Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Is Daniel Briere a Fit?

Its a fit for Briere. Only a hour commute to the games.

For the right dollar figure, he's a good fit with a lot of teams.

For the right dollar figure, he's a good fit with a lot of teams.
- LeftCoaster

If spoon fed offensive zone starts, I agree.

Not if you call him Daniel. Now, Danny Briere, there's a name that fits!

Not if you call him Daniel. Now, Danny Briere, there's a name that fits!
- BulliesPhan87

I had it set to "Danny" previously but I was worried I'd get hacked on for calling him that. Haha.

I had it set to "Danny" previously but I was worried I'd get hacked on for calling him that. Haha.
- Todd.Cordell

You chose... poorly.

Yes I think we should add Briere. He could be an inexpensive option for our 2nd or 3rd line RW spot. He would also be a great option on the PP and is a clutch playoff player.

I could see the lines being like this with a few holes:

Cammalleri/Top 6 LW-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Briere
Tedenby-Henrique-Zubrus/Top 9 RW
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Greene-Larsson
Salvador-Fayne
Volchenkov-Gelinas/Urbom

We desperately need a player for the top line LW spot. It is possible they could give someone we draft with our first rounder a chance to make the lineup but it might be too much to ask. Shinkaruk could be a long term solution to that position if we draft him. I would love to add Cammalleri from Calgary, think he could help that top line a lot and he is available apparently. Seems like Tedenby has a roster spot and its his to lose. He could play on that top line but I don't know if they would want him and Loktionov together. I would love to aquire Nathan Horton. Up to $5.5 million if he becomes available but I think Boston will do what they can to resign him. On the 3rd line Zubrus could be the RW there if he resigns. Leave CBGB together of course. No spot for Josefson though, not sure what we do with him. Also don't think Clarkson will be back and if its for more than $4 million I don't really care. Not worth it. He is going to get paid.

On defense I've liked Greene with Larsson so I'd put them together as the top pairing. I'm hoping Fayne stay in the line up, he is a good shut-down guy for us. I see one of Tallinder or Volchenkov gone, more likely Henrik. I could definitely see one of Gelinas or Urbom getting a chance next season. Only issue is someone who has a left shot would be playing on the right side.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Is Daniel Briere a Fit?
- Todd.Cordell

Statistically it looks like a good fit: a guy who can provide offense and actually contribute in the shootout! But at the same time Briere just doesn't seem like a typcial Devil signing. A bit of a lazy defensive player who takes a lot of bad penalties and appears selfish at times--not someone Lou is drawn to.

The biggest reason I would endorse this signing is because you know he is going to be motivated (or at least you'd like to think that). If he can produce and the Devils do slip next year, he'd be someone who could net you a nice return via trade since his playoff numbers are very impressive. But the Devils have to be careful taking on too many guys who aren't solid defensively, especially if they intend to give some of the younger D a shot this year.

Anyways, to share a bit on the subject matter, another noteworthy factor in signing Briere is that he's most effective at center. He's played wing for the Flyers from time to time, but he's at his best down the middle. Naturally, this adds to the whole need to hide him from tough defensive shifts.

Anyways, to share a bit on the subject matter, another noteworthy factor in signing Briere is that he's most effective at center. He's played wing for the Flyers from time to time, but he's at his best down the middle. Naturally, this adds to the whole need to hide him from tough defensive shifts.
- BulliesPhan87

He would probably have to be on the wing. We are deep at center.

It's no secret that the Devils are shallow on the wings and have trouble scoring goals.
- Todd.Cordell

Briere is not a very good winger. He struggles at wing but flourishes playing center. For some reason, that's just how it is. Definitely still a good 2nd line center, if healthy. Class act as well.

But no, not who you want on a wing.

He would probably have to be on the wing. We are deep at center.
- Rseen

He produces better numbers at center....while on the wing he sucks

He would probably have to be on the wing. We are deep at center.
- Rseen

It could be a mismatch, then. Still, for the right price it might be worth stashing him on the wing and seeing how things shake out. Injuries happen, and circumstances do change through the season.

Yes, if NJ makes the playoffs. Something about Briere in the postseaon makes him kick it up a notch.

Otherwise, Lou will probably sit on his hands & sign another dozen 3rd-4th liners.

Meh. Maybe just a stopgap while we find a better fit.

Shinkaruk-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Briere
Matteau-Henrique-Tedenby
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Greene-Larsson
Tallinder-Merril
Salvador-Urbom

Clarkson walks but we keep Elias.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Is Daniel Briere a Fit?
- Todd.Cordell

Why go after players that aren't a good fit for the system? The playoff run last year showed that with the right players in place the system can be dominant.

Just look at the Kings playing a similar style for the last two years. It's not a fluke. When executed, the system works.

Briere is not a good fit. Nor is Tedenby. Nor is Micahel Ryder.....

-Defensive liability
-MUCH better Center than a wing based on speed alone. Logically, you want to give him more space... Not even going to discuss his work on the boards....It took more than a year and a half of Tedenby getting demolished before people realized it wasn't going to well...

My point is, why compromise on players because They're big name free agents??

Get the right players.

Barch-Barch-Barch
Barch-Barch-Barch
Barch-Barch-Barch
Barch-Barch-Barch

Barch-Barch
Barch-Barch
Barch-Status quo

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Is Daniel Briere a Fit?
- Todd.Cordell

Nope

Maybe a line of

Elias-Briere-Zubrus would work?

Rest of the lines:

Henrique-Zajac-Kovy
JJ-Lokti-FA (Stalberg??)
CBGB
Teddy 13th forward, Barch 14th forward

Todd I have been reading a lot of your stuff lately, and one thing I notice is repetition of phrases in paragraphs.

For example in this article you use "is a liability defensively" twice fairly close in the article.

Now I am no expert but after years of writing university papers I know it sort of jerks the reader into saying " wait, didn't I just read this line?"

Other then that I enjoy your work, keep it up man.

As long as he stops scavenging. I understand the buyout... they don't wanna cap 7 mill on a 20 goal scorer.

Todd I have been reading a lot of your stuff lately, and one thing I notice is repetition of phrases in paragraphs.

For example in this article you use "is a liability defensively" twice fairly close in the article.

Now I am no expert but after years of writing university papers I know it sort of jerks the reader into saying " wait, didn't I just read this line?"

Other then that I enjoy your work, keep it up man.
- Talkshowhost

He also does the Bobby Mac thing "That said/That being said" a lot like many, many out there. Still way classier and better than most the other writers on the site.

Todd I have been reading a lot of your stuff lately, and one thing I notice is repetition of phrases in paragraphs.

For example in this article you use "is a liability defensively" twice fairly close in the article.

Now I am no expert but after years of writing university papers I know it sort of jerks the reader into saying " wait, didn't I just read this line?"

Other then that I enjoy your work, keep it up man.
- Talkshowhost

Give him a break he's 18

He also does the Bobby Mac thing "That said/That being said" a lot like many, many out there. Still way classier and better than most the other writers on the site.
- archromat

Oh I agree,he really puts in work. Just a personal pet peeve and something I know is often recommended in improving writing skills. Just flows better without repetition.