Oli Jokinen

He's set for UFA status, turned down an offer of 4 mill per, so he'll command a lot, we probably don't have cap room to even sign him after the season, but, I wonder if it's a good idea to pick him up at the deadline, he'd look deadly on the 2nd line.

He's set for UFA status, turned down an offer of 4 mill per, so he'll command a lot, we probably don't have cap room to even sign him after the season, but, I wonder if it's a good idea to pick him up at the deadline, he'd look deadly on the 2nd line.

He's going to a pretty popular guy in trade rumors the rest of the year, not that he hadn't been anyways. The media up here in Calgary have this huge obessesion with him and after listening to Sutter chat on the radio this afternoon, it sounds like he still has the ammo to make a deal to land a guy like Jokinen. Honestly, I think the Devils would be better off keeping the young talent they have up front rather than give up the farm to get a guy who is talented, but could just end up leaving after the season ends....

The Devils should go with what they have this year. They are pretty far from serious Cup contention so one or two vets won't make much of a difference. I don't mean give up on the season by any means, but the Devils need more prospect depth than they need a rental for a longshot. If anything they should unload a player or two that isn't helping them much, like Kozlov. I know the offense is thin enough as it is, but the Devils need to look more to the future this year.

He's gonna cost at least a 1st rounder (a la Weight) or a top prospect (Zajac) to land. Probably not worth it to us since we probably need the money to keep Elias and Gomez as is.

One rental which I think possibly would fit would be Mark Recchi (player option next year). He has a no trade clause however, but I think he would look nice on Parise's wing.

He should stay in Florida. :cry:

The Devils should go with what they have this year. They are pretty far from serious Cup contention so one or two vets won't make much of a difference. I don't mean give up on the season by any means, but the Devils need more prospect depth than they need a rental for a longshot. If anything they should unload a player or two that isn't helping them much, like Kozlov. I know the offense is thin enough as it is, but the Devils need to look more to the future this year.

Far? I don't think so. Not a favorite but if they get in anything can happen. Remember the Canes and Ducks of several years ago. Plus the Devs are playing quite well.

Far? I don't think so. Not a favorite but if they get in anything can happen. Remember the Canes and Ducks of several years ago. Plus the Devs are playing quite well.
I'm pretty sure what he meant, and I agree, is that this team is further away from being serious cup contenders than we've been in the past. We are not one good trade away from being shoe-ins for the SCF. I would like to go into the playoffs as an underdog while maintaining our future picks/prospects. I think the more we give up now to stay huge contenders will only make us fall harder in the future. I would really like this season to be our equivalent of a "rebuilding year."

I would like to go into the playoffs as an underdog while maintaining our future picks/prospects.

That is what I meant, we need to look more to the future this year. We have a chance to pull off some upsets (any team with Brodeur would!), but we're not "one player away". I would rather go with what we have.

Our team's future ... and every team's future is going to be in getting guys in the draft.

There are a lot of non-household names making waves in the league and making differences for their teams. Meanwhile, the league seems to have passed by the Yashins and the Pecas and their ilk. It's definitely interesting to watch.

Personally, I think the Devils should sink or swim based upon the current crop. Come off season, after we resign Gomez and Elias, we can determine if we can afford any more forward luxeries. Parise will be in his second season and the second wave of Zajac/Bergfors/Vrana/Suglobov will be on the way.

Personally, I think the Devils should sink or swim based upon the current crop. Come off season, after we resign Gomez and Elias, we can determine if we can afford any more forward luxeries. Parise will be in his second season and the second wave of Zajac/Bergfors/Vrana/Suglobov will be on the way.

I totally agree. However, if they can add some secondary scoring for a third or maybe a second depending on who the player is, it might not be such a bad idea. I’m under no illusions concerning the Devils chances of winning the cup this year, but anything is possible and at the very least it would be sweet if we were to meet the Rangers and end their season.