What will our D look like without Matvichuk?

My guess:

Martin-White
Hale-Rafalski
Lukowich-Greene
Oduya

Another otion is we sign someone like Tanabe or Leetch who would be paired with Lukp making Greene the 7th defenseman, but I dont think we could sign anyone.

Your predictions?

Maybe Tomas Harant? :dunno:
I doubt he came to North America to play in the AHL.

My guess:

Martin-White
Hale-Rafalski
Lukowich-Greene
Oduya

Another otion is we sign someone like Tanabe or Leetch who would be paired with Lukp making Greene the 7th defenseman, but I dont think we could sign anyone.

Your predictions?

Lou will do something out of left field. As always. Hell, we just shaved off 2.2 million out of nowhere.

did i miss somehting? did we lose matvichuk?

did i miss somehting? did we lose matvichuk?

Injured probably won't be back until after the season opens. So that along with Wiemer buys a little more time to shed some money.

Don't think it will be that bad will it?

What will our D look like without Matvichuk?

An a word: BETTER

What will our D look like without Matvichuk?

An a word: BETTER

He was our best defenseman down the stretch, and the team struggled when he was out. Regardless of who moves up from Lowell, its a downgrade. I do wonder though if this assures a spot for Tommy A

What will our D look like without Matvichuk?

An a word: BETTER

I can understand the staement before the big streak but Matvichuk really came into his own, he was our best guy as far as preforming ....... Do you remember when he took the puck to the face, and just got back up. Maybe I was overreacting but I got chills because it was a flash of "Scotty the Great." For that he waill always have a place here.....

I really thought this year he and Whitey could together bring what Stevens and Dano brought to our D and at the same time mentor Hale, cause we know Lou sure stacked up some decent Puck movers.

Matvichuk was very good from december to the olympic break, but after he started with the back problems, he didn't look nearly as good, imo. I really don't think he'll be that huge a loss.

Like firenice said though, he's a warrior, and a good leader from the backline.

Rafalski-Lukowich
White-Martin
Malakhov-Hale
Oduya

sorry boys that's how it's going to be :D

Rafalski-Lukowich
White-Martin
Malakhov-Hale
Oduya

sorry boys that's how it's going to be :D

No Albelin?

What will our D look like without Matvichuk?

An a word: BETTER

That's incredibly foolish. Matvichuk was downright awesome down the stretch when healthy.

That's incredibly foolish. Matvichuk was downright awesome down the stretch when healthy.

The streak is on again. I'll watch it, I could be wrong.

Rafalski-Lukowich
White-Martin
Malakhov-Hale
Oduya

sorry boys that's how it's going to be :D

Figure Scott Swedens is in there somewhere. Remember that he has also played wing for us before. Here's a scary thought at a fourth line:

Rasmussen-Rupp-Albelin

I could also see us having 7 defensemen dressed, and using Malhakov in a PP only role

What will our D look like without Matvichuk?

An a word: BETTER


how will losing one of our best dmen make us better...? :dunno:

No Albelin?
I think its safe to say tommy a is hanging up the skates.

The streak is on again. I'll watch it, I could be wrong.

Trust me, you are, after Matty learned the new rules he was our best defensman until his back acted up, in that 9 game win streak he was unreal.

Matvichuk was very good from december to the olympic break, but after he started with the back problems, he didn't look nearly as good, imo. I really don't think he'll be that huge a loss.

Like firenice said though, he's a warrior, and a good leader from the backline.He also injured his groin in the 5th from last game of the season on April 9 against the Rangers, which was re-aired as part of The Streak this past Thursday. He was a scratch for the next next three games before returning for the season finale.

White-Martin
Hale-Rafalski
Lukowich-Greene
Harant

White-Martin
Hale-Rafalski
Lukowich-Greene
Malakhov (not scratched)

Kinda out there, but I could see using Malakhov as a PP specialsit of sorts, sacraficing a 12th forward for a 7th defenseman. I'd rather have Malakhov out there for 5 minutes of PP time than a 4th liner playing 5 garbage minutes. Also, we wouldn't have to shell out for a 7th dman or a 13th forward, somewhat helping the cap situation. This of course all depends on Malakhov's whole situation.

