What the Devils should do but won't

They should trade brylin for 2nd or 3rd rounder let tallackson take his position. Call up Bergfors for an extended period of time (don't know who they would sit). Trade for a solid #3 defensive defensmen involving lukowich and the draft pick they get from the brylin trade

Bergfors did not show that he was ready for the NHL in the pre-season. He will be a great players, but he's not there yet. Remember he's a 19 year old kid. No need to rush him.

I agree with needing some help on the back end though.

They should trade brylin for 2nd or 3rd rounder let tallackson take his position. Call up Bergfors for an extended period of time (don't know who they would sit). Trade for a solid #3 defensive defensmen involving lukowich and the draft pick they get from the brylin trade

tallackson should take his position based on what? his performance last night, his performance in preseason, or his performation when called up last year? i dont mean to jump on your back or anything but tallackson is by far the most overrated prospect we currently have i am just not seeing what other people are. sadly i dont think Lukowich and a pick gets up a decent anything at this point. id say his value is extremely low at this point.

Brylin has been one of our best players thus far.

Sign Dowd when healthy and form a respectable 4th line, Janssen and Lacouture are trash.

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Pandolfo - Madden - Brylin
Rasmussen - Dowd - Clarkson

Matvichuk - Rafalski (1st shutdown unit)
White - Martin
Oduya - Hale

Brodeur
Clemmensen

Sign Dowd when healthy and form a respectable 4th line, Janssen and Lacouture are trash.

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Pandolfo - Madden - Brylin
Rasmussen - Dowd - Clarkson

Matvichuk - Rafalski (1st shutdown unit)
White - Martin
Oduya - Hale

Brodeur
ClemmensenAnd how would that have helped last night? It wouldn't have done a thing. That team is also well over the salary cap.

It would do plenty....we wouldn't have a 4th line giving up two even strength goals in 6 minutes of ice time. That is friggen unacceptable, slow 4th line scrapers are history in the NHL, they have no use whatsoever. I am litterly getting sick to death with our 4th line going out on the ice "trying" to cycle the puck, something which they can't do and giving up goals.

A few tiny changes would have to be made in order to get under the cap but that team is not too far off if Lukowich gets traded and Janssen and Lacourture are sent down. We have 330 000 in extra cap space.

I am not saying this would have helped in Ottawa, a little heart may have but in the long run this is a much better team both defensivly and offensivly.

And how would that have helped last night? It wouldn't have done a thing. That team is also well over the salary cap.
How are we well over the salary cap? When Hale and Zajac recover, Tallackson will be sent down. Then if we send down Janssen, Rupp, or Lacouture we have enough room to sign Dowd, something I'd definitely be in favor of.

We don't have to worry about the cap until Matvichuk is ready to play.

Sign Dowd when healthy and form a respectable 4th line, Janssen and Lacouture are trash.

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Pandolfo - Madden - Brylin
Rasmussen - Dowd - Clarkson

Matvichuk - Rafalski (1st shutdown unit)
White - Martin
Oduya - Hale

Brodeur
Clemmensen


FINALLY someone who gets it.....the fourth line IS trash, absolute garbage, I can't understand everyone around here who loves Cam Janssen, the guy is not NHL calibre, it's like having Eric Boulton out there or something. Janssen, Rupp, Lacoutoure, and Rassmussen all should be sent down to the minor leagues where they belong and Clarkson, Tallackson and Dowd should be the 4th line.

FINALLY someone who gets it.....the fourth line IS trash, absolute garbage, I can't understand everyone around here who loves Cam Janssen, the guy is not NHL calibre, it's like having Eric Boulton out there or something. Janssen, Rupp, Lacoutoure, and Rassmussen all should be sent down to the minor leagues where they belong and Clarkson, Tallackson and Dowd should be the 4th line.
I agree with Clarkson and Dowd, but Tallackson hasn't earned his call ups in my books. He looks lost out there and spent half the part of the game I watched on his ***.

We need get rid of fahey and hope our D gets healthy again.

Jason, it doesn't matter what the fourth line does when Elias, Gomez, White and Martin play poorly. The Devils are not going to live or die by the fourth line.

I do hope that Jim Dowd gets healthy soon. He would be a great center for the fourth line.

I do disagree with anyone who says that Janssen should be sent down. He's the only guy on the team that plays with passion. There is still fighting in hockey, and Cam will go with anyone.

How are we well over the salary cap? When Hale and Zajac recover, Tallackson will be sent down. Then if we send down Janssen, Rupp, or Lacouture we have enough room to sign Dowd, something I'd definitely be in favor of.

We don't have to worry about the cap until Matvichuk is ready to play.I overlooked the trading Brylin part. However, we are almost at the cap right now.

Sign Dowd when healthy and form a respectable 4th line, Janssen and Lacouture are trash.

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Pandolfo - Madden - Brylin
Rasmussen - Dowd - Clarkson

Matvichuk - Rafalski (1st shutdown unit)
White - Martin
Oduya - Hale

Brodeur
Clemmensen

This is probably our best line-up.

I do disagree with anyone who says that Janssen should be sent down. He's the only guy on the team that plays with passion. There is still fighting in hockey, and Cam will go with anyone.


Well then we'll agree to disagree......if we want someone to fight, Rasmussen will do it, he won't be as good as Janssen as a fighter, but he holds his own.

