Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: What About Valeri Nichushkin?

If NJ has a chance to get him they must. Problem is, the have no assets worth a #1 overall pick, so since everyone seems to think this kid is suddenly going to go #1 they have no shot. By #9 he'll most likely be gone anyhow.

#5 overall is as far as I can see him dropping. No chance he slides out of top 5. NJ would have to give to get & snag Carolina's pick. Just don't see it happening. A lot of NJ's prospects are exactly that...prospects. Value is minimal. Just as it is for 99% of their NHL lineup.

They'll be stuck at #9 and take BAP.

Would they have interest in the 9th overall pick, a young forward like Jacob Josefson or Stefan Matteau, and a solid defense prospect like Eric Gelinas?

The problem is these players are worthless.

Would love to add him. Has size,speed, and im not sure but seems to like to drive the net. Something we desperately lack, but like you stated i don't know if it will be worth it. I'm not worried about him being Russian as having a Russian superstar in kovy to mentor him would be great. Outside of Henrique and Larsson (who are untouchables imo) are young players are all very questionable and who knows how they are valued outside the organization. Especially since i feel Lou has been over hyping guys now for awhile sadly.

The problem is these players are worthless.
- FLdevilsFAN

9 is where you will likely see a cluster of good D go so maybe Carolina would like our 9th and likely Merril and a forward prospect who will turn into a solid two way depth guy they are set on offense with the 2 staals, semin and skinner. This way they get a top D prospect from us who is a bit further along and a top D prospect from this years draft and we really don't lose a roster player

We should look to send a defensmen and our pick to Edmonton to maybe move up a few spots. They need D help and would only drop back two spots. They could use some depth and may be willing to.

We should look to send a defensmen and our pick to Edmonton to maybe move up a few spots. They need D help and would only drop back two spots. They could use some depth and may be willing to.
- NickA

They say they Need NHL D help but they are loaded with D prospects so they want another top ten pick F because they have no prospects that are F lol I doubt they do it and they think Klefbom is going to be a 1-2 guy

send adam Larsson to the oilers for the 7th pick. then take Monahan and shinkuruk. problem solved.

send adam Larsson to the oilers for the 7th pick. then take Monahan and shinkuruk. problem solved.
- devfan30

what we do on defense then with 6 guys that are 100

If NJ has a chance to get him they must. Problem is, the have no assets worth a #1 overall pick, so since everyone seems to think this kid is suddenly going to go #1 they have no shot. By #9 he'll most likely be gone anyhow.

#5 overall is as far as I can see him dropping. No chance he slides out of top 5. NJ would have to give to get & snag Carolina's pick. Just don't see it happening. A lot of NJ's prospects are exactly that...prospects. Value is minimal. Just as it is for 99% of their NHL lineup.

They'll be stuck at #9 and take BAP.
- FLdevilsFAN

Who thinks Nichuskin is going #1?

what we do on defense then with 6 guys that are 100
- blizzzard

Anyway... I quoted this a few blogs ago:

I would trade Hen or JJ to get into top 5 with the #9, but I wouldn't trade JJ for a late first. JJ IS a late 1st and four years down the road. Barkov and Nichushkin are probably going to be pretty good players. Monahan, Harvat, Domi... they're going to be probably pretty good 2nd liners.

So yes, I think Nichushkin and Barkov are the real deal. Just get into the top 5 and you can get a pretty good player. Otherwise, it'd almost be worth it trading down, maybe give Columbus #9 for two of their firsts. Shinkaruk, Harvat, Domi, these guys are all two year projects. You've a better chance scoring an all star drafting two first rounders than a 6-12 first rounder.

send adam Larsson to the oilers for the 7th pick. then take Monahan and shinkuruk. problem solved.
- devfan30

Larson hasn't been playing well for a 7 in this draft

Larson hasn't been playing well for a 7 in this draft
- Danformo

He hasn't ? he is 20 and played 2 seasons in the NHL already. What do you think he does that warrants saying he hasn't been playing well enough for the 7th in this years draft because we had a log jam of D and don't need to rush him so he was scratched a few nights for veteran guys because its easier to scratch a kid then the vets who had been playing like crap. Him and Greene where our two best D and he got the crap end of the stick to guys with bigger contracts, guys who should of been benched or scratched but just received the C. He has been giving no PP time yet and everyone thinks he cant put up points or that he isn't good or is a bust the kid can play and next year fans of other teams will likely see that. But anyways I wouldn't trade anyone to move up 2 spots when 6-10 are all likely the same calibur of player let alone Larsson to move up 2 spots.