I can't believe how hard it is for anyone to say anything critical about Richard Matvichuk. :dunno: I'll get ready for everyone to pile up on me, but... he's very replaceable. People make it sound like he would have been an All-NHL... if he wasn't injured. I don't get it. He was serviceable last year, that's it. He can be adequately replaced at half his salary.

His experience will be missed, but the Devils have good depth at the 5-6 D-man spot. I'm not concerned. O.K., now everyone can yell at me. :surrender

I think reliable top 4 defensemen are a lot harder to find than you make them out to be. Hell, look how badly Lamoriello missed with McGillis and Malakov. He's not an all-star, but his loss will be felt IMO.

I can understand the staement before the big streak but Matvichuk really came into his own, he was our best guy as far as preforming ....... Do you remember when he took the puck to the face, and just got back up. Maybe I was overreacting but I got chills because it was a flash of "Scotty the Great." For that he waill always have a place here.....

I really thought this year he and Whitey could together bring what Stevens and Dano brought to our D and at the same time mentor Hale, cause we know Lou sure stacked up some decent Puck movers.

While I'm willing to say that Matvichuk may be better than I realize, this is a gross overstatement.

I think reliable top 4 defensemen are a lot harder to find than you make them out to be. Hell, look how badly Lamoriello missed with McGillis and Malakov. He's not an all-star, but his loss will be felt IMO.
Completely agree. I think David Hale can fill his role quite well, but then we have a hole at the 3rd pairing. Matvichuk also played a lot of minutes, so we are not only looking for a great, physical defenseman (like Hale), we are looking for a guy who can play 23-25 minutes of punishing ice time. Can Hale do that? I hope so, because I'd rather have him play that role than a rookie, McGillis or Tommy A.

Completely agree. I think David Hale can fill his role quite well, but then we have a hole at the 3rd pairing. Matvichuk also played a lot of minutes, so we are not only looking for a great, physical defenseman (like Hale), we are looking for a guy who can play 23-25 minutes of punishing ice time. Can Hale do that? I hope so, because I'd rather have him play that role than a rookie, McGillis or Tommy A.
Lukowich is going to fill Matvichuk's spot I believe. When Matvichuk went out at the end of the season Lukowich got paired with Rafalski.

I would like to keep hale in the third pairing, sign Albelin, and have Albelin and Malacrap alternate games.

Here are some customized player stats and team rankings for current Devils D-Men; Hits per Game (Total Hits/GP), Blocks per game (Total Blocks/GP), Points per game (G+A/GP), GP, and my own concoction -- the Average Ranking in All 4 Stats (Hits per game, Blocks per game, Points per game, Games played):

HITS PER GAME (TOTAL HITS/GP):

1. LUKOWICH -- 1.99 (149/75)
2. WHITE -- 1.99 (145/73)
3. MCGILLIS -- 1.59 (43/27)
4. HALE -- 1.34 (51/38)
5. MATVICHUK -- 1.31 (81/62)
6. MALAKHOV -- .86 (25/29)
7. RAFALSKI -- .68 (56/82)
8. MARTIN -- .43 (34/80)
9. ALBELIN -- .06 (2/36) ! -- Who said European players were soft!

BLOCKS PER GAME (TOTAL BLOCKS/GP):

1. WHITE -- 2.73 ! (199/73)
2. MATVICHUK -- 2.05 (127/62)
3. LUKOWICH -- 1.95 (146/75)
4. RAFALSKI -- 1.46 (120/82)
5. MARTIN -- 1.19 (95/80)
6. ALBELIN -- .94 (34/36)
7. MCGILLIS -- .89 (24/27)
8. MALAKHOV -- .86 (25/29)
9. HALE -- .61 (23/38)

POINTS PER GAME (G+A/GP):