Rasmussen-Dowd-Clarkson that's the fourth line Im lobbying for. Down with Cam Janssen

Rasmussen has played well this year and is competent. He should stay.

Clarkson will drop the gloves. He racked up over 230 PIM last season in 55 games. He's a good fighter.

I overlooked the trading Brylin part. However, we are almost at the cap right now.
I never said we should trade Brylin. Tallackson is up here on Hale's LTIR exemption, which is why we had to send down Brooks, and once he gets back Tallackson will go back down. Then if we want to sign Dowd, who I'd take over any of our rotating 4th liners, we'd just have to swap him in and one of them out.

The only problem with bringing up Clarkson would be that we'd have to send down two cheap forwards to accomodate him, leaving us with a roster of 21 and no reserve forwards. In order to get both Clarkson and Dowd up here we'd have to send down Janssen, Rupp, and Lacouture.

This is probably our best line-up.
I agree, but we'd have to pray every night that there won't be any slight, non-LTIR, injuries.

I never said we should trade Brylin. Tallackson is up here on Hale's LTIR exemption, which is why we had to send down Brooks, and once he gets back Tallackson will go back down. Then if we want to sign Dowd, who I'd take over any of our rotating 4th liners, we'd just have to swap him in and one of them out.

The only problem with bringing up Clarkson would be that we'd have to send down two cheap forwards to accomodate him, leaving us with a roster of 21 and no reserve forwards. In order to get both Clarkson and Dowd up here we'd have to send down Janssen, Rupp, and Lacouture.


Question to get Matty back, would you trade Brylin to have reserve forwards?

OK, here's my thoughts onwhat the Devil need to do:

Start playing when the puck drops - not 40 minutes later when you're down by a few goals.

Question to get Matty back, would you trade Brylin to have reserve forwards?
Probably not. Losing Lukowich would get us nearly there. Send down Fahey, bring up Lachance.

Then if we had to I'd go with a roster of 21, using Oduya as a "swing man," if a forward goes down, send him down and call up an extra forward.

Brylin's been one of our best forwards so far and I feel when we're this close to fitting Matvichuk under the cap cutting Brylin loose would do more damage than keeping Lukowich over Matvichuk even.

If we got rid of Brylin, Clarkson would be put on Madden's line and we would still have a crappy as hell 4th.

OK, here's my thoughts onwhat the Devil need to do:

Start playing when the puck drops - not 40 minutes later when you're down by a few goals.

This sounds like the best advice so far.

Probably not. Losing Lukowich would get us nearly there. Send down Fahey, bring up Lachance.

Then if we had to I'd go with a roster of 21, using Oduya as a "swing man," if a forward goes down, send him down and call up an extra forward.

Brylin's been one of our best forwards so far and I feel when we're this close to fitting Matvichuk under the cap cutting Brylin loose would do more damage than keeping Lukowich over Matvichuk even.

If we got rid of Brylin, Clarkson would be put on Madden's line and we would still have a crappy as hell 4th.

Agreed, I'd like to know Clarkson, and Dowd's #'s.....

I have a feeling that the Devils playing woes are more psychological than anything else.

They just need to want to win.

Rupp is playing good ( at least I think so )

Janssen is a dinosaur. I like guys like him, though, so it is tough for me to say that. Unfortuantely, he has no offensive skill whatsoever. He also isn't anything special D-wise, so it makes playing his line for any significant minutes a risky proposition, especially vs. Ottawa on the road w/o the last change. I looked at the end of the 1st period and saw that the 4th line played 1 second the whole period! That is just unacceptable, and we need a 4th line that can go out there and play some quality minutes, at least 9 or 10 minues a game. This line can't do that, and changes need to be made, and I think along with D depth this is our biggest issue right now.

I looked at the end of the 1st period and saw that the 4th line played 1 second the whole period! That is just unacceptable, and we need a 4th line that can go out there and play some quality minutes, at least 9 or 10 minues a game. They played one second because Janssen and McGrattan threw their gloves and sticks away and squared off as the puck dropped.

They ended up with over six minutes. Ottawa's 4th Line had less ice time, and the juggernaut Buffalo Sabres had their 4th liners on the ice for seven minutes and change last night.

The Devils will not live or die by their fourth line. A Claude Lemieux type isn't going to be on the 4th Line in this day and age with a salary cap.

FINALLY someone who gets it.....the fourth line IS trash, absolute garbage, I can't understand everyone around here who loves Cam Janssen, the guy is not NHL calibre, it's like having Eric Boulton out there or something. Janssen, Rupp, Lacoutoure, and Rassmussen all should be sent down to the minor leagues where they belong and Clarkson, Tallackson and Dowd should be the 4th line.


i totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you......see my thread: http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=303567

They played one second because Janssen and McGrattan threw their gloves and sticks away and squared off as the puck dropped.

They ended up with over six minutes. Ottawa's 4th Line had less ice time, and the juggernaut Buffalo Sabres had their 4th liners on the ice for seven minutes and change last night.

The Devils will not live or die by their fourth line. A Claude Lemieux type isn't going to be on the 4th Line in this day and age with a salary cap.
How many goals did Ottawa or Buffalo's 4th line give up?

Our 4th line struck so much fear into Ottawa they dressed seven defensemen.

The worst part about our 4th line is that they ice the puck every game. That is completely unacceptable because it allows the opposing team to get their first line out against our 4th.

