Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Free Agency, House Keeping & Other Notes

Fist again

Fist again
- Oilers4Life14

Congrats *passes medal*

Congrats *passes medal*
- Todd.Cordell

Thx man

Todd, good summary and I had the same understanding as you did when I read Lou's comments in the newspaper blogs.

I agree on Harrold. He is the perfect 7th D man. Veteran right handed shot who has some speed and O who was paid the minimum last yr.

I would also add that there was quotes from Zubrus and IMO, he is going to resign.

Also, Lou wants to resign Zidlicky.

Please show Poni the door Lou! Please!!!!

Todd, good summary and I had the same understanding as you did when I read Lou's comments in the newspaper blogs.

I agree on Harrold. He is the perfect 7th D man. Veteran right handed shot who has some speed and O who was paid the minimum last yr.

I would also add that there was quotes from Zubrus and IMO, he is going to resign.

Also, Lou wants to resign Zidlicky.
- ChuckNJ

Thanks a lot.

Please show Poni the door Lou! Please!!!!
- Kaymondel

If the option is Poni or Matteau for 2013-2014, I sign Poni and plan on playing Matteau in Albany.

I see Poni's contract being $1.5 million at most. Matteau, I believe is ~ $1 million. Not much difference. Also, for Matteau development, I would like him to spend a yr in the AHL.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Free Agency, House Keeping & Other Notes
- Todd.Cordell

As much as I'd like for matteau to play I think poni is the best option

Let matteau play in the ahl

Congrats *passes medal*
- Todd.Cordell

passes medal to me, the essay master.. or fool that wastes his time writing long comments that nobody cares to read.

Nice to see Lou telling the fans something for a change. I wonder where the Devils ranks with fan relations. Glad they're letting Dags and Sullivan go. This is at least a step in the right direction. Hopefully Zubrus will be around 3 and Elias around 5. It would be nice to save a combined 1-2 mil cap hit on their new deals. .. which will probably go into Clarkson's 25mil/6 year deal. .. which is 4.16; relatively better than the worst... +5mil.

At least Lou is doing something by letting these 2 go. Now we'll see what happens with buyouts and our UFAs and RFAs. We have plenty of both.

This offseason is huge for us. I know every offseason is, but a lot about this team will hopefully be changed from last year. 1-2 current D out, 1-2 new/rookie D in. 2+ starting wingers out, 2+rookie/UFA wingers in. .. and possibly a 9th overall Shinkaruk!

With this 9th overall pick, our young talent improves immensely. We lost our 2nd rounder tho, correct? Or do we have Washington's from the Arnott trade? lets just say Shinkaruk for now.. it'll probably be a forward at least.

Boucher, Shinkaruk, Matteau, Merrill, Gelinas, Urbom, Larsson, Loktionov, Henrique, goalies.

so in a few years, we have potentially 4 starting D, 2 starting C, 3 starting wingers. We have youth. We have prime players in Kovy, Zajac, Greene, maybe Clarkson, the 3rd line.. and we have vets in Elias, Zubrus and goalies. things are looking up. just need to sign that 1 top 6 UFA winger.

If the option is Poni or Matteau for 2013-2014, I sign Poni and plan on playing Matteau in Albany.

I see Poni's contract being $1.5 million at most. Matteau, I believe is ~ $1 million. Not much difference. Also, for Matteau development, I would like him to spend a yr in the AHL.
- ChuckNJ

There just has to be a better option than Poni. Bernier getting third line mins would be great (even though CBGB is so solid) and finding another 4th liner who can play.

There just has to be a better option than Poni. Bernier getting third line mins would be great (even though CBGB is so solid) and finding another 4th liner who can play.
- Kaymondel

there are tons of better options than Poni. They're names are.. Horton, Filppula, Stalberg, Ryder, Iginla, Clowe, MacArthur, Fedotenko, ... brandon yip, trade.

but in all seriousness, Poni is good for the 3rd line. I agree that a full season in the minors will be good for Matteau. He be good to go in 2014 for that 3rd line spot.

There just has to be a better option than Poni. Bernier getting third line mins would be great (even though CBGB is so solid) and finding another 4th liner who can play.
- Kaymondel

That is a good point. Maybe someone like Nystrom from Dallas or Gordon from Phoenix or LaPierre from Canucks for 4th line?

