Devils claim Sheldon Brookbank

As per Andy Strickland who is solid with info: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?blogger_id=5

From TSN:
Assets: Always thinks team first, and is willing to stand up for his mates. Plays a safe, simple game from the back end, but can also dish out punishment.

Flaws: Lacks the talent needed to see regular minutes at the NHL level. Will take bad penalties on occasion. Is a little lacking in skating speed.

Career potential: Reserve enforcer.

From Wikipedia:

Sheldon Brookbank (born October 3, 1980 in Lanigan, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays in the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets system.

Brookbank played two seasons with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, before turning pro. He played one season with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL, and then played two seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, where he was the team Captain.

Brookbank was then signed by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and played two seasons with their AHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. He was not re-signed, and in August 2005, he signed a contract with the Predators.

In the 2005-06 season with the Predators' affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, Brookbank had 9 goals, 35 points, and 232 penalty minutes.

The 2006-07 season saw Brookbank see his first time in the NHL. He appeared in 3 games with the Predators, and had 1 assist and 12 penalty minutes. He won the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League's Outstanding Defenseman and was an AHL First Team All-Star. While in the AHL that season, he led all defencemen in points at 53 points.

Weird, what are we gonna do with a no talent enforcer? We already got one.

Weird, what are we gonna do with a no talent enforcer? We already got one.

That was my first thought as well, but I think that label is better suited for Wade Brookbank. Sheldon had 53 points as a defenseman in the AHL last season. Don't see much downside in bringing him in and seeing if he's better than Mike Mottau.

You think TSN got their people confused? It wouldn't be the first time.

I called this yesterday!

I never got to see much of him in the pre-season but he was the AHL defenseman of the year last year when he was with the Predators organization. He was brought in here to provide some injury depth. I think any real chance he had of making our roster as a 7th defenseman was blown away with the emergence of Kris Russell making the team straight out of the juniors.

I think the "career potential" in TSN's scouting report may be a typo. Reserve enforcer just doesn't seem to fit...

He had a monster season in the AHL last year, and while success in the AHL doesn't automatically translate to success in the NHL, it still shows that he's got some talent. He's only 26 years so there should be room for improvement. I think if this is true, I'm going to jump on Brookbank band wagon. I'd rather see him in the line up than Mottau anyways.

http://devils.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=TeamPlayers&type=roster

#44 on the roster.

He's been a career AHL'er for a reason, he isn't very good although I would take him over Cam, that aint saying much skills wise.

Is this some kind of a joke?!

There have been plenty of players the Devils could've claimed over the past week that are one hundred times better than this guy!

Sheldon Brookbank of all people!!!! Just when I thought our D couldn't get worse the Devils go and pick this guy.....

:shakehead:

See we did end up getting a Sheldon wearing #44! :)

what does this guy make?

Wow, he is on the roster. I thought he cleared waivers 9/30 and went to Syracuse. Does that mean NJ traded somebody for him?

Edit: according to nhlscap.com (http://nhlscap.com/capnumbers/columbus.htm), he was due for $500,000.

Is this some kind of a joke?!

There have been plenty of players the Devils could've claimed over the past week that are one hundred times better than this guy!

Sheldon Brookbank of all people!!!! Just when I thought our D couldn't get worse the Devils go and pick this guy.....

:shakehead:

First off, he's being brought in as insurance. Not like we're asking the guy to play 20 minutes every night.

Secondly, who else was available off of waivers that you'd want to insert into our top 6? Brent Sopel? David Tanabe? Brendan Bell? Jeff Woywitka? Andrew Hutchinson? Denis Gauthier and Darius Kasparaitis with their salaries? Karel Pilar? Jon Klemm? Nolan Baumgartner?

Not exactly the greatest list ever. Seemed like Lou might have just wanted a spare right handed physical defender that he could easily jettison once White is healthy enough to play.

Did anyone notice who had the "A's" on the website. Elias, Gio and Zubrus. That's strange.

Did anyone notice who had the "A's" on the website. Elias, Gio and Zubrus. That's strange.

