Why keeping Jamie Langenbrunner is far more important than you think

First, a premise -

The only thing that matters to this team is playoff performance.

If you don't buy that, skip this thread. If you do, then there should be no question in your mind that Jamie Langenbrunner is worth $4 million.

We all agree that Elias is our #1 target. His playoff performace bears it out: 94 points in 111 games. Excellent. Exactly what you would expect from an elite forward.

If you want a bit of a surprise, check Jamie's stats. 70 points in 112 games. But here's where it gets good: 11 game winners. Very fitting that he wears #15. Oh yeah, he hits, kills penalties, leads, and does everything else a postseason forward needs to do.

No, he's not Elias. But you know what he is? Gary Roberts. He doesn't hit as hard, but he's an absolute warrior in the playoffs.

You win with guys like Langenbrunner.

With all the talk around these boards I think he could be more like the next Martin Lapointe...

i agree, i definitely want to keep jamie.


gotta love the way he plays night in and night out, and never complains

Glad you did a thread on this as it seemed like Langenbrunner wasn't getting the respect he deserved from some Devils fans both in the regular season and in the playoffs. I'm continually surprised at the number of folks fine with seeing him leave NJ in the offseason. He's the Rodney Dangerfield of this team imo.

I'm a Ranger fan that hates the Devils and their players with a passion. Except for Jamie Langenbrunner. He embodies all of the qualities that I think are important in a hockey player (speed, toughness, great shot), especially in the playoffs. I would be shocked if Lou lets him walk.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for keeping Langs. He's a great player, especially in the postseason, but I can't see him sticking around after we resign Elias, Gomez, and Gionta. Will there be any room for him in the budget?

But if he does leave, I can see a finesse player, say, Bergfors, taking his spot. Imagine a line with Bergfors and Elias. Disregarding the center, playing with Elias will help Bergfors' developement far more imo than playing another year in Albany. I can see a slow start to his NHL career, but being on a line with Elias will do wonders for the kid, similar to the way Parise matured and improved production while on a line with Gomez and Gionta.

Any thoughts?

I'd welcome Langenbrunner on the pens in heart beat. He'd work great with Crosby too.

What's important is how Lou feels about Jamie. There was a quote a few years ago by Lou about Jamie being the perfect Devil player and it seems like Jamie wants to stay in Jersey. I believe Langenbrunner will be resigned. Actually, I feel there is a better chance of him staying then Elias.

With all the talk around these boards I think he could be more like the next Martin Lapointe...

Martin Lapointe was a perennial 30 point player until 2 years before he hit UFA, when he scored 41 and 57 points. After signing his contract, he quickly reverted to being a 30 point scorer. Even in his better years, Lapointe was not half the playoff performer that Jamie is.

But you don't pay $4 Million for guys like Langenbrunner. He is getting so overrated lately. He had a pretty off year as far as all the bad penalties went, and he also appeared a bit slow. Sorry, no player who scores 19 goals and is pretty good on D deserves $4 Million, I don't care how clutch he is in the playoffs.

Jamie asks for more than $2 Million, I would let him walk.

^^^^agreed.

First, a premise -

The only thing that matters to this team is playoff performance.

If you don't buy that, skip this thread.

I don't care how clutch he is in the playoffs.

Um, I guess I misentepreted what you meant then. What's the point of this post then, to measure Jamie's value if no regular season was played and the Devils went directly to the playoffs? Sorry for not understanding. :confused:

I thought it was pretty straightforward.

Our only goal is to win in the playoffs. Player value should be judged accordingly.

For example, a guy like Victor Kozlov who can get us points in the shootout has no value to us. Why? Because if we require contributions from a player like that to get us over the hump, we're going to get murdered in April anyway.

On the other hand, a guy like Langenbrunner who will probably only score 45-50 points is golden because he scores more in the playoffs.

I thought it was pretty straightforward.

Our only goal is to win in the playoffs. Player value should be judged accordingly.

For example, a guy like Victor Kozlov who can get us points in the shootout has no value to us. Why? Because if we require contributions from a player like that to get us over the hump, we're going to get murdered in April anyway.

On the other hand, a guy like Langenbrunner who will probably only score 45-50 points is golden because he scores more in the playoffs.