Anyone know our 2nd period GF and GA?

I'm sort of undecided now after reading this thread. I used to be all for Cam to stay but I guess we could do better without him. Maybe we should use him more sparingly just for those games against a much fiestier team, but then again we survived just fine last year during the streak with the same line didn't we?

All in all, I'm not worried about the team. I'm just waiting for Marty to come through 'cause he has (and not always the defense) let a few get past him.

I'm sort of undecided now after reading this thread. I used to be all for Cam to stay but I guess we could do better without him. Maybe we should use him more sparingly just for those games against a much fiestier team, but then again we survived just fine last year during the streak with the same line didn't we?

All in all, I'm not worried about the team. I'm just waiting for Marty to come through 'cause he has (and not always the defense) let a few get past him.
I agree, I'd like to see Cam as the 13th forward. When we play teams like Buffalo and Ottawa that can roll three/four tough, fast lines I'd take him out. But if we're playing any of the Atlantic division teams I'd like to see him in in case Hollweg or Ruutu tried something.

Teams with Cam in - NYR NYI Philly Pitt Boston Toronto Washington Florida Tampa

Teams with a more balanced 4th line - Buffalo Ottawa Montreal Carolina Atlanta

Other than playing a full 60 minutes? I'd say get their defensemen to play with something resembling consistency. I'm tired of the Devils living and dying by how the defense does. Only Rafalski is consistently good; you can point to the games the Devils lost where one to three of White/Martin/Lukowich/Fahey/Brooks/Oduya plays poorly.

The fourth line means little. They aren't the ones responsible for leaving guys open in the slot or letting forwards screen Marty for a shot. They aren't the ones coughing up the puck right in their zone. They aren't the ones who are blowing player coverage. How most of this ire is focused on them makes me confused. It's the defense, plain and simple.

Other than playing a full 60 minutes? I'd say get their defensemen to play with something resembling consistency. I'm tired of the Devils living and dying by how the defense does. Only Rafalski is consistently good; you can point to the games the Devils lost where one to three of White/Martin/Lukowich/Fahey/Brooks/Oduya plays poorly.

The fourth line means little. They aren't the ones responsible for leaving guys open in the slot or letting forwards screen Marty for a shot. They aren't the ones coughing up the puck right in their zone. They aren't the ones who are blowing player coverage. How most of this ire is focused on them makes me confused. It's the defense, plain and simple.

Of all the analysis, I agree with yours the most. The 4th line may be unreliable, but they aren't on very long. They aren't the cause for the poor defense, the Devils need Matvichuk to get healthy. No more Alex Brooks or Jim Fahey, please.

Rupp is playing good ( at least I think so )

um not really, i was at the nashville game and he could have easily been the worst player on either team. maybe with the exception of the brooks fahey pairing. if he were put on waivers i cant see any other team having the slightest interest.

Other than playing a full 60 minutes? I'd say get their defensemen to play with something resembling consistency. I'm tired of the Devils living and dying by how the defense does. Only Rafalski is consistently good; you can point to the games the Devils lost where one to three of White/Martin/Lukowich/Fahey/Brooks/Oduya plays poorly.

The fourth line means little. They aren't the ones responsible for leaving guys open in the slot or letting forwards screen Marty for a shot. They aren't the ones coughing up the puck right in their zone. They aren't the ones who are blowing player coverage. How most of this ire is focused on them makes me confused. It's the defense, plain and simple.

Ridiculous, the 4th line may not play a lot, but they still give up goals when they are on, they're supposed to K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) and they don't, they're a bunch of no talent scrubs.....the problems with this team are defensmans 5 and 6 and forwards 11-12.......we're honestly 4 players from being a spectacular squad......Fahey, Brooks, Janssen, Rupp and Lacoutoure are just crap, and need to go. Like J-Mac said yesterday they played 6 minutes and were a minus ****ing two.

Ridiculous, the 4th line may not play a lot, but they still give up goals when they are on, they're supposed to K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) and they don't, they're a bunch of no talent scrubs.....the problems with this team are defensmans 5 and 6 and forwards 11-12.......we're honestly 4 players from being a spectacular squad......Fahey, Brooks, Janssen, Rupp and Lacoutoure are just crap, and need to go. Like J-Mac said yesterday they played 6 minutes and were a minus ****ing two.

I don't agree that they are the only problems with the team, but they are certainly problems. Cam is certainly entertaining to watch, but I'd rather have someone who can play hockey.

the problems with this team are defensmans 5 and 6 and forwards 11-12.......we're honestly 4 players from being a spectacular squad

Welcome to the era of the salary cap.. Because that's true for a vast majority of teams in the NHL.. Look at other rosters besides your own..

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Welcome to the era of the salary cap.. Because that's true for a vast majority of teams in the NHL.. Look at other rosters besides your own..

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condescend much?

Plenty of teams have third pairings and fourth lines that can play three minutes without giving up a goal. All we ask is for a little energy and a bit of responsibility with and away from the puck. It's not so much to ask from 'NHLers.'

Welcome to the era of the salary cap.. Because that's true for a vast majority of teams in the NHL.. Look at other rosters besides your own..

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Well gee......Buffalo's 5 and 6 and 11 and 12 don't hurt them......I've seen other's rosters and they look better than ours.

