New rumors

as per hockeybuzz.com

and i know its eklund, but he has actually been pretty good at these over the offseason..says we're talkin to the stars, possibly giving up gionta to shore up the defense..i certainly hope we don't trade away gio..

NOOO!!
Gionta is the only reason My wife watches the Devs (she is a Rochester Girl and loves the Rocket)

this would suck

I've anticipated a trade of Gionta, but trading for Stars defensemen doesn't make any sense. For one, they have very few true quality defensemen and have always been a defense-first team, and I have trouble seeing them giving away a Boucher or Norstrom for Gionta. Moreover, the Stars have a large surplus of forwards and trading for another one doesn't make all that much sense.

I don't see it.

It says there's heavy interest in Norstrom... I don't know how you'd feel about that acquisition..

I've anticipated a trade of Gionta, but trading for Stars defensemen doesn't make any sense. For one, they have very few true quality defensemen and have always been a defense-first team, and I have trouble seeing them giving away a Boucher or Norstrom for Gionta. Moreover, the Stars have a large surplus of forwards and trading for another one doesn't make all that much sense.

I don't see it.

First off, the Stars are in big time need of scoring help. They'd covet Gionta. So they have a few extra fourth liners. They'll get rid of them somehow.

Dallas wouldn't think twice about dealing Norstrom for Gionta. Lou wouldn't touch that deal however.

Boucher would be of interest though. Killer shot from the point, big, solid defensively, and signed for an extremely reasonable rate ($2.5M per for another two years). Still, Gionta is 28, Boucher is 34. Trading Gionta also leaves another gaping hole in our top six with seemingly no one to fill it.

It says there's heavy interest in Norstrom... I don't know how you'd feel about that acquisition..

I highly doubt there's interest in Norstrom. It makes no real sense. An old shutdown defenseman is not what the Devils need. Boucher has to be the player of interest since the Devils desperately need a guy with a big shot. Additionally, he's big (fitting into Lou's off-season plans thus far) and plays well in his own end.

Boucher is someone I would kind of be interested in, but not at the asking price of Gionta.

Trevor Daley!!!! but not giving up gio....

Boucher is someone I would kind of be interested in, but not at the asking price of Gionta.

Yeah, it seems the inclusion of Gionta is more speculation on Eklund's part than anything else (what else is new?):

Some rumours to Chew on....Stars talking to Edm, NJ...Emery/Sens Close
Today @ 1:07 PM ET | Comments (70)
STARS WHEELING?
I just confirmed that talks between Dallas and Edmonton are on going. And talks between NJ and the Stars as well...

The Oilers would like to get the rights to Mike Ribeiro or Jussi Jokinen, both of whom are RFA's currently.

The Devils really are looking for one solid shut down d-man and love Mattias Nortstrom. They could be offering up Gionta...

The Stars have interest in Gionta and Horcoff.

i dont want an old dman! id rather have what we have now

I wouldn't mind Zubov's offense but not at the expense of Gionta.

I would take Boucher or Norstrom both are excellent dmen but as others have said, it doesn't seem worth the price of Gionta, given all the other dmen we have and lack of forwards up front who can score like Gio.

I really don’t get why the Devils would be looking to trade Gionta. Our offense sucks enough as it is, we lost two key offensive guys in free agency, and Lou wants to offer up our top goal scorer for help on defense? Never mind the fact that Gionta is a prototype Devil given his work ethic, or that the guy was extremely loyal to the organization last season when he reportedly (though not confirmed) turned down an offer sheet and came into camp without a contract, or the fact that this guy wants to remain with the organization, which by the way may provide an opportunity for him to play with his brother who plays in the organization as well. Let’s not even look at the fact that we already have 7 NHL defensemen already on the roster, though I realize the group is far from impressive. If we are going to trade for a d-man, I just don’t understand why we offer up a top offensive weapon.

Eklund, though surprisingly accurate this offseason, has admitted plenty of times in the past that he has probably the toughest time getting info out of NJ out of all the NHL clubs. The Gionta references (and even Elias rumors) are probably speculation on his part (as far as what he thinks would be necessary to make a deal) or are coming from the other clubs – maybe what they may be asking. I doubt he’s actually heard Gionta’s or Elias’ names (or anyone) being tossed out by anybody on the Devils side.

I don't understand trading Gionta. He's fast, he has a great shot, he's got the biggest pair of grapefruits on the team and he's totally clutch.

These Gionta rumors make no sense. It doesn't mean I don't believe it's possible, I just don't want to :(

I don't understand trading Gionta. He's fast, he has a great shot, he's got the biggest pair of grapefruits on the team and he's totally clutch.

