If I knew 100% he would not cause any problems I would have zero issue wth him as back up I just think that it's likely a pretty big if lol
- blizzzard

It's a huge if...but at this point id imagine hes eaten a large helping of Humble pie. If he does come back i think you'll notice a change in attitude from him. And Lou would have to talk with him about it before he signs...at least i would hope.

I just wish that the Devils were harder to play against.

Of course, "harder to play against" can mean several things:
1. Fast and hard to keep up with
2. Tough and they'll beat you up along the glass on the forecheck
3. An strangling defensive system that allows few good shots with a goalie that never has an off night.
4. A team that scores 4 a night so you better outscore them
5. etc ...

Unfortunately, at this point at least, the Devils aren't clearly any of the above. They have a few fast guys and a couple of tough guys, but their overall team or style isn't fast or tough. The defense is a work in progress and the offense has a spurt or two each period and that's it.

This team needs to figure out how it wants to play and needs to be harder to play against for some significant reason. The opposition needs to dread playing the Devils - the points will come as a result.

I just wish that the Devils were harder to play against.

Of course, "harder to play against" can mean several things:
1. Fast and hard to keep up with
2. Tough and they'll beat you up along the glass on the forecheck
3. An strangling defensive system that allows few good shots with a goalie that never has an off night.
4. A team that scores 4 a night so you better outscore them
5. etc ...

Unfortunately, at this point at least, the Devils aren't clearly any of the above. They have a few fast guys and a couple of tough guys, but their overall team or style isn't fast or tough. The defense is a work in progress and the offense has a spurt or two each period and that's it.

This team needs to figure out how it wants to play and needs to be harder to play against for some significant reason. The opposition needs to dread playing the Devils - the points will come as a result.
- zackdog

The identity is Grit

The identity is Grit
- Senor_Elias

This team's identity is "mediocre" currently. Win some, lose slightly more.

Schneider is overworked, the defense shows promise and has the potential to be truly great in a few years, however, the offense is an out-and-out mess. Outside of the Cammalleri and Henrique, its a luke warm squad.

Elias, Zajac and Jagr are good (for varying reasons), but the rest are more or less wholly unexciting either for performance, their price tag, their inconsistency, or flat out failure to do what is expected of them. That's 12 guys.

Grit alone isn't enough just like hustle alone isn't enough. A team full of players with third-line skill isn't enough.

Maybe it's the line combos. Maybe put three fast guys (Cammalleri and Havlat centered by Henrique) together and combine Elias/Zajac/Jagr. Then have another fast line of Ruutu/Josefson/Gionta and a 4th line of Zubrus/Ryder/Bernier. If you don't have a team with great team speed, at least have "localized" line speed.

Maybe it's the system. Own the slot, especially on the power play. Have the off winger cruise into the slot (instead of staying in the outer half of the circle) and either outman the defenders or have the D-man collapse down leaving a opening for Gelinas/Severson to shoot. Their PP seems to be defensed in a rather standard fashion - force the other guys to make the mistakes.

In the old days, Arnott's line beat you with speed/skill while McKay's line beat you up. Don't dilute the skill, focus it.

Another off topic idea I had.

But looking at next years upcoming free agents I can see us getting Drew Stafford and Chris Stewart and I would be more than happy

Another off topic idea I had.

But looking at next years upcoming free agents I can see us getting Drew Stafford and Chris Stewart and I would be more than happy
- WaddupBoosh

I don't think that the only thing the other gms look at when considering a player is how he does on his current team. Their teams aren't the same and he could become more valuable used differently then we do or with a different set of players then we have.
- blizzzard

Its not the only thing they look at but teams acquire players to fill a specific role. No one is going to look to brunner for anymore than he's proven, which is an ok 3rd line scoring option. And maybe a team does feel he's underutilized but that doesn't give him more value. They see us willing to scratch him consistently so he must be unimportant to the team, they have all the leverage.

It almost seems every deadline the pens are willing to trade for almost anyone who has ever scored a goal to play on sids wing or Genos. If a team is going to trade for Stafford I don't think they are looking at him because of his play on his current team but what he could be on their team. Now they might try to get them for dirt cheap but they all over pay when they get desperate.
- blizzzard

Lee Stempniak was traded for a 3rd rounder, so that's about the most I see Brunner getting. You're right that teams might get desperate, but that won't happen until the deadline. What do you do until then?

no i don't think so
- MartysBetter88

No one wants to even send a counter offer in this damn league

Another off topic idea I had.

