Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Loktionov On Top Line, Matteau Struggling & More

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Loktionov On Top Line, Matteau Struggling & More
- Todd.Cordell

Todd your report is further evidence that the Devils have to move on of their young defensive prospects for help up front. I know you do a lot of scouting in the junior leagues, so what are your thoughts on Severson? Between him, Gelinas, Merrill, and Larsson you have to figure one of them could be expendable if we got the right piece back in return, right?

Loktionov on the top line is a joke. We might as well dress 7 d-men again and give Harrold a shot alongside Jagr.

this is such a beautiful community

At least when Santini comes up we'll have God on our side.

Todd your report is further evidence that the Devils have to move on of their young defensive prospects for help up front. I know you do a lot of scouting in the junior leagues, so what are your thoughts on Severson? Between him, Gelinas, Merrill, and Larsson you have to figure one of them could be expendable if we got the right piece back in return, right?

Loktionov on the top line is a joke. We might as well dress 7 d-men again and give Harrold a shot alongside Jagr.
- jersey1414

I like Loktionov and they have to try something so I don't mind.

But yes, with Severson, Gelinas, Merrill, Larsson, Scarlett and Hrabarenka all playing well in the NHL or AHL as well as recently drafted Steve Santini looking like he can be a top-4 shutdown guy, you have to think someone will be expandable. Whether it's now or later, the Devils should be able to get a pretty good player for one of these guys at some point.

Don't see Lokti bringing much skill to the top line; speed yes but skill i don't think so.
Once this experiment fails will Lou finally pull the trigger on a trade to get someone to play on that first line?!
For the team's sake i hope Lokti works out but i just don't see it.

Don't see Lokti bringing much skill to the top line; speed yes but skill i don't think so.
Once this experiment fails will Lou finally pull the trigger on a trade to get someone to play on that first line?!
For the team's sake i hope Lokti works out but i just don't see it.
- FAZOOL

Skill doesn't always lead to production, which we've seen, but you can't tell me Loktionov isn't a skilled player.

At least when Santini comes up we'll have God on our side.
- TheJerseyDevil1

so true. I have these horrible ideals about him, expecting him coming in to be like bringing in Scott Stevens, and all the leadership and glory that came with him.

Doomed

Doomed
- shvingter88

Skill doesn't always lead to production, which we've seen, but you can't tell me Loktionov isn't a skilled player.
- Todd.Cordell

Aside from his skating ability no not really.
C'mon on Todd do you honestly think he belongs on the top line?
He's a fourth liner/marginal third liner at best.
I agree with you that we need to try something different and i really hope i'm wrong about him but i'll give him 2 shifts at most before Pete makes a change.

I hope we can lose some more games in overtime soon. It'll be really exciting for a change.

If Loktionov belongs top 3, then why is his production so abysmal?

Get a real top 6 FW.

At least when Santini comes up we'll have God on our side.
- TheJerseyDevil1

God on the side of...the Devils???

Skill doesn't always lead to production, which we've seen, but you can't tell me Loktionov isn't a skilled player.
- Todd.Cordell

Todd, thanks for the answer before but come on...Loktionov is not a skilled player. I like him better than Josefson, but that's still not saying much. Jagr is clearly looking to pass rather than score...so why not try Ryder out on that line? Ryder has the best shooting ability on this team, although his puck possession skills aren't the best.

Go:

Ryder-Zajac-Jagr
Elias-Henrique-Clowe
Brunner-Loktionov- Zubrus
Bernier-Carter-Gionta

I don't know what that "3rd line" would contribute (probably less than the "4th") but at least it gives the top two lines a boost (in theory).

God on the side of...the Devils???
- FLdevilsFAN

He's Tebow status of religious.

Todd your report is further evidence that the Devils have to move on of their young defensive prospects for help up front. I know you do a lot of scouting in the junior leagues, so what are your thoughts on Severson? Between him, Gelinas, Merrill, and Larsson you have to figure one of them could be expendable if we got the right piece back in return, right?

Loktionov on the top line is a joke. We might as well dress 7 d-men again and give Harrold a shot alongside Jagr.
- jersey1414

I just can not imagine Jagr being too pleased, lol

Unless we can go 7-3 over the next 10 games I expect to hear "Dandy" Don Meredith signing from the MNF booth "turn out the lights, the party's over"!

Just a hockey fan like the rest of us.

I may have played hockey to a higher level than many, NCAA Div 1, followed by 11 years in Italy but I don't think that makes me any better to judge or have an opinion on the state of NJ or any other NHL team. I currently coach Junior B & make my living running fantasy hockey leagues.

Currently 51 & semi retired.

Thanks for asking.

NJ doesn't have a legitimate #1 line. It's built to ice 3 similar lines but is currently 1 top 9 forward short.

Nor does NJ have the the assets to go out & buy a young top 6 forward that the is NHL ready. Not with out creating a hole else where.

The cupboard isn't virtually bare.

That said they will get someone but no one of any significant value. Just a guy that can play 12 to 14 mins a game & provide some offensive support.

NJ needs to bite the bullet & start drafting & developing some young forwards. You can't do that if the you keep moving picks & trading what few young players we have for stop gap solutions.

Just a hockey fan like the rest of us.

I may have played hockey to a higher level than many, NCAA Div 1, followed by 11 years in Italy but I don't think that makes me any better to judge or have an opinion on the state of NJ or any other NHL team. I currently coach Junior B & make my living running fantasy hockey leagues.

Currently 51 & semi retired.

Thanks for asking.
- striker777

hardooooo

imagine if parise stayed, kovy didnt ditch and we still signed jagr

parise-henrique-kovy
clowe-zajac-jagr
ryder-elias-zubrus
gio-carter-bernier

imagine if parise stayed, kovy didnt ditch and we still signed jagr

parise-henrique-kovy
clowe-zajac-jagr
ryder-elias-zubrus
gio-carter-bernier



- dmarsden2988

imagine if are GM paid players and didn't waste half a decade on drafting swedish exchange students?

imagine if are GM paid players and didn't waste half a decade on drafting swedish exchange students?
- devfan30

Devils reportedly gave parise a very competitive offer and we all know kovys contract

Drafting middle of drafts is hit or miss but lou has found nice picks in the 2nd round or later

We all wish we had some young skilled forward prospects

I have a strange feeling lou might go for vanek in desperation

imagine if are GM paid players and didn't waste half a decade on drafting swedish exchange students?
- devfan30