ALMO a Devil

According to sportsnet.ca (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20050803_120514_5028) , Mogliny signed a Two year Seven Million dollar deal.



:handclap:

WOW! :yo:

Hope Gomez sticks around after next year.

Yes Yes Yes ****ing Yes!!!!!!!1

So where do the Dev's drop salary?

If Almo's hip is ok, this is a great addition and should make the East a bit more interesting.

Yes Yes Yes ****ing Yes!!!!!!!1

I couldn't say it better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back Alex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!1

:yo: :yo: :handclap:

thats an awful lot for a guy who is as injury prone as it gets these days.

I'm assuming this means Kozlov's days are very numbered.

Am I the only one that thinks it's a pretty big mistake to tie up over 7Mil between AlMo and Malakhov?

Sigh, lucky Devils....

If we can get a type of season that he gave us in 2000/2001 with 43 goals, it will help with Elias shelved until 2006. The economics of the game seems to be giving guys with a little rep and experience the same type of money. 3.5 mil seems fair compared to whats being thrown around. Almo having the year off of his hip and resting up could be a good thing. As for the Seven Mil, maybe Big Bird really wanted Vladdy, and Almo is one of the best of the remaining snipers on the Market. Also with the cap, I do wonder with will happen with Stevens and Elias. :dunno:

I'm guessing as of right now the #1 line is Mogilny-Gomez-Brylin

thats an awful lot for a guy who is as injury prone as it gets these days.

yeah, they are like 3.3 mil away from the cap. They are now at 35.7. How can they possibly sign anyone else? They only have 18 players on the team. They still need White, Martin, and Elias. Even if they sign those guys they probably need a few more extras.

My guess is they sign Martin and White for like 1.5 total and then sign 3-4 extras. Further more they will have NO room to work with.

I'm guessing as of right now the #1 line is Mogilny-Gomez-Brylin

Friesen-Gomez-Mogilny
Brylin-Kozlov-Marshall
Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner
Langdon-Rasmussen-Oliwa

:dunno:

yeah, they are like 3.3 mil away from the cap. They are now at 35.7. How can they possibly sign anyone else? They only have 18 players on the team. They still need White, Martin, and Elias. Even if they sign those guys they probably need a few more extras.

My guess is they sign Martin and White for like 1.5 total and then sign 3-4 extras. Further more they will have NO room to work with.

Lou will find a way.

Friesen-Gomez-Mogilny
Brylin-Kozlov-Marshall
Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner
Langdon-Rasmussen-Oliwa

:dunno:

Wow, when did Gionta become available? :sarcasm:

Am I the only one that thinks it's a pretty big mistake to tie up over 7Mil between AlMo and Malakhov?
The 3.5 for Alex seems to be fair market value, but yes, the Malakhov singing looks very very expensive.

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ok enough happiness

Time to take a lesson from Lou in budgeting...

Wow, when did Gionta become available? :sarcasm:

Ah yes, Little-G. :blush:

I guess you could stick him on the 2nd line and push Brylin on the 4th. Props to Brylin => a true team player. :clap:

Friesen-Gomez-Mogilny
Brylin-Kozlov-Marshall
Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner
Langdon-Rasmussen-Oliwa

:dunno:
You have to put Mogilny-Gomez-Brylin togehter at the start of the season....They worked together amazing....I wouldn't put together all the lines as their will be changes. I just don't get how this is going to work out. I can't see Lou trading Martin. McGillis and Malakhov aren't worth much right now as they could've been had for free a couple of weeks ago. Besides they are getting paid way to much. Hale a bright future, but will someone trade for a prospect who might have career health problems, besides he doesn't clear salary. WHite and Matvichuk, eventhough he never played a game are the only tewo I can see being traded on D right now.
AS for forwards. Lou even said he wanted to keep Jeff. I don't blame him. But Bobby Clarke also said he was done before Forsberg. Gionta, Kozlov, Pandolfo, Madden and Brylin I can see being trade bait. Who would want Oliwa at $836,000? Maybe Madden is ready to go somewhere and Lou picks up a really good checking Centre. But how many teams would take his salary. I am stumped....Maybe Elias' career is finished...

Mogilny if healthy is exactly what you need, but that's a HUGE if .. his hip makes Hatcher's knee looked perfectly healthy.

I dunno what to think, Lou has something up his sleeve, he knows Patty won't be ready at the start of the season, so he had salary to spend, when Elias comes back, that's when we'll see a trade. I think what is allowed to happen is that they can sign Elias to a multi-year deal, and it WON'T go against the cap until he comes back. All I know is, right now, my night is made.

Mogilny if healthy is exactly what you need, but that's a HUGE if .. his hip makes Hatcher's knee looked perfectly healthy.

Lou has been liberally acquiring "injury prone" players over the past two years or so. Kozlov, Malakhov, and now Almo.

I have no doubt in my mind that LR had MAJOR imput in this and the Malakhov signings.

This is 100% Larry Robinson's doing.

But I have to question it. First of all.... do we have the cap room? I knew that we were going to make moves of some sort, but... still.

I have some concerns with Mogilny's hip, but to be honest - in this case the potential benefits outweigh the potential losses.

This is just so darned wierd.

Has this been confirmed? Josetheodore's link is broken.

Almo is one of my favorite hockey players and I'd hate this to be some prank.

Has this been confirmed? Josetheodore's link is broken.