See http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=425478

Brookbank has REALLY improved his game. As somone mentioned, he was AHL d-man of the year last year. The reason he's been in the AHL all these years is because he DID start out with limited potential and was seen as a fighter, but he kind of blossomed down there (maybe like Kevin Bieksa did in the NHL last year... who expected that?). He might be a little slow for the NHL but he's a capable player with some skills and some toughness. Its not a bad move.

Brookbank has REALLY improved his game. As somone mentioned, he was AHL d-man of the year last year. The reason he's been in the AHL all these years is because he DID start out with limited potential and was seen as a fighter, but he kind of blossomed down there (maybe like Kevin Bieksa did in the NHL last year... who expected that?). He might be a little slow for the NHL but he's a capable player with some skills and some toughness. Its not a bad move.


Plus we have great coaching which can help.

Man, does this board wig-out before thinking things through!

This happened for a few reasons;

1) He's affordable insurance for us.

2) He was AHL defenseman of the year last year. (Something Lou likes to see, despite if the guy materializes into a NHL'er or not)

3) They way we're going through D-men, we can use him.

4) With the way the new AHL & NHL is heading, you can never have enough "Sheriffs" to keep law on the ice for you team.

5) We have Sutter, Robinson & Stevens who will develop guys like Brookbank. That right there is enough said!

6) It would appear someone like Oduya is the odd-man out now. Which is strange considering how well-liked he was last year for his decent play.

I'm OK with this acquisition.

It's also ironic that Brookbank was given the same number as Souray.

Thus, if your name is Sheldon & you end up playing for the Devils, chances are you will be number 44. :dunce:

Man, does this board wig-out before thinking things through!

This happened for a few reasons;

1) He's affordable insurance for us.

2) He was AHL defenseman of the year last year. (Something Lou likes to see, despite if the guy materializes into a NHL'er or not)

3) They way we're going through D-men, we can use him.

4) With the way the new AHL & NHL is heading, you can never have enough "Sheriffs" to keep law on the ice for you team.

5) We have Sutter, Robinson & Stevens who will develop guys like Brookbank. That right there is enough said!

6) It would appear someone like Oduya is the odd-man out now. Which is strange considering how well-liked he was last year for his decent play.

I'm OK with this acquisition.

do you mean albelin?

3 reasons why Brookbank was a good grab for us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWrD-5zsTKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xAXL9zoFpg&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn9wFDjH5oo

do you mean albelin?


i have actually seen more than one poster suggest or imply Stevens will be working with someone on this team. unless Stevens has a secret job with the team i dont think he is working with any defense in this organization in anyway.

i have actually seen more than one poster suggest or imply Stevens will be working with someone on this team. unless Stevens has a secret job with the team i dont think he is working with any defense in this organization in anyway.

i didnt think so either.

So we assume his contract right? Does that mean the devils own him until his contract ends?

Do we know when the final roster needs to be completed by? Is there another cut to be done?

i didnt think so either.

According to Sarge18, Lou said...

Stevens stops by practice regularly and offers advice and help to the team, but he's enjoying his family life.

It was said that Stevens was a Special Assignment Coach for the development of defensemen. Sort of a work-for hire type of arrangement.

I'm still under the impression that he still is performing that work for the Devils. What has he done so far.... :dunno:

Well, there is your answer above. (See quote from Sarge18)

It's also ironic that Brookbank was given the same number as Souray.

Thus, if your name is Sheldon & you end up playing for the Devils, chances are you will be number 44. :dunce:
Souray never wore 44 with the Devils...

Souray never wore 44 with the Devils...

2 right?

2 right?
Yessir.

Last person to wear #44 was Richer, I'm pretty sure. I'm curious as to why Brookbank, a waiver wire pickup, is allowed to wear 44 yet Kevin Weekes isn't allowed 80

Do we know when the final roster needs to be completed by? Is there another cut to be done?

From the looks of it, we're going with 13 forwards / 8 D / 2 goalies as opposed to the more normal 14/7/2 configuration. Langenbrunner and Janssen are on IR. I'm assuming White will end up on there?