THE DEVILS SHOULD LOSE!!!:madfire:












But they won't. :D

Well gee......Buffalo's 5 and 6 and 11 and 12 don't hurt them......I've seen other's rosters and they look better than ours.
The good thing is that our 5 and 6 should be MUCH better once Hale gets back on the ice...then if we sign Dowd it becomes a problem of our 12th forward, which I'll take any day of the week.

Dowd Lacouture/Janssen

Hale Oduya

I'm just wondering if Julien's defensive system is slightly different from the one we've had in the past. I can't remember giving up this many odd-man rushes in the past. It just seems like guys are missing assignments that they would normally be on. Plus, like last year, our breakout is awful and Gomez doesn't have the trap-bustin' speed going yet.

Well gee......Buffalo's 5 and 6 and 11 and 12 don't hurt them

That's because Buffalo is not blowing $4 million on a 3rd line center like NJ is doing.. They are not paying any player what you are paying Elias as well, for instance.. That's a couple of reasons why the Sabres are a better balanced team than NJ..

Like I said, welcome to the era of the salary cap.


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Cam Janssen, Erik Rasmussen and Mike Rupp are -2, and Janssen and Rasmussen were both -2 in the Ottawa game, Rupp -1.

The Fourth was only actually together for one goal, Vermette's first goal that made it 3-1. Mike Rupp made a nice attempt collapsing in from the point to check Vermette, but it was a second too late.

Janssen was on with Madden and Pandolfo for his other goal against, Preissing's shot from the Senators' right-point. Cam, a RW, was covering the left point. The puck went behind the net, and Janssen collapsed a bit to the faceoff circle as his man moved in a bit. Janssen moved into the mid/high-slot area as Preissing's shot beat Brodeur through traffic.

Rasmussen's other goal against was when he was on the ice with Brylin and Elias for McAmmond's first goal. I don't know the deal with Rasmussen. He tried to get across the ice to cover Ottawa's pinching right-point Phillips. Alferdson skated along his RW half-boards, passed to Phillips who broke in and shot the puck. It went off of Paul Martin and right to Dean McAmmond who easily scored.

Rupp's other goal against while he was on the ice came in the Dallas game with Elias and Brylin. On that goal, Rupp had come out of the penalty box 10 seconds earlier and was covering the point. The goal was scored by Morrow in the low-slot from a great pass by Ribeiro from behind the net. The only thing that Rupp can be faulted for is taking the Interference penalty, which came a few seconds after he got a takeaway.

In conclussion, I will say it again, the Devils will not live or die by the fourth line. It Colin White, Paul Martin, Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski, John Madden and Patrik Elias who need to do their respective jobs win games for this team.

I'm just wondering if Julien's defensive system is slightly different from the one we've had in the past. I can't remember giving up this many odd-man rushes in the past. It just seems like guys are missing assignments that they would normally be on. Plus, like last year, our breakout is awful and Gomez doesn't have the trap-bustin' speed going yet.Do you remember the "Ragamuffin" system that Larry Robinson empoyed last year?

That's because Buffalo is not blowing $4 million on a 3rd line center like NJ is doing..John Madden's cap hit is $2.93 million, and he has two more Stanley Cup rings than anyone has ever won in Buffalo. Except for the Ottawa debacle, he is having a really strong year.

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner
Pandolfo - Madden - Brylin
Rasmussen - Dowd - Clarkson

Matvichuk - Rafalski (1st shutdown unit)
White - Martin
Oduya - Hale

Brodeur
Clemmensen

This is probably our best line-up.

Agreed.

Well then we'll agree to disagree......if we want someone to fight, Rasmussen will do it, he won't be as good as Janssen as a fighter, but he holds his own.

Rasmussen-Dowd-Clarkson that's the fourth line Im lobbying for. Down with Cam Janssen

Rassmussen will not do it. He does not fight, he is an agitator (like a Claude "Mr. Turtle" Lemieux). I've seen him in one fight in his entire Devils tenure, and it was not impressive.

Clarkson, however, is a possibility to stomp some heads.

I agree with Clarkson and Dowd, but Tallackson hasn't earned his call ups in my books. He looks lost out there and spent half the part of the game I watched on his ***.

Okay. I'm going out on a limb here. Tallackson sucks. Bust-o-la. Let it go...

David,

I certainly agree with you that we are not going to live or die by the 4th line. My issue is simply that we are relying on basically 3 lines, which is the antithesis of Devils hockey.

Our 4th line is completely incapable of producing offense. Period. That means that when we have some offensive flow going with the other lines, that line coming on the ice kills any and all momentum, which means they don't play, obviously. Which means we play 3 lines. Which means they get tired faster, and when a team is playing its 6th game in 10 days in Ottawa, vs. a Senator team that was just waiting to be released form purgatory, you get what happened Saturday night.

In addition, if this 4th line can't even be responsible enough to be put out there against the other teams' 4th lines, then we need to find 3 other guys to at least be able to keep the puck out of the net, on a consistent basis, a la the Crash Line. Then any goals scored would be gravy.

And our 4th line playing 6 minutes in an 8-1 loss is unacceptable. That game was over at 5-1 and the other guys need to rest, since we rely on them for everything. At this point we might as well only keep 20 players and save on the cap space.

Well then we'll agree to disagree......if we want someone to fight, Rasmussen will do it, he won't be as good as Janssen as a fighter, but he holds his own.

