Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Thoughts On The Zidlicky Extension And What's To Come

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Thoughts On The Zidlicky Extension And What's To Come
- Todd.Cordell

There's a lot of things I don't understand.

Every team needs offensive defenseman. You need someone to be able to push the puck through the neutral zone to stretch out the defense, thus opening up room for your forwards to break the zone. The caveat is, that these types of players generally aren't great in their own end. If they are, they're up for the Norris. Like Keith, Doughty, and Karlsson.

Minus the huge blueline bomb, I don't thin Sergei Gonchar provides anything that Marek Zidlicky does not. Ottawa just had a HUGE season and Gonchar got rewarded.

Meanwhile, I saw some people says that Mark Fayne was are most consistent defenseman and others say that Andy Greene was essentially leaps and bounds above Zidllicky.

To which, I just feel the need to mention that Mark Fayne can't skate. Can't move the puck. Niether can Salvador or Volchenkov.

Ironically, Zidlicky is the defenseman the Devils always hoped Greene would grow into. Instead Greene is a good skater and more solid in his own end because he had to be to stay around. His offensive skills peaked lower than they should have. And that's not a shot at him, just a fact. He's still a good player.

My point is just that it's very important to provide balance on the blueline.

There's a lot of things I don't understand.

Every team needs offensive defenseman. You need someone to be able to push the puck through the neutral zone to stretch out the defense, thus opening up room for your forwards to break the zone. The caveat is, that these types of players generally aren't great in their own end. If they are, they're up for the Norris. Like Keith, Doughty, and Karlsson.

Minus the huge blueline bomb, I don't thin Sergei Gonchar provides anything that Marek Zidlicky does not. Ottawa just had a HUGE season and Gonchar got rewarded.

Meanwhile, I saw some people says that Mark Fayne was are most consistent defenseman and others say that Andy Greene was essentially leaps and bounds above Zidllicky.

To which, I just feel the need to mention that Mark Fayne can't skate. Can't move the puck. Niether can Salvador or Volchenkov.

Ironically, Zidlicky is the defenseman the Devils always hoped Greene would grow into. Instead Greene is a good skater and more solid in his own end because he had to be to stay around. His offensive skills peaked lower than they should have. And that's not a shot at him, just a fact. He's still a good player.

My point is just that it's very important to provide balance on the blueline.
- njdevils350

I agree. If your most proven offensive defenseman is Andy Greene, you're in trouble.

devils are in trouble, i'm sure lou had to match and maybe the bonus went over any other offer

devils are in trouble, i'm sure lou had to match and maybe the bonus went over any other offer
- kovey27

How are we in trouble ? Fans of Canadian base teams are so damn blind. We had some of the best puck possession numbers in the league and likely would have made the playoffs had Marty and Kovy not gotten injured. I believe our record was like 10-2-1 when they where both in the lineup. So lets look at what has changed since last season #1 if Marty goes down or isn't performing we have Cory Schneider to come in and win games for us instead or 40 year old career back up Hedberg. #2 we added more scoring depth in Ryder and Clowe and perhaps even Olezs surprises so we have fixed the 2 problems that where the death of us last year. So I am really curious as to why or how we are in trouble ?

devils are in trouble, i'm sure lou had to match and maybe the bonus went over any other offer
- kovey27

I doubt it. He isnt the type to match offers. If he's been comfortable for the last year and a half, realizes he only has a few years left (maybe 2), and was impressed by the player movement they made in the beginning of the month it may be more about winning than money.

devils are in trouble, i'm sure lou had to match and maybe the bonus went over any other offer
- kovey27

For Zid you mean? If so, then you're actually completely wrong because he turned down a 2 year $9m deal on July 5th because he was waiting for the Devils to clear some roster space

Great blog Todd! I also don't mind the one year signing and it looks miles better if another D gets moved out. I am curious though I know Fayne has been brought up as likely getting moved but how would you feel about moving Greene he has a very solid contract and can play big minutes he could be pretty appealing to a team in cap trouble looking for a cheaper quality D he would likely fetch the largest return and then hopefully Larsson can jump in and take his minutes. Don't get me wrong I am not suggesting he is the guy who needs to go but if he can fetch us the biggest return and it hopefully doesn't impact our D to much I would be all for it

