Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On The Bottom-6 & Mackenzie Blackwood

Liking Blackwood pick more and more.

Also, does anyone think that Severson in the AHL right now is a way to showcase him? I mean I hope not, I think he will be a very good player for us. But it just seemed he and Hynes did not click and odd that two years in NHL and then send him back to AHL. Maybe I am just reading too much into it.

Lock up Ruutu for 5 years at 4mil per. He's gonna come back strong next year.

I personally think he is there for 2 reasons, 1) Albany has a really good team this year with a chance to make some noise in the playoffs, and 2) For Severson to gain some confidence to end the year on a good note. Being a healthy a few times in his second year in the show (more than his 1st) could hurt the confidence a little. Heading to the minors and working on his defensive side of the game as well as putting up some points will do a lot for him in the future.

Liking Blackwood pick more and more.

Also, does anyone think that Severson in the AHL right now is a way to showcase him? I mean I hope not, I think he will be a very good player for us. But it just seemed he and Hynes did not click and odd that two years in NHL and then send him back to AHL. Maybe I am just reading too much into it.
- redmonsters

Severson was sent back down for some seasoning. Hynes knows that he is still eligible to be sent down, just like he was still elidgible for rookie camp last off season and he is taking advantage of it. Hynes is a great developmental coach, part of the reason Shero brought him in. Severson was rushed into the NHL, he really came onto the scene his rookie season but took a bit of a step back last year. He is young, playing possibly the toughest position there is, so growing pains are expected. Hynes sending him to the Albany, along with Boucher and Blandisi was nothing more than taking full advantage of further developing these kids. A deep playoff run will go a long way in their development. All 3 of them playing as well as they are right now is great news for New Jersey. Sure, them playing well has increased their trade value but it has also increased their value to the New Jersey Devils.

Glad to see Shero is in no rush to sign these guys. I wasn't happy about letting Bernier and Gomez go last off season, but it was clearly the right move. I think Shero wants to get rid of more dead weight. He treats roster spots as valuable commodities. They slots to develop guys and see who pans out.

I liked the Blackwood move on draft day, and I like it now. Goalies might be tricky but we clearly needed to take a chance and looks like Ray made a pretty good bet on this kid. We'll see...

I've actually have been a huge fan of our pick for Blackwood since the beginning and am happy to see that it seems to be paying off. Zacha still has me a little nervous (not saying he is going to be bad; just maybe not the superstar we need. He still can go either way but almost a guaranteed NHL player one day); but we were also picking from the next tier of forward talent after the Strome/Marner drop. And unlike this year, the drop off was a big one, making things a little harder.

Which brings me to this year. For forwards, it seems to be set up like this imo:
Matthews/ Laine & Puljujarvi/ Dubois, Tkachuk, & Nylander/ Jost, Brown, & Keller.

Now the drop off from the first 2 is still kindof big; the drop off from the 2nd 2 tiers is very small in my opinion. This makes me think we are currently in a great spot to land Jost, Brown, or Keller which is huge. Simply cause there are 9 forwards in the top 4 tiers. So assuming at least 2 Defenders are taken (which is an easy assumption considering that at least 2 Defenders have been taken in the top 10 in every draft in the last 5 years; with 3 being the typical number selected), it would leave us one of Jost, Brown, or Keller. Plus, Juolevi, Sergachyou, and Chychrun are all amazing prospects, so there is a good chance that all 3 could be off the boards by the time it's our turn to pick; so if that is the case, then we would have a choice on our hand.

I'd like to see JJ and Kalinin stay, but everyone else can go.

Sign Troy Brouwer. Instant bottom six upgrade.

Sign Troy Brouwer. Instant bottom six upgrade.
- smellmyfinger

I'd rather put in someone from Albany. Thompson maybe

Lock up Ruutu for 5 years at 4mil per. He's gonna come back strong next year.
- PapaSquat

Don't even joke about that

I'd rather put in someone from Albany. Thompson maybe
- willschulme

Really? I get you don't just want to toss $$$ around but Brouwer has Been successful anywhere he has played and is relatively young. Great presence on the PP too.