Rasmussen-Dowd-Clarkson that's the fourth line Im lobbying for. Down with Cam Janssen

Ras - Dowd - Clarkson would be a fantastic fourth line. You guys need Dowd, IMHO. Dowd is ten times the player Janssen ever will be.

Ras - Dowd - Clarkson would be a fantastic fourth line. You guys need Dowd, IMHO. Dowd is ten times the player Janssen ever will be.

I agree with you on Janssen, the only thing he is good for is pissing off Ranger fans. He still has not even recorded a point in his career in 55 games. THAT is ridiculous.

Welcome to the era of the salary cap.. Because that's true for a vast majority of teams in the NHL.. Look at other rosters besides your own..

Yeah, lets see how the Sabres are going to do when all their young players they have now reach UFA status.

Seriously man, if your going to lecture us the salary cap get a clue of what your talking about such as you thinking that Madden costs $4 Mill towards the cap for us when it's nothing even close to that.

I agree with you on Janssen, the only thing he is good for is pissing off Ranger fans. He still has not even recorded a point in his career in 55 games. THAT is ridiculous.

I think if he had the wheels of Hollweg we wouldn't be having this discussion and he'd be a 3rd line player right now. His skating and basic fundamentals are just so sub par to nearly every other NHL player in the league.

Yeah, lets see how the Sabres are going to do when all their young players they have now reach UFA status.

Can't wait for Briere to go UFA this year!! :bow:

I agree with you on Janssen, the only thing he is good for is pissing off Ranger fans. He still has not even recorded a point in his career in 55 games. THAT is ridiculous.

He has more career fights than shots on goal.

Can't wait for Briere to go UFA this year!! :bow:Why, do the Rangers have the $7 million cap space to sign him?

I think if he had the wheels of Hollweg we wouldn't be having this discussion and he'd be a 3rd line player right now. His skating and basic fundamentals are just so sub par to nearly every other NHL player in the league.Janssen is not slow. He skates fairly well. He also displayed some good cycling skills this season.

The problem with the Devils this season is that they have only had a 2-goal or more lead once this year, and that was against Carolina. Janssen played for 8:19 in that game. In every other game that the team has played, they have trailed, including the team's other three wins. That doesn't afford the opportunity to put a grind-line out on the ice for significant time. Guys like Gionta, Gomez and Elias need to be out there.

Why, do the Rangers have the $7 million cap space to sign him?

Janssen is not slow. He skates fairly well. He also displayed some good cycling skills this season.

The problem with the Devils this season is that they have only had a 2-goal or more lead once this year, and that was against Carolina. Janssen played for 8:19 in that game. In every other game that the team has played, they have trailed, including the team's other three wins. That doesn't afford the opportunity to put a grind-line out on the ice for significant time. Guys like Gionta, Gomez and Elias need to be out there.

The Rangers certainly will have the cap space to sign a big player this year if they don't trade for someone during the course of the season. Straka, Weekes, Ozolinsh and a few others are coming off of the books unless they are re-signed (which I doubt they will be). Contracts like Rozsival and Malik will hopefully be moved as well (although that is a more doubtful happening, IMO). But why bring that in to the topic, since there is nothing about the Rangers and their finances mentioned until you happened to bring it up. I was simply agreeing with Lou and posting something that a bunch of teams are saying.

Janssen skates "fairly well"? He's a mediocre skater. He's not a fast guy in the least and his stride has a ton to be desired. He's not the slowest player on earth, but he and Colton Orr would be pretty dead even in a foot race if you know what I mean.

If a guy like Janssen is seeing more than 4-6 minutes of ice time a night than you have problems.

Good. Drop Weekes. When Lundy is down, you can all suffer for not having a competent backup goalie.

Good. Drop Weekes. When Lundy is down, you can all suffer for not having a competent backup goalie.

Yeah, because Weekes is the only guy who could serve as a competent backup to Lundy.:shakehead

Weekes can be resigned at under a million most likely and we have Montoya who will certainly be NHL readu come next October so there is no need for a 2million $$$ backup going forward.

The Rangers certainly will have the cap space to sign a big player this year if they don't trade for someone during the course of the season. Straka, Weekes, Ozolinsh and a few others are coming off of the books unless they are re-signed (which I doubt they will be). Contracts like Rozsival and Malik will hopefully be moved as well (although that is a more doubtful happening, IMO). But why bring that in to the topic, since there is nothing about the Rangers and their finances mentioned until you happened to bring it up. I was simply agreeing with Lou and posting something that a bunch of teams are saying. One speculates what a Rangers fan such as yourself wants when he or she writes something like, "Can't wait for Briere to go UFA this year!!" You also had the bow smiley after it, so don't act like I am bringing it up typical raiding of other teams' rosters the has become a hallmark of the New York Rangers.

If a guy like Janssen is seeing more than 4-6 minutes of ice time a night than you have problems.Wrong. If he is playing more than 6:00 it means the Devils have a big lead and don't need the goal scorers out on the ice.

Good. Drop Weekes. When Lundy is down, you can all suffer for not having a competent backup goalie.

Way to create an argument in this thread.

JR, let the troll speak and don't take the bait. No need to create something out of this dribble.

One speculates what a Rangers fan such as yourself wants when he or she writes something like, "Can't wait for Briere to go UFA this year!!" You also had the bow smiley after it, so don't act like I am bringing it up typical raiding of other teams' rosters the has become a hallmark of the New York Rangers.