Great blog Todd! I also don't mind the one year signing and it looks miles better if another D gets moved out. I am curious though I know Fayne has been brought up as likely getting moved but how would you feel about moving Greene he has a very solid contract and can play big minutes he could be pretty appealing to a team in cap trouble looking for a cheaper quality D he would likely fetch the largest return and then hopefully Larsson can jump in and take his minutes. Don't get me wrong I am not suggesting he is the guy who needs to go but if he can fetch us the biggest return and it hopefully doesn't impact our D to much I would be all for it
- blizzzard

Thanks!

Great blog Todd! I also don't mind the one year signing and it looks miles better if another D gets moved out. I am curious though I know Fayne has been brought up as likely getting moved but how would you feel about moving Greene he has a very solid contract and can play big minutes he could be pretty appealing to a team in cap trouble looking for a cheaper quality D he would likely fetch the largest return and then hopefully Larsson can jump in and take his minutes. Don't get me wrong I am not suggesting he is the guy who needs to go but if he can fetch us the biggest return and it hopefully doesn't impact our D to much I would be all for it
- blizzzard

Moving Green would most likely cripple our D. He's our best d-man.

Moving Green would most likely cripple our D. He's our best d-man.
- Kaymondel

He is but Maybe goaltending could make up for it this year and maybe Larsson really finds his step this season but like I said above it was about getting a good return not that I felt he deserved to be moved for something he had done or how he had played. If you can get a 1st for him I would strongly consider it.

Ok so sign Zid we have Larsson, Greene, Volchenkov, Salvador, Fayne and Harrold.

Up and coming are Urbom, Gelinas, Severson and Merrill. (most likely candidates).


Based on that I would say leave Merrill and Severson they are younger and have higher potential than Urbom and Gelinas IMO.

One of Urbom and Gelinas needs to be on the roster. Battle it out at camp and whichever one is better give him a shot.

Can't trade Zid or Larsson or Harrold or Volchenkov and Salvador cause their god awful contracts. Greene or Fayne are the most likely to get the boot. Fayne is more likely to be moved but Greene would give a higher return.

Anybody know what hand Urbom and Gelinas shoot?

I believe Greene has a NTC. He's not going anywhere.

I also think it's worth noting that Urbom was atrocious defensively in the few games he played two years ago. (I believe against TB and Montreal). His positioning and foot movement were awful.

Gelinas, I didnt see the two games he played this year, but he has similar positioning issues in pre-season games two years ago.

Personally, with the veterans they've added, I wouldn't be in such a rush to bring these kids up, force them into minutes against, Nash, Crosby, Malkin, and Giroux and risk ruining a run at the cup for the benefit of their development.

With the wear and tear that Volchenkov, Salvador and Greene have been through I think this so called "problem" may well take care of itself.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Thoughts On The Zidlicky Extension And What's To Come
- Todd.Cordell

I hate him so much

He is but Maybe goaltending could make up for it this year and maybe Larsson really finds his step this season but like I said above it was about getting a good return not that I felt he deserved to be moved for something he had done or how he had played. If you can get a 1st for him I would strongly consider it.
- blizzzard

You should have just stopped there

I believe Greene has a NTC. He's not going anywhere.

I also think it's worth noting that Urbom was atrocious defensively in the few games he played two years ago. (I believe against TB and Montreal). His positioning and foot movement were awful.

Gelinas, I didnt see the two games he played this year, but he has similar positioning issues in pre-season games two years ago.

Personally, with the veterans they've added, I wouldn't be in such a rush to bring these kids up, force them into minutes against, Nash, Crosby, Malkin, and Giroux and risk ruining a run at the cup for the benefit of their development.

With the wear and tear that Volchenkov, Salvador and Greene have been through I think this so called "problem" may well take care of itself.
- njdevils350

Someone almost has to go. We only have a shade over 4M to sign both Henrique and Josefson. Should 4m get the deal done between the 2 I want to say yes but i doubt it.

I believe Greene has a NTC. He's not going anywhere.