Almo is one of my favorite hockey players and I'd hate this to be some prank.

Sportsnet confirmed it, but they did this to us with Joe Nieu's signing two years ago, they've ****ed up alot, I'd feel ALOT safer with more links of this.

I am so ****ing psyched about this

Elias/Gomez/Gionta
Kozlov/Parise/Mogilny
Friesen/Madden/Langenbrunner
Oliwa/Brylin/Pandolfo

Marshall/Langdon/Rasmussen

Rafalski/White
Martin/McGillis
Malakhov/Matvichuk

Hale/Brown

Brodeur
Ahonen

Of course, we will have to make payroll room for Elias when he comes back (maybe even before), or if Captain returns. But I am very pleased with our lineup right now.

I am so ****ing psyched about this

Elias/Gomez/Gionta
Kozlov/Parise/Mogilny
Friesen/Madden/Langenbrunner
Oliwa/Brylin/Pandolfo

Marshall/Langdon/Rasmussen

Rafalski/White
Martin/McGillis
Malakhov/Matvichuk

Hale/Brown

Brodeur
Ahonen

Of course, we will have to make payroll room for Elias when he comes back (maybe even before), or if Captain returns. But I am very pleased with our lineup right now.No way that line-up will happen!!! If it was possible I'd say we would be top 3 to win the cup

No way that line-up will happen!!! If it was possible I'd say we would be top 3 to win the cup

Without a doubt we would. Hell, I almost think we are right now with this signing.

I imagine Friesen or Kozlov will be gone, but man I am salivating over that possible lineup.

Couple a questions:

1) Is there any news about who Lou plans to jettison?

2) A fellow Devils fan just pointed this out to me. How much influence do you guys think Larry had on this signing (and Malakhovs)?

3) Any chance of Suglobov being up this year?

Without a doubt we would. Hell, I almost think we are right now with this signing.

I imagine Friesen or Kozlov will be gone, but man I am salivating over that possible lineup.

Who's going to trade for Friesen or Kozlov? Most teams are capped out already.

This sort of good news makes me wonder why we have Langdon, Rasmussen, AND Oliwa. One of those knobs is fine, but all three?

Who's going to trade for Friesen or Kozlov? Most teams are capped out already.

Washington isn't.

Who's going to trade for Friesen or Kozlov? Most teams are capped out already.

The Sharks'll take Freeze....

Maybe Lou will buy someone out after all?

I'm so pumped, we needed this.

:clap:

Hi Alexander Mogilny! Goodbye to Viktor Kozlov! Gionta, we'll love you on the second line.

Seriously, I think this is a good signing. The Devils get a scoring forward, helps out the Devils on offense. I think it means the end of Kozlov and/or Friesen in NJ, though.

I love mogilny but i hope this doesn't mean that suglobov will spend another year on the rats. Gionta will probably play with Parise because they had some chemistry on the rats, and with friesen. Gomez will definitely be with almo and hopefully suglobov, which means goodbye Kozlov.

How ready is Hale? Do we need Matvichuk if Hale is ready to step into a 3rd pairing role? (Especially with Brown as a 1 mil cheaper backup)

Maybe Lou will buy someone out after all?

I'm so pumped, we needed this.

:clap:

It would still give you a cap hit.

Right now he'd have to trade players for basically nothing, unless he parts with someone good like Madden.

Who's going to trade for Friesen or Kozlov? Most teams are capped out already.

One team would be Florida. Don't they have $15 million left? :dunno:

If Edmonton has room in their 33mil budget after signing Smyth, I'd like to see Friesen here. I'd LOVE Langenbrunner, but I know that's not likely.

Right now he'd have to trade players for basically nothing, unless he parts with someone good like Madden.

Funny you say that because when I looked at the Devils payroll Madden's name with $3.9 Mil next to it and that was my first thought also.

Funny you say that because when I looked at the Devils payroll Madden's name with $3.9 Mil next to it and that was my first thought also.

Speaking as the enemy, I'd love for you guys to trade him.

Last year wasn't a great statistical year for him, but he scares the hell out of me.

Haha I called it earlier! I knew Almo would come back!

Haha I called it earlier! I knew Almo would come back!

Yeah me too! :amazed:

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=158883

Love the way the guy plays but that sure seems like an awful lot of money. Going to have to move somebody (Freisen or somebody) I think there are some takers out there besides the Caps.

yeah, they are like 3.3 mil away from the cap. They are now at 35.7. How can they possibly sign anyone else? They only have 18 players on the team. They still need White, Martin, and Elias. Even if they sign those guys they probably need a few more extras.

My guess is they sign Martin and White for like 1.5 total and then sign 3-4 extras. Further more they will have NO room to work with.

My sentiments exactly. Elias and Friesen take up that room easily. In fact Elias takes that room himself. This must be a joke or else Elias and Friesen and Madden are gone.

Sportsnet confirmed it, but they did this to us with Joe Nieu's signing two years ago, they've ****ed up alot, I'd feel ALOT safer with more links of this.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20050817T02491 7387&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=ice-hockey&team=Devils&league=nhl

If ever there was a right move at the right time for the Devils it happened late Tuesday evening when Lou Lamoriello announced the re-acquisition of Alexander Mogilny.

