Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Henrique, Zubrus, Loktionov & Carter

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Henrique, Zubrus, Loktionov & Carter
- Todd.Cordell

I think again that's out of context will he shoot 15% not likely but when has he been given a shot to be a top line player other then his FIRST year I have almost no doubt if used PROPERLY with steady linemates he can hit 25 maybe even 30 on a regular basis. Now knowing how we run things he won't be given the opportunity he deserves and they will heavily rely on Elias and jagr until the day they die instead of preparing a guy like henrique to take the next step in his development

I think again that's out of context will he shoot 15% not likely but when has he been given a shot to be a top line player other then his FIRST year I have almost no doubt if used PROPERLY with steady linemates he can hit 25 maybe even 30 on a regular basis. Now knowing how we run things he won't be given the opportunity he deserves and they will heavily rely on Elias and jagr until the day they die instead of preparing a guy like henrique to take the next step in his development
- blizzzard

Basically what I'm saying is he shot 10% when he was a top line player, so unless he starts putting more pucks on net he probably can't score more than 20-25.

Basically what I'm saying is he shot 10% when he was a top line player, so unless he starts putting more pucks on net he probably can't score more than 20-25.
- Todd.Cordell

When was he a top line player ? Has he not been on the second unit pp for the last two seasons and did he not spend the entire last season switching between center and wing. What I am saying is treat him like Zajac gets used and I am willing to be he will flourish but continue to keep him on the second third line and second pp unit he will continue to be the same 40-50 pt player. I just think that we are going to continue down a path of mediocredy if we keep holding guys with promise back now I only assume he will be used the same this year because they love to ride Elias and jagr if they don't then what I am saying doesn't matter but for the sake of things say they do so instead of preparing a guy who just potted 25 goals to get to that next echelon we try and keep him where he is and when jagr and Elias retire we have a second to third liner in henrique and we dip back into free agency to fill top line roles it just seems like a never ending trend of crap to me they should be pushing Adam and giving him more minutes this year if he doesn't run with it then change it up a bit but I really think this kid can be more

Why are people having such a hard time accepting Henrique is not soon-to-be offensive juggernaut?

He's 20-25G guy who plays a great 2-way game.

He's going to be a key cog in NJ moving forward, but he's not a top offensive threat.

Get over it. I like the kid, too. He's probably going to end up being my favorite Devil player moving forward in the next few years unless NJ trades him for a real sniper.

People get so defensive over Henrique. Is he going to be like Lou where you can't point out his deficiencies because it's cardinal sin amongst Devils homers?

I just think we are in a trend where we can't rebuild to draft guys with high ceilings and we add guys who are to old to help us win a Stanley cup I just think if that's the way it is for a while we will continue to be a 7-10 seed team that doesn't really make any noise or get any players who can be a star. Obviously you don't need to draft in the top five or rebuild to get a star player but it helps to get at least one, yes Larsson was a fourth overall pick but we have no one outside of Boucher who even remotely projects as a future dangerous top line player with a 3-5 year window of mix mashed free agents and Elias who is going to play in the top six ? More aging free agents with bad contracts ? That's just kind of how I feel this team is being run and how our players are being developed and who we have been drafting

Why are people having such a hard time accepting Henrique is not soon-to-be offensive juggernaut?

He's 20-25G guy who plays a great 2-way game.

He's going to be a key cog in NJ moving forward, but he's not a top offensive threat.

Get over it. I like the kid, too. He's probably going to end up being my favorite Devil player moving forward in the next few years unless NJ trades him for a real sniper.

People get so defensive over Henrique. Is he going to be like Lou where you can't point out his deficiencies because it's cardinal sin amongst Devils homers?
- FLdevilsFAN

I'm not saying he is more for sure but do I see the potential for more then that yes but you know for sure right so good luck you seem to have a bright future as a scout or in the player development department people have raved about other players in here and they can't even do half the things he does it's like know one sees the way he can create plays finish around the net and pretty much do everything my only problem is he is undervalued and many think he won't be any better when this is a kid who had to face a ton of obstacles that seem to get over looked when evaluating him