I also think it's worth noting that Urbom was atrocious defensively in the few games he played two years ago. (I believe against TB and Montreal). His positioning and foot movement were awful.

Gelinas, I didnt see the two games he played this year, but he has similar positioning issues in pre-season games two years ago.

Personally, with the veterans they've added, I wouldn't be in such a rush to bring these kids up, force them into minutes against, Nash, Crosby, Malkin, and Giroux and risk ruining a run at the cup for the benefit of their development.

With the wear and tear that Volchenkov, Salvador and Greene have been through I think this so called "problem" may well take care of itself.
- njdevils350

Two years ago? Did you watch him this year?

You should have just stopped there
- shvingter88

You don't think Cory will help us ? I think we vastly improve in that area and that it isn't something we need to worry about or the D which hopefully leads to them not over thinking everything and what might happen if they make a small mistake. I think we see our whole defense as a group improve with Marty and Cory sharing the net and I would be completely surprised if we lost 11 in a row this season or even 7-8 games in a row which would of made the difference in us making the play offs last year.

Two years ago? Did you watch him this year?
- shvingter88

He's still stronger on the puck than Peter Harrold. And not for nothing, I think his play got worse when Kovalchuk went down. Sometimes guys with his skill set start to force things when the team struggles to create offense.

And as I've mentioned more than once, the SJ shooting PP was less of a fit for his skills than the "movement/create a shot PP" of a year before. Which, since Lamoriello mentioned it specifically, I would believe they go back to.

Someone almost has to go. We only have a shade over 4M to sign both Henrique and Josefson. Should 4m get the deal done between the 2 I want to say yes but i doubt it.
- K-dizzle

I think it is more then enough but not enough to play with afterwards if a big move becomes available or tweaks need to be made I see no reason what so ever why JJ deserves 1 million and depending on the term 3 might be to much for him Subban is only getting 2.8

Someone almost has to go. We only have a shade over 4M to sign both Henrique and Josefson. Should 4m get the deal done between the 2 I want to say yes but i doubt it.
- K-dizzle

Why do either of them deserve a huge raise? Henrique is coming off a poor season, so it's not exactly a strong negotiating position and Josefson doesnt even appear to have a spot in the lineup as it stands.

You don't think Cory will help us ? I think we vastly improve in that area and that it isn't something we need to worry about or the D which hopefully leads to them not over thinking everything and what might happen if they make a small mistake. I think we see our whole defense as a group improve with Marty and Cory sharing the net and I would be completely surprised if we lost 11 in a row this season or even 7-8 games in a row which would of made the difference in us making the play offs last year.
- blizzzard

It's a horrible mentality to hope that the goaltending can make up for horrible or inexperienced dmen.

He's still stronger on the puck than Peter Harrold. And not for nothing, I think his play got worse when Kovalchuk went down. Sometimes guys with his skill set start to force things when the team struggles to create offense.

And as I've mentioned more than once, the SJ shooting PP was less of a fit for his skills than the "movement/create a shot PP" of a year before. Which, since Lamoriello mentioned it specifically, I would believe they go back to.
- njdevils350

I was talking about your comment on urbom

Two years ago? Did you watch him this year?
- shvingter88

Sorry, thought you were still talking about Zidlicky, ...no I haven't. Can he read plays better, hit people, and move his feet now?

It's a horrible mentality to hope that the goaltending can make up for horrible or inexperienced dmen.
- shvingter88

Not every D who comes into the league looks out of place and we put all this hype in our defensive prospects why not give some of them the chance to surprise us or prove us wrong I mean we are willing to sit here bite the bullet and let Sal play or A-train and a lot of the goals scored on us last season were disgusting and just garbage we get decent goaltending and eliminate 90% of those goals the team will be a confident one instead of one unsure of everything they do and what will happen if they think something out wrong. Last year with Moose playing so many games the smallest mistakes = you shovelling the puck out of the back of the net. I mean Larsson was supposed to go 1st overall dropped to 4 and we still didn't even give him the chance to come in like some of these other kids. I just think it couldn't hurt and it hasn't been working overally well lately the way we have been doing it for years this franchise its self needs to change some of the things they have been doing to rejuvenate it.