“He’s going to make our team better,” says the Devils CEO-President-General manager. “We’re delighted to bring him back because he’s a player who can break a game open at any time.”

http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20050817T02491 7387&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=ice-hockey&team=Devils&league=nhl

If ever there was a right move at the right time for the Devils it happened late Tuesday evening when Lou Lamoriello announced the re-acquisition of Alexander Mogilny.

“He’s going to make our team better,” says the Devils CEO-President-General manager. “We’re delighted to bring him back because he’s a player who can break a game open at any time.”

Thank you Greta!

Mogilny and Gomez? I am glad our teams only meet 4 times this year! Enjoy watching their magic.

Lamoriello allows that the signing – reportedly two years at $3.5 million – will challenge his “capology” but Lou sounds confident that he’ll solve the equation at the right time.


“I have until October first,” Lamoriello insists. “I’m aware of what I have to do.”



I ain't worried, never really was to begin with.

Love the way the guy plays but that sure seems like an awful lot of money. Going to have to move somebody (Freisen or somebody) I think there are some takers out there besides the Caps.
This move is added bonus for the Devils because Mogilny said one of the reasons he's coming back is so he can play with Gomer again.

So you see, were just not getting Mogilny back, were getting the Dynamic Duo back too.

:yo:

IMO...White, Oliwa & Rasmussen are done in NJ. There's no room for them here & we'll need to save some of that $$$ for when Elias comes back.

Lou will challenge everyone in camp to fight for their position. Then send down to Albany those who don't perform well enough. At least until Elias is ready to be signed, then wheel & deal them for future picks in next year's draft.

The next few weeks should be interesting.

However, I don't feel Stevens is coming back at this point. Which is why Lou made this deal.

This makes for an interesting set of lines.

When Elias returns, do you try out the EGG magic or put Mogilny on the first line? Do you play Brylin with Gomez and Mogilny until then or use Gionta, Friesen, Kozlov, or Langs? Does Parise center Elias and Gionta if he does well while you keep Almo and Gomez together?

My lines without Elias:

Friesen-Gomez-Mogilny (Friesen will do very well with Gomez I think)
Kozlov-Parise-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Langs
Marshall-Rasmussen-Brylin

Extra: Langdon, Oliwa

With Elias:

Elias-Gomez-Mogilny
Friesen-Parise-Kozlov
Pandolfo-Madden-Langs
Rasmussen-Brylin-Gionta

I have to say, that is definately some pretty decent forward depth. I wouldn't mind seeing one of Kozlov or Friesen traded once Elias comes back. If it were Kozlov, the lines could look like:

Elias-Gomez-Mogilny
Friesen-Parise-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Langs
Marshall-Brylin-Rasmussen


Or, you could keep the EGG line together and put Mogilny on the 2nd line.

Elias-Gomez-Gionta
Friesen-Parise-Mogilny
Pandolfo-Madden-Langs
Marshall-Brylin-Rasmussen


So many options...

Speaking as the enemy, I'd love for you guys to trade him.

Last year wasn't a great statistical year for him, but he scares the hell out of me.

Madden jumps out at me as well. He's expensive, and we have an excess of centers with Gomez, Parise, and Kozlov on the top 3 lines. I'd still like to keep Madden if possbile, but of course, the whole point of the cap is that it might not be.

My lines

Brylin-Gomez-Mogilny - Should be better than ever
Gionta-Parise-Suglobov - obscene offensive skills
Marshall-Kozlov-Langenbrunner - Good 3rd line
Pandolfo-Oliwa-Rasmussen - we need a 4th line center

EDIT: Note that these are pretty good lines without Elias, Friesen, or Madden, three top 6 forwards.

We're a much better team now than we were 5 hours ago.

I had my lines set like this:

Elias-Gomez-Gionta

Friesen-Parise-Mogilny

Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner

Brylin-Kozlov-Suglobov

I can also see

Elias-Gomez-Mogilny

Friesen-Parise-Kozlov

Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner

Suglobov-Brylin-Gionta

Without Elias

Friesen-Gomez-Mogilny

Brylin-Parise-Gionta

Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner

Suglobov-Kozlov-Rasmussen

I didn't know about this 10% threshold thing though??

Wow. Just wow. Im excited again. If Almo can play 60 games and score 25-30 goals he will be worth every penny.

Elias-Gomez-Mogilny


That might be the franchise's most offensively talented line ever (assuming they're all healthy, as all three have question marks about their health)

Mogilny >>>> Sykora
Gomez >>>>>>>>>>>> Arnott

I'm thinking:

Suglobov-Kozlov-Mogilny

might be an interesting line. :jump:

So very very jealous. I loved this guy so much. Still my fav player. I don't care about hip surgeries or whatever..

Such a classy player, a funny guy as well.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2136024

Mogilny had other options this time around in the free-agent market but jumped at the chance to return to the Devils.

"New Jersey has always been a front-runner for me and I always wanted to come back," he said Tuesday night from California.


Now we know this is a hoax, because every player hates the prison camp-like Devils organization and the brutal regime of 'Fat' Lou "She-Wolf of the SS" Lamoriello.
:sarcasm:

“The Devils were my favorite,” says Almo who often had expressed regrets about leaving the Meadowlands in the first place. “Every aspect of the franchise pleases me."

-- MSG (http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20050817T02491 7387&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=ice-hockey&team=Devils&league=nhl)

Some one posted it before me but it was my first thought after the Almo deal was nnounced...I don't think Stevens is coming back.