Um, right, but then read my post. Playoffs are paramount to NJ, but you don't pay $4 Million on a guy who will be, like you said, a 45-50pt scorer. Apt playoff performers can be found for cheaper, and our current cast of forwards do seem to perform well in the playoffs anyway.

Um, right, but then read my post. Playoffs are paramount to NJ, but you don't pay $4 Million on a guy who will be, like you said, a 45-50pt scorer. Apt playoff performers can be found for cheaper, and our current cast of forwards do seem to perform well in the playoffs anyway.

Where do you see these cheap playoff performers?

But you don't pay $4 Million for guys like Langenbrunner. He is getting so overrated lately. He had a pretty off year as far as all the bad penalties went, and he also appeared a bit slow. Sorry, no player who scores 19 goals and is pretty good on D deserves $4 Million, I don't care how clutch he is in the playoffs.

Jamie asks for more than $2 Million, I would let him walk.
We know what you want, a team filled with rookies. Might as well let everyone over 30 go and fill the team with Voros, Clarkson, Bergfors and Vrana. Langenbrunner's stats are poor because he was in a checking role for the larger chunk of the year....and he still got 53 points. Bergfors would be lucky to get 35 points in the NHL while playing poor defense.

Where do you see these cheap playoff performers?

I dunno specifically, but if I scoured the UFA list I could find some. And I said CHEAPER, not CHEAP.

That's not my main point, though. It's that clutch playoff performances don't automatically justify $4 Million, especially in today's cap world. A 50pt guy who has his stats in inflated by secondary assists on the PP and is pretty good on defense does not make for a $4 Millon paycheck, I don't care how good a playoff performer he is.

...has his stats in inflated by secondary assists on the PP...

Goodbye credibility

We know what you want, a team filled with rookies. Might as well let everyone over 30 go and fill the team with Voros, Clarkson, Bergfors and Vrana. Langenbrunner's stats are poor because he was in a checking role for the larger chunk of the year....and he still got 53 points. Bergfors would be lucky to get 35 points in the NHL while playing poor defense.

Um, ok, I never even mentioned filling the team with rookies, I don't understand where you come up with that. If Langenbrunner left, I would much rather sign a FA to replace him than shove a rookie into his spot. The salary cap might not allow that, however.

For a large chunk? Maybe, but I doubt more than half. In the first 20-30 or so games, new lines were being tried almost every night. I specifically remember Mogilny and Gionta being tried on the third line over Langenbrunner. And I don't buy that argument any way. He had 22 points in the first half of the season, and the only reason he put up 30 or so in the second half was due to adding him to the Elias/Gomez/Gionta PP unit.

Goodbye credibility

What? Half of his assists this season came on the PP, and his #'s only started to go up after 1/3 after he was placed on the 1st PP Unit.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/gamelog/?id=1598&team=NJ

Coincidence? I don't think so. He also had 2 PPG prior to 1/3, 6 after.

What? Half of his assists this season came on the PP, and his #'s only started to go up after 1/3 after he was placed on the 1st PP Unit.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/gamelog/?id=1598&team=NJ

Coincidence? I don't think so. He also had 2 PPG prior to 1/3, 6 after.
I hope over time you will learn there is more to hockey then stats or Mogilny would still be with the team. Langenbrunner brings far more intangibles to the dressing room and one the ice then you are giving him credit for.

I hope the Devils re-sign Langenbrunner. He can play on a second scoring line or on a defensive unit. He also can go on the power play and kill penalties. He allows a lot of versitality in the line up. Key playoff performer, who plays solid defense, hits, and scores. I think it is key to sign him. He produces in BOTH the regular season and playoffs. Hopefully he won't demand a large raise.

First, a premise -

The only thing that matters to this team is playoff performance.

If you don't buy that, skip this thread. If you do, then there should be no question in your mind that Jamie Langenbrunner is worth $4 million.You would give almost 10% of the new cap figure to Langenbrunner? I would agree that it would be good to keep him for $2 million, maybe even as $2.5 million, but $4 million would be way too high.