Really? I get you don't just want to toss $$$ around but Brouwer has Been successful anywhere he has played and is relatively young. Great presence on the PP too.
- smellmyfinger

I suppose I wouldn't be disappointed but I'd rather see what we have

Really? I get you don't just want to toss $$$ around but Brouwer has Been successful anywhere he has played and is relatively young. Great presence on the PP too.
- smellmyfinger

yeah but those teams usually make the playoffs

I'd rather put in someone from Albany. Thompson maybe
- willschulme

Pelley you heathen

To me, bottom six's job should be to keep the puck out of the net... and score a few if they can.

Our bottom six was not very good at keeping them out of the net. A lot of them were minus double digits. That certainly has to change.

But I want them to still bring attrition (grind) to their game for when the team makes the playoffs. No attrition and you turn into the team that never makes it by round 2.

Pelley you heathen
- Pomegrant

how could I forget?

how could I forget?
- willschulme

I think there;s a compromise we can all live with. Next years third line Zacha-Pelley-Brouwer.

I've actually have been a huge fan of our pick for Blackwood since the beginning and am happy to see that it seems to be paying off. Zacha still has me a little nervous (not saying he is going to be bad; just maybe not the superstar we need. He still can go either way but almost a guaranteed NHL player one day); but we were also picking from the next tier of forward talent after the Strome/Marner drop. And unlike this year, the drop off was a big one, making things a little harder.

Which brings me to this year. For forwards, it seems to be set up like this imo:
Matthews/ Laine & Puljujarvi/ Dubois, Tkachuk, & Nylander/ Jost, Brown, & Keller.

Now the drop off from the first 2 is still kindof big; the drop off from the 2nd 2 tiers is very small in my opinion. This makes me think we are currently in a great spot to land Jost, Brown, or Keller which is huge. Simply cause there are 9 forwards in the top 4 tiers. So assuming at least 2 Defenders are taken (which is an easy assumption considering that at least 2 Defenders have been taken in the top 10 in every draft in the last 5 years; with 3 being the typical number selected), it would leave us one of Jost, Brown, or Keller. Plus, Juolevi, Sergachyou, and Chychrun are all amazing prospects, so there is a good chance that all 3 could be off the boards by the time it's our turn to pick; so if that is the case, then we would have a choice on our hand.
- IrischesGlueck

No interest in McLeod? I don't have Brown as high as you. My current opinion is McLeod, Keller, Jost.

No interest in McLeod? I don't have Brown as high as you. My current opinion is McLeod, Keller, Jost.
- MartysBetter88

I think McLeod doesn't fit as much as Brown doesn't. They're both power forwards for the most part and I think we need more offensively minded players. I'm starting to think Jost is really what we need.

I think McLeod doesn't fit as much as Brown doesn't. They're both power forwards for the most part and I think we need more offensively minded players. I'm starting to think Jost is really what we need.
- willschulme

Just a heads up, Brown was 21st in points in the OHL this year and has a good shot. He also fits the mold of "defensively responsible" like most Devils prospects. Oh yeah, he's 6'6" 220 and doesn't have problems skating. Keller is probably the most offensively gifted forward we could hope for at #11, but I wouldn't be disappointed in Brown. Pretty nice stat line for a draft eligible.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=248391

Just a heads up, Brown was 21st in points in the OHL this year and has a good shot. He also fits the mold of "defensively responsible" like most Devils prospects. Oh yeah, he's 6'6" 220 and doesn't have problems skating. Keller is probably the most offensively gifted forward we could hope for at #11, but I wouldn't be disappointed in Brown. Pretty nice stat line for a draft eligible.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=248391
- smellmyfinger

Although I will admit I think Jagr when I read his summary, I just don't see him being more offensively capable than Keller and Jost. If those two go, absolutely.

Although I will admit I think Jagr when I read his summary, I just don't see him being more offensively capable than Keller and Jost. If those two go, absolutely.
- willschulme

I second that emotion

Although I will admit I think Jagr when I read his summary, I just don't see him being more offensively capable than Keller and Jost. If those two go, absolutely.
- willschulme

I think we are close to agreeing. In order I like:

Keller
Brown
Jost

I just don't see Keller being there at #11 though.

One thing I'm interested in is seeing if they can package some picks and move up into a late 1st round pick. Max Jones stock fell because he pulled a few idiotic moves on ice. But he has size, decent speed and can score goals. If he falls below 25 I'd like to take a shot at him.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On The Bottom-6 & Mackenzie Blackwood
- Todd.Cordell

JJ and Kalinin are the only ones that should stay