Why should we trade Scott Gomez?

Answer: We shouldn't!!!

If we do trade Gomez, there will be many takers. Lou will have his pick of good deals. The only problem is, is that I feel we are better with him than without him.

If we do go after Craig Conroy, I would like to get Eric Nystrom and their 2004 #1 for Gomez, Gionta, DeMarchi, and our #1.

We should sign Adam Oates after Christmas, if truth be told. I think he would go for a half-season contract with a chance at the Cup. If he doesn't, he is a lot dumber than I tought!

Yannic Perreault would be great on face-offs and in certain situations but his salary is a little high. And he is not exactly a kid.

Adrian Foster, Brian Gionta, Sean Brown, Ray Giroux, and our #1 and #2 in 2004 to Montreal for Perreault, Sheldon Souray, and their #1 in 2005. We may get lucky and get Sidney Crosby. Worth a shot. These are the type of deals I would feel okay about since we have a chance at a top prospect, plus we get players who could help us right now and may stay around in the future if Lou can find the money.

BTW, I want to see Igor Larionov healthy for a little stretch just to see if we can jump out to a damn good lead in a game. I'm sick of these one-goal games, even though they are exciting. I am also worried that these games will burn out some of our players. If Brian Gionta doesn't start popping in some goals, like tomorrow in his hometown, I want him demoted to another line or sitting in the press box watching. I love his spunk, but he has to score goals, along with Patrick Elias.

And could Erik Rasmussen put up a few points? No wonder he is so frustrating to watch and two organizations have given up on him!!!!!!!!!

Elias--Conroy--Berglund
Berezin--Larionov--Brylin (Suglobov)
Friesen--Madden--Langenbrunner
Pandolfo--Rupp--Stevenson
Rasmussen and Marshall
Darby, Foster, Pihlman, Balmochnykh, Pikkarainen

Rafalski--Stevens
Niedermayer--White
Martin or Hale--Gauthier
Albelin

Brodeur
Schwab


Gomez, Gionta, Brown, Giroux or DeMarchi, Bicek and our 2004 #1 and #2 for Conroy, Gauthier and Nystrom, and Calgary's #1 in 2004 or 2005 (Lou's choice).

Fair? Too many players involved?

We should sign Adam Oates after Christmas, if truth be told. I think he would go for a half-season contract with a chance at the Cup.

Players must be signed by December 1st to be eligible for the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how many of the 50+ FAs are signed by Thanksgiving. Comrie(only Group II remaining), Oates, Ronning, Berezin, are the most notable, with Claude and Graves being unlikely.

Two years time we will have the following:
Gomez-Madden-Parise-Rupp-Foster-Vrana-Khomutov all looking for a spot on the roster. Trades will have to happen.

Not every prospect will be NHL ready in 2 years, and 1 or 2 may be moved to the wing, there's no need for a trade this year.


And about this Gomez/Conroy talk: they put up similar points, Conroy is 9-10 years older, twice as expensive, UFA at the end of the year...he may be better defensively, but is that what we're worried about on Elias' line?

Two problems with the original post.....

1) Nowhere does it mention Gauthier.

2) You've traded Gionta twice.

Gomez, Gionta, Brown, Giroux or DeMarchi, Bicek and our 2004 #1 and #2 for Conroy, Gauthier and Nystrom, and Calgary's #1 in 2004 or 2005 (Lou's choice).

Fair? Too many players involved?

Terrible. You give up nothing valuable we can use now except for Gomez. Calgary's pick is likely to be top 10, and you think a package of AHL fodder such as Bicek, Brown and Giroux is going to make up the difference? A package of Conroy, Gauthier, Nystrom and our 1st should be able to land us Elias and a high level prospect at the least! And you think we're going to settle for a package of marginal NHLers? Pass.

Players must be signed by December 1st to be eligible for the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how many of the 50+ FAs are signed by Thanksgiving. Comrie(only Group II remaining), Oates, Ronning, Berezin, are the most notable, with Claude and Graves being unlikely.

What?

