Todd Cordell: NHL Gameday Preview: Winnipeg Jets @ New Jersey Devils - Game 24

Excellent blog Todd, really enjoy reading almost every day. I watch hockey 24/7 and see parts of every game every day being addicted for my entire life, lol. The thing with Brunner is that he is only suited to play a one way game and that is he would fit nicely on a high powered offence but he is not a good fit with the Devils who want all their players to play both ends. I really wonder about Lou and whether he is losing it. Signing Clowe was a huge risk and now you got his cap problem for years, Brunner will never do it, mishandling of younger players like Larsson. Really the Zajac contract is pretty absurd as well. 8 more years at 5.75 for what Zajac would be a third line center on a good team, maybe second line but not first. Just some of my views. Also I do not think this will be Marty's last year even if it is with another team.

Todd Cordell: NHL Gameday Preview: Winnipeg Jets @ New Jersey Devils - Game 24
- Todd.Cordell

Can we please just trade everyone under 30 this is (frank)ing atrocious. I mean first of all the lines are back to being total poop to tend to the needs of Bunner and Ryder who both are poop. Then we have that top ten pick we gave away for a goalie who isn't getting any help and Marty (frank)ing Brodeur who in all likelyhood won't be around next year is eating all the starts up. Like should we be preparing ourselves to watch another first round pick leave in Schneider? I mean Marty has played as good... Not better then Cory. He has little to no influence on the team miraculously scoring when Marty is in net and somehow forgetting how to play the sport of hockey all together when it's his start. I am sick of this stuck in 2003 mentality of this franchise.

We could use a center, and we could use youth. Mikael Backlund may come at a moderate price.

I'm all for making the team younger. Not sure if he's good on faceoffs but NJ could you an influx of youth, speed, and someone who can win a draw.

Part of his problem in Calgary is that he was asked to play more of a two-way game this season & it hasn't worked out.

Normally he wouldn't even be on my radar given the probability that NJ asks him to do the same, but given Lou's questionable track record of late as a GM, I can no longer rule out anything when it comes to this team.

Excellent blog Todd, really enjoy reading almost every day. I watch hockey 24/7 and see parts of every game every day being addicted for my entire life, lol. The thing with Brunner is that he is only suited to play a one way game and that is he would fit nicely on a high powered offence but he is not a good fit with the Devils who want all their players to play both ends. I really wonder about Lou and whether he is losing it. Signing Clowe was a huge risk and now you got his cap problem for years, Brunner will never do it, mishandling of younger players like Larsson. Really the Zajac contract is pretty absurd as well. 8 more years at 5.75 for what Zajac would be a third line center on a good team, maybe second line but not first. Just some of my views. Also I do not think this will be Marty's last year even if it is with another team.
- flyerdude17

I think every Devils fan would agree with each point. However, with Clowe, he could retire and it wouldn't be against the cap so that really doesn't or wouldn't affect us much. With Zajac, he's our best centerman no he's not a first line center, but with Zubrus and Jagr playing with him they are producing. Not every team has that number 1 guy.

Those lines still a very winnable game though, lets do thissssss!

We could use a center, and we could use youth. Mikael Backlund may come at a moderate price.

I'm all for making the team younger. Not sure if he's good on faceoffs but NJ could you an influx of youth, speed, and someone who can win a draw.

Part of his problem in Calgary is that he was asked to play more of a two-way game this season & it hasn't worked out.

Normally he wouldn't even be on my radar given the probability that NJ asks him to do the same, but given Lou's questionable track record of late as a GM, I can no longer rule out anything when it comes to this team.
- FLdevilsFAN

He is on the look for 2 more Bryce Salvadors. He certainly isn't looking for a player that is young to make up for his goof up in picking Matteau.

Can we please just trade everyone under 30 this is (frank)ing atrocious. I mean first of all the lines are back to being total poop to tend to the needs of Bunner and Ryder who both are poop. Then we have that top ten pick we gave away for a goalie who isn't getting any help and Marty (frank)ing Brodeur who in all likelyhood won't be around next year is eating all the starts up. Like should we be preparing ourselves to watch another first round pick leave in Schneider? I mean Marty has played as good... Not better then Cory. He has little to no influence on the team miraculously scoring when Marty is in net and somehow forgetting how to play the sport of hockey all together when it's his start. I am sick of this stuck in 2003 mentality of this franchise.
- blizzzard

Yes. I've been saying this for a while.

Why stay with a franchise that has had no stability behind the bench (not just head coaches but assistants as well), no 1st this year, horrible FW depth in the system, horrible system overall, perpetually near the bottom of the league in scoring, two best players are over 40, etc etc.

Not to mention he gets the shaft every time he gets in net. They kid has a sub 2.00 GAA yet he has...what?...2 wins?

