Richard Matvichuk

So, two articles today referenced Matvichuk. First was Everson's declaration that Matvichuk has been "long-ready," and second was in the Star Ledger [http://www.nj.com/devils/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1170914272273010.xml&coll=1] and noted that

"Everyone here is on the same page," Gomez said. "That reminds me of the two Cup teams I played on. Guys want everyone to succee d.(Richard) Matvichuk hasn't played a game, but he's a big part of this team. Erik Rasmussen is im portant in the locker room.

I think Richard is still a part of this hockey team and he will be back this season. We'll see, but I'm pretty confident about that after reading the Gomez quote.

Frankly, we're all talking about needing another defenseman, but if Matvichuk really is ready to play like he did last season then we've already got that defenseman.

Rafalski - Lukowich
Martin - White
Oduya - Matvichuk
Hale

That's pretty solid. Rafalski, White, Martin, and Matvichuk are all legit top-4 defensemen and Lukowich and Oduya have played that role for most of the season with great results.

I agree....Matvichuk could be that added "trade dealine addition" to our D corps instead of overpaying for a rental like Stuart or Brewer. I don't see Lou making a big impact move unless a big contract player is injured prior to the deadline.

I absolutely agree, I don't see the Devils making a trade for defense. Matvichuk played very well toward the end of last season and in the playoffs (and that was playing with a bad back), it might take him a game or two to get his legs back but once he does I think he'll be solid.

does anybody know if Matvichuk has been practicing with the team or skating on his own at all?

I'd be content without any trades if Matvichuk were ready to return.

I don't think we're in need of any changes.

Not taking anything away from Matvichuk's defensive ability, but the only reason Lou may be looking at guys like Brewer and Stuart is because they actually can take a slapshot from the point, which is something this team has incredible difficulty doing.

Our powerplay suffers because we always end up putting Jamie "broad side of a barn" Langenbrunner on the point. Having a good point shot can dramatically help the offense on the PP. Thats why theres deadline deal talk, and Matvichuk can't provide that.

Is there any way that Matvichuck can be sent down to Lowell for a conditioning stint without having to go through waivers. I think it is possible. I hope it is possible because I would like to see him get a few games in Lowell before coming right back. After all, he has missed most of the year.

Is there any way that Matvichuck can be sent down to Lowell for a conditioning stint without having to go through waivers. I think it is possible. I hope it is possible because I would like to see him get a few games in Lowell before coming right back. After all, he has missed most of the year.

Don't think so. I think he has to go through waivers going down and re-entry waivers (at half price) coming back up. For a solid defenceman near the trade deadline, that's not likely to work out well for the Devils.

Don't think so. I think he has to go through waivers going down and re-entry waivers (at half price) coming back up. For a solid defenceman near the trade deadline, that's not likely to work out well for the Devils.

Naw, I'm fairly sure he can go down on a 10-day conditioning stint or so w/o having to clear waivers. Hale did it earlier this year.

Naw, I'm fairly sure he can go down on a 10-day conditioning stint or so w/o having to clear waivers. Hale did it earlier this year.

Thats a good point, that would bypass the waiver system.

Why did NJ send down Greene? I was thinking they just did that for the all-star break, but apparently not

Why did NJ send down Greene? I was thinking they just did that for the all-star break, but apparently not

Still needs some time to develop... finish a whole AHL season.

He'll be in reserve for playoffs. which is really good to know.

Still needs some time to develop... finish a whole AHL season.

He'll be in reserve for playoffs. which is really good to know.

plus, and please correct me if im wrong, he makes more than the minimum 450k

maybe somewhere around 700 or 800??:dunno:

Why did NJ send down Greene? I was thinking they just did that for the all-star break, but apparently not
I think it's also a money and cap thing. I don't think any of the defensemen can get sent down (I remember someone saying Hale would have to clear waivers), and I don't think we can carry 7 defensemen.

Why did NJ send down Greene? I was thinking they just did that for the all-star break, but apparently notBecause his salary. The team can basically carry two $450,000 players for what Greene makes.

The Devils only have Janssen as an extra player now, but they were able to recall Fraser to play when Hale was sick.

I agree....Matvichuk could be that added "trade dealine addition" to our D corps instead of overpaying for a rental like Stuart or Brewer. I don't see Lou making a big impact move unless a big contract player is injured prior to the deadline.

That's kind of what I'm beginning to think too. If we don't have to overpay to get a guy like Stuart or Brewer, then I'm all for it. But if the price is too high, I can live with Matvichuk being the "trade deadline" addition as well.

btw, that avatar is clutch man!:yo:

Naw, I'm fairly sure he can go down on a 10-day conditioning stint or so w/o having to clear waivers. Hale did it earlier this year.