These Gionta rumors make no sense. It doesn't mean I don't believe it's possible, I just don't want to :(

Yeah I'll flat out say it...if Lou trades one of our top offensive guys for a D-man i'll probably not watch a single game this season besides the one I plan on attending to see the new arena.

However..to consider the possibility, do you think maybe the Stars want Langer back? Maybe even Matvichuk?

Boucher would be of interest though. Killer shot from the point, big, solid defensively, and signed for an extremely reasonable rate ($2.5M per for another two years). Still, Gionta is 28, Boucher is 34. Trading Gionta also leaves another gaping hole in our top six with seemingly no one to fill it.

I could see us trading Langs, Matvichuk & Bergfors for Boucher & maybe Matt McKnight. That would mean us putting Clarkson on that line as the "protector" of the non-fighters, Zajac & Parise.

Then we'd be back to (signing) Rass/Rupp/Janssen for the 4th line.

Gio's not going anywhere, didn't we sign his bro in the interest of preventing another Neider situation.

Any trade rumor involving Gionta is pure BS

Gio ain't going to Dallas.:shakehead

Yeah I'll flat out say it...if Lou trades one of our top offensive guys for a D-man i'll probably not watch a single game this season besides the one I plan on attending to see the new arena.

However..to consider the possibility, do you think maybe the Stars want Langer back? Maybe even Matvichuk?

I like Langs, but he's much more expendable imo.

I would think the Devils could get at least a top defenseman prospect or good, young NHL defenseman plus a 25 goal, young NHL wing for Gionta. From who would be another story.

Maybe something like Renee Bourque and Cam Barker for Gionta. Barker still has the potential to be a top 3 defenseman. Bourque projects to 25 goals and has some good size. I doubt the Hawks would give up Brouwer.

I'd do it. I agree that the Devils need to add bigger players with talent.

if we trade Gio or Elias (who's name was also brought up earlier) then it's official - we are in a re-building phase and Lou has given up on the current roster as competitive to win a cup for at least a few years. :shakehead

Why would a team that struggles to score trade away their top goal-scorer?

No way give up Gio for a 35 year old defenseman

if we trade Gio or Elias (who's name was also brought up earlier) then it's official - we are in a re-building phase and Lou has given up on the current roster as competitive to win a cup for at least a few years. :shakehead

Not going to happen. Rebuilding mode will only start (if it ever does) once Marty is no longer part of the team. As long as we have him, we're trying for the cup every year.

I don't understand trading Gionta. He's fast, he has a great shot, he's got the biggest pair of grapefruits on the team and he's totally clutch.

These Gionta rumors make no sense. It doesn't mean I don't believe it's possible, I just don't want to :(

I know I´ll get flamed for saying this again, but as sad as that is, there´s nothing much we can offer to get a quality pp quarterback in return. That is, if we go the trade-route.

Those players that we consider "expendable" don´t give us a dearly missed pp quarterback in return. Or does anyone think that Rupp + 6th pick would give us someone like Brad Stuart?

Gionta (or anyone else invoved) rumours do make sense, and yes indeed it would hurt a lot to see him go, just like Patty or Langs (that have no trade -clauses). To get something you´ve got to give something as well in return. And at this point, I feel that it would be better off to stack the defense corps.

But still, just rumours. I can´t really see Lou trading for Norström, but maybe we are going to run defense like this next year:

Norström-Vishnevski
White-Rachunek
Matvichuk-Fraser
Greene+Martin :D

So instead of "getting used to thought that Gionta etc. isn´t going to get traded I suggest that we get used to thought that only Marty, Zach and Zajac are untouchable + those with no trade -clauses. So that leaves us with...let´s see: Gionta, Zubrus, Madden, Pandolfo and Brylin. And who has the most trade value?

Can´t really see Lou trading too many guys from our defense to gain someone in return. At least there´s going to be one forward in the mix, me thinks.

If he trades Gionta and we end up winning a Cup (this season or the next), then its all good in the hood.

That is our objective people!

Why would a team that struggles to score trade away their top goal-scorer?

I'm thinking the same thing. At this point, any offer for one of our top forwards has got to blow us away, otherwise they are staying put.

I know I´ll get flamed for saying this again, but as sad as that is, there´s nothing much we can offer to get a quality pp quarterback in return. That is, if we go the trade-route.

Those players that we consider "expendable" don´t give us a dearly missed pp quarterback in return. Or does anyone think that Rupp + 6th pick would give us someone like Brad Stuart?

