Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Josefson, Brunner, Schneider & More

It's starting to look like this season will largely rely on how stubborn the coaching staff is about "respecting" veterans.

If Marty plays 60 games, Zid, Volchenkov, and Harrold constantly play over guys like Merrill, Gelinas, and Urbom, I don't think we do well this year.

However if they put the best team out, despite how old guys are, let Schneider get 50 starts or more, let the young guys on D play significant minutes, I like this team this season. Will be very hard to score on and will pop a couple goals as well. A lot of 2-0, 3-1 games I'd think.

It's starting to look like this season will largely rely on how stubborn the coaching staff is about "respecting" veterans.

If Marty plays 60 games, Zid, Volchenkov, and Harrold constantly play over guys like Merrill, Gelinas, and Urbom, I don't think we do well this year.

However if they put the best team out, despite how old guys are, let Schneider get 50 starts or more, let the young guys on D play significant minutes, I like this team this season. Will be very hard to score on and will pop a couple goals as well. A lot of 2-0, 3-1 games I'd think.
- MannySilvers

Agreed. Yet Harrold and Volchenkov looked pretty good yesterday.

It's starting to look like this season will largely rely on how stubborn the coaching staff is about "respecting" veterans.

If Marty plays 60 games, Zid, Volchenkov, and Harrold constantly play over guys like Merrill, Gelinas, and Urbom, I don't think we do well this year.

However if they put the best team out, despite how old guys are, let Schneider get 50 starts or more, let the young guys on D play significant minutes, I like this team this season. Will be very hard to score on and will pop a couple goals as well. A lot of 2-0, 3-1 games I'd think.
- MannySilvers

I agree also. Can anyone who saw the game tell me if Larrson continued his dominance from the first pre season game?

It's starting to look like this season will largely rely on how stubborn the coaching staff is about "respecting" veterans.

If Marty plays 60 games, Zid, Volchenkov, and Harrold constantly play over guys like Merrill, Gelinas, and Urbom, I don't think we do well this year.

However if they put the best team out, despite how old guys are, let Schneider get 50 starts or more, let the young guys on D play significant minutes, I like this team this season. Will be very hard to score on and will pop a couple goals as well. A lot of 2-0, 3-1 games I'd think.
- MannySilvers

Exactly. Couldn't say it any better myself.

Our goaltending is gonna be some stubborn this year. I always liked watching the Devils be defensively stingy.

Elias, Brunner, and JJ... the IQ line. Love it. Put em out with Larsson and Greene and watch the puck possession magic.

I agree also. Can anyone who saw the game tell me if Larrson continued his dominance from the first pre season game?
- blizzzard

Didn't watch it with my up most attention but him and Urbom seemed to continue there strong play together. They move the puck together very well and are solid in there own zone.

I agree also. Can anyone who saw the game tell me if Larrson continued his dominance from the first pre season game?
- blizzzard

He was responsible, but yesterday the spotlight was on the forwards and Schneider.

It's starting to look like this season will largely rely on how stubborn the coaching staff is about "respecting" veterans.

If Marty plays 60 games, Zid, Volchenkov, and Harrold constantly play over guys like Merrill, Gelinas, and Urbom, I don't think we do well this year.

However if they put the best team out, despite how old guys are, let Schneider get 50 starts or more, let the young guys on D play significant minutes, I like this team this season. Will be very hard to score on and will pop a couple goals as well. A lot of 2-0, 3-1 games I'd think.
- MannySilvers

Well I can understand the Devils send Merrill to the AHL. I mean how many times do we see the pendulum of play with young defensemen. I've seen with Del Zotto for four years now. Week to week he is a different player. Samething with Tylers Myers, he hasn't been the Same player since his rookie year. Guys Like OEL, Adam Larsson and Mcdonagh are the exception to the rule.

Well I can understand the Devils send Merrill to the AHL. I mean how many times do we see the pendulum of play with young defensemen. I've seen with Del Zotto for four years now. Week to week he is a different player. Samething with Tylers Myers, he hasn't been the Same player since his rookie year. Guys Like OEL, Adam Larsson and Mcdonagh are the exception to the rule.
- blacksheep1

I wouldn't be surprised if Merrill gets sent down, just because there already isn't enough room for all our young guys and Gelinas and Urbom have already played a couple years in Albany.

Gelinas seems like he is ready for the bigs. Merrill might benefit from a stay in Albany just from a personal standpoint as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if Merrill gets sent down, just because there already isn't enough room for all our young guys and Gelinas and Urbom have already played a couple years in Albany.
- MannySilvers

Merrill is gonna be good, just needs some seasoning.

We are most likely a team many consider to be fighting for a bottom seed playoff spot. I think it is important to get the best goalie in more so we have a better chance of making it. Schneider is the better goalie at this point there is no damn question about it. Give him 50 starts.

We are most likely a team many consider to be fighting for a bottom seed playoff spot. I think it is important to get the best goalie in more so we have a better chance of making it. Schneider is the better goalie at this point there is no damn question about it. Give him 50 starts.
- Rseen

50 might be a bit much. He was given the #1 job over a former Vezina winner last year and really struggled. Don't wanna repeat that. The Devils will likely sink or swim with one of the top-3 goalies of all time, and I'd see Schneider getting around 35 starts (assuming he and Brodeur stay healthy).

Brunner would be a great pickup for the Devils as long as they don't over pay for him. The Wings wouldn't sign him initially because he got greedy and was looking for like 4 million per season and he simply has not proven he's worth that kind of money in his early NHL career. I'd say he's worth signing for about 2.5 - 3 million per season at most. Holland should have worked harder and tried to keep him.... instead he goes and signs Cleary which is a waste of money and roster spot (which is going to take away ice time from one of our talented rookies).