I have never heard that before. Sergei Fedorov signed in Feb 1998 (the infamous Carolina offer sheet) and played in the Wings' 1998 cup run. Less important but more recent, Joe Sacco signed with the Flyers on Jan 15, 2003, and played with the team four times in the 2003 playoffs.

Is this a new rule in the 2003-2004 season? Please to cite an article?

Terrible. You give up nothing valuable we can use now except for Gomez. Calgary's pick is likely to be top 10, and you think a package of AHL fodder such as Bicek, Brown and Giroux is going to make up the difference? A package of Conroy, Gauthier, Nystrom and our 1st should be able to land us Elias and a high level prospect at the least! And you think we're going to settle for a package of marginal NHLers? Pass.

Ray Giroux would probably be a number four defenseman at worst on a lot of teams in the league today if he wasn't buried behind all the depth NJ has. On the Flames he'd be a freaking godsend there.

What?

I have never heard that before. Sergei Fedorov signed in Feb 1998 (the infamous Carolina offer sheet) and played in the Wings' 1998 cup run. Less important but more recent, Joe Sacco signed with the Flyers on Jan 15, 2003, and played with the team four times in the 2003 playoffs.

Is this a new rule in the 2003-2004 season? Please to cite an article?

My bad, after many fruitless searches I cannot find the article. I could have sworn I read that players must be signed by December 1, in order to be eligible for the playoffs, when going through the free agent articles last summer. Your examples obviously prove me wrong. Anyway that Dec. 1 date is stuck in my head for some reason. Any help on the significance of that date or Nov. 30 would be appreciated.

[wipes egg off face before sitting down to large plate of crow]:D

My bad, after many fruitless searches I cannot find the article. I could have sworn I read that players must be signed by December 1, in order to be eligible for the playoffs, when going through the free agent articles last summer. Your examples obviously prove me wrong. Anyway that Dec. 1 date is stuck in my head for some reason. Any help on the significance of that date or Nov. 30 would be appreciated.

[wipes egg off face before sitting down to large plate of crow]:D
In my own research (to avoid egg on my own face), the only significance I found to Dec 1 was that if any team signed a player after the waiver draft but before Dec 1, they would have to waive someone they listed as protected in the waiver draft (the Devils already did this on Albelin with Cameron). After Dec 1, any FA can be signed without unusual waivers. That's the only Dec 1 peculiarity I found, though I didn't look for Nov 30.

CBA article 13.21(a). :teach:

Ray Giroux would probably be a number four defenseman at worst on a lot of teams in the league today if he wasn't buried behind all the depth NJ has. On the Flames he'd be a freaking godsend there.


A number four defenseman at worst? And you're team is still playing Tommy Albelein and Sean Brown over this guy? What is Pat Burns thinking? I think you're sorrowly mistaken on Ray Giroux. He is 26 years old, has played a total of 27 NHL games in his life, and explain to me how a career minor-leaguer is going to be a top four defenseman? By your logic, you're saying he's better than Lydman, Regehr, Leopold and Warrener. Care to explain that? I'd interested to know.

Likewise... I don't think the other 29 teams' scouts are so incompetent that they 'missed' Giroux's availability in the draft or were unaware of his ability. Every other team protected at least 4 defensemen (I think...?) and if Giroux was that good, certaintly at least one of these teams would have taken him and waived their worst protected guy.

Ray Giroux would probably be a number four defenseman at worst on a lot of teams in the league today if he wasn't buried behind all the depth NJ has. On the Flames he'd be a freaking godsend there.

Ray Giroux? A godsend on one of the most talented young blueline corps in the league, a corps that has contributed to one of the leagues' lowest GAA? Gimme a break. Giroux is AHL fodder. Get over it.

Giroux would not beat out 1) Regehr, 2) Lydman, 3) Warrener, 4) Leopold, 5) Gauthier, 6) Ference, and 7a,b and c) Montador, Commodore and Wallin.

Giroux has played a GRAND total of 27 games in the NHL. For the last few years he's been toiling around various teams in various leagues. How is he a #4 at worst on most teams? If he was, then wouldn't teams, including NJ, be clamouring over this guy right now?