1. RAFALSKI -- .60 (6+43/82)
2. MARTIN -- .46 (5+32/80)
3. MALAKHOV -- .31 (4+5/29)
4. LUKOWICH -- .28 (2+19/75)
5. WHITE -- .23 (3+14/73)
6. MCGILLIS -- .22 (0+6/27)
7. MATVICHUK -- .18 (1+10/62)
8. ALBELIN -- .17 (0+6/36)
9. HALE -- .11 (0+4/38)

GAMES PLAYED:

1. RAFALSKI -- 82
2. MARTIN -- 80
3. LUKOWICH -- 75
4. WHITE -- 73
5. MATVICHUK -- 62
6. HALE -- 38
7. ALBELIN -- 36
8. MALAKHOV -- 29
9. MCGILLIS -- 27

AVERAGE TEAM RANKING/ Total: Hits/G, Blocks/G, Points/G, Games Played;

1. LUKOWICH -- 2.75 (1, 3, 4, 3)
2. WHITE -- 3.0 (2, 1, 5, 4)
3. RAFALSKI -- 3.25 (7, 4, 1, 1)
4. MARTIN -- 4.25 (8, 5, 2, 2)
5. MATVICHUK -- 4.75 (5, 2, 7, 5)
6. MALAKHOV -- 6.25 (6, 8, 3, 8)
7. MCGILLIS -- 6.25 (3, 7, 6, 9)
8. HALE -- 7.0 (4, 9, 9, 6)
9. ALBELIN -- 7.5 (9, 6, 8, 7)


Now these stats obviously don't tell the whole story, and are weighted more toward defense (two defensive stats versus one offensive), and there is no arguing Rafalski's most goals, most assists, most minutes per game and 82 games played making him the clear #1 in the real life (not stat world), BUT what I found interesting was statistically how good Luko's all-around game was relative to both his $1 million dollar salary and how little respect he gets here at the HF boards. Surprising he ranked higher than anyone on the team, including Raflaski... And especially with Matvichuk out for a long stretch, a huge relative value for a Top 4 guy.

And I find it very appropriate HF folks remembering Matvichuk taking one off the face, as his clear stand out stat is his more than 2 blocks per game. (And with nearly 3 blocks per game, I am surprised Whitey isn't dead...) It is still my belief that Matvichuk delivers the most punishing checks of anyone on the team (including White and Hale, and especially Luko), but apparently he delivers far fewer of them than I would have guessed.

Regarding how to replace him, or "what our D will look like", as the thread suggests, the stats point to Richard being the clear #5 defenseman on the team, and as much as I personally like him as a player, that is a highly replaceable, bottom pairing situation. And I would imagine most teams in the league will have a different 5/6/7 than they did last season. I think, in the end, really no biggie.

However, looking at the other four guys beneath him from last years depth chart (minus Klee, who has signed elsewhere), the natural replacement is Hale. Matvichuk is perceived as a "hitter", and that is what Hale does best. Troubling, however, is what Chukker REALLY does best, block shots, is something Hale appears very disinclined to participate in -- coming in dead last, far below Malakhov, who the majority rightly feel is old and soft (and NOT willing to take one off the face). This is a worrysome stat, as it is my opinion Hale also plays a far less solid positional game than the top 5.

Yet Hale is highly touted, rarely gets grief on the HF boards (comapred to Luko and Matvichuk, who are on every other proposed mock trade), and is one of the "big three" unsigned RFAs, along with Martin and Gio. I am now going to go out on a limb, at risk of flaming, and suggest that Lou needn't worry too much about Hale, has reasonable grounds to not pay him very much at all as an RFA (he appeared in less than half of last years games), and that another prospect, like a Greene or Corrente, might actually pass him in the depth chart during this year's training camp.

You forgot one crucial factor when determining these stats: Ice time. Hale averaged 12 minutes of ice time per game last year, so naturally he will have less hits and blocks per game than players who played 19-20+ minutes.

And Hale is tough. He is willing to block shots if need be.

Corrente won't be competing for a spot on the Devils for a couple of years, so no worries of him passing Hale just yet.

You forgot one crucial factor when determining these stats: Ice time.