You know, I have to admit as a Flyer's Fan, that your roster looks pretty bloody good.......in fact if you guys get Stevens back, I think I may even be scared of those pesky Devils again!!! Regardless, that is a nice team.....Ottawa is still the team that scares me most from a Flyer's perspective, but the Devs are catching up to be sure!

You know, I have to admit as a Flyer's Fan, that your roster looks pretty bloody good.......in fact if you guys get Stevens back, I think I may even be scared of those pesky Devils again!!! Regardless, that is a nice team.....Ottawa is still the team that scares me most from a Flyer's perspective, but the Devs are catching up to be sure!

The Devils did improve with the pick up of Almo. You should be more concerned if Stevens doesn't return to the Devils than if he does. I feel playing the Flyers this season with Stevens is a bigger risk than without. The Flyers have size to bump him around plus some speed to skate by him. Without Stevens on the ice the Devil's team will get up even more to take down the Flyers.

Ottawa does looks good. Getting Elias back and the health of the Devils offense will be key this season for the Devils. I am now optimistic with the Almo pickup.

Almo will help us big time in shoot-outs too. Those points will be precious. Who's on the outs? I see possibly White, Kozlov, Ramussen, Marshal and one of Oliwa or Langdon. Need one heavy weight. I think Friesen stays. How about White and Kozlov to Buffalo for Drew Stafford to bring him in to play with is buddy Zach! Sabres are in need of defensemen for sure.

If Brylin is not played with Gomez and Mogilny he has to go. It is pointless for someone to be paid that much and on the fourth line....I don't want to let go of Friesen as his speed will help him this year and Kozlov who never really got to play with the Devils... BRylin, Oliwa, Pando,White Matvichuk should be available etc.

EGG
Koz-Parise-Mog
Friesen-MAdden-Langs
Langd/Ras/Marshall

Almo will help us big time in shoot-outs too. Those points will be precious. Who's on the outs? I see possibly White, Kozlov, Ramussen, Marshal and one of Oliwa or Langdon. Need one heavy weight. I think Friesen stays. How about White and Kozlov to Buffalo for Drew Stafford to bring him in to play with is buddy Zach! Sabres are in need of defensemen for sure.Oliwa over Langdon and MArshall and Rasmusen most likely will stay as Lou has to get rid of salary..

Almo's hip was a question in Toronto, but it's safe to assume that your club tested him extensively before bringing him in. To assume otherwise is to be unnecessarily negative.

All the best to Almo, I've always liked Gomez and I've liked Almo for quite some time. I wish the best to both of them, and while Gomez has been far from a scrub since he left, I think Almo can bring Gomez's talent back into the spotlight.

If Brylin is not played with Gomez and Mogilny he has to go. It is pointless for someone to be paid that much and on the fourth line....I don't want to let go of Friesen as his speed will help him this year and Kozlov who never really got to play with the Devils... BRylin, Oliwa, Pando,White Matvichuk should be available etc.

EGG
Koz-Parise-Mog
Friesen-MAdden-Langs
Langd/Ras/Marshall
I think one of the reasons we brought back Almo was for his chemistry with Gomer, it would be silly to bring him in for $7 Mil and then seperate them on different lines.

I think, regardless of what happens, our first two lines will be able to switch being the #1 and the #2. We'll have two #1.5 lines IMO, a checking line, and a grinding line.

I think Gomez will be paired with Mogilny and Parise with Elias - if nothing else, it gives Parise more room to work with because Elias is definitely the bigger offensive threat.

Almo will help us big time in shoot-outs too. Those points will be precious. Who's on the outs? I see possibly White, Kozlov, Ramussen, Marshal and one of Oliwa or Langdon. Need one heavy weight. I think Friesen stays. How about White and Kozlov to Buffalo for Drew Stafford to bring him in to play with is buddy Zach! Sabres are in need of defensemen for sure.

I wouldnt mind trading Kozlov to Ottawa for Bochenski, as he and Parise were two of the best players in the NCAA for a couple years.

I wouldnt mind trading Kozlov to Ottawa for Bochenski, as he and Parise were two of the best players in the NCAA for a couple years.
whoever the Devils deal will likely have very little value, especially like Kozlov. Everyone knows at this moment that the Devils are in serious cap trouble and need to dump guys, I could see Lou having to add picks just to get rid of the likes of White and Kozlov. A lot of teams are pretty close to the cap right now so there will be very few teams in the market for these guys.

We have 3 pretty darn good lines...man does Mogilny really help fill out these offensive lines

Any combo of these 9 is still goign to be 3 very good lines:

Elias
Gomez
Mogilny
Parise
Kozlov
Gionta
Friesen
Langenbrunner
Madden

That might be the franchise's most offensively talented line ever (assuming they're all healthy, as all three have question marks about their health)

Mogilny >>>> Sykora
Gomez >>>>>>>>>>>> Arnott

Mogilny 3 years ago was better than Sykora but certainly not Mogilny now and Sykora on the A-line.

Btw I think you're forgetting how good that A-line was...still the best NJ line I've ever seen offensively and there's not even a close 2nd.

The only reason that signing Almo seems like too much money is because of the other contracts we have signed, not because of Almo. I think he is worth that money, and might be a steal in this new open hockey system.

Madden should have been bought out along with Brylin and marshall. Malakov shouldn't have gotten so much money either.