This could set the franchise back even further, all because no one wants to admit it's time to rebuild. Instead of bringing him here, surrounding him with youth & talent and saying "we're going to make you the cornerstone of our franchise" they've surrounded him with old, slow, apathetic players who are shooting blanks. Outside of a handful of decent defensive prospects, one of which already had a concussion, the organization is not very appealing to someone looking to win. Harsh, and I'm sure I'll probably get flamed for it, but this is the reality of the NJ Devils franchise in my opinion. But, that's all it is, my opinion.

Can we please just trade everyone under 30 this is (frank)ing atrocious. I mean first of all the lines are back to being total poop to tend to the needs of Bunner and Ryder who both are poop. Then we have that top ten pick we gave away for a goalie who isn't getting any help and Marty (frank)ing Brodeur who in all likelyhood won't be around next year is eating all the starts up. Like should we be preparing ourselves to watch another first round pick leave in Schneider? I mean Marty has played as good... Not better then Cory. He has little to no influence on the team miraculously scoring when Marty is in net and somehow forgetting how to play the sport of hockey all together when it's his start. I am sick of this stuck in 2003 mentality of this franchise.
- blizzzard

Brunner for Erat? 1 more year at 4.5, Caps would have to eat some of that cap. Get another Czech.

Can we please just trade everyone under 30 this is (frank)ing atrocious. I mean first of all the lines are back to being total poop to tend to the needs of Bunner and Ryder who both are poop. Then we have that top ten pick we gave away for a goalie who isn't getting any help and Marty (frank)ing Brodeur who in all likelyhood won't be around next year is eating all the starts up. Like should we be preparing ourselves to watch another first round pick leave in Schneider? I mean Marty has played as good... Not better then Cory. He has little to no influence on the team miraculously scoring when Marty is in net and somehow forgetting how to play the sport of hockey all together when it's his start. I am sick of this stuck in 2003 mentality of this franchise.
- blizzzard

Good points, too many players clouding the direction of this team. I like what Buffalo just did bringing in Lafontaine and they are going to develop the young players and not throw them to the wolves and ruin them for good. You have to give young players a good chance to succeed and not expect them to do it on their own. Connolly would suit the Devils game, Backlund would not as he would be joining Clowe within weeks.

We could use a center, and we could use youth. Mikael Backlund may come at a moderate price.

I'm all for making the team younger. Not sure if he's good on faceoffs but NJ could you an influx of youth, speed, and someone who can win a draw.

Part of his problem in Calgary is that he was asked to play more of a two-way game this season & it hasn't worked out.

Normally he wouldn't even be on my radar given the probability that NJ asks him to do the same, but given Lou's questionable track record of late as a GM, I can no longer rule out anything when it comes to this team.
- FLdevilsFAN

I like Mathias and would like Fleshman from Florida and even Campbell. Backlund wouldn't be a bad option, but for what? I would say Lokti.

Brunner for Erat? 1 more year at 4.5, Caps would have to eat some of that cap. Get another Czech.
- Devils9503

Hopefully that will be discussed, Brunner's style would fit better in Washington and Erat would be a big upgrade. I think this is doable for both teams, call Lou.

Brunner for Erat? 1 more year at 4.5, Caps would have to eat some of that cap. Get another Czech.
- Devils9503

Caps already said they wouldn't eat any of the cap on him. Plus, the guy is horrible and saying he has questionable attitude and work ethic is being nice.

No thanks.

And I know realistically Backlund probably wouldn't come here. I made that suggestion more in jest in light of Lou's recent stretch of senility.

Brunner for Erat? 1 more year at 4.5, Caps would have to eat some of that cap. Get another Czech.
- Devils9503

Please, no. He can't take a poop without getting injured. Also, I don't want this team getting older without a 1st rounder too offset it.

Yes. I've been saying this for a while.

Why stay with a franchise that has had no stability behind the bench (not just head coaches but assistants as well), no 1st this year, horrible FW depth in the system, horrible system overall, perpetually near the bottom of the league in scoring, two best players are over 40, etc etc.

Not to mention he gets the shaft every time he gets in net. They kid has a sub 2.00 GAA yet he has...what?...2 wins?

This could set the franchise back even further, all because no one wants to admit it's time to rebuild.
- FLdevilsFAN

Im tired of everything adding up this team is a total bunch of misfits. There is next to no identity on it and we aren't really building to make one. Like Elias and Jagr are not going to be around for 5 more years and we still haven't replaced Kovy or Parise let alone worrying about replacing Elias and Jagr now to. No first round pick this year. Pete makes the worst line combo's he has one line that his going and that is all because he is worrying way to much about Brunner and Ryder we could have at least 2 maybe 3 good lines going if he wasn't bending over to try and make two guys work who may never.I could maybe handle all of this poop if the lines weren't constantly Richarded around with to fit the needs of poop guys. There have been trades so far this season. It isn't illegal maybe someone should send this memo to Lou if Brunner and Ryder aren't working and they haven't and it's already the quarter mark of the season then he needs to be trading them for guys who will work. I haven't seen him "try" to improve this clube yet sign free agency and that was a huge failure. Why is he just sitting there when most games we struggle to score 1 goal. How does that not come across as alarming. Or the fact that they have misused core pieces of this franchises future for most of this season and the previous 2 season. This whole thing is a complete poop show. Since the new owners took over the only thing that has changed is the marketing of the damn team and the web page layout it's insane.

