Todd Cordell: A Closer Look At Larsson's Rookie Year, Doan Not Signing With Devils + CBA

Larsson will be a star. It's sort of crazy to think how much this Devils team has changed over the past few years. Remember when our top two lines were:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner

That wasn't actually that long ago...

Larsson will be a star. It's sort of crazy to think how much this Devils team has changed over the past few years. Remember when our top two lines were:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner

That wasn't actually that long ago...
- MannySilvers

ZZPops. What a line that was, haha.

Larsson will be a star. It's sort of crazy to think how much this Devils team has changed over the past few years. Remember when our top two lines were:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner

That wasn't actually that long ago...
- MannySilvers

That's so crazy. I hope we can resign Zajac

Larsson will be a star. It's sort of crazy to think how much this Devils team has changed over the past few years. Remember when our top two lines were:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner

That wasn't actually that long ago...
- MannySilvers

That's so crazy. I hope we can resign Zajac

who's the odd man out on D next year? Greene?
obviously you can't sit Larsson out like in the playoffs.

who's the odd man out on D next year? Greene?
obviously you can't sit Larsson out like in the playoffs.
- houseofcards74

Greene is definitely not the odd man out if the Devils don't move a defenseman. He may be traded, but if they keep all 8 he's playing.

Whats up with Taormina? I thought he was part of the future or something. Larsson is gonna be like Hedman. Its gonna take a couple of years to really click in the NHL. Hedman wasnt that good and is stil questionable. Give him time.

Doan would be sick in LA.

Whats up with Taormina? I thought he was part of the future or something. Larsson is gonna be like Hedman. Its gonna take a couple of years to really click in the NHL. Hedman wasnt that good and is stil questionable. Give him time.
- poisondhearts37

There are some younger defenseman who are developing nicely in Albany. They need the minutes. Letting Taormina go clears minutes.

who's the odd man out on D next year? Greene?
obviously you can't sit Larsson out like in the playoffs.
- houseofcards74

Fayne is out to start, I could see us packaging a Dman in a trade for a winger. Lou's a patient guy. Its really hard to know whats gonna happen, but he did say Larsson has a spot.

I don't think Taormina was ever part of the future.

I don't think Taormina was ever part of the future.
- Pomegrant

He had his shot. He never took the necessary step. As of now he's a good hockey player who is yet to show he can overcome size difference to be an effective NHLer.

I don't think Taormina was ever part of the future.
- Pomegrant

He is still going to be a good NHL defensemen. Whether it be a 3/4 pairing or 5/6, when it comes down to it, like you guys said, there are prospects with better futures and that need time in the AHL. Why I would've liked to see him stay, it's understandable why Lamoriello allowed him to leave.

Larsson will be a star. It's sort of crazy to think how much this Devils team has changed over the past few years. Remember when our top two lines were:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner

That wasn't actually that long ago...
- MannySilvers

Not even that, take out Gomez and insert Zubrus, Madden, Holik, Rupp, Pandolfo, Rolston, Clarkson and Shanahan, that was our 08-09 roster. Now? Only Elias, Zajac, Zubrus Clarkson remain. The only two defensemen from that team that are still on the Devils is Greene and Salvador. They split time in the Carolina series.

He is still going to be a good NHL defensemen. Whether it be a 3/4 pairing or 5/6, when it comes down to it, like you guys said, there are prospects with better futures and that need time in the AHL. Why I would've liked to see him stay, it's understandable why Lamoriello allowed him to leave.
- _Zippy_

He's 25. I really don't see being more than a 7th defenseman.

(Sign Semin to about 6.5 per for 5 years and then sign Sykora for maybe a small bump up from what he was getting) and trade Tallinder and Tedenby for Brian Gionta. That would all fit under that cap with room to spare and it would still leave us with
Volchenkov Greene
Salvador Zidlicky
Larsson Harrold
and there would still be Fayne pending we don't let him walk in arbitration. Semins career stats are a little better than Zachs with fewer games played and he is friends with Kovalchuk who has proven to be a hard working Russian who wouldn't let his bud slack off. Then having Sykora around would be good for the Elias line, and who wouldn't want to see Carter flanked by both Giontas.
Kovalchuk Henrique Semin
Elias Zajac Sykora
Clarkson Zubrus Bernier or Josefson
Gionta Carter Gionta