Very good point. Stats can be used to prove anything, and the above is certainly incomplete in telling the entire story, but I think it is reasonable to suggest Hale is nowhere near a Martin or White in being an untouchable, core Devil. And one of the new kids could give him a run for his money. Hale is tough, I'm just not sure he is ever going to be an elite D-man. He still has holes in his game, and is not a rookie anymore. Yet he gets lots of slack from the fans. Just observations.

Very good point. Stats can be used to prove anything, and the above is certainly incomplete in telling the entire story, but I think it is reasonable to suggest Hale is nowhere near a Martin or White in being an untouchable, core Devil. And one of the new kids could give him a run for his money. Hale is tough, I'm just not sure he is ever going to be an elite D-man. He still has holes in his game, and is not a rookie anymore. Yet he gets lots of slack from the fans. Just observations.
I still find it hard to judge Hale. He's only played about 100 games and only gets 12 minutes a game with no special teams time. He's on the third pairing and is never given too much responsibility. He may not be any good, but until we see how he can play when given 18 minutes a night he'll never be more than a good third pairing dman.

Lukowich is going to fill Matvichuk's spot I believe. When Matvichuk went out at the end of the season Lukowich got paired with Rafalski.

I would like to keep hale in the third pairing, sign Albelin, and have Albelin and Malacrap alternate games.
Yeah, I totally forgot about Lukowich. I would like to see Hale start to get good ice time though. He can easily take 18-20 minutes out there. The guy is solid and is the best of the "physical three" at coming out of the defensive zone with the puck. The time for Hale to step up is this year with Matvichuk out indefinitely.

Rafalski-Lukowich
White-Martin
Malakhov-Hale
Oduya

sorry boys that's how it's going to be :D


i think malakhov will be in the lineup too and i dont mind that to be honest AS LONG AS HE GETS THE MINUTES OF A #6 DMAN. i think he could do fine in that spot and would really help out our #2 PP unit assuming they keep raffy and langs on the point on the #1 and he could be with pauly on the point for the #2 PP. also it showed last year that luko cannot handle the minutes that he is forced to get when playin with raffy so i say put hale with raffy cuz hell he's earned it. so id like to see this for the start:

white-martin
hale-rafalski
lukowich-malakhov

idc who is the #7 dman but i think that the top 4 is good and malakhov is put with a solid, stay at home guy who will almost always be in the right position, which in turn could help make malakhov better. honestly, id love to see vladdy playin #6 minutes for us and playin on the PP. also luko gets the #5 minutes which is where he would be most comfortable and play up to his best potential and be better than we saw last year gettin the mins hes used to.

i think malakhov will be in the lineup too and i dont mind that to be honest AS LONG AS HE GETS THE MINUTES OF A #6 DMAN. i think he could do fine in that spot and would really help out our #2 PP unit assuming they keep raffy and langs on the point on the #1 and he could be with pauly on the point for the #2 PP. also it showed last year that luko cannot handle the minutes that he is forced to get when playin with raffy so i say put hale with raffy cuz hell he's earned it. so id like to see this for the start:

white-martin
hale-rafalski
lukowich-malakhov

idc who is the #7 dman but i think that the top 4 is good and malakhov is put with a solid, stay at home guy who will almost always be in the right position, which in turn could help make malakhov better. honestly, id love to see vladdy playin #6 minutes for us and playin on the PP. also luko gets the #5 minutes which is where he would be most comfortable and play up to his best potential and be better than we saw last year gettin the mins hes used to.
That actually wouldn't be terrible, but what a kick in the groin to have a $3.5 million guy getting third-pairing minutes. We need some goombas to break his legs when he gets off the plane from Russia.

He was our best defenseman down the stretch, and the team struggled when he was out. Regardless of who moves up from Lowell, its a downgrade. I do wonder though if this assures a spot for Tommy A


Tommy A is hopefully done with hockey. If the nj have to include a 41 yr old in their plans we're in some serious trouble folks. I liked Tommy, but he's DONE! Let him go off into the fricken sunset already.