Wrong. If he is playing more than 6:00 it means the Devils have a big lead and don't need the goal scorers out on the ice.

Hey, if you want to make an argument out of nothing (the Briere statement), than go ahead. :shakehead

Apparantly you don't get that your 4th liners shouldn't be seeing more than 6 minutes or so of even strength time. You should be giving your 2nd and 3rd line players more minutes if your team is winning. The 4th line can give the other team a chance to get back into the game (and yes, it's happened to the Devils AND the Rangers).

I see no need to start shopping Lagenbrunner or any other extreme measures that some posters are calling for. Yes, we were embarrassed on Saturday and where outplayed by Nashville. But, if I'm not mistaken, we're still tied for first in our division. First of all, we really don't have any cap space to make any moves, unless of course we can trade a core player, which won't happen with less then ten games into the season. Our defense will improve with the addition of Matvichuck and Hale. And who doesn't believe that Elias won't find his form. Gomez needs to get better, but he's always been a second half player. What we will need is better play from Martin; he needs to relieve pressure from Rafalski by creating some scoring of his own. As for the 4th line, I don't believe Lou has many opitions right now, but as the cap goes down, we all seem in favor of a Rass, Dowd and Clarkson line, which I'm sure we will at least see Jimmy.D in the near future.

In reality, three games really stand out that bother me so far, Toronto, Nashville and Ottawa. And we still managed 3 points out of the first two. And in my opinion, our conference only has one powerhouse at the moment and that's Buffalo. Let’s wait until the twenty-fifth game mark or so before we all turn into Ed Snider's. In the meantime, let's hope for a good game and win in Pittsburgh.

I agree about Buffalo, Brooklyn.

The East almost reminds me of the National Leage in Baseball.

I agree about Buffalo, Brooklyn.

The East almost reminds me of the National Leage in Baseball.

I wouldn't say that...theres still lots of potential in some of these teams. A team could go un-noticed for a while and then go on a complete tear. I have a feeling there will be a team challenging Buffalo at the end of the year, just have no idea who.

I agree about Buffalo, Brooklyn.

The East almost reminds me of the National Leage in Baseball.

I know Ottawa kicked our butts. However, they're not as strong as they used to be. Caroline is still good, but they also lost some key players as well as the rentals. Atlanta, they need to keep it going for most of the season before they make a believer out of me. And the rest are like you mentioned, the National league.

I wouldn't say that...theres still lots of potential in some of these teams. A team could go un-noticed for a while and then go on a complete tear. I have a feeling there will be a team challenging Buffalo at the end of the year, just have no idea who.

There are a few good teams, yes, but only 1 real elite team as far as I'm concerned. I think that Buffalo is the only LEGITMATE Cup contender in the Eastern Conference right now.

It's just scary how good the West is.

You have teams like Detroit who are constant contenders.

San Jose and Nashville who are young, feisty legitimate teams.

The West is stacked compared to the East. But I bet an Eastern team wins it again this year.

Way to create an argument in this thread.

JR, let the troll speak and don't take the bait. No need to create something out of this dribble.
Ouch... too bad most Rangers fans really don't understand the value of a reliable backup goalie like Weekes. Being in the shadow of a great doesnt neccesarily mean he's useless. Next time Lundy gets hurt or needs to take a time-out, you might realize that.

But oh well.

Thanks for the "troll" comment too.

Ouch... too bad most Rangers fans really don't understand the value of a reliable backup goalie like Weekes. Being in the shadow of a great doesnt neccesarily mean he's useless. Next time Lundy gets hurt or needs to take a time-out, you might realize that.

But oh well.

Thanks for the "troll" comment too.

You do know that we have Montoya to take time if Weekes ever went down, right?

The Devils have a VERY mediocre back-up. Maybe your team should take your own advice. I certainly wouldn't feel too happy with Clemmer as my starting goaltender if Brodeur ever went down. At least the Rangers can move in Montoya (who looked solid during pre-season and so far in the AHL after a STELLAR year last year).

Hate to agree with Jon P., but Al Montoya is on track to be a fine NHL goalie and I'd much rather have him in the system than Clemmer, Doyle or J. Parise. (Frazee may ultimately be real good, tho...)

You do know that we have Montoya to take time if Weekes ever went down, right?

The Devils have a VERY mediocre back-up. Maybe your team should take your own advice. I certainly wouldn't feel too happy with Clemmer as my starting goaltender if Brodeur ever went down. At least the Rangers can move in Montoya (who looked solid during pre-season and so far in the AHL after a STELLAR year last year).
Maybe if the Devils miss the playoffs for over a half of a decade they can get some high draft picks and select a goaltender. I'll take Marty Brodeur, two Stanley Cup Championships and our mediocre backups over Montoya, but I thank you for the suggestion.

Maybe if the Devils miss the playoffs for over a half of a decade they can get some high draft picks and select a goaltender. I'll take Marty Brodeur, two Stanley Cup Championships and our mediocre backups over Montoya, but I thank you for the suggestion.

Who said anything about Montoya or anyone else over Brodeur? You have now, twice, taken comments of mine completely out of context and transformed them in your own mind to make it sound like I said something ridiculoulsy wrong about the Devils just to create an argument.