But signing Almo on its own was a very good move. I have faith that Lou will be making some moves to make this all work.

Mogilny if healthy is exactly what you need, but that's a HUGE if .. his hip makes Hatcher's knee looked perfectly healthy.


Oh, so you've seen the Xray and MRI of both Mogilny's hip and Hatcher's knee? :shakehead

The gap between the Devils and Flyers - if there was one and indeed, at full strength, I'll take the Devils over the Flyers since Clarke :confused: has yet to realize that you win nothing unless you've got strong goaltending and they don't come any stronger than Marty - has narrowed.

Any word on Stevens? I'm interested to see how your team reacts to losing two top D-Men in one year (even if Stevens has lost a step or three). If you guys remain ultra-competitive with the loss of both, I'll be more than impressed, I'll be in awe-- and I don't see it as that far of a stretch, somehow NJ handles the loss of quality players very well.

[QUOTE=Platapie]Any word on Stevens? I'm interested to see how your team reacts to losing two top D-Men in one year (even if Stevens has lost a step or three). If you guys remain ultra-competitive with the loss of both, I'll be more than impressed, I'll be in awe-- and I don't see it as that far of a stretch, somehow NJ handles the loss of quality players very well.[/QUOTE

There was a quote from Gomez a few weeks ago stating that he was working out with Stevens. That's about it so far!

IMO...White, Oliwa & Rasmussen are done in NJ. There's no room for them here & we'll need to save some of that $$$ for when Elias comes back.

Lou will challenge everyone in camp to fight for their position. Then send down to Albany those who don't perform well enough. At least until Elias is ready to be signed, then wheel & deal them for future picks in next year's draft.

The next few weeks should be interesting.

However, I don't feel Stevens is coming back at this point. Which is why Lou made this deal.

I'd keep White over Matvichuk. He's younger and tougher at this stage of their careers I think. Matvichuk in his prime I would take over White no doubt but not at this point. Oliwa I would drive to the airport myself....so long!

I'd keep White over Matvichuk. He's younger and tougher at this stage of their careers I think. Matvichuk in his prime I would take over White no doubt but not at this point. Oliwa I would drive to the airport myself....so long!


The problem is that Colin has more trade value, but if Lou is planing to give certain players away for 2nd or 3rd round picks, then I agree!

This is the best offense the Devils have had since the A-line. I predict top 5 in scoring this year (depending on when Elias gets back). 80 points for both Mogilny and Gomez and 60 for Parise.

I'd package Madden, Langdon/Oliwa/Rasmussen, and a d-man now. Madden is overpriced for a checking center, and we don't need that many grinders/enforcers. Lou will make the right move. Dump as much salary by trading excess crap for a difference-making defenseman (Stevens is gone, IMO), and then possibly sign one more forward with some offensive upside.

I'd package Madden, Langdon/Oliwa/Rasmussen, and a d-man now. Madden is overpriced for a checking center, and we don't need that many grinders/enforcers. Lou will make the right move. Dump as much salary by trading excess crap for a difference-making defenseman (Stevens is gone, IMO), and then possibly sign one more forward with some offensive upside.


John Madden is not going anywhere...Stereotypical Devils forward and Selke award winner....He also has the ability to score goals..I think people vastly underestimate his value to this team..He deserves the money he got from Lou. We lose John Madden and everyone would be crying about how our forwards can't stop anyone from scoring...He stays for the next 3 years minimum...

Time to compare maybe? Maybe we can just go through lines and such.

Gagne-Forsberg-Carter vs. Brylin-Gomez-Mogilny

Edge: Flyers (assuming health is good for all parties) Gagne should pot plenty with Forsberg and Carter is a tremendous prospect. Love the chemistry for the Devs, but not enough I don't think.

Knuble-Handzus-Radivojevic vs. Gionta-Parise-Elias

Edge: Devils no contest. Elias is top-notch and Gionta is very dangerous. I love Zeus, but Knuble hasn't proved he can score without Thornton and Radivojevic is still unproven.

Kapanen-Primeau-Sharp vs. Langenbrunner-Madden-Pandolfo

Edge: Flyers. I like Madden, but I'd take Primeau over him and Primeau and Kapanen have size and speed to shut down any opposition. Sharp could also have a nice year. Just a slight edge here for PHI though.

Sim-Richards-Stevenson vs. Marshall-Rasmussen-Oliwa

Edge: Flyers. I like Marshall a lot, but Richards is a big stud and I like Stevenson a lot too. Not a fan of Oliwa, what a goon, averaged less than 5 minutes in Calgary.

Johnsson-Desjardins vs. Rafalski-White

Edge: Flyers. I like Rafalski, but the guy is just not a No.1. He's also pretty undersized. White is good, but Johnsson really is a No.1 and Desjardins should benefit from a year off and the new rules.

Rathje-Pitkanen vs. Martin-McGillis

Edge: Flyers. Rathje is overpaid, but still a top 4 d-man for sure, Pitkanen is arguably the best young defenseman in the game. Martin is a very good young player, but just not quite in Pitkanen's class, I think McGillis is only a borderline top 4 as well.

Hatcher-Seidenberg vs. Matvichuk-Malakhov

Edge: Devils. Matvichuk's season was decent at best, but that beats Hatcher's terrible year. Seidenberg is also a good young player, but Malakhov has much more experience.

