you guys are crazy if you think STL is going to trade Shattenkirk for Bocuher+2nd or even him and a 1st...last time I checked the Blues GM is Doug Armstrong, not Peter Chiarelli
- Senor_Elias

Nobody is going to deal with shero anymore

Nobody is going to deal with shero anymore
- K-dizzle

The worst move Shero made was signing Tlusty, which cost little and just didn't work out. Oh, and everyone lost their poop when he drafted Blackwood but now everyone is totally cool with it. Oh, and everyone lost their poop when he drafted Evan Cormier and now everyone can't even remember that because he traded Larsson for Taylor Hall.

Ray's killing it with the Palmeri trade, the 3rd and 2nd for Stempniak trade, the Matteau for DSP trade... and getting Gelinas the hell off our roster, getting a third and replacing him with an equally useless Warsofsky for free!

So yeah, Ray's a dirty (frank)ing thief and maybe some GMs took notice.... but it's free agent time and everyone will forget what a scoundrel he is by the trade deadline!

Nobody is going to deal with shero anymore
- K-dizzle

people would say that every time Lou pulled off a heist. they just keep coming back.

you guys are crazy if you think STL is going to trade Shattenkirk for Bocuher+2nd or even him and a 1st...last time I checked the Blues GM is Doug Armstrong, not Peter Chiarelli
- Senor_Elias

That's why I said we can dream right Still can't believe Chiarelli traded Seguin and now Hall. I like what someone said on a previous board about Chiarelli finally settling the Taylor vs. Tyler debate....neither! Although at least Larsson will be serviceable in Edmonton.

Highway robbery

Will Taylor Hall get his #4?
- Barnaby36

Better not.

That would be a disgrace to unretire a number. He can have #44 if he wants (since we no longer have a prohibition about going above a certain number. Or 40.

But Stevens' number better not come down, or even discussed.

There are certain things you don't do, and unretiring a number without extra-ordinary cirumstances is one of them.

The worst move Shero made was signing Tlusty, which cost little and just didn't work out. Oh, and everyone lost their poop when he drafted Blackwood but now everyone is totally cool with it. Oh, and everyone lost their poop when he drafted Evan Cormier and now everyone can't even remember that because he traded Larsson for Taylor Hall.

Ray's killing it with the Palmeri trade, the 3rd and 2nd for Stempniak trade, the Matteau for DSP trade... and getting Gelinas the hell off our roster, getting a third and replacing him with an equally useless Warsofsky for free!

So yeah, Ray's a dirty (frank)ing thief and maybe some GMs took notice.... but it's free agent time and everyone will forget what a scoundrel he is by the trade deadline!
- Queenie_5_hole

Tlusty did not work out, but it was not a bad deal. He got hurt in camp, tried to play through it, couldn't and finally got surgery. Sometimes stuff happens. And I would not be unhappy if Tlusty got a second shot, just at a reduced rate.

Tlusty did not work out, but it was not a bad deal. He got hurt in camp, tried to play through it, couldn't and finally got surgery. Sometimes stuff happens. And I would not be unhappy if Tlusty got a second shot, just at a reduced rate.
- ChipArm

I agree that it wasn't a bad deal. Shero was just throwing darts at a board and seeing what sticks. Shlemko stuck, Stempniak stuck. A couple of the other ones didn't, but it was basically free. If you sign a bunch of guys to cheap contracts that people don't want, sometimes they actually good players who just need a role change or some extra ice time to really get going.

I agree that it wasn't a bad deal. Shero was just throwing darts at a board and seeing what sticks. Shlemko stuck, Stempniak stuck. A couple of the other ones didn't, but it was basically free. If you sign a bunch of guys to cheap contracts that people don't want, sometimes they actually good players who just need a role change or some extra ice time to really get going.
- Pomegrant

Agree. You understand. So many don't.

Long time listener, first time poster. Ok, that's not true but i've been on an extended hiatus.

My thoughts. I felt so strongly i went back into the archives and dug up my old password.

The Hall acquisition is huge and it's a deal Shero had to make, but I'm not feeling all the anti-Larsson rhetoric i'm seeing on the interwebs. I think Larsson was an absolute rock last season, and the guy was playing nearly every other shift for NJ. I get that he hasn't lived up to offensive billing, but I thought last year he really turned the corner. Our team was top 10 in both goals against and shots against. Larsson played the hardest minutes both against other team's top player and while on the PK. I get that Edmonton may have "lost" the trade, but i'm a bit jaded about the shit that is being rained down on poor Lars head. THe kid doesn't deserve it and he is being crapped on by a bunch of people that would willing admit they've never watched a "boring" Devil's game in their entire lives.

I'll miss Lars and I think he is being way underrated.