Forwards:
Elias-Zubrus-Bergfors
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Madden-Pelley-Asham
Pandolfo-Brylin-Clarkson/Rupp

Defense:
Vishnevski-Martin
Matvichuk-Greene
Oduya-Rachunek
Mottau/Brookbank

IR: Langenbrunner, Janssen, White

The D pairings probably aren't accurate.

Last person to wear #44 was Richer, I'm pretty sure. I'm curious as to why Brookbank, a waiver wire pickup, is allowed to wear 44 yet Kevin Weekes isn't allowed 80

I think it has more to do with the NHL's cookie cutter websites and Brookbank's player profile just getting transferred over to the Devils site. When Asham first signed his number showed up as 45.

Last person to wear #44 was Richer, I'm pretty sure. I'm curious as to why Brookbank, a waiver wire pickup, is allowed to wear 44 yet Kevin Weekes isn't allowed 80

As I understand it, the "old school" mentality is anything under 45. Was personally surprised Weekes couldn't keep 80 since Gilmour/Mogilny were allowed to keep their higher numbers--but obviously those guys were stars when they came here.

Last person to wear #44 was Richer, I'm pretty sure. I'm curious as to why Brookbank, a waiver wire pickup, is allowed to wear 44 yet Kevin Weekes isn't allowed 80
I'll guarantee Brookbank won't be wearing #44 if he ever suits up for the Devils. And, Richer wasn't the last player to wear #44, he's the only Devil ever to wear #44.

I think it has more to do with the NHL's cookie cutter websites and Brookbank's player profile just getting transferred over to the Devils site. When Asham first signed his number showed up as 45.

this was my reaction as well, I'm more then certain he'll end up with a low number also, 8 , 21 and 31 are the lowest available

From the looks of it, we're going with 13 forwards / 8 D / 2 goalies as opposed to the more normal 14/7/2 configuration. Langenbrunner and Janssen are on IR. I'm assuming White will end up on there?

Forwards:
Elias-Zubrus-Bergfors
Parise-Zajac-Gionta
Madden-Pelley-Asham
Pandolfo-Brylin-Clarkson/Rupp

Defense:
Vishnevski-Martin
Matvichuk-Greene
Oduya-Rachunek
Mottau/Brookbank

IR: Langenbrunner, Janssen, White

The D pairings probably aren't accurate.

wow when you write it out our d looks real thin, we are relying on way too many rookies and 2nd year players, with white out i think we need to sign markov

wow when you write it out our d looks real thin, we are relying on way too many rookies and 2nd year players, with white out i think we need to sign markov

It looks thin, but the X factor is how long is White really out for? You can try to survive for a couple weeks with what we got.

If we were to sign Markov, it'd cost at least a couple million at the moment. And then once White came back, which of following would you make the 7th D: Vishnevski, Rachunek, Matvichuk, Greene?

Last person to wear #44 was Richer, I'm pretty sure. I'm curious as to why Brookbank, a waiver wire pickup, is allowed to wear 44 yet Kevin Weekes isn't allowed 80

Brookbank won't wear #44 with the Devils. 44 is the last number he wore in the NHL, that's why it's on the site. He'll probably be given the #8 or #21.

Man, does this board wig-out before thinking things through!

This happened for a few reasons;

1) He's affordable insurance for us.

2) He was AHL defenseman of the year last year. (Something Lou likes to see, despite if the guy materializes into a NHL'er or not)

3) They way we're going through D-men, we can use him.

4) With the way the new AHL & NHL is heading, you can never have enough "Sheriffs" to keep law on the ice for you team.

5) We have Sutter, Robinson & Stevens who will develop guys like Brookbank. That right there is enough said!

6) It would appear someone like Oduya is the odd-man out now. Which is strange considering how well-liked he was last year for his decent play.

I'm OK with this acquisition.

Somehow I think Oduya ends up in Boston with Julien, if Julien lasts up there. They have a glut of #4/5 D according to Bruins board, but I can see them being active at the trade deadline and during the next off-season.

I think it has more to do with the NHL's cookie cutter websites and Brookbank's player profile just getting transferred over to the Devils site. When Asham first signed his number showed up as 45.