Esche-Niittymaki vs. Brodeur-Ahonen

Edge: This is where it gets ugly if you're a Flyers fan. Marty is the best in the NHL and Ahonen is also very good, I'd take Niittymaki over Ahonen I think and Esche has beaten the Devils once before, but still a huge edge to NJ.

Overall: Flyers. I think that Philly has much more depth at forward and a better defense as well. Brodeur is top-class, but Esche is certainly quite capable and Niittymaki is also excellent.

I'm not even going to bother comparing until we get closer to Oct. 1. We all know this isn't the roster entering the season.

Overall: Flyers. I think that Philly has much more depth at forward and a better defense as well. Brodeur is top-class, but Esche is certainly quite capable and Niittymaki is also excellent.

Nice analysis, you left out Friesen and Kozlov, although that might have been your logical conclusion on who gets cut to get us under the cap.

Devils definitely worry me on paper, although I didn't think we had nearly enough firepower in 2002-03 when the season started.

Should be a fun season. I'm kicking myself for not signing Niitymaki in my keeper league a few years back. Probably thought to myself: "Flyers already have Cechmanek, Boucher, and Ouellet." Ugh, I cringe to think I probably signed somebody like Cody Rudkowsky instead.

I think, regardless of what happens, our first two lines will be able to switch being the #1 and the #2. We'll have two #1.5 lines IMO, a checking line, and a grinding line.

I think Gomez will be paired with Mogilny and Parise with Elias - if nothing else, it gives Parise more room to work with because Elias is definitely the bigger offensive threat. Agreed a hundred percent with all of this. In '03-'04, this Devils team really lacked that interchangeable secondary scoring line that was as good a threat to consistently produce offense as the first line with Friesen-Nieuwendyk-Langenbrunner the season before. Part of that was the lackluster sophmore season from Jeff Friesen, the untimely injury to Jamie Langenbrunner which seemed to hinder his play even after he returned, and of course the key loss of Joe Nieuwendyk at center who made it a priority to regularly challenge and push his linemates to play their hardest each and every shift. That kind of chemistry was infectious that season. (Incidently, I'm not convinced at this point if we'll ever again see the same consistency and production from Jeff Friesen that we witnessed when he was playing with Nieuwy and Langenbrunner which is one reason why I'd be ok if he was ultimately dealt - he needs to regularly be on a line where both his linemates are constantly harping on him not to let off the gas pedal imo). Not suprisingly, we didn't really read comments in the newspapers from opposition head coaches indicating they viewed the Devils as a team with 1A and 1B scoring lines in '03-'04 like we did in '02-'03.

The Devils power play with Alexander Mogilny added, harder and more accurate point shots from guys like Dan McGillis and Vladimir Malakhov (definate upgrade over the innacurate ones we grew accustomed to with guys like Oleg Tverdovsky in '03), the steady improvements from Paul Martin and Brian Rafalski (now no longer playing in Scott Niedermayer's shadow which he's done his whole career - again key) , and the deletion of failed power play specialist Igor Larionov should give this team and Zach Parise plenty of options for offense with the man advantage. Our prospects are looking better and better with moves like this.

Nice analysis, you left out Friesen and Kozlov, although that might have been your logical conclusion on who gets cut to get us under the cap.

Devils definitely worry me on paper, although I didn't think we had nearly enough firepower in 2002-03 when the season started.

Should be a fun season. I'm kicking myself for not signing Niitymaki in my keeper league a few years back. Probably thought to myself: "Flyers already have Cechmanek, Boucher, and Ouellet." Ugh, I cringe to think I probably signed somebody like Cody Rudkowsky instead.

Yeah, I don't figure you guys can keep Elias, Madden, Friesen and Kozlov, so I thought I'd cut a couple.

A couple years ago, Niittymaki was a decent prospect, a year ago he was a good prospect, now, he's Calder Cup MVP, how times change eh ;)

I know I've never been this excited by a FA signing and I can't see it being topped in the near future. Screw the heath questions, I love Almo to death. Back as a Devil, playing with Gomer... if this wasn't a message board I'd offer to buy everyone a drink. :cheers:

The Devil's owner is willing to max out Cap spending. Lou is signing Elias to his 4.2 mil QO or a longer contract, but Elias' salary will not count against the cap until he's healthy enough to play. As far I've heard, Elias hasn't even been medically cleared to start conditioning. To assume Elias will rejoin the team before Dec. 1 is just wishful thinking.

So why should Lou have a payroll 4 mil under the Cap for at least a third of the season? Every team in the league believes they have a good shot at making the playoffs, there will be plenty of trades to be made in the next few months.

Nice analysis, you left out Friesen and Kozlov, although that might have been your logical conclusion on who gets cut to get us under the cap.


I dont see how you can get under the cap with both Elias and Mogilny period. Its going to take a lot more than Friesen and Kozlov, in fact its going to take more than just Elias, probably Friesen and Elias.

Lou has said he will be under by October 1 and I beleive him. He will cut some players or trade for draft choices.

I am not sure how the accounting works maybe deferred money doesn't count. Elias's money won't count until he is off injured list.

As I have posted before I don't think Stevens is in the mix I don't think he is coming back. The Devils don't actually need him on the ice there D is fine and they have more defensive players than necessary without him.

Don't be concerned let's just be excited about the Almo signing.