(Sign Semin to about 6.5 per for 5 years and then sign Sykora for maybe a small bump up from what he was getting) and trade Tallinder and Tedenby for Brian Gionta. That would all fit under that cap with room to spare and it would still leave us with
Volchenkov Greene
Salvador Zidlicky
Larsson Harrold
and there would still be Fayne pending we don't let him walk in arbitration. Semins career stats are a little better than Zachs with fewer games played and he is friends with Kovalchuk who has proven to be a hard working Russian who wouldn't let his bud slack off. Then having Sykora around would be good for the Elias line, and who wouldn't want to see Carter flanked by both Giontas.
Kovalchuk Henrique Semin
Elias Zajac Sykora
Clarkson Zubrus Bernier or Josefson
Gionta Carter Gionta
- Jeff_121

Semin for 5 years

Semin for 5 years
- rmdevil313

Agreed, and B. Gionta comes with a hefty 5 mil/year contract.

Agreed, and B. Gionta comes with a hefty 5 mil/year contract.
- Kaymondel

I wouldn't mind trading for Gio in the right deal, but I don't want to give up much.

I wouldn't mind trading for Gio in the right deal, but I don't want to give up much.
- rmdevil313

I think Montreal needs the goal scoring he can provide.

(Sign Semin to about 6.5 per for 5 years and then sign Sykora for maybe a small bump up from what he was getting) and trade Tallinder and Tedenby for Brian Gionta. That would all fit under that cap with room to spare and it would still leave us with
Volchenkov Greene
Salvador Zidlicky
Larsson Harrold
and there would still be Fayne pending we don't let him walk in arbitration. Semins career stats are a little better than Zachs with fewer games played and he is friends with Kovalchuk who has proven to be a hard working Russian who wouldn't let his bud slack off. Then having Sykora around would be good for the Elias line, and who wouldn't want to see Carter flanked by both Giontas.
Kovalchuk Henrique Semin
Elias Zajac Sykora
Clarkson Zubrus Bernier or Josefson
Gionta Carter Gionta
- Jeff_121

Weren't Ovechkin and Semin buddies....5 years too much, 6.5 million cap hit I'd do it for 2 years max. If longer term it should be lower cap hit. B. Gionta is still one of my favourites.

(Sign Semin to about 6.5 per for 5 years and then sign Sykora for maybe a small bump up from what he was getting) and trade Tallinder and Tedenby for Brian Gionta. That would all fit under that cap with room to spare and it would still leave us with
Volchenkov Greene
Salvador Zidlicky
Larsson Harrold
and there would still be Fayne pending we don't let him walk in arbitration. Semins career stats are a little better than Zachs with fewer games played and he is friends with Kovalchuk who has proven to be a hard working Russian who wouldn't let his bud slack off. Then having Sykora around would be good for the Elias line, and who wouldn't want to see Carter flanked by both Giontas.
Kovalchuk Henrique Semin
Elias Zajac Sykora
Clarkson Zubrus Bernier or Josefson
Gionta Carter Gionta
- Jeff_121

How about Gionta-Gionta-Tedenby? We can call it the dwarf line.

(Sign Semin to about 6.5 per for 5 years and then sign Sykora for maybe a small bump up from what he was getting) and trade Tallinder and Tedenby for Brian Gionta. That would all fit under that cap with room to spare and it would still leave us with
Volchenkov Greene
Salvador Zidlicky
Larsson Harrold
and there would still be Fayne pending we don't let him walk in arbitration. Semins career stats are a little better than Zachs with fewer games played and he is friends with Kovalchuk who has proven to be a hard working Russian who wouldn't let his bud slack off. Then having Sykora around would be good for the Elias line, and who wouldn't want to see Carter flanked by both Giontas.
Kovalchuk Henrique Semin
Elias Zajac Sykora
Clarkson Zubrus Bernier or Josefson
Gionta Carter Gionta
- Jeff_121

Let me get this straight. Let's trade one of our better defensemen and Tedenby for Brian Gionta so he can play next to his brother and Ryan Carter? If he comes to NJ, which is still doubtful, he will be a top six if not top nine player. I highly doubt he plays with Gionta. The only way that would happen, is if the lines are evened up.

How about Gionta-Gionta-Tedenby? We can call it the dwarf line.
- cornellbigred