A day has passed since we learned of the trade and I'm still as giddy as a schoolgirl

Tlusty did not work out, but it was not a bad deal. He got hurt in camp, tried to play through it, couldn't and finally got surgery. Sometimes stuff happens. And I would not be unhappy if Tlusty got a second shot, just at a reduced rate.
- ChipArm

Yeah, that's why I said Tlusty cost little and just didn't work out. The point was there is so little that hasn't worked out for Ray since getting here. It's nuts. He's been a great GM.

I may be getting ahead of myself, but with the way that Palmieri, Stempniak and then DSP came here and light it up, hell even Farnham had a raise in impact, makes we wonder if the Hynes system will have the same effect on Hall. If it had the same or similar effect on Hall that it did on the aforementioned, it could be un(frank)ing real.
- TRDevil

Can you imagine having a Ovie type scorer

here in NJ?

Last time we had an elite sniper in NJ, he bolted for mother Russia and left us holding our Richards. I just hope Hall doesn't have any family in Moscow.

Considering the youth, and more importantly the speed movement in NJ, how does everyone feel about bringing Patty back? I love the man, and have a 26 shrine in my basement, but even his prime he would have been hard pressed to skate with the group Shero is assembling. In his current state, i think he'll be rendered ineffective. As far as the Zacha angle, i'm not sold on keeping Patty around just to be a prospect's wet nurse. Zacha can learn about being a professional from plenty of other vets in the room.

Considering the youth, and more importantly the speed movement in NJ, how does everyone feel about bringing Patty back? I love the man, and have a 26 shrine in my basement, but even his prime he would have been hard pressed to skate with the group Shero is assembling. In his current state, i think he'll be rendered ineffective. As far as the Zacha angle, i'm not sold on keeping Patty around just to be a prospect's wet nurse. Zacha can learn about being a professional from plenty of other vets in the room.
- WayneZ

We are still rebuilding, Hall wont change that. If Patty wants to play, he earned to get what he wants. We clearly have the cap space. Bring him back if he doesn't take the spot of a good youth though. No one ever plays on one team in any sport anymore, let him end it as a Devil for sure.

We are still rebuilding, Hall wont change that. If Patty wants to play, he earned to get what he wants. We clearly have the cap space. Bring him back if he doesn't take the spot of a good youth though. No one ever plays on one team in any sport anymore, let him end it as a Devil for sure.
- Leniwm1

I think it will be an interesting season. If Cammy doesn't go down... If Rico doesn't go down.... If Schneids doesn't go down...... All what ifs, and all part of the game, but we were right in the mix for the post season far longer than expected. Add in Hall. Add in a healthy Bennet. Get a bit more balance scoring across 4 lines, and who knows what happens. I have no delusions of cup glory, but i think we'll be in the post season conversation right down to the bitter end.

In regards to Elias, i don't think the Lamoriello mentality of giving devil legends one more year out of loyalty sake, will fly with Shero. If Elias can contribute then fine, but if it is just because he is Patty Elias, than i would rather not have his final year be a brutal reminder of the inevitability of old age.

Long time listener, first time poster. Ok, that's not true but i've been on an extended hiatus.

My thoughts. I felt so strongly i went back into the archives and dug up my old password.

The Hall acquisition is huge and it's a deal Shero had to make, but I'm not feeling all the anti-Larsson rhetoric i'm seeing on the interwebs. I think Larsson was an absolute rock last season, and the guy was playing nearly every other shift for NJ. I get that he hasn't lived up to offensive billing, but I thought last year he really turned the corner. Our team was top 10 in both goals against and shots against. Larsson played the hardest minutes both against other team's top player and while on the PK. I get that Edmonton may have "lost" the trade, but i'm a bit jaded about the shit that is being rained down on poor Lars head. THe kid doesn't deserve it and he is being crapped on by a bunch of people that would willing admit they've never watched a "boring" Devil's game in their entire lives.

I'll miss Lars and I think he is being way underrated.
- WayneZ

Hey buddy I remember you. Hope all is well. I totally agree, I was looking at Gulitti's twitter and someone tweeted, that it sounds like he thought NJ made a bad deal, and he said no. They asked that because he was praising Larsson as all Devils fans would. After watching such a nice kid work so hard and be seriously underrated because our team is inconceivably bad but somehow wasn't Edmonton, Toronto, Buffalo, or Arizona bad, because of players like Larsson, Greene and Schneider. For him to be destroyed by everyone is frankly offensive. He had the most defensive zone starts against the best players and was a +15. The kid is a lot more than meets the eye. I am more than ecstatic about the trade but I feel like we fed the kid to the wolves the way so many bozos went on and on about it.

I think it will be an interesting season. If Cammy doesn't go down... If Rico doesn't go down.... If Schneids doesn't go down...... All what ifs, and all part of the game, but we were right in the mix for the post season far longer than expected. Add in Hall. Add in a healthy Bennet. Get a bit more balance scoring across 4 lines, and who knows what happens. I have no delusions of cup glory, but i think we'll be in the post season conversation right down to the bitter end.

