Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Demers, Stempniak & More

I'd set sights a little bit higher. I think Okposo would be a good addition for the Devils. They can afford to overpay and he'd solidify the top-6 RW position along with Palmieri. Unless the Devils trade Schneider they're not going to completely bottom out. Since this is probably the best free agency we've seen in years, now is a good time to spend on an obvious upgrade IMO.

@CaptCrankypants

Okposo would be the worse signing they could make. His points totals are not gonna go up anymore then what the are and most likely decrease. Paying a guy 7 mil just because you have it makes no sense.

Stempniak had 41 points for us and 51 total. Okposo had 64 playing with Tavares. Go with Stempniak.

I know it is frowned upon to think this way, but with the upcoming expansion draft, personally I wouldn't want the Devils to get a big piece to their defense in FA this year. The way I see it, we have the option to claim 3 defensman: Larsson, Greene, & Severson. So, if we took on a player like Demers, it means we would lose a guy like Severson for little to nothing. And, considering even if we acquire a guy like Demers, it is highly unlikely that we have a chance to win the cup; I really don't mind setting up the team like we did last year. We will be competitive, give our younger guys chances to grow, and hopefully get some nice draft picks.


Point is, I really wouldn't mind losing a player like Moore, Merrill, and Schlemko; but I would hate to lose a player like Severson for almost no reason at all.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Demers, Stempniak & More
- Todd.Cordell

They also shouldn't get another guy for the right side. Get a veteran to play with Severson, like Wideman. He has 1 year left and you could decide what to after the expansion draft, sign him or you could trade him at the deadline if you like. Signing a defensemen this year doesn't make a lot of sense. Demers is gonna want multiple years and I don't want to lose Larsson or Severson for Demers.

I know it is frowned upon to think this way, but with the upcoming expansion draft, personally I wouldn't want the Devils to get a big piece to their defense in FA this year. The way I see it, we have the option to claim 3 defensman: Larsson, Greene, & Severson. So, if we took on a player like Demers, it means we would lose a guy like Severson for little to nothing. And, considering even if we acquire a guy like Demers, it is highly unlikely that we have a chance to win the cup; I really don't mind setting up the team like we did last year. We will be competitive, give our younger guys chances to grow, and hopefully get some nice draft picks.


Point is, I really wouldn't mind losing a player like Moore, Merrill, and Schlemko; but I would hate to lose a player like Severson for almost no reason at all.
- IrischesGlueck

Completely agreed. Would like to sign Yandle, but the expansion draft screws that up.

Thoughts on Matt Martin? Would look nice on a 4th line with josefson and Kalinin. Kalinin and Martin are both left wings. Could it work?

Thoughts on Matt Martin? Would look nice on a 4th line with josefson and Kalinin. Kalinin and Martin are both left wings. Could it work?
- memphcooks

I don't understand all this Martin love. He had 10 goals and 19 pints on a playoff team. Stick with Kalinen, JJ, DSP on the 4th line.

I don't understand all this Martin love. He had 10 goals and 19 pints on a playoff team. Stick with Kalinen, JJ, DSP on the 4th line.
- Devils9503

If like dsp on the 4th but I don't think they'll have 3 right wings better than him, and he'll be put on the 3rd line with zacha and Elias (potentially)... I also like Kennedy as a 4th line right wing but they need some more depth with him there

If like dsp on the 4th but I don't think they'll have 3 right wings better than him, and he'll be put on the 3rd line with zacha and Elias (potentially)... I also like Kennedy as a 4th line right wing but they need some more depth with him there
- memphcooks

If they bring back Elias, then I think Blandisi should be on the RW with Zacha and him. With Stempniak and Palmieri being on the top 2.

