Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Brunner, Elias, Defence & More

Stanley Cup here we come!
I see the hex Lou put on Kovy is working. He may be out for a month after colliding with Poni.

Or could this be the reason?!
Ponikarovsky is a Lou Lamoriello sleeper agent programmed to subvert Kovalchuk at every turn in his post-Devils career.

Volchenkov and Harold pairing is horrible. I do not understand what the coaching staff sees in harold. He is an AHL defensemen. Fayne and Urbom should be instead of harold and volchenkov ...

I like these lines. I also think that Henrique is better at Center but if Adam is not moved to winger than Lotki would have sit.

I think each line has a speed forward: Brunner, Henrique, Lokti and Gio, which is needed.

I think either Urbom is sent down or Fayne is traded to get to 23. Not that I want Fayne traded.

I think either Urbom is sent down or Fayne is traded to get to 23. Not that I want Fayne traded.
- ChuckNJ

The defense is no-name but solid, but we already know what Fayne is capable of and Urbom seems like he has some good upside. Losing Fayne wouldn't be a big deal.

That said, I'm excited for this team in the regular season. I think they'll be way more competitive than people are expecting.

I'm excited for that third line. They should be able to capitalize o. Teams with limited depth.

So brodeur will play either Thursday @ pens or Friday vs isles but not both

Volchenkov and Harold pairing is horrible. I do not understand what the coaching staff sees in harold. He is an AHL defensemen. Fayne and Urbom should be instead of harold and volchenkov ...
- NickA

Fayne and Urbom don't have enough speed or agility to be a competent pairing. Especially against a team like Pittsburgh....Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Kunitz and Jokinen would be able to take them wide all night long.....and thats gonna create a ton of new angles and passing lanes.

With Harrold's agility, he may be able cut some of that off.

My guess would be he's paired with Volchenkov bc/ they want to use their biggest defenseman to make up for Harrold's lack of size and physicality. Volchenkov takes up a lot of space when you try to pull the puck back to the middle.

Fayne and Urbom don't have enough speed or agility to be a competent pairing. Especially against a team like Pittsburgh....Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Kunitz and Jokinen would be able to take them wide all night long.....and thats gonna create a ton of new angles and passing lanes.

With Harrold's agility, he may be able cut some of that off.

My guess would be he's paired with Volchenkov bc/ they want to use their biggest defenseman to make up for Harrold's lack of size and physicality. Volchenkov takes up a lot of space when you try to pull the puck back to the middle.
- njdevils350

I wouldn't pair Urbom and Fayne together.

Volchenkov and Harold pairing is horrible. I do not understand what the coaching staff sees in harold. He is an AHL defensemen. Fayne and Urbom should be instead of harold and volchenkov ...
- NickA

It's style of play; Harrold can contribute offensively and move the puck where the other two guys are more stay-at-home, and the queue for stay-at-homers is long on the team.

It's style of play; Harrold can contribute offensively and move the puck where the other two guys are more stay-at-home, and the queue for stay-at-homers is long on the team.
- archromat

Based on preseason play i'd have to say Urbom moves the puck better than Harrold and Volchenkov. I do not think Harold does anything well. He skates better than some guys but thats about it.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Brunner, Elias, Defence & More
- Todd.Cordell

That defense

I wouldn't pair Urbom and Fayne together.
- NickA

I don't think Fayne is a top 4 defenseman. At least with the way it's set up now Harrold and Volchenkov play 10 minutes even strength and the rest of the game is on Greene, Salvador, Larsson, and ....Zidlicky.

So brodeur will play either Thursday @ pens or Friday vs isles but not both
- dmarsden2988

Friday vs Isles is preferable

I don't think Fayne is a top 4 defenseman. At least with the way it's set up now Harrold and Volchenkov play 10 minutes even strength and the rest of the game is on Greene, Salvador, Larsson, and ....Zidlicky.
- njdevils350

I agree but i worry about Sal and Zid playing in the top 4 as well. Much rather Fayne in that position over them. Zid should not be relied upon in the top 4 at all he's so bad defensively. Really hope deboer and stevens know what they are doing.

That lineup is poop

Friday vs Isles is preferable
- mighty13duck

Last year, Brodeur got destroyed by the Isles and destroyed the Penguins (other than the first game).

I think I'd rather Brodeur plays the Penguins. Tavares has Brodeur's number for some reason.

That offense is really dangerous. I like it.

Last year, Brodeur got destroyed by the Isles and destroyed the Penguins (other than the first game).
- archromat

The Islanders always play the Devils well. There's no way around it. An afternoon game against the Isles is as good as a loss.

The Islanders always play the Devils well. There's no way around it. An afternoon game against the Isles is as good as a loss.
- ElvisLemieux

except that one year when zubs scored 4 goals in that afternoon game and like 6 the rest of the year.

nice balanced lines. first time in a long time that happened.

These small goalie pads are making a difference. So many long, low shots finding the net. I don't know why they didn't do this years ago. All these hokey things to increase the offense when this is the one thing that they should have done all along. I think it's going to have an impact. If long, low shots from players with a little time and space find the net you can't collapse as readily unless you have all 5 guys in sync with a big goalie. Guess who that helps?

Last year, Brodeur got destroyed by the Isles and destroyed the Penguins (other than the first game).

I think I'd rather Brodeur plays the Penguins. Tavares has Brodeur's number for some reason.
- archromat

Watching these goalies play with the new pads, I think I'd rather Schneider play all 82.

These small goalie pads are making a difference. So many long, low shots finding the net. I don't know why they didn't do this years ago. All these hokey things to increase the offense when this is the one thing that they should have done all along. I think it's going to have an impact. If long, low shots from players with a little time and space find the net you can't collapse as readily unless you have all 5 guys in sync with a big goalie. Guess who that helps?
- BarryB1124

You are pretty much the worst twitter follow, just saying. All it is, is crap on how great you think the devils are and advance stat garbage. Just bruuuutal