My fear is that Barch finds his way onto the 4th line.

If the option is Poni or Matteau for 2013-2014, I sign Poni and plan on playing Matteau in Albany.

I see Poni's contract being $1.5 million at most. Matteau, I believe is ~ $1 million. Not much difference. Also, for Matteau development, I would like him to spend a yr in the AHL.
- ChuckNJ

enough already with this play another year at Albany crap. mattaeu,boucher,merrill and the 9th pick, should ALL be on the devils roster THIS YEAR!! the devils must lead the league in having guys get seasoning in the AHL. let Clarkson walk to Toronto and be a 3rd line player for the leafs, poni doesn't warrant any contract, zubrus comes back only at a huge discount. time to start letting the young guys learn at the NHL level, its not like Albany has been sending NHL ready players to new jersey anyway.

there are tons of better options than Poni. They're names are.. Horton, Filppula, Stalberg, Ryder, Iginla, Clowe, MacArthur, Fedotenko, ... brandon yip, trade.

but in all seriousness, Poni is good for the 3rd line. I agree that a full season in the minors will be good for Matteau. He be good to go in 2014 for that 3rd line spot.
- MartysBetter88

Well, yes obviously there are. I was just looking at someone for the third line where Poni would most likely be slotted (if he winds up on our second line we're doomed)

That is a good point. Maybe someone like Nystrom from Dallas or Gordon from Phoenix or LaPierre from Canucks for 4th line?

My fear is that Barch finds his way onto the 4th line.
- ChuckNJ

NO MORE SCRUBS. did you watch this team this year? Did you see our lack of punch? Our lack of goal scoring? and you want to move Bernier permanently to the 3rd line and BRING IN ANOTHER 4TH LINER?

couldn't disagree more.

enough already with this play another year at Albany crap. mattaeu,boucher,merrill and the 9th pick, should ALL be on the devils roster THIS YEAR!! the devils must lead the league in having guys get seasoning in the AHL. let Clarkson walk to Toronto and be a 3rd line player for the leafs, poni doesn't warrant any contract, zubrus comes back only at a huge discount. time to start letting the young guys learn at the NHL level, its not like Albany has been sending NHL ready players to new jersey anyway.
- devfan30

Albany has so been sending players to new jersey- they did with Parise, Zajac, Greene, Clarkson, Henrique, Josefson.. and soon Urbom and Gelinas. That's what Albany is there to do, help kids grow and transition into the NHL without being a liability on an NHL roster. Matteau clearly wasn't ready last year... and we kept him in NJ for an extended period. I doubt he's ready this year. Merrill hasn't had a year in minors either. almost every player that's not a top pick spends at least a year, usually 2, in the minors.

Lou's lost it if he brings Harrold back...unless he unloads like 3 defensemen what the (frank) is the point? He is not reliable by any means. Makes a few nice plays in the Offensive zone but consistently gets beat just about everywhere.

NO MORE SCRUBS. did you watch this team this year? Did you see our lack of punch? Our lack of goal scoring? and you want to move Bernier permanently to the 3rd line and BRING IN ANOTHER 4TH LINER?

couldn't disagree more.
- MartysBetter88

Bernier is much more than a 4th liner.... and if theres a spot on the 4th line yes bring in a 4th liner. Don't stunt a young player's development by sticking them there

enough already with this play another year at Albany crap. mattaeu,boucher,merrill and the 9th pick, should ALL be on the devils roster THIS YEAR!! the devils must lead the league in having guys get seasoning in the AHL. let Clarkson walk to Toronto and be a 3rd line player for the leafs, poni doesn't warrant any contract, zubrus comes back only at a huge discount. time to start letting the young guys learn at the NHL level, its not like Albany has been sending NHL ready players to new jersey anyway.
- devfan30

Matteau & Boucher have not play in Albany at all. Matteau is 19 yrs and Boucher is going to be 20 in the Fall.

Henrique played a full year in Albany and he said it was a huge help in his development.

The Devils held a spot open for Tedenby in the top 6 at the beginning of this past year and it was a big mistake.