I don't see that happening, do you?

Calgary has NO USE for Giroux. Absolutely NONE. Let him rot away in the Jersey system, not ours.

If Giroux can't beat out Sean Brown, that's pretty bad. Brown is a below average NHL defenseman and an AWFUL fighter. Didn't Giroux go through waivers a short time ago? How can he possibly have any value?

Ray Giroux? A godsend on one of the most talented young blueline corps in the league, a corps that has contributed to one of the leagues' lowest GAA? Gimme a break. Giroux is AHL fodder. Get over it.

Giroux would not beat out 1) Regehr, 2) Lydman, 3) Warrener, 4) Leopold, 5) Gauthier, 6) Ference, and 7a,b and c) Montador, Commodore and Wallin.

Giroux has played a GRAND total of 27 games in the NHL. For the last few years he's been toiling around various teams in various leagues. How is he a #4 at worst on most teams? If he was, then wouldn't teams, including NJ, be clamouring over this guy right now?

I don't see that happening, do you?

Calgary has NO USE for Giroux. Absolutely NONE. Let him rot away in the Jersey system, not ours.

He's not better then our top four, but he's better then our current 5,6, and 7 guys. Lou and Pat owe it to Conte to give Hale and Martin long looks considering how much success they had in college. I love how people are quick to toss out the AHL fodder lable with Giroux here as if he's a joke of a defenseman. He played better then Tverdovsky and Smehlik did and was never once an embarassment to the team in his callups last season. Giroux would be a mainstay right now if this team didn't have such a huge priority on always grabbing great defensive prospects. I'd be willing to bet you didn't watch him play a single game for the Devils last season with the remarks above. Seems like you're more interested in going on nhl games played to date.

A number four defenseman at worst? And you're team is still playing Tommy Albelein and Sean Brown over this guy? What is Pat Burns thinking? I think you're sorrowly mistaken on Ray Giroux. He is 26 years old, has played a total of 27 NHL games in his life, and explain to me how a career minor-leaguer is going to be a top four defenseman? By your logic, you're saying he's better than Lydman, Regehr, Leopold and Warrener. Care to explain that? I'd interested to know.

Yeah you heard me right. Burns is rotating different defensemen into the lineup most every single night to keep the team fresh for a playoff run same as he did last year. I happen to think Giroux is one of the Devils better prospects in the AHL, but the unfortunate thing for him is this team is already completely set in the top 4 spots. With Stevens close to retirement, it makes sense for him to be tutoring Hale and Martin for as long as he can while he's still at the top of his game. Giroux is the odd man out of the lineup here, but that doesn't mean its because he sucks as others imply. He'd be a solid 4 or 5 man on a ton of teams. Watch him play next time he's called up if you really are that down on him. He's not one to make mistakes, he moves the puck well, he can eat up a ton of minutes without fatigue affecting his play, he can work the PP and PK, and he doesn't hurt the team.

Then 29 other GM's didn't even touch this guy when he passed through waivers. Doesn't that say something to you? Surely it can't be about money, can it? I think not. Giroux has proven NOTHING in his professional career, and will continue to do so unless otherwise proven. His "reliability" certainly doesn't make him a top-four defenseman, as you so boldly stated. And given he plays the game you claim he does, then why hasn't he replace Albelein or Brown? These guys have played over half the games of the season so far, and Giroux hasn't even played one. I understand the Hale and Martin arguement, but these two? I think David and Paul get enough tutilage with Stevens and Niedermayer around. Albelein and Brown are pylons - why hasn't Burns 'changed things up to keep have a fresh playoff run' yet? This is a very flawed arguement.

Then 29 other GM's didn't even touch this guy when he passed through waivers. Doesn't that say something to you? Surely it can't be about money, can it? I think not. Giroux has proven NOTHING in his professional career, and will continue to do so unless otherwise proven. His "reliability" certainly doesn't make him a top-four defenseman, as you so boldly stated. And given he plays the game you claim he does, then why hasn't he replace Albelein or Brown? These guys have played over half the games of the season so far, and Giroux hasn't even played one. I understand the Hale and Martin arguement, but these two? I think David and Paul get enough tutilage with Stevens and Niedermayer around. Albelein and Brown are pylons - why hasn't Burns 'changed things up to keep have a fresh playoff run' yet? This is a very flawed arguement.

