Have we ever had this much depth on D before?

I can't remember having this much depth on D before. The top four isn't like it was the last decade, but I feel the depth is stronger. We have had NHL ready #7's before but they were just that #7's. I feel more comfortable with a third pairing than I ever have before.
Rafalski, White, Matvichuck, Oduya, Greene, Lukowich and Martin(in no particular order).

I don't think any of them have played like a #5 or 6 lately. I feel if there was anyone who would sit it would be Oduya, but he played like a top 4 for most of the year eventhough he has slowed down a bit latley. The two rookies have played like season veterans with only a couple minor mistakes in the last series. Greene has played like a top 4 D especially in the playoffs, Matvichuk has played incredible and has arguably been our best D man. We played without those guys most of the year and they are added to a team that was already in the top defensivly.
In recent history we have always had that aging #5-6 D with a little bit of experience, but all they were, were #6-7's(not in their prime). Shmelik, Malakhov, Klee, Albelin and others I can't even think of now. Plus other guys that did nothing for us like Zyuzin, Giroux(Tverdovsky later on with the Devils),Brown, What are your thoughts on this defensive team compared to recent years?

I know it isn't exactly the point here, but Stevens' leadership made all the difference. :tear: :(

Maybe We Have Depth But I'll Take The Stevens Daneyko Neidermayer Core Any Day...who Needs Depth When You Have One Of Those Guys On Each Of The Three Pairs?

2003. Stevens, Niedermayer, Rafalski, Daneyko, White, Albelin, Tverdovsky, Smehlik

Our 6 in 1999-2000 was the best, top to bottom.

Stevens-Rafalski
Niedermayer-Daneyko
White-Malakhov/Souray

2003. Stevens, Niedermayer, Rafalski, Daneyko, White, Albelin, Tverdovsky, SmehlikI admit Daneyko & Albelin had experience but they weren't the youngest either. BUt hey, we won the cup.

Our 6 in 1999-2000 was the best, top to bottom.

Stevens-Rafalski
Niedermayer-Daneyko
White-Malakhov/Souray
Wow. I would kill for something like that again. Or just for Souray.

Wow. I would kill for something like that again. Or just for Souray.
I don't understand the infatuation Devils fans have with Souray. It still is something that makes no sense to me...

Oh, and Souray was paired with Stevens before the trade - after he was traded we saw the first creation of the redoubtable Stevens/Rafalski pairing which lasted until Stevens' retirement.

Our defense with White is definitely the best depth we've seen since 2003, anyway.

Stevens - Rafalski
White - Niedermayer
Daneyko - Tverdovsky
Albelin

vs.

Rafalski - Lukowich
Martin - White
Greene - Matvichuk
Oduya

I don't understand the infatuation Devils fans have with Souray. It still is something that makes no sense to me...

Oh, and Souray was paired with Stevens before the trade - after he was traded we saw the first creation of the redoubtable Stevens/Rafalski pairing which lasted until Stevens' retirement.

Our defense with White is definitely the best depth we've seen since 2003, anyway.

Stevens - Rafalski
White - Niedermayer
Daneyko - Tverdovsky
Albelin

vs.

Rafalski - Lukowich
Martin - White
Greene - Matvichuk
Oduya
1st pairings. I would take Stevens over Lukowich easily and Rafalski now over Rafalski back then.
2nd pairing. White now over White then and Neids over Martin in a wash.
3rd pairing. The way Greene is playing I would take him over the way Daneyko played over his last few years. Daneyko had the experience, but isn't the same shutdown D he was back in the early 90's and late 80's. I would easily take Matcivhuck over Tverdovsky.
7th D. I would easily take Oduya over Albelin. Albelin was done at that time.
All I am saying is that in a long playoff run you need that depth and cannot rely on your top 4, four rounds of hockey, with some of the games lasting an extra 20-40 minutes. You need the last pairing to be able to step it up, in overtime when the top four are tired out. I would take Greene MAtvichuk over, Daneyko Tverdovsky anyday. To rest one of those guys you have either Albelin or Oduya to put in, it would have to be Oduya easily.

Our 6 in 1999-2000 was the best, top to bottom.

