Todd Cordell: Devils Prospect Joseph Blandisi Named OHL Overage Player Of The Year

That was one of Lou's best moves last year. Hopefully he can continue his success at the NHL level and maybe as early as next season?

I've always liked that NJ used non-NHL free agency avenues to fish out talent like Clarkson, Madden, Oduya, and Rafalski over the years. It's too bad they haven't had anyone substantial come into their system from these avenues recently (due to other teams picking up on those tactics), but Blandisi could be a pretty good scavenge... good for him.

As opposed to Paul Martin, I wouldn't mind the Devils signing Oduya to a depth role if he can be head for a reasonable price.

Big whoop, I was named to the All-County JV Football team at age 24

Pretty excited to see if he can make it out of camp

I've always liked that NJ used non-NHL free agency avenues to fish out talent like Clarkson, Madden, Oduya, and Rafalski over the years. It's too bad they haven't had anyone substantial come into their system from these avenues recently (due to other teams picking up on those tactics), but Blandisi could be a pretty good scavenge... good for him.

As opposed to Paul Martin, I wouldn't mind the Devils signing Oduya to a depth role if he can be head for a reasonable price.
- archromat

Greene

I've always liked that NJ used non-NHL free agency avenues to fish out talent like Clarkson, Madden, Oduya, and Rafalski over the years. It's too bad they haven't had anyone substantial come into their system from these avenues recently (due to other teams picking up on those tactics), but Blandisi could be a pretty good scavenge... good for him.

As opposed to Paul Martin, I wouldn't mind the Devils signing Oduya to a depth role if he can be head for a reasonable price.
- archromat

I don't know if its other teams picking up on his tactics or you simply can't hit on all of them. If you go back to the last lockout you still have Greene, Oduya, Clarkson, Kinkaid, with Hrabaranka and Blandisi still up in the air.

He'll need at least one year in Albany but nice to know they'll (Albany) have some scoring help coming next year since either (or both) Boucher/Matteau will be on Devils roster.

Nice, you figure as of now the Devils have four legitimate forward prospects in Boucher, Matteau, Quenneville, and Blandisi...none of whom are standout prospects, but hopefully at least two can become solid NHL players for NJ. Gotta add to that list at the draft.

Greene
- shvingter88

Oh that's true, isn't it? I take back some of what I said, then

I don't think we'll see Blandisi make the NHL lineup right out of camp this year. I imagine they'll want to see how he manages to adjust to the pro game in Albany for at least 1 year. This will give the team time to evaluate whether or not he can improve his defensive play enough to be a center or if he's better suited to playing LW.

I don't know if its other teams picking up on his tactics or you simply can't hit on all of them. If you go back to the last lockout you still have Greene, Oduya, Clarkson, Kinkaid, with Hrabaranka and Blandisi still up in the air.
- rmdevil313

You're right... but I do notice the Rangers have started to do it more and more (like Zucharello and Girardi, and I'm guessing there are a few more college signings on their team that I can't think of right now).

Guys like Giordano and Krug are also undrafted and they're killing it. Maybe it's just more talked about these days...

Well, he offers hope to our slim prospect pool. Now if Lou drafts three forwards with those 3 picks in the top 41 then we'll be well on our way to replenishing the system.

Big whoop, I was named to the All-County JV Football team at age 24
- eichiefs9

You even county Bro?

Big whoop, I was named to the All-County JV Football team at age 24
- eichiefs9

Blandisi vs the OHL

I don't know if its other teams picking up on his tactics or you simply can't hit on all of them. If you go back to the last lockout you still have Greene, Oduya, Clarkson, Kinkaid, with Hrabaranka and Blandisi still up in the air.
- rmdevil313

The Devils were definitely ahead of the curve with finding players in a non traditional manner. We were more open to drafting undersized players like Gomez and Parise, scouting the European leagues for players and signing UDFAs out of college. The league has pretty much caught up to us when it comes to all that, although our scouting department is still pretty good at finding decent prospects that either were undrafted or went unsigned by the team that drafted them coming out of college and the junior leagues.

We could definitely benefit a lot if we can find another solid player or two in that fashion, so hopefully the team will be looking for a few UDFAs in the college ranks this summer. A good draft this year, a couple smart FA signings, trades and/or UDFAs would do a lot to help turn the team around quickly.

Blandisi vs the OHL
- SteveJ123

lol