It says to me that the Devils dodged one helluva big bullet this season. Once either Hale or Martin (or both prove they need more seasoning in the AHL) we'll see Ray Giroux called up. It isn't flawed as much as it is realistic in having good options at your disposal here in Jersey while having an All Star Giroux stay put with the Rats for the time being where he can work with the new guys on the blue line as they work to understand the systems both teams play. Call me crazy, but we're not even 20 games into the season yet.

He's not better then our top four, but he's better then our current 5,6, and 7 guys. Lou and Pat owe it to Conte to give Hale and Martin long looks considering how much success they had in college. I love how people are quick to toss out the AHL fodder lable with Giroux here as if he's a joke of a defenseman. He played better then Tverdovsky and Smehlik did and was never once an embarassment to the team in his callups last season. Giroux would be a mainstay right now if this team didn't have such a huge priority on always grabbing great defensive prospects. I'd be willing to bet you didn't watch him play a single game for the Devils last season with the remarks above. Seems like you're more interested in going on nhl games played to date.

Pffffff. Owe it to Conte to give Hale and Martin a long look? If Giroux has the skill to beat out these two players right now, like you claim he does, and it's not happening because favours are owed to other defensemen, you're management team is seriously corrupted, and do not know the first clue about proper business management.

That, of course, I don't beleive, because I believe the New Jersey management / coaching team is a very respectful, cabable and competent team. The Stanley Cups they won support that.

Giroux is NOT anything more than a reserve defenseman at best. You can twist it any way you want, but you can't deny the fact he been bounced around from team to team throughout various league, and has obviously never warranted any more than an injury callup. The stats are there to prove it. The proof is in the pudding!

Unthinkable, I'm just not quite sure what you're basing your praising for Giroux on.

Micki Dupont was an excellent Flames prospect who put up great numbers for a defenseman in the AHL, but he was nothing more than a 7th defenseman on a team with weak defense. Now, he's playing in Europe with his chance of playing in the NHL declining by the day. Giroux isn't much different from him, IMO.

Show me the facts, stats and performance that warrants Giroux anything more than a #7 defenseman. I don't think you can legitimately do it.

Giroux is NOT anything more than a reserve defenseman at best. You can twist it any way you want, but you can't deny the fact he been bounced around from team to team throughout various league, and has obviously never warranted any more than an injury callup. The stats are there to prove it. The proof is in the pudding!

Unthinkable, I'm just not quite sure what you're basing your praising for Giroux on.

Micki Dupont was an excellent Flames prospect who put up great numbers for a defenseman in the AHL, but he was nothing more than a 7th defenseman on a team with weak defense. Now, he's playing in Europe with his chance of playing in the NHL declining by the day. Giroux isn't much different from him, IMO.

Show me the facts, stats and performance that warrants Giroux anything more than a #7 defenseman. I don't think you can legitimately do it.

Did you ever once stop to consider the team with the best defense in hockey (tied with the Flyers for fewest goals allowed last season) might not have as many openings on the blue line as they'd like to have? My respect for Ray Giroux is based on how he helped his team every game he played last season and was a solid contributor in all 3 zones fitting in perfectly as though he'd played with the team for years rarely ever making a single mistake until his last two games where some bad luck finally caught up to him behind the net. He's better then AHL roster fodder. Who cares if he's bounced around from team to team before? Breaking into a talented Devils lineup as a regular isn't easy with all the established players Lou has brought in and developed over the years. Its the curse we have to live with having a team that always has great success. No one ever hypes up Giroux. I don't expect fans from other teams to mistakenly think he's the second coming of Bobby Orr mind you, but he's a helluva lot better player then he generally gets credit for in the times I've watched him play for Jersey. I don't think he'll be toiling away in the AHL all his career.