Do you even know what I'm talking about or are you too busy thinking about me being a Ranger fan to get a grasp at my words?

It's just scary how good the West is.

You have teams like Detroit who are constant contenders.

San Jose and Nashville who are young, feisty legitimate teams.

The West is stacked compared to the East. But I bet an Eastern team wins it again this year.


And Minnesota is playing some great hockey and let's not forget Anahiem. Stacked!

And Minnesota is playing some great hockey and let's not forget Anahiem. Stacked!

It seriously is.

But, like I said, I don't see any of them winning the Cup.

Keep it in the East (as long as the Devils, Islanders, or Flyers don't win it!)

Maybe if the Devils miss the playoffs for over a half of a decade they can get some high draft picks and select a goaltender. I'll take Marty Brodeur, two Stanley Cup Championships and our mediocre backups over Montoya, but I thank you for the suggestion.


That's three Stanley cup rings for Marty. I know you know, just a reminder. ;)

I do like Clemmers new black and red mask and pads. He looks nasty. And his play improved significantly during the second and third periods of the Preds game... It is hard staying fresh with so little game action, so as a Marty-specific back-up he has the right mind set.

If Marty goes down, well that hurts no matter who is waiting in the wings. But judging from his performance on the Isles, that Dunham rumor could have helped our chances... All speculative, of course, as Marty will play like 186 games this season, give or take.

You do know that we have Montoya to take time if Weekes ever went down, right?

The Devils have a VERY mediocre back-up. Maybe your team should take your own advice. I certainly wouldn't feel too happy with Clemmer as my starting goaltender if Brodeur ever went down. At least the Rangers can move in Montoya (who looked solid during pre-season and so far in the AHL after a STELLAR year last year).

Hmm...I agree with everything else you've said in this thread about the east and the west BUT your assuming Montaya who has just looked good in the AHL and pre-season will be better than Clemmer who proved he was a capable backup when Brodeur got hurt last year and the year before and played a good game against Nashville this year. He has played NHL games and won them, even during a time when the Devils were struggling big time defensively. Montoya has basically won practice games at this level. While I agree he is a good prospect think your getting a wee bit ahead of yourself here. Clemmonsen has played some great games as the Devils backup and I can't think of any loss he has been the fault of but I sure can name some games HE won with solid goaltending.

Hmm...I agree with everything else you've said in this thread about the east and the west BUT your assuming Montaya who has just looked good in the AHL and pre-season will be better than Clemmer who proved he was a capable backup when Brodeur got hurt last year and the year before and played a good game against Nashville this year. He has played NHL games and won them, even during a time when the Devils were struggling big time defensively. Montoya has basically won practice games at this level. While I agree he is a good prospect think your getting a wee bit ahead of yourself here. Clemmonsen has played some great games as the Devils backup and I can't think of any loss he has been the fault of but I sure can name some games HE won with solid goaltending.

I don't think I'm getting ahead of myself at all.

Montoya is ONLY not in the NHL because the team wants him getting maximum games. If they weren't worried about him getting the most games possible, you can bet your bottom that he'd be in the NHL as Lundqvist's back-up right now.

It seriously is.

But, like I said, I don't see any of them winning the Cup.

Keep it in the East (as long as the Devils, Islanders, or Flyers don't win it!)

Remember when we were laughing at the Wild right before the season because someone had them ranked ahead of the Devils?

Hmm...I agree with everything else you've said in this thread about the east and the west BUT your assuming Montaya who has just looked good in the AHL and pre-season will be better than Clemmer who proved he was a capable backup when Brodeur got hurt last year and the year before and played a good game against Nashville this year. He has played NHL games and won them, even during a time when the Devils were struggling big time defensively. Montoya has basically won practice games at this level. While I agree he is a good prospect think your getting a wee bit ahead of yourself here. Clemmonsen has played some great games as the Devils backup and I can't think of any loss he has been the fault of but I sure can name some games HE won with solid goaltending.


I would much rather have Montoya than Clemmensen. Al is 8 years younger and looks like he is improving every time i see him play. Clemmensen is 6-5-2. Not horrible, but not extremely impressive.

There are a few good teams, yes, but only 1 real elite team as far as I'm concerned. I think that Buffalo is the only LEGITMATE Cup contender in the Eastern Conference right now.

Yes but what I mean is that a team may evolve and take the next step to become a contender. Some teams don't really emerge until as late as midseason. Buffalo is a great team, but I feel sometimes as if people are already ready to give them the cup. Lets wait about 40 more games, then make judgements about these teams.

That's three Stanley cup rings for Marty. I know you know, just a reminder. ;)I was talking about the period of time in which the Rangers failed to make the playoffs, 1997-98 through the lockout-lost 2004-05 season. Jon was being critical of Clemmensen, so I pointed out that with Marty Brodeur, we don't have a great need for a highly-touted goaltending prospect. I also pointed out that the Devils do not usually draft very high in the draft. The Devils don't need a Weekes or Montoya type of backup because Marty isn't going to get headaches heading into the playoffs.

We dont know how Doyle or J Parise will stack up. The only experience we have with either of them is in the NHL preseason.

Yes but what I mean is that a team may evolve and take the next step to become a contender. Some teams don't really emerge until as late as midseason. Buffalo is a great team, but I feel sometimes as if people are already ready to give them the cup. Lets wait about 40 more games, then make judgements about these teams.