In regards to Elias, i don't think the Lamoriello mentality of giving devil legends one more year out of loyalty sake, will fly with Shero. If Elias can contribute then fine, but if it is just because he is Patty Elias, than i would rather not have his final year be a brutal reminder of the inevitability of old age.
- WayneZ

If you are talking playoffs, Elias is and always has been clutch... If playoffs are not an option, then bring him along for the ride? Give him more PP time than even strength. I'm sure there is ton of stuff to consider, but i would hate to see him pull a Marty then realize, nah, I can't play.

But for sure, i think we will have a very solid top 6. Elias on third with Zacha and DSP? That could work. The fact that we are carrying 3 player's salary that are not even playing means Shero isn't expecting much this year, not to say that the team wont succeed, and if so, then great, but if I were GM I would totally give Elias what he wants.

Hey buddy I remember you. Hope all is well. I totally agree, I was looking at Gulitti's twitter and someone tweeted, that it sounds like he thought NJ made a bad deal, and he said no. They asked that because he was praising Larsson as all Devils fans would. After watching such a nice kid work so hard and be seriously underrated because our team is inconceivably bad but somehow wasn't Edmonton, Toronto, Buffalo, or Arizona bad, because of players like Larsson, Greene and Schneider. For him to be destroyed by everyone is frankly offensive. He had the most defensive zone starts against the best players and was a +15. The kid is a lot more than meets the eye. I am more than ecstatic about the trade but I feel like we fed the kid to the wolves the way so many bozos went on and on about it.
- TRDevil

They can trash the Devils all they want, but our defensive system was better than 20 of the 30 teams in the NHL and that feat was accomplishe, in a large part, thanks to Larsson. We continue to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL. If Larsson was a Redwing he would be talked about as the next coming of Lidstrom.

If you are talking playoffs, Elias is and always has been clutch... If playoffs are not an option, then bring him along for the ride? Give him more PP time than even strength. I'm sure there is ton of stuff to consider, but i would hate to see him pull a Marty then realize, nah, I can't play.

But for sure, i think we will have a very solid top 6. Elias on third with Zacha and DSP? That could work. The fact that we are carrying 3 player's salary that are not even playing means Shero isn't expecting much this year, not to say that the team wont succeed, and if so, then great, but if I were GM I would totally give Elias what he wants.
- Leniwm1

Elias sees the ice and moves the puck around so well, I keep thinking a PP unit with Elias and a few snipers with a great quick shot like Hall, Cammalleri, Boucher, etc. could be dangerous. Zacha is a great puck mover also.

Elias sees the ice and moves the puck around so well, I keep thinking a PP unit with Elias and a few snipers with a great quick shot like Hall, Cammalleri, Boucher, etc. could be dangerous. Zacha is a great puck mover also.
- TRDevil

It's not his eyes I am worried about, it's the knee which seems to be held together with tissue and spit

It's not his eyes I am worried about, it's the knee which seems to be held together with tissue and spit
- Crushers68

hahah, thats true Czech medicine at work.

hahah, thats true Czech medicine at work.
- Leniwm1

I think it is hard for us to let go as fans, but MB30 is a prime example of a guy that held on just a touch too long. Every move has made has been to make us faster. He's done a great job thus far. Patty is anti-speed. Good hands, great hockey sense, and the ability to finish are all great assets but not if he is 15 steps behind every play. It's not just about him, but how his lack of speed will impact the players on his line. It's time for a changing of the guard and Patty needs to ride off into NJ history as one of our greatest ever. The past can't help us anymore. Time to embrace the future. Just my $0.02.

I think it is hard for us to let go as fans, but MB30 is a prime example of a guy that held on just a touch too long. Every move has made has been to make us faster. He's done a great job thus far. Patty is anti-speed. Good hands, great hockey sense, and the ability to finish are all great assets but not if he isn't 15 steps behind every play. It's not just about him, but how his lack of speed will impact the players on his line. It's time for a changing of the guard and Patty needs to ride off into NJ history as one of our greatest ever. The past can't help us anymore. Time to embrace the future. Just my $0.02.
- WayneZ

Maybe it will be easier for me to let go remembering he almost signed with Rangers in 2006...

They can trash the Devils all they want, but our defensive system was better than 20 of the 30 teams in the NHL and that feat was accomplishe, in a large part, thanks to Larsson. We continue to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL. If Larsson was a Redwing he would be talked about as the next coming of Lidstrom.
- WayneZ

We can stop praising Larsson now. We found a sucker to take him. Without Andy Greene he will have a great view of the oilers new arena from the press box. Now if we can just find a boob to take josefson?

We can stop praising Larsson now. We found a sucker to take him. Without Andy Greene he will have a great view of the oilers new arena from the press box. Now if we can just find a boob to take josefson?
- devfan30

Nah I stand by my word. He was a solid dman and still has a ton of potential. 2 on 1 with Larsson back and you're confident it's not going in.