doomed

Im tired of everything adding up this team is a total bunch of misfits. There is next to no identity on it and we aren't really building to make one. Like Elias and Jagr are not going to be around for 5 more years and we still haven't replaced Kovy or Parise let alone worrying about replacing Elias and Jagr now to. No first round pick this year. Pete makes the worst line combo's he has one line that his going and that is all because he is worrying way to much about Brunner and Ryder we could have at least 2 maybe 3 good lines going if he wasn't bending over to try and make two guys work who may never.I could maybe handle all of this poop if the lines weren't constantly Richarded around with to fit the needs of poop guys. There have been trades so far this season. It isn't illegal maybe someone should send this memo to Lou if Brunner and Ryder aren't working and they haven't and it's already the quarter mark of the season then he needs to be trading them for guys who will work. I haven't seen him "try" to improve this clube yet sign free agency and that was a huge failure. Why is he just sitting there when most games we struggle to score 1 goal. How does that not come across as alarming. Or the fact that they have misused core pieces of this franchises future for most of this season and the previous 2 season. This whole thing is a complete poop show. Since the new owners took over the only thing that has changed is the marketing of the damn team and the web page layout it's insane.
- blizzzard

Jagr no. Elias maybe, he's 38 in April, so never know.

Your all going a little way over the top.

doomed
- shvingter88

Dropped 1 of 3 games on the West Coast road trip and the doom squad comes out strong as ever.

Good points, too many players clouding the direction of this team. I like what Buffalo just did bringing in Lafontaine and they are going to develop the young players and not throw them to the wolves and ruin them for good. You have to give young players a good chance to succeed and not expect them to do it on their own. Connolly would suit the Devils game, Backlund would not as he would be joining Clowe within weeks.
- flyerdude17

Problem is Lou loves his guys to much. Ownership needs to bring in a Burke type to give an input to Lou as he is dragging us down. Connolly would be fantastic but Tampa is loaded with young talent everywhere the only guy they would want for him and I am sure most of their fans wouldn't even think he is enough would be Greene. I personally wouldn't mind moving Greene ( he is our best defense man yes ) but he is 31 this team will be doing a retool at the very least there is no getting around that what so ever and he has a very reasonable cap hit. I would be all for moving Greene because he would bring the best return and he play defense which is just about the only position we seem to draft. It just makes to much sense for Lou though. We will be 5 points out come trade deadline day and he will trade our 2nd round pick this year for a depth defensive acquisition like Hal (frank)ing Gill because that is what Lou does. Let's not be Calgary for 6 years thinking we are that one piece away when in reality we are 4-5 good pieces away.

Jagr no. Elias maybe, he's 38 in April, so never know.
- Devils9503

If Jagr keeps playing like he has been I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him come back for another year.

Dropped 1 of 3 games on the West Coast road trip and the doom squad comes out strong as ever.
- TheJerseyDevil1

It's not that it's literally everything. I am glad we did so damn well on that dreadful trip but can we at least be honest with ourselves? We are going to fight the entire season just to grab the last play off spot in our division. We are not a lock by any stretch of the imagination and despite winning on a more regular basis we still struggle to score 1 damn goal a game. You get into the play offs anything can happen that's all fine and dandy but if we just miss out ? and don't make any moves for the future we are in a bigger hole then we would of been. Something has to be done to fix some of the many holes that have been created in the last 3 years cause we just finally tried to replace some of them this off season and that worked out rather poorly.

Lots of doom on this board for a team that just stole 4 of 6 points against some of the best teams in NHL. Whether the Devils got outplayed or not, the have a good thing going right now and hopefully they can role that mentality against the mediocre teams this week.

And for the Cory doomsday scenario people out there, Kinkaid is 7-2 with a 1.97 and a .921. Just saying. It might not be as bad as it appears.

That said, Brunner/Ryder/Lokti are detritus. I'm for bringing up a youngster or trading for picks, regardless of how low.

If Jagr keeps playing like he has been I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him come back for another year.
- NickA

Me either but that's one more year. I know you know what I am saying 2-3 years down the road what does this team look like? Defense looks like it could be pretty good with Larsson Gelinas and Merril but other then that who is going to score ? Gelinas has 8 points. Thats the same amount of points as Henrique, Zajac, Ryder, Greene and more then everyone else other then Jagr, Zidlicky, Elias, Zubrus,and he has played less then all of them Another thing that pops into my mind is how old are our top 4 scorers ? 41, 36, 37 and 35.

doomed
- shvingter88

Doomed indeed.
Listen it's time for Brunner, Lokti, and Ryder to sh!t or get off the pot. These guys are not bringing much to the table right now, so start benching or cut bait.
Let's hope Lou is having lunch with the Winnipeg GM to try and pry Kane away from them!