You still haven't refuted the fact as to why Burns hasn't replaced Albelein and / or Brown with Giroux, the way you make him out to be a model citizen. Tutoring AHL players in the AHL is not something a 'top-four defenseman' does. By the way, you still haven't proven why Giroux is a top-four. Explain to me how he can beat out Leopold, Lydman, Warrener or Regehr? Are you basing that on opinion? If so, then I have an opinion too - I know I saw Peter Pan fly by my house because he had wing lights, and was flying faster than the speed of sound. :D

Did you ever once stop to consider the team with the best defense in hockey (tied with the Flyers for fewest goals allowed last season) might not have as many openings on the blue line as they'd like to have? My respect for Ray Giroux is based on how he helped his team every game he played last season and was a solid contributor in all 3 zones fitting in perfectly as though he'd played with the team for years rarely ever making a single mistake until his last two games where some bad luck finally caught up to him behind the net. He's better then AHL roster fodder. Who cares if he's bounced around from team to team before? Breaking into a talented Devils lineup as a regular isn't easy with all the established players Lou has brought in and developed over the years. Its the curse we have to live with having a team that always has great success. No one ever hypes up Giroux. I don't expect fans from other teams to mistakenly think he's the second coming of Bobby Orr mind you, but he's a helluva lot better player then he generally gets credit for in the times I've watched him play for Jersey. I don't think he'll be toiling away in the AHL all his career.

Well, that's good then. Like I said before, let him toll away in the New Jerey system. Hey, if he does so happen to be the second coming of Bobby Orr, then he'll be doing it for the Devils.

In the mean time, we don't want, or need, him. He's AHL fodder, plain and simple. And I'm sure this view is shared by MANY an educated hockey fan.

I happen to think Giroux is one of the Devils better prospects in the AHL

The man turns 27 next week. I think the time to call him a 'prospect' has passed.

But evern if he is as valuable as you say, this discussion started when you put Giroux in a package-deal as though he'd even-up a trade that the Devils need to sweeten. What had changed between the waiver draft and today that would make a GM who chose not to claim Giroux in the waiver draft, decide they want him *now*?

If Giroux has this value, and only the Devils organization realizes he has this value, then he has NO value as tradebait, except perhaps to a team whose AHL affiliate has suffered a rash of injuries in the past month.

Tommy Albelin is a solid veteran and is playing well with both Hale and Martin. I think that Sean Brown will eventually be sent down for a conditioning stint or be waived or dealt.

I liked what I saw of Ray Giroux last season. He may be a late bloomer. I am happy to have him in Albany in case of an injury to someone on our defense corps.

I meant to include Ari Ahonen in the deal to Calgary. Ahonen is a top prospect in goal and he may allow Calgary to move Roman Turek, if there are any takers. Brent Krahn is just too injury-prone to rest the Flames' future on. I know Calgary has some other good goalie prospects, but I don't think any are as good as Ahonen. Or Scott Clemmensen for that matter!

A package of Gomez, Gionta, Ahonen, Brown or Giroux or DeMarchi, and our #1 in 2004 for Conroy, Gauthier, and either Nystrom or the Flames' #1 in 2004 or 2005 seems fair to me. This is the deal I initially meant to propose. Personally, I would stick with what we have and sign Adam Oates if Igor Larionov is going to be bothered by injuries the rest of the season.

BTW, I was hoping to "steal" Matthew Lombardi from Calgary, but he had a good game tonight and will probably stick with the Flames for the rest of the year. He is small, so Calgary just might keep Conroy and hope that they can sign him.

The man turns 27 next week. I think the time to call him a 'prospect' has passed.

But evern if he is as valuable as you say, this discussion started when you put Giroux in a package-deal as though he'd even-up a trade that the Devils need to sweeten. What had changed between the waiver draft and today that would make a GM who chose not to claim Giroux in the waiver draft, decide they want him *now*?

If Giroux has this value, and only the Devils organization realizes he has this value, then he has NO value as tradebait, except perhaps to a team whose AHL affiliate has suffered a rash of injuries in the past month.