It's a little more complicated with players on the LTIR, here's are some excerpt from the CBA:

13.9 Bona Fide Long-Term Injury /Illness Exception Conditioning Loan. A Player who is on the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception as set forth in Article 50 may, with his consent, during the term of such Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception (but in no event during the first fourteen (14) calendar days and six (6) NHL Games), be Loaned on a Conditioning Loan (the "Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan") for a period not to exceed up to the longer of six (6) days and three (3) games, solely for the purpose of determining whether the Player is fit to play. If the Club determines that it needs more time to assess the Player's fitness to play, the Club may file a written request by facsimile with the Commissioner's Office, with a copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for an additional two (2) games. The Commissioner, upon good cause, may approve the one- time extension. The Commissioner's approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. A Player on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan will continue to be listed on Injured Reserve and will not count against the Club's 23-man roster limit. The Club's Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception will continue until the Conditioning Loan ends, and his Paragraph 1 NHL Salary and Bonuses will continue to count against the Club's Upper Limit and the Players' Share during such time. The Commissioner may take whatever steps he deems necessary to investigate the circumstances under which a Player is placed on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan. If he has reason to believe or determines that the Club has used the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan to evade Re-Entry Waivers or otherwise to Circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take other disciplinary action against the Club as he deems appropriate. A Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan may be extended on one occasion. This procedure can only be used once during each period of time that the Player is on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury Exception.

50.10 Player Injuries, Illnesses and Suspensions.
(iv) The replacement Player Salary and Bonuses for any Player(s) that replace(s) an unfit-to-play Player may be added to the Club's Averaged Club Salary until such time as the Club's Averaged Club Salary reaches the Upper Limit. A Club may then exceed the Upper Limit due to the addition of replacement Player Salary and Bonuses of Players who have replaced an unfit-to-play Player, provided, however, that when the unfit-to-play Player is once again fit to play (including any period such Player is on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan to another league), the Club shall be required to once again reduce its Averaged Club Salary to a level at or below the Upper Limit prior to the Player being able to rejoin the Club.

I'm a little sleepy, so I'm not sure what this all means. I get that they can send Matvichuk on a conditioning loan without having him go through waivers. I'm just not sure exactly what happens after the his conditioning stint is over.

Obviously they would have to clear salary before he could rejoin the club, but would the team lose the 1.368 mil cap relief after his conditioning stint was over? If they do, Lou should only send him to the AHL if they plan to trade him or someone else afterwords.

In light of that, I'm thinking that Matvichuk gets sent down to Lowell with 3-5 games left in the season for "conditioning", then brought up for the playoffs.

In light of that, I'm thinking that Matvichuk gets sent down to Lowell with 3-5 games left in the season for "conditioning", then brought up for the playoffs.

I think that we should have a little bit of cap room to bring him up a bit earlier than that...so that he can also get in a few NHL games before the playoffs in addition to playing with Lowell. That's a bit too risky having him not play for a year and only getting in a few AHL games before going into the playoffs.

Richard Matvichuk is the deadline acquistion for the NJ Devils this season!!!
Another veteran experienced defenseman for the post season.

In light of that, I'm thinking that Matvichuk gets sent down to Lowell with 3-5 games left in the season for "conditioning", then brought up for the playoffs.

Not to troll fellas, but Darcy Regier was just on WGR in Buffalo fielding similar questions on Tim Connolly. You cannot send players down for "conditioning" after the trade deadline.

http://www.wgr550.com/sabres/fullstory.php?id=2167

I also came to this link specifically, because people in Buffalo have been questioning whether Buffalo could/would shelve Tim until the start of the playoffs because he is still "injured" so that they would have cap space (no cap in the playoffs and Buffalo is right up against it) to pick someone else up at the deadline. Today Regier said they would not bend the rules and would instead bring Connolly back immediately when he is ready, even if it two games before the playoffs. I write this because, some media (and it appeared even perhaps Regier from his chuckle) believe this is what N.J. is doing with Matvichuk. Regier even mentioned discussing the matter with the NHL to make sure everyone else is playing by the rules. Has anyone here got a vibe that this is what Lou is up to with Matvichuk?

Matvichuk will not play a game for NJ in the regular season. We can't afford him cap-wise.

I made a long post about this in the "salary cap situation" thread.

Edit: I also can't believe the way Carolina cheated the cap last year by having Erik Cole come back in the playoffs after being injured...way to break the rules guys, you're ruining it for everyone. :sarcasm: