Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Would You Bring Marek Zidlicky Back?

Zidlicky should not be resigned.

Does he create offense? Some, but he is not reminding anyone of Paul Coffey, Scott Neidermeyer, or Bobby Orr, and with his defensive deficiencies, and penchant for taking stupid penalties, he needs to in order to offset those flaws.

If Adam Larsson can't replace what Zidlicky has done on the ice, then he was a bust at the fourth pick in the draft. IF Gelinas can't replace Zidlicky, then he has been overhyped. If Andy Greene can't replace his production, given that freedom, I would be stunned. If Jon Merrill can't do it, well, he too, has been overhyped.

They only thing none of them can do, is be buddies with Patrick Elias. I think Zid's asking price is a little high for that contribution.

I think what happens with Zid depends on what gets done with Tallinder and Volchenkov if one or both of them get moved,bought out then he should be able to stay in a limited offensive role at pay cut and only a year or two deal. I really think we should have one of the three of Gelinas, Urbom , or even Merril get full time duty next year so they are that much further along after that when some of the real changes might start happening. I also think if we can trade Moose for anything to a team looking for an expirenced back up for their young starter. MAybe Toronto if they move scrivens or Edmonton to back up Duby just so one of the young goalies gets a good taste of the nhl

Zidlicky should not be resigned.

Does he create offense? Some, but he is not reminding anyone of Paul Coffey, Scott Neidermeyer, or Bobby Orr, and with his defensive deficiencies, and penchant for taking stupid penalties, he needs to in order to offset those flaws.

If Adam Larsson can't replace what Zidlicky has done on the ice, then he was a bust at the fourth pick in the draft. IF Gelinas can't replace Zidlicky, then he has been overhyped. If Andy Greene can't replace his production, given that freedom, I would be stunned. If Jon Merrill can't do it, well, he too, has been overhyped.

They only thing none of them can do, is be buddies with Patrick Elias. I think Zid's asking price is a little high for that contribution.
- ChipArm

I'd take Zidlicky over Tallinder or Volchenkov, but at this point one or two of them need to go and Zidlicky is the only one without a contract.

I agree, though. Zidlicky didn't put up huge numbers so Larsson or another defenseman should be able to at least equal them if given the same ice to work with.

Volchenkov < Tallinder < Harrold < Zidlicky < Salvador < Fayne

Nothing against Mark Fayne (game 1 miss still irks me) but there shouldn't be five defenseman on our roster behind him. I'll honestly be disappointed if less than two of those bottom 4 are gone next year.

Buy Out Volchenkov...Resign Zidlicky

Did Matteau burn a year off his ELC by playing 17 games?

Did Matteau burn a year off his ELC by playing 17 games?
- poisondhearts37

I believe he did

Did Matteau burn a year off his ELC by playing 17 games?
- poisondhearts37

Yes.

Yes.
- Todd.Cordell

Do you think the Devils would have interest in Bernier for either one of Matteau or Merrill?

Do you think the Devils would have interest in Bernier for either one of Matteau or Merrill?
- poisondhearts37

I would do Matteau but then that defeats the purpose of us taking him instead of forfeiting the pick but also we have high hopes of Wedgie though he will be a few years out I would think we would look for a short term fix once marty retires just as a stop gap.

I would let him walk and make room for either Gelinas, Larsson, or Urbom. I think what he (Zidlicky) brings is easier to replace than what a Volchenkov or Tallinder brings - at least in regards to the Devils' prospect pool. I mean...

others are ahead of him on the depth chart
Kolvalchuk was the righty on the PP
I never saw him on the PK

He would essentially be getting sheltered minutes with the thought that he might be able to move the puck.

I would do Matteau but then that defeats the purpose of us taking him instead of forfeiting the pick but also we have high hopes of Wedgie though he will be a few years out I would think we would look for a short term fix once marty retires just as a stop gap.
- blizzzard

Is Wedgie's upside even that high though. High hopes are one thing. Bernier showed us this year hes got it when given more games. He could lighten the load off Marty a little bit and learn a ton from playing behind him for a year. Maybe two.

In the name of all good Devil fans I beg Lou to send this ass clown packing! He is ALWAYS out of position in his own end and just above average in the offensive zone, just don't ask him to hold the blue line.
He is an old anchor around the neck of a weak defense. Retool around strength and youth.
Buy out Volchenkov and Fallinder. Let this clown walk and attempt to get something that resembles a useful year from Captain Quiet.
Kovy deserves that C and should rip it from Captain Pilon's chest.