Gionta (or anyone else invoved) rumours do make sense, and yes indeed it would hurt a lot to see him go, just like Patty or Langs (that have no trade -clauses). To get something you´ve got to give something as well in return. And at this point, I feel that it would be better off to stack the defense corps.

But still, just rumours. I can´t really see Lou trading for Norström, but maybe we are going to run defense like this next year:

Norström-Vishnevski
White-Rachunek
Matvichuk-Fraser
Greene+Martin :D

So instead of "getting used to thought that Gionta etc. isn´t going to get traded I suggest that we get used to thought that only Marty, Zach and Zajac are untouchable + those with no trade -clauses. So that leaves us with...let´s see: Gionta, Zubrus, Madden, Pandolfo and Brylin. And who has the most trade value?

Can´t really see Lou trading too many guys from our defense to gain someone in return. At least there´s going to be one forward in the mix, me thinks.


Well, you quoted me, and i'm not going to "flame" you because what you say does make sense. My list of untouchables is Parise, Marty, Pando and Gionta but I can certainly see how others can have it differently. I just don't think you can replace Gionta's type of player easily. You can certainly replace his points, but players like him aren't very common.

I am much more open to trading Elias (NMC aside) then anyone else. And it's not because of his lack of production last year, it's just that I believe (and i'll likely get flame myself for this) that we wouldn't really suffer that much without him.

God, I'm so sick of this *********.

"They could be offering up Gionta..."

I've been on three different NJD boards reading about three dozen rants about how the Devils shouldn't trade Gio to Dallas based on a "could."

God, I'm so sick of this *********.

"They could be offering up Gionta..."

I've been on three different NJD boards reading about three dozen rants about how the Devils shouldn't trade Gio to Dallas based on a "could."

:biglaugh: Then the question begs to be asked, why are you reading this thread. Did you expect something different? The internet forum concept is entirely based on the words "could, should and would".

:biglaugh: Then the question begs to be asked, why are you reading this thread. Did you expect something different? The internet forum concept is entirely based on the words "could, should and would".

Actually, you forgot one: "are."

Some hockey news sites use it from time to time.

Actually, you forgot one: "are."

Some hockey news sites use it from time to time.

Hence the difference between a news site and a forum/blog. I understand the frustration, but this thread was all about the rumor, and the hypothetical scenario it suggested. I personally still think Eklund is garbage (although alot of people are softening up on him) and my comments are more geared towards any thoughts of trading Gionta, not necessarily his being dealt to the Stars.

Not going to happen. Rebuilding mode will only start (if it ever does) once Marty is no longer part of the team. As long as we have him, we're trying for the cup every year.

thats exactly what i think.

You guys have nothing to worry about. Lou is not stupid.

Eklund on the other hand.....

Well, you quoted me, and i'm not going to "flame" you because what you say does make sense. My list of untouchables is Parise, Marty, Pando and Gionta but I can certainly see how others can have it differently. I just don't think you can replace Gionta's type of player easily. You can certainly replace his points, but players like him aren't very common.

I am much more open to trading Elias (NMC aside) then anyone else. And it's not because of his lack of production last year, it's just that I believe (and i'll likely get flame myself for this) that we wouldn't really suffer that much without him.

I took your post because it was the latest post in this thread when I had a look at it. So my post wasn´t aimed at you, but to have a look at who´s untouchable and who´s not.

It is true that Gio is a piece hard to replace and believe me, I wouldn´t trade him unless there was something truly special coming in return (so no Boucher for Gio...). And Gio being a special player is why other teams would like to have him and willing to give someone special in return.

Remember how it ended up when we traded two fan favourites, Arnott and McKay, to Dallas? We got Nieuwendyk, Langenbrunner and...It´s not likely that Lou will give up players for free and not gain value in return.

Certainly won´t feel the heat from my part even though Elias is my long time favourite in the Devs. We would most likely be on high heels if we all felt that only one player would be the only untouchable. I´m glad that there´s also Patty, Gio, Parise, Zajac and Pandolfo who people consider untouchable.

If we trade Gio for another defensemen, does this mean we have to go out and win every game 1-0?

If we trade Gio for another defensemen, does this mean we have to go out and win every game 1-0?

I thought we already tried this last season. With better defense and Parise and Zajac stepping it up we might just be able to pull this through :sarcasm:

The only way we'd trade Gionta for Norstrom is if we also received draft picks, a hot prospect, and Jere Lehtinen.

Well that's the only way I'd get over Lou trading Gionta to Dallas.