But looking at next years upcoming free agents I can see us getting Drew Stafford and Chris Stewart and I would be more than happy
- WaddupBoosh

Pass

Look at Nashville they put a bunch of misfit pieces together and it seems to work....

Lee Stempniak was traded for a 3rd rounder, so that's about the most I see Brunner getting. You're right that teams might get desperate, but that won't happen until the deadline. What do you do until then?
- rmdevil313

I would rather have a 3rd/4th round extra pick than a guy who probably won't be resigned. Same goes for Ryder, Havlat, Zid, Sal if you can get anything for them, it's building for the future, that's the only way they can help us at this point in their careers.

Look at Nashville they put a bunch of misfit pieces together and it seems to work....
- Bowkes

Most of them are young and they stole Forsberg. I can't believe we couldn;t of trade Zubrus and some other worthless piece for him, unbelievable.

Demers/Dillon traded. Lou make some trades!

Look at Nashville they put a bunch of misfit pieces together and it seems to work....
- Bowkes

Volchenkov with 11 hits last night

The reality was always there, but it's only now that so many are willing to accept it. This team thrives on mediocrity. Juuuuust enough to let some die hards believe they'll be better "this year". Juuuust not good enough. Into they want to do an overhaul of this team, most of us will pretend we're not that disappointed and that"next year" the boys will be better....

The reality was always there, but it's only now that so many are willing to accept it. This team thrives on mediocrity. Juuuuust enough to let some die hards believe they'll be better "this year". Juuuust not good enough. Into they want to do an overhaul of this team, most of us will pretend we're not that disappointed and that"next year" the boys will be better....
- jackzack87

Probably one of the best up and coming D cores in the league with the young guys already making an impact and a great goalie already in place the only thing that needs to be reconstructed its the offense. Adding Cammilari has proven to be a very good investment and I can't complain about Havlat's play when he has played. With Henrique, Zajac, Cammy here long term we only need a couple more pieces of equal or greater talent then those three and it won't take long to turn this around. Matteau and Boucher look like NHL players whether it be second or third line but NHL players non the less and Quennville looking like a great pick, a top ten pick in this years draft could really speed up the process so long as it's a forward. I'm not worried about this team. I just want what needs to happen to come sooner then it will lol.

The reality was always there, but it's only now that so many are willing to accept it. This team thrives on mediocrity. Juuuuust enough to let some die hards believe they'll be better "this year". Juuuust not good enough. Into they want to do an overhaul of this team, most of us will pretend we're not that disappointed and that"next year" the boys will be better....
- jackzack87

trollpocalypse

Probably one of the best up and coming D cores in the league with the young guys already making an impact and a great goalie already in place the only thing that needs to be reconstructed its the offense. Adding Cammilari has proven to be a very good investment and I can't complain about Havlat's play when he has played. With Henrique, Zajac, Cammy here long term we only need a couple more pieces of equal or greater talent then those three and it won't take long to turn this around. Matteau and Boucher look like NHL players whether it be second or third line but NHL players non the less and Quennville looking like a great pick, a top ten pick in this years draft could really speed up the process so long as it's a forward. I'm not worried about this team. I just want what needs to happen to come sooner then it will lol.
- blizzzard

Insert previous years, insert couple new names, insert a couple prospects, use a could buzzwords like "investment, making an impact, young talent" and you've just said the same thinglast year, the year before, and is a great mantra for 2016, 17,....

No one wants to even send a counter offer in this damn league
- shvingter88

the ideas I'm trying to convey, is that your proposal was so low that it wasn't worth countering. I'm not looking to trade them, hence no counter, so if you really want them you'll have to give much more.

Insert previous years, insert couple new names, insert a couple prospects, use a could buzzwords like "investment, making an impact, young talent" and you've just said the same thinglast year, the year before, and is a great mantra for 2016, 17,....
- jackzack87

Yea and we are only getting further and further away right ? not getting closer?

tonight is the perfect time for a game. i can get ripped then go to bed after.

tonight is the perfect time for a game. i can get ripped then go to bed after.
- MrToast

Oilers - 3
Devils - 2

Some scrub like Matt Hendricks will get a goal.

Oilers - 3
Devils - 2

Some scrub like Matt Hendricks will get a goal.
- FLdevilsFAN

You don't think Fayne will have the hatrick ?