But you don't pay $4 Million for guys like Langenbrunner. He is getting so overrated lately. He had a pretty off year as far as all the bad penalties went, and he also appeared a bit slow. Sorry, no player who scores 19 goals and is pretty good on D deserves $4 Million, I don't care how clutch he is in the playoffs.


Bingo. And whatever team offers him that is crazy.

I hope over time you will learn there is more to hockey then stats or Mogilny would still be with the team. Langenbrunner brings far more intangibles to the dressing room and one the ice then you are giving him credit for.

But thats not what he said.


... a 50pt guy who has his stats in inflated by secondary assists on the PP
And its undeniably true.

Listen. Jamie is a good 3rd liner, a decent 2nd liner and a true warrior, but no where near being worth 4 million per (aka 10% of the cap). For the same amount, Lou could sign Savard and we would finally have a serviceable #2 center. Hell for 3 million more, Lou could sign a Chara or Redden instead. If there is one thing Lou can find, its a good foot solider.

Signing him for 4 million could mean no Elias/Gomez/Gionta and would therefore rank down their with the Mogilny signing IMO. We can not afford to eat up cap space like that.

I'd like Langenbrunner to stay but there is NO WAY he is worth $4 million.

I'd say he gets resigned at 2.5

I'd love for the Sens to find a way to sneak him into Ottawa, $4M does seem like a lot of money but players like him coming from perennial contending teams seem to always attract overpayment, see Mike Peca in his Buffalo days, Bobby Holik, Rod Brind'Amour...

As was said, you win with players like Langenbrunner. The real question is how the cap will affect Lamoriello's ability to ink a new contract.

$4 million is gross overpayment for a 3rd liner playing a 2nd line role.

Good thread here...I agree that Langenbrunner needs to be resigned. He's a clutch performer and has been great for the Devils. $4 million though? That number is debatable, but that's where Lou comes in. It's his job to debate it, and I'm sure he'll find the right one and Jamie will stay aboard.

I want Langenbrunner in Calgary.

$4 million is almost as ridiculous as paying Malacrap his 3mil. Langs is worth 2.5-2.7 tops. You need your core players, Elians, Gionta, and Gomer to stay.

47 million cap divided by 22 contracts = 2.14 million per player average

Great idea. Let's pay Langenbrunner, a heart and soul guy and a cluch playoff performer $360,000 over the average.

If the cap goes that high...

47 million cap divided by 22 contracts = 2.14 million per player average

Great idea. Let's pay Langenbrunner, a heart and soul guy and a cluch playoff performer $360,000 over the average.

1) Lets see that cap number is for sure before we start counting it as money in the bank.
2) Pandolfo makes 836,000.00
3) White makes 1,710,000.00
4) Matvichuk makes 1,368,000.00
5) Brylin makes 1,520,000.00

All of these guys are heart and soul guys but make peanuts. The cap sap space is always going to be whacky because there will be 2-4 superstar players taking up most of it.

Langs is an excellent foot soldier but will get no where near 4 mil. I’m sorry but no team in the new NHL will be dumb enough to offer him that contract because it will restrict them from signing other, better players.

First, a premise -

The only thing that matters to this team is playoff performance.

If you don't buy that, skip this thread. If you do, then there should be no question in your mind that Jamie Langenbrunner is worth $4 million.

We all agree that Elias is our #1 target. His playoff performace bears it out: 94 points in 111 games. Excellent. Exactly what you would expect from an elite forward.

If you want a bit of a surprise, check Jamie's stats. 70 points in 112 games. But here's where it gets good: 11 game winners. Very fitting that he wears #15. Oh yeah, he hits, kills penalties, leads, and does everything else a postseason forward needs to do.


I agree with you but gio gomer and elias are more important but i think losing langers would be a blow, rather have him than a lot of guys
No, he's not Elias. But you know what he is? Gary Roberts. He doesn't hit as hard, but he's an absolute warrior in the playoffs.

You win with guys like Langenbrunner.

Canucks could use him with the twins... but we might not have the budget??

Langenbrunner's value is higher this season then other years as well because the FA market for forwards is weak. There are many premier D-men but not many offensive guns in the market. Langenbrunner is clutch and a 50 point player with value. If a team in good cap shape wants Langs for $3.3-$3.7 they might be able to get him.

I know he wants to stay in NJ because he said it. I think he will.