I'm not saying he is more for sure but do I see the potential for more then that yes but you know for sure right so good luck you seem to have a bright future as a scout or in the player development department people have raved about other players in here and they can't even do half the things he does it's like know one sees the way he can create plays finish around the net and pretty much do everything my only problem is he is undervalued and many think he won't be any better when this is a kid who had to face a ton of obstacles that seem to get over looked when evaluating him
- blizzzard

Okay

Henrique for Hart 2015
DESTINY

Okay

Henrique for Hart 2015
DESTINY
- FLdevilsFAN

Your saying a 24 year old who just reached his career high in goals has no room to get better I don't understand your logic at least Todd has said why you just say he can't and won't why can't he be a 25 goal scorer why won't he what is it that he doesn't have that he won't be able to I watch him fairly closely and I think he has every bit the talent to be a 25 - 30 goal guy that doesn't mean he will ever be a 80-90 point player there are tons of players who hit 25-30 goals and only get about 60-70 pts so because he is great defensively mean he is a two way player and his offence has plateaued ? Like help me out here why am I SO UNRESLISTIC to think he has more in him if given the opportunities he should they did for Zajac and I don't think he ever hit twenty five goals but I'll go look after this post to make sure

He hit 25 once in his career year of 67 points and is nj's Jesus I happen to think Adam has a way better shot and is better offensively but Zajac is in every shoot out and always on the top unit for pp. Zajac is better defensively and I'll really be questioning by just how much after this next season as I think he is closing the gap very fast on him but he doesn't get half the respect Zajac saw pretty much the same minutes and same line mates all season and did what with it I think what henrique did last season with all the shuffling he had was far more impressive and would love to see what some consistency would do for him this year. I tend to think it would only make him produce better but hey you know he won't right

When was he a top line player ? Has he not been on the second unit pp for the last two seasons and did he not spend the entire last season switching between center and wing. What I am saying is treat him like Zajac gets used and I am willing to be he will flourish but continue to keep him on the second third line and second pp unit he will continue to be the same 40-50 pt player. I just think that we are going to continue down a path of mediocredy if we keep holding guys with promise back now I only assume he will be used the same this year because they love to ride Elias and jagr if they don't then what I am saying doesn't matter but for the sake of things say they do so instead of preparing a guy who just potted 25 goals to get to that next echelon we try and keep him where he is and when jagr and Elias retire we have a second to third liner in henrique and we dip back into free agency to fill top line roles it just seems like a never ending trend of crap to me they should be pushing Adam and giving him more minutes this year if he doesn't run with it then change it up a bit but I really think this kid can be more
- blizzzard

I'd consider centering Kovalchuk and Parise for a season as playing on the top line

I'd consider centering Kovalchuk and Parise for a season as playing on the top line
- Todd.Cordell

Ok but it was his rookie season does that not hold any weight ? His second season was the lock out season that started late and he broke his thumb while playing in the ahl to help him have that slow start. That to me should also be considered. I just think that despite he has been in the nhl for three years it isn't the best three season to weigh what he could be considering those things is that unreasonable ? Your a stats guy so you tell me is there any way to take those things into consideration and evaluate what he should be able to do with a full training camp and playing the entire or a large enough part of it in the same role and linemates that sees him move to the top pp unit and Zajac slide to the second. I think if you take into account that he know has three years under his belt unlike his rookie year and that he hopefully starts the year on time and without an injury unlike the lock out year and moves up due to his career high in goals last season that he should have his best season ever ?

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Henrique, Zubrus, Loktionov & Carter
- Todd.Cordell

I would absolutely dispute the notion that they think/hope/want to see if Gomez can be a top 9 center.

Zajac
Elias, Henrique
Ruutu, Zubrus

They're set up the middle.

Gomez is there to compete with Gionta, Bernier, Ryder, and Brunner for a role in the bottom 3.