Re: Not too many UFA's left (http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=3263088#post3263088) - 08-11-2005, 05:44 PM

Here's the list, if you could pick one to pick up the slack for Elias' abscence who would it be?

My choice, is Mogilny, without a shadow of a doubt, his agent says he's ready, plus he's got chemistry with Gomez, it was established in 01. Only thing with Almo is that I don't think he'll be coming here. My second choice is Jo Stumpel, and third, I'll take Selanne, or Deadmarsh (pending health)

John Madden is not going anywhere...Stereotypical Devils forward and Selke award winner....He also has the ability to score goals..I think people vastly underestimate his value to this team..He deserves the money he got from Lou. We lose John Madden and everyone would be crying about how our forwards can't stop anyone from scoring...He stays for the next 3 years minimum... I'm with you there. With Scott Niedermayer and Scott Stevens (presumably) gone, John Madden's value to the team has spiked to a whole new level. He's just too important to the Devils postseason chances to consider moving him at this point even if his cost is deemed as a bit too much. Had Bobby Holik agreed to return to NJ prior to choosing the Atlanta Thrashers, its likely John Madden would have been dealt at that time, but it didn't quite play out that way which is just as well. John Madden is a core-player with the right attitude and thirst for competition you build successful hockey teams around. Offensively, I believe he can be as valuable of a contributor to the team as he is defensively. More work on his shot to cut down on all the crossbars and posts he hits will help. He's here to stay for now which is a good thing for us. Its funny how his perception tends to skew to the extremes with regards to him being underrated or overrated on HF.

I dont see how you can get under the cap with both Elias and Mogilny period. Its going to take a lot more than Friesen and Kozlov, in fact its going to take more than just Elias, probably Friesen and Elias.

Write Lou Lamoriello at Continental Arena if you're so concerned.

Who's going to trade for Friesen or Kozlov? Most teams are capped out already.
Can you say.......San Jose Sharks

Devils Players I personally expect to start in Alabny:

1. Hale, Brown, Langdon, Suglobov


2. Forward 13 forward

Centers: Gomez, Parise, Madden, Rasmussen

RW: Langenbrunner, Mogilny, Gionta, Kozlov, Marshall = 1 must go unless Parise starts the season in Albany (highly unlikely) and Kozlov is played at Centerthe next center. If one must go it will be Kozlov

LW: Friesen, Brylin, Pandolfo Oliwa


D: (1)Matvichuk - Rafalski (2) McGillis - Martin (3) Malakhov - White


G: Brodeur and Clemmensen


Brodeur G $5,237,238.00
Rafalski D $4,200,000.00
Malakhov D $3,600,000.00
Madden C $2,200,000
Mogilny W $3,500,000.00
Friesen W $2,280,000.00
Gomez C $2,204,000.00
McGillis D $2,200,000.00
Kozlov W $1,746,000.00
White D $1,710,000.00
Langenbrunner W $1,655,128.00
Brylin C/W $1,520,000.00
Matvichuk D $1,368,000.00
Oliwa W $836,000.00
Pandolfo W $836,000.00
Marshall W $760,000.00
Gionta W $570,000.00
Rasmussen C/W $532,000.00
Martin D $501,600.00
Clemmensen G $450,000.00


Opening Night Roster = $38,555,966.00


Seems to work just fine to me......There is a descrepency over the way Madden's salary is being reported and what Parise will get........If you Bump Madden up to the reported 3.8 and give Parise 900K the Devil are at $40,405,966.00 which means the Devils must clear roughly $1,405,966......Likely target = Kozlov 1.7

Re: Not too many UFA's left (http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=3263088#post3263088) - 08-11-2005, 05:44 PM

Psh, that was just an opinion, I even said I don't think he wanted to come back, I was wrong on that too.

Can anyone explain this from TSN?

"The signing puts the Devils over the $39-million US salary cap, but less than the 10 per cent maximum. Lamoriello said the club will be back under the threshold before the Oct. 1 deadline."

What 10%?

Other people were curious about the "10%":

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=163554

Madden jumps out at me as well. He's expensive, and we have an excess of centers with Gomez, Parise, and Kozlov on the top 3 lines. I'd still like to keep Madden if possbile, but of course, the whole point of the cap is that it might not be.

My lines

Brylin-Gomez-Mogilny - Should be better than ever
Gionta-Parise-Suglobov - obscene offensive skills
Marshall-Kozlov-Langenbrunner - Good 3rd line
Pandolfo-Oliwa-Rasmussen - we need a 4th line center

EDIT: Note that these are pretty good lines without Elias, Friesen, or Madden, three top 6 forwards.


If Madden goes, so does Pandolfo.

At 800k Pando's going nowhere.

From a sportsnet.ca article...

Brodeur asked reporters how much Mogilny signed for and found it interesting when told it was a $7-million US, two-year deal.

"It's funny how it works, eh? Lou (Lamoriello) wouldn't give him that after we won the Stanley Cup (in 2000)," laughed Brodeur. "And now we have the new system and he gives him that."

It is funny. I have to think that Lou knows something the rest of us don't. These signings make little sense, and yet he keeps making them. What does Lou know?

Alexander Mogilny, the right winger who earned a Stanley Cup ring with New Jersey, signed a $7-million US, two-year contract Tuesday night to return to the Devils.

Mogilny came to the Devils late in the 1999-00 season and helped New Jersey to its second championship with four goals and three assists in the playoffs.