You are right. Poor word choice on my part, but I tend to still view him subconsciously as a prospect in spite of his age. I don't think I ever put Giroux in a trade proposal on here as I want him to stay a Devil. I think it was someone else who included him.

What?

I have never heard that before. Sergei Fedorov signed in Feb 1998 (the infamous Carolina offer sheet) and played in the Wings' 1998 cup run. Less important but more recent, Joe Sacco signed with the Flyers on Jan 15, 2003, and played with the team four times in the 2003 playoffs.

Is this a new rule in the 2003-2004 season? Please to cite an article?


No its an old rule put in place (1985 maybe?) after Glen Sather went to Europe right before the play offs and signed Rajo Rustalienan (sp?) for a cup run. Many teams complained

Fedorov on the Other hand was Detriot property as a Group II Free Agent.

You are right. Poor word choice on my part, but I tend to still view him subconsciously as a prospect in spite of his age. I don't think I ever put Giroux in a trade proposal on here as I want him to stay a Devil. I think it was someone else who included him.
Sorry. Niedermayer27 included him in a package deal, Ozy_Flame took exception to the waiver-fodder throw-ins, and in you defending Giroux I kinda assumed you were also defending his value in that trade proposal. My bad for following a stream of logic that wasn't there.


JimEIV[/b]]No its an old rule put in place (1985 maybe?) after Glen Sather went to Europe right before the play offs and signed Rajo Rustalienan (sp?) for a cup run. Many teams complained

Fedorov on the Other hand was Detriot property as a Group II Free Agent.

So how do you explain the Joe Sacco signing? Sacco was a UFA (Group III, played his previous year with Washington) when the Flyers picked him up on Jan 15, 2003, and he skated four times in the 2003 playoffs.

If this is a rule, I'd like to see the exact wording of it. It's got to be published somewhere. And clearly, there are exceptions. I don't see what would be different, ruleswise, between what the Flyers did with Sacco last January, and what any team might try to do with Oates this January.

Ray Giroux? A godsend on one of the most talented young blueline corps in the league, a corps that has contributed to one of the leagues' lowest GAA? Gimme a break. Giroux is AHL fodder. Get over it.

Giroux would not beat out 1) Regehr, 2) Lydman, 3) Warrener, 4) Leopold, 5) Gauthier, 6) Ference, and 7a,b and c) Montador, Commodore and Wallin.

Giroux has played a GRAND total of 27 games in the NHL. For the last few years he's been toiling around various teams in various leagues. How is he a #4 at worst on most teams? If he was, then wouldn't teams, including NJ, be clamouring over this guy right now?

I don't see that happening, do you?

Calgary has NO USE for Giroux. Absolutely NONE. Let him rot away in the Jersey system, not ours.

If I'm overrating Giroux you most definately are overrating the Flames defense. Watched them play tonight and the D looked horrible against Nashville. The last Predators goal was an absolute joke. Vokoun going out of his net and checking Iginla was the icing on the cake in that one. The Flames D may be "most improved" from last season but, its still not top ten and still filled with remarkable inexperience highlighted by a ton of rookie mistakes. Mistakes Ray Giroux didn't make last season with the Devils I might add. I'll gladly let him "rot away in the Jersey system at this point." You guys dont deserve him with this attitude.

If I'm overrating Giroux you most definately are overrating the Flames defense. Watched them play tonight and the D looked horrible against Nashville. The last Predators goal was an absolute joke. Vokoun going out of his net and checking Iginla was the icing on the cake in that one. The Flames D may be "most improved" from last season but, its still not top ten and still filled with remarkable inexperience highlighted by a ton of rookie mistakes. Mistakes Ray Giroux didn't make last season with the Devils I might add. I'll gladly let him "rot away in the Jersey system at this point." You guys dont deserve him with this attitude.

Good, keep him. Like I stated before, we don't want that career AHL'er plugging up our system.

Oh yeah, your analysis of Giroux, the Flames' "rookie mistakes" and how Ray didn't do those for the Devils is so competely subjective, I'm gonna save myself time and not even venture there.