Brunner has great speed, sees the ice well and is creative offensively. If paired with other top 6 forwards he is a valuable asset. He is also still fairly young and won't cost the devils any assets like a trade would. Time will tell if he can produce offense consistently and keep a spot on the top two lines.

I'm assuming he got invited to training camp with the Devils ?? Somebody will sign him fairly soon I'm sure.

Good to see Jo getting some points and even better to see him not look lost on the wing.

I agree also. Can anyone who saw the game tell me if Larrson continued his dominance from the first pre season game?
- blizzzard

I went to the game last night. Here's my takeaways:

- Its hard to believe the Islanders outshot the Devils. Except for the beginning of the second period and the natural tenseness of power play situations, I don't ever remember feeling like the Islanders were that much of a threat. Couldn't keep a prolonged attack. Schneider clearly played well, but he wasn't all that tested either. Gotta love 5 shutout periods to start his career as a Devil though.

- Larsson looked very poised on the PP. There were a few instances where I felt he could have been more aggressive in getting to the puck, but far less so than in the last season and a half. Even if he's not the guy the Devils need him to be yet, he's definitely making strides in the right direction.

- Elias-Josefsen-Brunner line is fast. Skating and puck movement. Coming into this season, you didn't think the Devils had a chance of outskating anyone, but this line looks really solid right now. And obviously it ended up on the stats sheet as well.

- I didn't notice Fayne was playing until late in the 3rd period. Not sure if that's good or bad. Merrill and Urbom were more noticeable. Volchenkov had two situations where is clearly missed what was lined up to be a big hit. Nothing bad ensued.

- Zajac-Ryder-Zubrus... not sure about this combo. Ryder is trying hard and more zip than the other two. Obviously the theory is that they'll open up ice for him to score, but this line was largely ineffectual. Nothing to a fault, but didn't bring much to the table either.

- Way more Devils fans showed up than I imagined. The bars in the area prior to the game were 100% Islanders, but in the arena was about 75/25. I would love to be in walking distance to a hockey arena, even if its for the Islanders. Few more years to go...

I went to the game last night. Here's my takeaways:

- Its hard to believe the Islanders outshot the Devils. Except for the beginning of the second period and the natural tenseness of power play situations, I don't ever remember feeling like the Islanders were that much of a threat. Couldn't keep a prolonged attack. Schneider clearly played well, but he wasn't all that tested either. Gotta love 5 shutout periods to start his career as a Devil though.

- Larsson looked very poised on the PP. There were a few instances where I felt he could have been more aggressive in getting to the puck, but far less so than in the last season and a half. Even if he's not the guy the Devils need him to be yet, he's definitely making strides in the right direction.

- Elias-Josefsen-Brunner line is fast. Skating and puck movement. Coming into this season, you didn't think the Devils had a chance of outskating anyone, but this line looks really solid right now. And obviously it ended up on the stats sheet as well.

- I didn't notice Fayne was playing until late in the 3rd period. Not sure if that's good or bad. Merrill and Urbom were more noticeable. Volchenkov had two situations where is clearly missed what was lined up to be a big hit. Nothing bad ensued.

- Zajac-Ryder-Zubrus... not sure about this combo. Ryder is trying hard and more zip than the other two. Obviously the theory is that they'll open up ice for him to score, but this line was largely ineffectual. Nothing to a fault, but didn't bring much to the table either.

- Way more Devils fans showed up than I imagined. The bars in the area prior to the game were 100% Islanders, but in the arena was about 75/25. I would love to be in walking distance to a hockey arena, even if its for the Islanders. Few more years to go...
- ElvisLemieux

How was the concourse? Some fans say it was just as crowded as the coli.

Also Larsson-Urbom seems to be a common pairing these days. Wonder if there's some legitimate chemistry developing there.

Also Larsson-Urbom seems to be a common pairing these days. Wonder if there's some legitimate chemistry developing there.
- MannySilvers

They certainly are moving the puck very well together.

Gelinas seems like he is ready for the bigs. Merrill might benefit from a stay in Albany just from a personal standpoint as well.
- BarryB1124

I think Merrill looks ready, just tough to find a spot for him right now.

50 might be a bit much. He was given the #1 job over a former Vezina winner last year and really struggled. Don't wanna repeat that. The Devils will likely sink or swim with one of the top-3 goalies of all time, and I'd see Schneider getting around 35 starts (assuming he and Brodeur stay healthy).
- jmatchett383

In what way did Schneider struggle last year?

I think Merrill looks ready, just tough to find a spot for him right now.
- rmdevil313

I think he's physically ready just wondering if all the off ice stuff is behind him.

50 might be a bit much. He was given the #1 job over a former Vezina winner last year and really struggled. Don't wanna repeat that. The Devils will likely sink or swim with one of the top-3 goalies of all time, and I'd see Schneider getting around 35 starts (assuming he and Brodeur stay healthy).
- jmatchett383

Really? I didn't know having a .927 save % is struggling. Not trying to be a Richard but your completely wrong.

FORWARDS

Clowe -Zajac- Ryder
Elias -Henrique- Brunner
Zubrus -Loktionov- Jagr
Carter/Barch -Josefson- Bernier

Bench: Olesz, Carter/Barch
Waiver casualties: Gionta, Tedenby

DEFENSE

Greene - Larsson
Salvador - Zidlicky
Gelinas - Fayne

Bench: Volchenkov, Harrold
To the AHL: Urbom, Merrill