Stevens-Rafalski
Niedermayer-Daneyko
White-Malakhov/Souray

No to mention the other guys that didnt make the playoff roster/traded/younger guys that year

Odelein
Mitchell
Sutton
Bombardir
Quint

We have always had depth on D...just after the loss of the big 3 it makes these little surprises of the guys this season that much better.

I don't understand the infatuation Devils fans have with Souray. It still is something that makes no sense to me...

Oh, and Souray was paired with Stevens before the trade - after he was traded we saw the first creation of the redoubtable Stevens/Rafalski pairing which lasted until Stevens' retirement.

The infatuation is that Souray had 26 goals and 38 assists this season, with 51 PP/SH points. That dwarfs and nullfies his poor +/- rating. Souray is not a great all-around defenseman by any means but I would take him over any of ours except Rafalski for the offense and toughness that he brings.

Our 6 in 1999-2000 was the best, top to bottom.

Stevens-Rafalski
Niedermayer-Daneyko
White-Malakhov/Souray

Take Malakhov out of there and I'll buy it! That's ROCK solid.

We've traded away / free agented away so much Defensive talent too... just look around the league at guys who are now wearing C's and A's on their jerseys who used to be in NJ! :yo:

Wow. I would kill for something like that again. Or just for Souray.

Souray is overrated

I do think we have great depth this year on D. I feel comfortable with whoever is on the ice. But I think when White is healthy, he should replace Oduya for a few games. But I also don't want White to come back if that will break up Greene and Rafalski. Those two have been amazing so far.

95 I thought was pretty solid and had great depth. Stevens, niedermayer, Daneyko, Driver, Chambers, Albelin and Kevin Dean stepped in well and played when Driver got hurt.

I think the lower half depth is great this year, but we used to have more high end depth when we had the Stevens-Rafalski / Neider-White.

We have guys in the 7-8 slot this year that would have been better than the 5-6 slot players we had in years past.

The infatuation is that Souray had 26 goals and 38 assists this season, with 51 PP/SH points. That dwarfs and nullfies his poor +/- rating. Souray is not a great all-around defenseman by any means but I would take him over any of ours except Rafalski for the offense and toughness that he brings.

But his style of play is completely out of character with the Devils'

All but 13 of his points came on the PP? To me that says it all. I don't want any part of him. Especially for what he'll make $$ wise.

Speaking of defensive talent all over the NHL how about Jason Smith?

2003. Stevens, Niedermayer, Rafalski, Daneyko, White, Albelin, Tverdovsky, Smehlik

In terms of depth, 2003 was definitely the best.

The 2000 team had the best top 6.

I've been a huge fan of Andy Greene's since he played at Miami University, my alma matter. I think he's awesome. I was so excited when he signed with you. I hope he can continue to develop and become an integral part of your team. Go Andy!

But his style of play is completely out of character with the Devils'

All but 13 of his points came on the PP? To me that says it all. I don't want any part of him. Especially for what he'll make $$ wise.

Yes of course, PP points count less than even strength, what was I thinking. I made that point to illustrate that his poor +/- rating (-28) is deceptive because he is so lethal on the PP. I'm not saying the Devils should go spend a pile of money on him as a free agent, but it's ridiculous to sit here and say he isn't a valuable weapon that could improve your team.

Souray is overrated
Yes, but our PP would be wonderful. His shot would be such a threat and our PP would be a trillion times better with someone who can shoot like that.

In my Opinion Our most Deep Defense was 1995

Scott Stevens
Scott Niedermayer
Ken Daneyko
Bruce Driver
Tommy Albelin
Shawn Chambers
Viacheslav Fetisov**Traded to Detriot During the Year

Chris McAlpine
Kevin Dean
Jason Smith
Jaroslav Modry

Deepest it's been since 1999-00.

Stevens
Niedermayer
Rafalski
White
Daneyko
Bombardir
Souray/Malakhov

In my Opinion Our most Deep Defense was 1995

Scott Stevens
Scott Niedermayer
Ken Daneyko
Bruce Driver
Tommy Albelin
Shawn Chambers
Viacheslav Fetisov**Traded to Detriot During the Year

Chris McAlpine
Kevin Dean
Jason Smith
Jaroslav Modry

I'm with you Jim. ;)