his offensive skills as we all know how good he is defensively.

I still think Henrique is better suited as a wing who can also play center. At wing, his offense comes through a lot more. The Devils need that right now....

At this point, Elias is a better distributor and playmaker then Henrique is, and that's why you see him at center. Elias at center allows Henrique to focus more on the offensive side of his game, and we saw how lethal he can be offensively. Henrique thrived once he was moved on Elias' wing. Also, Elias has said he likes center because he controls the game more, Elias likes to have the puck on his stick.

I'm in favor of playing Henrique at wing for the time being, until Elias either declines or retires, then letting him slide into the second line center position. Right now, this allows Henrique to continually improve his offensive skills as we all know how good he is defensively.

I still think Henrique is better suited as a wing who can also play center. At wing, his offense comes through a lot more. The Devils need that right now....
- _Zippy_

well said, now whats the over/under of games before Clowe's brain goes back to mush

Why does it matter how strong Elias is. The guy can play.
- Rseen

Because LA kings

havlat-elias-jagr
cammi-zajac-henrique
clowe-zubrus/josefson-ruutu
4th line

or elias-zajac-jagr
cammi-henrique-havlat

i wouldnt mind seeing cammi with henrique

Because LA kings
- shvingter88

omg la and boston so tuff we need to be liek them

I wish we could kidnap Burmistrov.

omg la and boston so tuff we need to be liek them
- MrToast

youre right, I've always said we need more tedenbys.

omg la and boston so tuff we need to be liek them
- MrToast

The big bad Bruins that were beaten by the Montreal Midgets

youre right, I've always said we need more tedenbys.
- TheJerseyDevil1

chicago is good right? i'm surprised they've won without having four lines of fighters

I hope Camm is half the player a lot of you think he is. And I hope he can stay on the ice. This team already leans heavily on an injury prone Elias.

If Camm can bring the finish that Zajac lacks it should help significantly.

And NJ does need some more toughness. This team has consistently gotten softer on the ice in terms of play the last few seasons. And in DeBoer's system you can't be a lazy wussy. They need to re-establish the physical forecheck.

Of course, having players like Clowe actually on the ice & Volchenkov of 2-3 years ago would've helped but that's not the reality we're starting at.

And say what you want about Boston & LA, but they haven't missed the playoffs the last couple years and have been considered top teams on their respective conferences.

They also managed to find guys who can actually contribute offensively in addition to playing the body.

They're tough to play against. NJ is not. Not physically anyway.

chicago is good right? i'm surprised they've won without having four lines of fighters
- MrToast

I'm just teasing you

I'm just teasing you
- TheJerseyDevil1

And I'm just eating a ham sandwich

chicago is good right? i'm surprised they've won without having four lines of fighters
- MrToast

Their defense brings their toughness. Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson are all a physical presence. More so than any trio of our defensemen.

Shaw, Kruger, Bickell. Even Saad and Smith.

They have more than you'd think for all the speed & finesse they possess.

Their defense brings their toughness. Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson are all a physical presence. More so than any trio of our defensemen.

Shaw, Kruger, Bickell. Even Saad and Smith.

They have more than you'd think for all the speed & finesse they possess.
- FLdevilsFAN

checking wins championships

the age old adage