Ok but it was his rookie season does that not hold any weight ? His second season was the lock out season that started late and he broke his thumb while playing in the ahl to help him have that slow start. That to me should also be considered. I just think that despite he has been in the nhl for three years it isn't the best three season to weigh what he could be considering those things is that unreasonable ? Your a stats guy so you tell me is there any way to take those things into consideration and evaluate what he should be able to do with a full training camp and playing the entire or a large enough part of it in the same role and linemates that sees him move to the top pp unit and Zajac slide to the second. I think if you take into account that he know has three years under his belt unlike his rookie year and that he hopefully starts the year on time and without an injury unlike the lock out year and moves up due to his career high in goals last season that he should have his best season ever ?
- blizzzard

If you want to take all that into account you also have to take the fact that he scored over 1/3 of his goals in a six game span and understand that that is completely unsustainable. Could he hit 30 goals? Absolutely, but not unless he gets better linemates(which don't exist on this team), but for the time being having Elias stapled to him is probably for the best because there's no one else on the team that is better suited to play with him

I wonder if he will play center or LW this season, after last year... I think Henrique will definitely get better... The Devils will be a hell of a team to compete with!

If you want to take all that into account you also have to take the fact that he scored over 1/3 of his goals in a six game span and understand that that is completely unsustainable. Could he hit 30 goals? Absolutely, but not unless he gets better linemates(which don't exist on this team), but for the time being having Elias stapled to him is probably for the best because there's no one else on the team that is better suited to play with him
- bobert836

I can agree with that I kind of felt he should of been playing with better players for the majority of last season anyways. It was dumb IMO to try and force guys like Ryder and Brunner to produce instead of going with someone who would produce with Elias like Adam hopefully this year those guys don't get thrown that rope and are just in the press box

I can agree with that I kind of felt he should of been playing with better players for the majority of last season anyways. It was dumb IMO to try and force guys like Ryder and Brunner to produce instead of going with someone who would produce with Elias like Adam hopefully this year those guys don't get thrown that rope and are just in the press box
- blizzzard

The problem was that PDB saw both Elias and Henrique as centres so the thought probably didn't even cross his mind to put them together

The problem was that PDB saw both Elias and Henrique as centres so the thought probably didn't even cross his mind to put them together
- bobert836

He is such a smart character lol how can he be so brilliant and stupid at the same time it's mind boggling lol I don't like patty at center but that's just me and I don't mind henrique on the wing lol

I'm not saying he is more for sure but do I see the potential for more then that yes but you know for sure right so good luck you seem to have a bright future as a scout or in the player development department people have raved about other players in here and they can't even do half the things he does it's like know one sees the way he can create plays finish around the net and pretty much do everything my only problem is he is undervalued and many think he won't be any better when this is a kid who had to face a ton of obstacles that seem to get over looked when evaluating him
- blizzzard

I don't like patty at center but that's just me and I don't mind henrique on the wing lol
- blizzzard

Agreed whole-heartedly! I liked Elias as Captain too though...

He is such a smart character lol how can he be so brilliant and stupid at the same time it's mind boggling lol I don't like patty at center but that's just me and I don't mind henrique on the wing lol
- blizzzard

I would say that he was looking at it depth wise. Zajac-Elias-Henrique looks a lot better than Zajac-Henrique-Josefson/Gionta or Zajac-Elias-Josefson/Gionta does

Besides Henrique had played exclusively at Centre since being in the NHL so he probably thought it was better for him to stay there

Henrique can defnitely reach the 65-75 pts range and 25-30 goals. He has great offensive instincts and like Blizzard said if last year he had actual linemates all year and wasn't attached to ryder for like 45 game he probably would have. For love of god he scored 9 goals in 11 games with Elias and than was taking off his line. Now i Know he won't keep that pace up its unrealistic but he absolutely would of have produced more if he skated alongside Elias the whole year and if he got PP1 time. I'm not sure whatever one else is watching but Henrique is a sniper get him with some guys who can do something with the puck and good things will happen. Ryder is not this guy and he was Henrique's line mate for way too long last year.

Agreed whole-heartedly! I liked Elias as Captain too though...
- diofan34

Yeah (frank) Brent Sutter we should of hired Daryl.

Yeah (frank) Brent Sutter we should of hired Daryl.
- NickA

Thing I loved about sutter was that he was old school I remember when coburn stapled parise in to the boards and you just see him give rupp a tap on the shoulders and out he went and just dropped him lol might of been the last time I seen coburn fight props to him for accepting the challenge though he was young it was in his Atlanta days

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Notes: Henrique, Zubrus, Loktionov & Carter
- Todd.Cordell

This carter situation is so unacceptable