Is Wedgie's upside even that high though. High hopes are one thing. Bernier showed us this year hes got it when given more games. He could lighten the load off Marty a little bit and learn a ton from playing behind him for a year. Maybe two.
- poisondhearts37

Huddle was very high on him and said he would be a good NHL goalie but he also said he doesn't have a good track record with goalies but he called him Scott Money Wedgewood lol I think one of the three of him Clermount or Kinkaid one of them can become a good NHL goalie not elite but good. Don't get me wrong I am not against Bernier just I don't really wanna give anything up for him

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Would You Bring Marek Zidlicky Back?
- Todd.Cordell

Absolutely not

In the name of all good Devil fans I beg Lou to send this ass clown packing! He is ALWAYS out of position in his own end and just above average in the offensive zone, just don't ask him to hold the blue line.
He is an old anchor around the neck of a weak defense. Retool around strength and youth.
Buy out Volchenkov and Fallinder. Let this clown walk and attempt to get something that resembles a useful year from Captain Quiet.
Kovy deserves that C and should rip it from Captain Pilon's chest.
- DevsgotcupS

Agree with everything here.
Nice to see not all Devils fans are homers.

I hesitate to say the Cup run was a fluke, but when you try to replace Parise with Poni, Sullivan, D'Agostini, Loktionov, etc...well, you get what you deserve.

This team has a plethora of 4th line FWs and about two too many borderline NHL defensemen.

Time for Lou to cut the fat, the old slow fat pigs with no drive, no hunger left.

Get young, or get used to golfing.

And to answer the question of the Blog, 'No'!

Let Martin, Rafalski type defensemen walk, but shed a tear if Marek "I take 2 minors a game for a team with one of the worst PPs" Zidlicky is no longer in NJ?

C'mon.

No, I wouldn't bring him back. And I don't think we should expect Larsson to immediately replace his production. Zid pretty much forgot about all defensive responsibilities and was pure offense. The Devils are grooming Larsson to be a 2 way defender and I don't know if they'll ever let him be that offensively oriented. I also don't think he'll take over the top PP duties, should Zid leave. Greene or Harrold are more likely, in my opinion. Or Gelinas/Merrill, if they win a spot out of camp.

Volchenkov < Tallinder < Harrold < Zidlicky < Salvador < Fayne

Nothing against Mark Fayne (game 1 miss still irks me) but there shouldn't be five defenseman on our roster behind him. I'll honestly be disappointed if less than two of those bottom 4 are gone next year.
- MannySilvers

Fayne had a poor season. If he can regain form, he's a steady defender.

Yes I would bring him back. I would trade Tallinder for whatever I can get for him. This would open a spot for a young D man. Need 8 D over 82 games.

Fayne had a poor season. If he can regain form, he's a steady defender.
- rmdevil313

Exactly, he's not bad, but I see him as a third pairing-ish guy, so my point is there shouldn't be 6 defenders on our pro roster below him.

Is Wedgie's upside even that high though. High hopes are one thing. Bernier showed us this year hes got it when given more games. He could lighten the load off Marty a little bit and learn a ton from playing behind him for a year. Maybe two.
- poisondhearts37

He probably doesn't project to be more than an average starter, but he's got a clutch reputation. You don't need an elite goalie to win, so I think going forward, we're fine with trying to groom Wedge or Kinkaid. That said, I'd probably do either of Mattau/Merril for Bernier.

Exactly, he's not bad, but I see him as a third pairing-ish guy, so my point is there shouldn't be 6 defenders on our pro roster below him.
- MannySilvers

I think having too many defenders wasn't beneficial to the players. We were very steady at the start of the year, and then Tallinder started complaining about his ice time, and a number of players started to lose their confidence. Pairings were being switched around a lot and it didn't help that moose was letting anything and everything past him.

I think having too many defenders wasn't beneficial to the players. We were very steady at the start of the year, and then Tallinder started complaining about his ice time, and a number of players started to lose their confidence. Pairings were being switched around a lot and it didn't help that moose was letting anything and everything past him.
- rmdevil313

We could definitely use a fresh face back there