On defense, the expansion draft screws thing up. You have to protect 3 defencemen which are right now projected to be greene larsoon severson. I'd like to ask, do you think shero might not protect Greene do to age ? He'll be 35 when the vegas teams enters .. That was just a thought. On offense i hope devils can get a goal scorer. A top line RW or a second line LW or RW if palmieri goes to the top line which i oppose cause u need to spread the scoring. Apart from that, the third line should should consist of zacha boucher and one of queenville or blandisi.. I think queenville should get a look this year. And the 4th line of kalinin Jj and Dsp. Have Dsp rotate between 3rd and 4th line. . Now the Fa, i recently saw okposo's 2015-2016 highlights. They weren't that impressive. He got most goals of deflections and being around the net. Loui or stempniak would be a better fit

@CaptCrankypants

Okposo would be the worse signing they could make. His points totals are not gonna go up anymore then what the are and most likely decrease. Paying a guy 7 mil just because you have it makes no sense.

Stempniak had 41 points for us and 51 total. Okposo had 64 playing with Tavares. Go with Stempniak.
- Devils9503

I have to agree plus Okposo is a turnover machine. I live on Long Island and all the islander fans I know want Okposo to sign elsewhere. He is not worth a long term and /or big money deal.

I'd be all for stemp on a one year deal

BRING BACK THE STEMP!

@CaptCrankypants

Okposo would be the worse signing they could make. His points totals are not gonna go up anymore then what the are and most likely decrease. Paying a guy 7 mil just because you have it makes no sense.

Stempniak had 41 points for us and 51 total. Okposo had 64 playing with Tavares. Go with Stempniak.
- Devils9503

Okposo is 28, while Stempniak is 33, guess who's more likely to decline? Okposo has 3 consecutive seasons of at least 50 points. Stempniak hit that mark last season for the first time since 06-07. I'm not saying go out and give the guy stupid money, but you have room to overpay a little. I liked Lee Stempniak, and if we brought him back I wouldn't be upset.

Florida traded for Yandles rights. I think Campbell is headed out the door. Rather sign him to a 1-2 year deal as a stop gap on the left side to play with Severson than tie up 5+ mil long term on someone not worth it (Demers).

God I just don't really want Paranteau. I think we're better off with pretty much anything else.

Okposo is 28, while Stempniak is 33, guess who's more likely to decline? Okposo has 3 consecutive seasons of at least 50 points. Stempniak hit that mark last season for the first time since 06-07. I'm not saying go out and give the guy stupid money, but you have room to overpay a little. I liked Lee Stempniak, and if we brought him back I wouldn't be upset.
- CaptCrankypants

Who's more likely to decline? Easy, Okposo. Okposo may have had 50 points three straight years, but look who he's playing with. He has been on the top line for years and this totals with NJ are not gonna hit 60 and 50 may be likely, but I think would be more likely in the 40s. Stempniak wasn't on the 1st line and when he was he produce 50 points.

Tavares had 33 goals this year and 38 last year, 70 points this year 84 last year.

Okopos 22 goals this year and 18 last year. His point total is inflated. A 40 point Okpos is not worth 7 mil. Pass on him.

Florida traded for Yandles rights. I think Campbell is headed out the door. Rather sign him to a 1-2 year deal as a stop gap on the left side to play with Severson than tie up 5+ mil long term on someone not worth it (Demers).
- Mr.Bobby

He would help the PP a good bit

Perron could be a good option. Plays the same style as Palmieri I believe.

Everyone keep saying Okposo is not worth 7 mill, which I agree with. My question is, is that the asking price his agent is putting out there?

I would love to get a late first and grab gauthier unless someone takes him really high.

Really like where the team is at. Yes it's a "rebuild" but it'll never be a full rebuild as long as Cory Schneider is in net. By all means, I am not suggesting trading Cory. What I'm really saying is, I hope Shero doesn't waste his prime. Luckily for us, Cory has less mileage on him than other goalies his age due to the fact he was a back up for the majority of his career early on. This team remained "in the race" for most of the year last season with a bottom 6 that couldn't find the back of the net. Fixing that problem could be key to cracking a playoff spot this season in a wide open eastern conference. Hopefully we will see the Zachas, Blandisis and even Quenvilles getting some bottom six minutes this season. That should provide some more spark than the Tootoos, Ruutus and Giontas of yesteryear.

Lou working his magic in T.o again.... if they are able to get a couple legit d in the next couple of years I think they are going to be good for a while, they are building a good young core... I don't like it lol

I'd be all for stemp on a one year deal
- shvingter88

Yes