Latest Everson article says that Iginla's name has been discussed, but that it's a longshot. I suppose a discussion could have gone like:

"So what you want for Gomez?"
"Hrm, I've always liked Iginla."
"Yeah me too. You like Chuck Kobasew?"

Interesting part of the article said something of Conroy and Kobasew. Kobasew was a teammate of Gionta's for one year at Boston College.

Kobasew was a Button draft choice, so I'm not sure if Sutter has any love/hate/ambivalence towards him. Kobasew would be eligible to go to the AHL without passing through waivers.

Latest Everson article says that Iginla's name has been discussed, but that it's a longshot. I suppose a discussion could have gone like:

"So what you want for Gomez?"
"Hrm, I've always liked Iginla."
"Yeah me too. You like Chuck Kobasew?"

Interesting part of the article said something of Conroy and Kobasew. Kobasew was a teammate of Gionta's for one year at Boston College.

Kobasew was a Button draft choice, so I'm not sure if Sutter has any love/hate/ambivalence towards him. Kobasew would be eligible to go to the AHL without passing through waivers.

on a NJ perspective this trade would make sense

Conroy + Kobasew for Gomez + ??

NJ would get a 1/2nd line center with some scoring touch and faceoff abilities for the next 2/3 years until Parise is ready for the NHL and a young allaround RW who can be sent to Albany w/o clearing waivers. Calgary gets a young playmaking center who can feed Iginla like he fed Almo.

But NJ would add 2.3mio in salaries (conroy 2.2mio, kobasew 1.13mio, gomez 1mio).

But why give up Gomez just yet? I can imagin at the deadline there will be classy rentals available including conroy.

QUESTION: Do you think Gomez could bring back Doan?

Spectors this morning had Detriot, Dallas, LA, San Jose, Calgary, Anaheim and Phoenix interested in Gomez.


Conroy really doesn't make sense to me.

Yanic Perreault seems to be the player the Devils are looking for and could be had without giving up Gomez.

Get Perreault then trade Gomez for a top 6 foward. That scenario would seem to make more sense. Wouldn't it?

QUESTION: Do you think Gomez could bring back Doan?

Spectors this morning had Detriot, Dallas, LA, San Jose, Calgary, Anaheim and Phoenix interested in Gomez.

Conroy really doesn't make sense to me.

Yanic Perreault seems to be the player the Devils are looking for and could be had without giving up Gomez.

Get Perreault then trade Gomez for a top 6 foward. That scenario would seem to make more sense. Wouldn't it?

Conroy is a more appealing player than Perreault since he is a 2 time Selke finalist. It'd be like having a right handed version of Madden around. Problem is that Conroy is UFA at the end of the season, so there's no guarentee of anything. If we were to trade Gomez to Calgary, I would hope we'd get a young asset like Chuck Kobasew back.

As for Doan, I'd be surprised if the Coyotes traded him after naming him captain. The previous rumor per Devils Repairman was Gratton and Kolanos in some sort of package which makes a little bit of sense: big centerman to replace Gomez and another young player who has showcased some skill at the NHL level.

If I had to choose between: impending UFA Conroy + Kobasew and impending UFA Perreault + Doan...........I'd probably go with the latter since it's more proven long term. Although I don't think we could get Doan at this point.

Conroy is a more appealing player than Perreault since he is a 2 time Selke finalist.

Too many cooks...

There's no need to have anyone try to take Madden's job.

And I'd rather someone who fills a role NOBODY on this team already fills (faceoff specialist) than a guy whose skill set is so similar to someone we already have.

True, Giroux is not proven at the NHL level but he is an all star at every level that he has ever played at. And in his month up last year, he was a top 4 Devil defenseman in minutes played. Check the box scores. I think that is where Unthinkable is coming from.

We may never know if he would be a bust as an NHLer. I think the other GMs couldn't get past his not so large frame and maybe that would be a problem as a full time NHLer. It hasn't been in the A, but that is a different league of course.

On the other hand, his development is not so different from Rafalski, and he will be happily welcomed back by me from Albany if the need arises.