He hasn't ? he is 20 and played 2 seasons in the NHL already. What do you think he does that warrants saying he hasn't been playing well enough for the 7th in this years draft because we had a log jam of D and don't need to rush him so he was scratched a few nights for veteran guys because its easier to scratch a kid then the vets who had been playing like crap. Him and Greene where our two best D and he got the crap end of the stick to guys with picking contracts, guys who should of been benched or scratched but just received the C. He has been giving no PP time yet and everyone thinks he cant put up points or that he isn't good or is a bust the kid can play and next year fans of other teams will likely see that. But anyways I wouldn't trade anyone to move up 2 spots when 6-10 are all likely the same calibur of player let alone Larsson to move up 2 spots.
- blizzzard

Yup. I love these boxscore watchers that think Larsson was terrible this year. Every defensman is an all-star by 20, right?

Yup. I love these boxscore watchers that think Larsson was terrible this year. Every defensman is an all-star by 20, right?
- rmdevil313

Yeah, even Bobby Orr wasn't that good. He only had 31 points his second season and 41 points in his first. Seems easily obtainable for all young prospects.

Yup. I love these boxscore watchers that think Larsson was terrible this year. Every defensman is an all-star by 20, right?
- rmdevil313

I think a lot of them think because he has already played 2 years that they forget he is 20 and think he is 22-24 or they just hear someone say something and repeat it as if it where fact. I haven't been to interested in hockey lately I just want the draft to come im sick of all the speculation of what might happen or wont. I am still watching the games its not like im bored of it but when it comes to things involving out team I feel like things usually go more towards they way I want when im not so invested and am just enjoying my life

Yeah, even Bobby Orr wasn't that good. He only had 31 points his second season and 41 points in his first. Seems easily obtainable for all young prospects.
- MrToast

I was expecting a Lidstrom-Stevens-Orr hybrid when he was drafted. He's been a major disappointment.

I think a lot of them think because he has already played 2 years that they forget he is 20 and think he is 22-24 or they just hear someone say something and repeat it as if it where fact. I haven't been to interested in hockey lately I just want the draft to come im sick of all the speculation of what might happen or wont. I am still watching the games its not like im bored of it but when it comes to things involving out team I feel like things usually go more towards they way I want when im not so invested and am just enjoying my life
- blizzzard

Yeah, same with me. I think the conference finals should be exciting, probably the 4 best teams left. But definitely looking forward to the draft and free agency, but knowing the Devils, it will probably be another status quo off season.

Yeah, same with me. I think the conference finals should be exciting, probably the 4 best teams left. But definitely looking forward to the draft and free agency, but knowing the Devils, it will probably be another status quo off season.
- rmdevil313

Exactly and I have finally realized that. Likely why I used to get so worked up about stuff is cause I always wanted something big at least if im not expecting it it wont bug me and if it happens its that much better

Exactly and I have finally realized that. Likely why I used to get so worked up about stuff is cause I always wanted something big at least if im not expecting it it wont bug me and if it happens its that much better
- blizzzard

Free agency is dangerous. The last time we were a big spender it was Brian Rolston I think we might be able to sign a decent winger on a good deal, we'll see if Lou does it, though.

Yup. I love these boxscore watchers that think Larsson was terrible this year. Every defensman is an all-star by 20, right?
- rmdevil313

He doesn't have to be terrible or an all-star. There's an enormous middle ground you're ignoring. Just because Larsson might be great in the future doesn't mean those people are wrong when they say he wasn't great THIS SEASON.

He doesn't have to be terrible or an all-star. There's an enormous middle ground you're ignoring. Just because Larsson might be great in the future doesn't mean those people are wrong when they say he wasn't great THIS SEASON.
- isles10289

Maybe he wasn't great because 99.9% of defensmen aren't great at age 20.

He hasn't ? he is 20 and played 2 seasons in the NHL already. What do you think he does that warrants saying he hasn't been playing well enough for the 7th in this years draft because we had a log jam of D and don't need to rush him so he was scratched a few nights for veteran guys because its easier to scratch a kid then the vets who had been playing like crap. Him and Greene where our two best D and he got the crap end of the stick to guys with bigger contracts, guys who should of been benched or scratched but just received the C. He has been giving no PP time yet and everyone thinks he cant put up points or that he isn't good or is a bust the kid can play and next year fans of other teams will likely see that. But anyways I wouldn't trade anyone to move up 2 spots when 6-10 are all likely the same calibur of player let alone Larsson to move up 2 spots.
- blizzzard

It wasn't larsson + your first it was just larsson

Yup. I love these boxscore watchers that think Larsson was terrible this year. Every defensman is an all-star by 20, right?
- rmdevil313

I'm not a box score watcher lol my roomate is a big devs fans and Larsson has mental lapses often
I like the guy an he's a great prospect
But he hasn't lived up to his draft hype that's all

I'm not a box score watcher lol my roomate is a big devs fans and Larsson has mental lapses often
I like the guy an he's a great prospect
But he hasn't lived up to his draft hype that's all
- Danformo

Is your roomate devfan30? Because that would explain a lot. Larsson was probably our most reliable defender behind Greene this season. But tell me more about these defensive lapses...