Roger Mussa: Butler the new New Jersey Devil

alright Sens fans, tell us all the gloom and doom about Butler. And then tell us if you think he'll have success with Elias, Kovalchuk, Henrique, Zajac. .. in comparison to who he was playing with in Ottawa.
hope he pans out

I'd rather have a Kostitsyn over Sykora. At least he can skate and not play defense.

No, Butler is NOT Parise's replacement!

Just in case anyone was going to ask...

I'd rather have a Kostitsyn over Sykora. At least he can skate and not play defense.
- Pomegrant

The more time that passes, the more I wouldn't mind kostitsyn.

I'd rather have a Kostitsyn over Sykora. At least he can skate and not play defense.
- Pomegrant

agreed. I do think we can afford both... if we can get Sykora under 1MM

He played really well with Spezza near the end of the season 10-11.. He was also the AHL allstar game MVP and calder cup champion..

Last season he struggled and new coach Paul MacLean never seemed to trust him with legitimate minutes.

We all knew he performed well with Jason Spezza but in our system he had to earn his minutes, which he wasn't with not so solid defense.

The more time that passes, the more I wouldn't mind kostitsyn.
- rmdevil313

but does he have more upside than Tedenby? will he be better than Tedenby? The only advantage is he's 6'0, 195lbs.. Teddy is 5'10, 175. Tedenby was drafted about 175 spots earlier than Kostitsyn lol.

With that said, I wouldn't mind signing him anyway. Let the best player play.

but does he have more upside than Tedenby? will he be better than Tedenby? The only advantage is he's 6'0, 195lbs.. Teddy is 5'10, 175. Tedenby was drafted about 175 spots earlier than Kostitsyn lol.

With that said, I wouldn't mind signing him anyway. Let the best player play.
- MartysBetter88

Who currently has more NHL experience?

He played really well with Spezza near the end of the season 10-11.. He was also the AHL allstar game MVP and calder cup champion..

Last season he struggled and new coach Paul MacLean never seemed to trust him with legitimate minutes.

We all knew he performed well with Jason Spezza but in our system he had to earn his minutes, which he wasn't with not so solid defense.
- corbechev

so in other words... upside.

Who currently has more NHL experience?
- Pomegrant

right, but I wouldn't give him anything longer than 2 years.. maybe 3. Tedenby could breakout, you never know. Kostitsyn looks like a 3rd line player on paper. He had 50, then 43 points in 77/75 games the last 2 seasons. Not bad, not great. He may or may not be better than Teddy this year. Or the following few years.

We just signed Butler, have Tedenby waiting, and then grinders Janssen, Barch, Carter and Gionta for a spot in the starting 12.

I thought our 4th line was set and we just needed a "kostitsyn" to add depth along with Tedenby for the 3rd line, or a shot at the top 6. Apparently its a better idea to have a plethora of the same player to play lesser roles as 4th liners

Since we signed Butler, I don't think any more moves are coming.

I think we're set as far as 3rd liners go. Butler is our Kostitsyn. .. even though he seems more like a Bernier. I would've rather picked up Sergei, but it is what it is.

Oh, that was sensible. I concede.

Also, having players on two-way contracts gives us more options so if Sykora is being considered to be signed why not go for a player who is not nearly as old or slow.

but does he have more upside than Tedenby? will he be better than Tedenby? The only advantage is he's 6'0, 195lbs.. Teddy is 5'10, 175. Tedenby was drafted about 175 spots earlier than Kostitsyn lol.

With that said, I wouldn't mind signing him anyway. Let the best player play.
- MartysBetter88

Kostitsyn has a 50 point season under his belt. Sign him, and let the best players play. There's bound to be injuries.

Kostitsyn has a 50 point season under his belt. Sign him, and let the best players play. There's bound to be injuries.
- rmdevil313

thats why we signed Barch..

Don't mind it. Low risk high reward.

thats why we signed Barch..
- MartysBetter88

What if Barch gets injured? Did I just blow your mind???

Don't mind it. Low risk... medium reward.
- zach parise9

Fixed! Definitely a good signing, but I just don't see Butler being a real potential 'high reward' pick-up...

What I think it is is a good depth move. BB16 should be a solid top-six plug in case of injury, or a decent 13th guy to plug on to the third line if the team is ever in dire need of the offence

Personally I think Bobby will actually enjoy some success with the Devils. I remember watching one of the first games he was called up from 2 years ago and he was possibly the best player on the ice.

Last year I think perhaps he was a little complacent in his summer training and felt like he'd already earned his spot in the top 6. In the end he was not prepared for the hard-skating, up-tempo Maclean style of play I think the buyout will light a fire under him and he'll be itching to prove that the Sens made a mistake.

I could see him scoring 20 goals for you guys next year, or worst case he's one of the best players on your AHL squad.

Personally I think Bobby will actually enjoy some success with the Devils. I remember watching one of the first games he was called up from 2 years ago and he was possibly the best player on the ice.

Last year I think perhaps he was a little complacent in his summer training and felt like he'd already earned his spot in the top 6. In the end he was not prepared for the hard-skating, up-tempo Maclean style of play I think the buyout will light a fire under him and he'll be itching to prove that the Sens made a mistake.

I could see him scoring 20 goals for you guys next year, or worst case he's one of the best players on your AHL squad.
- martin.stlapipe

How physical would you say he is? Chances are if he makes the team not in the top 6 he would be put out on a line with Josefson and Clarkson.

Personally I think Bobby will actually enjoy some success with the Devils. I remember watching one of the first games he was called up from 2 years ago and he was possibly the best player on the ice.

Last year I think perhaps he was a little complacent in his summer training and felt like he'd already earned his spot in the top 6. In the end he was not prepared for the hard-skating, up-tempo Maclean style of play I think the buyout will light a fire under him and he'll be itching to prove that the Sens made a mistake.

I could see him scoring 20 goals for you guys next year, or worst case he's one of the best players on your AHL squad.
- martin.stlapipe

He wouldn't be the first player to hit that sophomore slump. Hopefully he comes back determined. And if he ends up on our AHL squad, well they are basically the blue jackets of the AHL so we could use the help.

How physical would you say he is? Chances are if he makes the team not in the top 6 he would be put out on a line with Josefson and Clarkson.
- bobert836

Not particularly physical.

Read: Not at all physical.

What if Barch gets injured? Did I just blow your mind???
- bobert836

come on.. thats why we have Janssen.

alright Sens fans, tell us all the gloom and doom about Butler. And then tell us if you think he'll have success with Elias, Kovalchuk, Henrique, Zajac. .. in comparison to who he was playing with in Ottawa.
hope he pans out
- MartysBetter88

I think you made a nice pick-up. The 2-way makes it low risk.

Butler is an average skater and average size who doesn't play physical. But he has a fantastic shot and gets it away quick. He is a potential 20 goal NHL player in my mind. I would see his upside as a second line, second PP guy.

Let's just say he aint Zach Parise.

Let's just say he aint Zach Parise.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

GASP