NO MORE SCRUBS. did you watch this team this year? Did you see our lack of punch? Our lack of goal scoring? and you want to move Bernier permanently to the 3rd line and BRING IN ANOTHER 4TH LINER?

couldn't disagree more.
- MartysBetter88

There are salary cap and cash budget considerations. Who knows how much Vanderbeek has allowed Lou to spend.

You mentioned Stalberg in one of your posts, he scored 9 goals this year vs. Bernier's 8. He was also scratched in the playoffs.

Other candidate you mentioned is Horton. He is going to get more $ than Clarkson. Plus he has a concussion history.

There are salary cap and cash budget considerations. Who knows how much Vanderbeek has allowed Lou to spend.

You mentioned Stalberg in one of your posts, he scored 9 goals this year vs. Bernier's 8. He was also scratched in the playoffs.

Other candidate you mentioned is Horton. He is going to get more $ than Clarkson. Plus he has a concussion history.
- ChuckNJ

I'm aware. We'll have the money for Horton, especially if Clarkson isn't resigned. Remember, Clarkson is a 3rd liner that will get paid top 6. Horton is an actual top 6 winger. I'm aware of Stalberg, but also remember how much crazy depth Chicago has. Chemistry is also another factor, as is health. Stalberg's stock went down in my eyes after seeing him scratched, but he's still a good player. I'd rather keep our strong 4th line intact and add more power and talent to the team up front.

Bernier is much more than a 4th liner.... and if theres a spot on the 4th line yes bring in a 4th liner. Don't stunt a young player's development by sticking them there
- Kaymondel

is he? because he as highly successful in that role, that line as a whole was a big reason of our postseason success last year. Having 3 good players on it is a strength. Not all teams have that, and you see the better teams in the playoffs advance partly because of their depth. Look at the 4 teams left. They're probably the 4 deepest teams in the league. Check out their 4th lines! I'm sure most of those 4th liners could be used on the 3rd line. That's a luxury to have when injuries come up, but it's an advantage to have a solid 4th line like that. If you're referring to Bernier with his development, he's been given extended looks over the years, both in and out of NJ, on the top 6. He was drafted mid 1st round and had his shot. He's just not a top 6 winger and is past his 'development' years. I love our 4th line.

on another note, we may be losing an assistant coach.. and it's probably Barr because he's been a head coach before. There goes another solid piece to our success. Shaw has sucked. Stevens is mediocre. Barr was good for our PK.. and now he's gone. DeBoer can't do it all.

is he? because he as highly successful in that role, that line as a whole was a big reason of our postseason success last year. Having 3 good players on it is a strength. Not all teams have that, and you see the better teams in the playoffs advance partly because of their depth. Look at the 4 teams left. They're probably the 4 deepest teams in the league. Check out their 4th lines! I'm sure most of those 4th liners could be used on the 3rd line. That's a luxury to have when injuries come up, but it's an advantage to have a solid 4th line like that. If you're referring to Bernier with his development, he's been given extended looks over the years, both in and out of NJ, on the top 6. He was drafted mid 1st round and had his shot. He's just not a top 6 winger and is past his 'development' years. I love our 4th line.

on another note, we may be losing an assistant coach.. and it's probably Barr because he's been a head coach before. There goes another solid piece to our success. Shaw has sucked. Stevens is mediocre. Barr was good for our PK.. and now he's gone. DeBoer can't do it all.
- MartysBetter88

The development thing was more so referring to how teddy was handled, giving him no minutes and expecting him to blossom.

Our PK was middle of the pack this past season.

I have to ask, why are you so hung up on Horton? He has scored 30 goals a grand total of once in his entire career.

I'm aware. We'll have the money for Horton, especially if Clarkson isn't resigned. Remember, Clarkson is a 3rd liner that will get paid top 6. Horton is an actual top 6 winger. I'm aware of Stalberg, but also remember how much crazy depth Chicago has. Chemistry is also another factor, as is health. Stalberg's stock went down in my eyes after seeing him scratched, but he's still a good player. I'd rather keep our strong 4th line intact and add more power and talent to the team up front.
- MartysBetter88

As it stands right now, this UFA group is weak. I like Horton but he is going to be expensive.

Bernier to 3rd line is only an option with the 3rd line being his ceiling. It is not ideal. I rather do that than overpay on a multi year to a UFA that hurts the cap for years to come.