As far as I remember, the Devils didn't exactly explode out of the gate last year and we had pretty much the same team. This is a long season. Right now it would be foolish to say the Sabres are not the most impressive team in the Eastern Conf (if not the NHL), but luckily for 14 other teams, the playoffs start in April, not November.

All a team needs is that 8th spot and the slate is wiped clean.

Other than playing a full 60 minutes? I'd say get their defensemen to play with something resembling consistency. I'm tired of the Devils living and dying by how the defense does. Only Rafalski is consistently good; you can point to the games the Devils lost where one to three of White/Martin/Lukowich/Fahey/Brooks/Oduya plays poorly.

The fourth line means little. They aren't the ones responsible for leaving guys open in the slot or letting forwards screen Marty for a shot. They aren't the ones coughing up the puck right in their zone. They aren't the ones who are blowing player coverage. How most of this ire is focused on them makes me confused. It's the defense, plain and simple.

ive talked with another fellow devs fan of mine and he said and i agreed that it would be sick if the devils traded for zidlicky. hes fast, scores, is that shooting dman that we lack, offensively gifted, and solid defensively. i posted a thread over on the preds section of hfboards about if zidlicky is untouchable and if not, wat it would take for us to get him.

That's because Buffalo is not blowing $4 million on a 3rd line center like NJ is doing.. They are not paying any player what you are paying Elias as well, for instance.. That's a couple of reasons why the Sabres are a better balanced team than NJ..

Like I said, welcome to the era of the salary cap.


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they r paying briere 5 mil, thats close

ive talked with another fellow devs fan of mine and he said and i agreed that it would be sick if the devils traded for zidlicky. hes fast, scores, is that shooting dman that we lack, offensively gifted, and solid defensively. i posted a thread over on the preds section of hfboards about if zidlicky is untouchable and if not, wat it would take for us to get him.

I'd rather wait and try to get Brad Stuart when he's a free agent. It would cost a lot getting Zidilicky.

I'd rather wait and try to get Brad Stuart when he's a free agent. It would cost a lot getting Zidilicky.

Nashville has a lot of depth at the defensive position, but they won't give him up without getting a big piece of our team in return. A piece we may not be able to give up, such as Gomez.

I was talking about the period of time in which the Rangers failed to make the playoffs, 1997-98 through the lockout-lost 2004-05 season. Jon was being critical of Clemmensen, so I pointed out that with Marty Brodeur, we don't have a great need for a highly-touted goaltending prospect. I also pointed out that the Devils do not usually draft very high in the draft. The Devils don't need a Weekes or Montoya type of backup because Marty isn't going to get headaches heading into the playoffs.

The only reason you "pointed out" what you said was to start an argument. Don't sit there and defend yourself. Your absolute hatred for the Rangers and their fans is pretty much out front.

Why bother masking yourself? All you do is try to argue with Rangers fans about everything and anything you can. You live for it.

:banghead:

I was talking about the period of time in which the Rangers failed to make the playoffs, 1997-98 through the lockout-lost 2004-05 season. Jon was being critical of Clemmensen, so I pointed out that with Marty Brodeur, we don't have a great need for a highly-touted goaltending prospect. I also pointed out that the Devils do not usually draft very high in the draft. The Devils don't need a Weekes or Montoya type of backup because Marty isn't going to get headaches heading into the playoffs.


Sorry, didn't mean to question you. Just thought it was a typo.

The only reason you "pointed out" what you said was to start an argument. Don't sit there and defend yourself. Your absolute hatred for the Rangers and their fans is pretty much out front.

Why bother masking yourself? All you do is try to argue with Rangers fans about everything and anything you can. You live for it.

:banghead:

There are a few choice individuals that do the same against us Devils fans, but I will leave out names. However we should move on from this topic, I wouldn't like to see this thread get closed.

The only reason you "pointed out" what you said was to start an argument. Don't sit there and defend yourself. Your absolute hatred for the Rangers and their fans is pretty much out front.

Why bother masking yourself? All you do is try to argue with Rangers fans about everything and anything you can. You live for it.

:banghead:

http://www.imperialtea.com/AB1002000Store/images/accessories/kettles/blackkettlesolo300.jpg

That's because Buffalo is not blowing $4 million on a 3rd line center like NJ is doing.. They are not paying any player what you are paying Elias as well, for instance.. That's a couple of reasons why the Sabres are a better balanced team than NJ..

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People are still getting this wrong? Madden's cap hit is $2.93M, not $4M. And he is well worth it.

And what's wrong with what the Devils are paying Elias? Elias' cap hit is $6M. Daniel Briere makes $5M.

There are a few choice individuals that do the same against us Devils fans, but I will leave out names. However we should move on from this topic, I wouldn't like to see this thread get closed.

There definately are (I'm sure I've done it, but I try not to since I'd rather engage in an actual conversation).

Agreed. Move past this.

More about Buffalo being the Mets.

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:dunce: :dunce: :nopity: :nopity:

There are a few choice individuals that do the same against us Devils fans, but I will leave out names. However we should move on from this topic, I wouldn't like to see this thread get closed.

There definately are (I'm sure I've done it, but I try not to since I'd rather engage in an actual conversation).

Agreed. Move past this.

More about Buffalo being the Mets.
Good call, because it's getting pretty close. If the name calling and snippy remarks keep up it will be.