:eek:

It is funny. I have to think that Lou knows something the rest of us don't. These signings make little sense, and yet he keeps making them. What does Lou know?

I agree, he knows something. In fact this paragraph could be a smoking gun to that from a article from Stan the Ass.

Are you surprised at the manner in which the signings have gone? Lou Lamoriello is. “I didn’t expect so many long-term deals,” says the Devils leader. “You have to do today and prepare for tomorrow. We don’t know where The Cap will be next year or the year after. Once you get into three, four and five-year contracts, you’re putting yourself in a bind.”

http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20050815T22503 5642&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=ice-hockey&team=other&league=nhl

I think part of Lou's plan is to play contracts almost year to year and no more than two, as almost if has an idea what is down the road already.

This cap thing might very well take Lou into a new level of brilliance that we could only imagine and despite the fact he was against it, he seems to act like he wrote it.

I am so not worried on what we will do when Elias gets back, you know Lou already knows.

Lou should know the intricacies of the CBA more than any other GM since he helped in the negotiation process. It is because of this (and of course his incredible track record) I believe he will lead the Devils to dominance once again.

Marty was wrong. Lou would have loved to have signed AlMo for 3.5 per year in 2001. He was willing to take 5 million to Toronto's 5.5 to stay with the Devs, so Lou isn't as cheap as Marty says :D

I love the Lou worship going on here. He could be barking mad and all the Jersey fans would be like, "he has a plan". Seriously, its getting to messianic proportions. People wont criticize anything he does no matter how rediculous. I dont care what sort of voodoo he has up his sleeve, there is no secret clause he snuck into the CBA that no one else knows about. Instead of saying he will somehow make it all right, look at the math. The Devils will have problems getting down to the cap without trading key players in salary dump deals.

When you lead a team to dominance and 3 Stanley Cups with three different squads, you learn to trust that the GM knows what he's doing.

If Madden goes, so does Pandolfo.

No way this happens and no way Lou gives up the Goal Scoring Machine and International Playboy, Jay Pandolfo.

I love the Lou worship going on here. He could be barking mad and all the Jersey fans would be like, "he has a plan". Seriously, its getting to messianic proportions. People wont criticize anything he does no matter how rediculous. I dont care what sort of voodoo he has up his sleeve, there is no secret clause he snuck into the CBA that no one else knows about. Instead of saying he will somehow make it all right, look at the math. The Devils will have problems getting down to the cap without trading key players in salary dump deals.

OK, tell me the last time that he hasn't had a plan? Take your time.

OK, tell me the last time that he hasn't had a plan? Take your time.
I have to side with Mojo on this one. Just because he does have a plan, doesn't mean he's somehow going to fudge the numbers and make everything work. He'll likely make a move and mitigate it's negative effect, but something will have to be done. The numbers just don't add up.

I have to side with Mojo on this one. Just because he does have a plan, doesn't mean he's somehow going to fudge the numbers and make everything work. He'll likely make a move and mitigate it's negative effect, but something will have to be done. The numbers just don't add up.
Check his track record.....he knows what he is doing. He is thinking a couple moves ahead every time he signs someone.

Check his track record.....he knows what he is doing. He is thinking a couple moves ahead every time he signs someone.
I haven't been living in a cave for the last ten years. I know his track record. However, his track record is not going to be able to overcome the fact that there will be a cap problem. Thinking that everything will be perfectly fine and no moves will be made would be very shortsighted on your part.

Thinking that everything will be perfectly fine and no moves will be made would be very shortsighted on your part.


ummm.... didn't we already establish that moves WILL be made :eek:

I have to side with Mojo on this one. Just because he does have a plan, doesn't mean he's somehow going to fudge the numbers and make everything work. He'll likely make a move and mitigate it's negative effect, but something will have to be done. The numbers just don't add up.
What did you guys think we were talking about?

ummm.... didn't we already establish that moves WILL be made :eek: Yes we did. We knew before the lockout began that Lou was going to protect all of his assets for the greater good of the teams interests. He's mentioned that there was and still is considerable interest in all of the players that needed qualifying offers. The Devils are one season removed from winning the ultimate prize in hockey. These same players don't lose all their trade value over the course of one year now following a first round eliminition in the post-season. Moves will be made accordingly to get this team in line with a new CBA that Lou Lamoriello himself helped craft. I'm not sure where the basis for all this lingering doubt comes from just as I don't really understand the "panic move" labling with regards to the Malakhov and McGillis acquisitions.

Hell Yeah!!!

I'm not sure why it's shocking that Devils fans find their team's GM more credible than a hockey fan with a calculator and a link to TSN.CA's Eastern Conference Tracker.

You may not like some of Lou's moves, but you really think he doesn't know what he's doing? Plenty of teams will be dealing, Lou is smart enough to reduce payroll without "trading key players in salary dump deals". Lou is flexable and likes to keep his options open. Will Stevens return? Will Elias sign a multi-year contract? I don't know, but I have faith Lou will be able to deal with it.

Now I'm off to sacrifice a goat to our Dark Lord GM...

I haven't been living in a cave for the last ten years. I know his track record. However, his track record is not going to be able to overcome the fact that there will be a cap problem. Thinking that everything will be perfectly fine and no moves will be made would be very shortsighted on your part.


Thinking that we assume no moves will be made is uninformed on your part.