I agree with this thought as well, nice catch. My bet is that he ends up with 8.

Of course, we could just give him 13 :sarcasm:

Souray never wore 44 with the Devils...

Hmmmm, why did I think that he did? :dunno:

It's also ironic that Brookbank was given the same number as Souray.

Thus, if your name is Sheldon & you end up playing for the Devils, chances are you will be number 44. :dunce:

uhm......actually Sheldon Souray was #2 when he was a NJ Devil. He switched to 44 in Montreal.

Hmm, White will be out for longer than we think with this move...

He isn't on the roster.

He isn't on the roster.

Well, Clarkson wasn't on the roster for a while this offseason either and he still made the team, so I wouldn't believe that roster until they actually start the season. Brookbank is just a depth pickup anyway.

I know, but somebody posted the link saying he got #44....he isn't anywhere to be found on the roster.

I know, but somebody posted the link saying he got #44....he isn't anywhere to be found on the roster.

He has to go through a physical in New Jersey first. After that the Devils will give him a look in practice, per Gulitti.

He won't wear #44. That's the number he had in Columbus.

I know, but somebody posted the link saying he got #44....he isn't anywhere to be found on the roster.
He was on the roster earlier, when that link was posted.

They have him listed with the rest of the prospects for the moment.

http://devils.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=TeamPlayers&type=prospect

Ya know... this may sound crazy... but maybe Sutter will give this kid a chance in the NHL in place ot Mottao (sp?). Maybe this might his breakout chance?

Leading scoring defenseman in the AHL says alot. Being a 'C' says more.

He's a pretty slow guy, but a decent fighter. Likely a depth player as he isn't fast enough to do much else, but he'll drop the gloves with most anyone and defends his teammates.

Your version of Jason Strudwick (but a better fighter). It's always good to have those types around.

http://www.nj.com/sportsflash/devils/index.ssf?/base/sports-10/119136306712760.xml&storylist=njdevils

http://hfboards.com/imagehosting/376104702d67bc0f8c.bmp

For those wondering what 3 pages were about.

Tom Gulitti:

The Devils claimed defenseman Sheldon Brookbank off waivers from Columbus today. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said Brookbank, who will turn 27 on Wednesday, will not join the team in time for Thursday's season opener at Tampa Bay because he has to take a physical first in New Jersey. Lamoriello said the Devils will have him practice with the team first to "see what he looks like".

The Devils cannot assign him to Lowell without placing him on waivers, which would give Columbus an opportunity to re-claim him. So, Brookbank, who signed a one-year, $500,000 contract with the Blue Jackets this summer, will likely stay with the Devils for a while -- unless they decide they don't want him.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/

Gio, Elias, or Oduya could handle Orr if things get rough. We don't need a tough D.

Gio, Elias, or Oduya could handle Orr if things get rough. We don't need a tough D.

We do have others on the team who can handle those guys. Brookbank and Vish are not exactly pushovers, either. Neither is Matvichuk, although he prolly won't see much time.

Why don't YOU get out there and play?

Gio, Elias, or Oduya could handle Orr if things get rough. We don't need a tough D.

Gionta, Elias, or Oduya could handle Orr? What makes you think that?

I'd love to see Gionta fight Orr. Would be pretty funny ;)

But seriously, I think you guys claiming Brookbank is a good thing. He could likely be used as a 4th line forward as well if needed.

Is this some kind of a joke?!

There have been plenty of players the Devils could've claimed over the past week that are one hundred times better than this guy!

Sheldon Brookbank of all people!!!! Just when I thought our D couldn't get worse the Devils go and pick this guy.....

:shakehead:

Like who for example? Name one. Name someone we should've picked up?? Who would've been better suited??

I think this is a very good pick up. 6-2 215 likes to throw em more goals tha n gomez got (which isn't saying much)

Dude who would've been better??

This kid is playing in the NHL right out the gate... I can feel it. He aint no depth-D. Screw the Motoa guy.

This kid is playing in the NHL right out the gate... I can feel it. He aint no depth-D. Screw the Motoa guy.

Amen. I already said it. I'm on the Brookbank bandwagon. He had a great year last year and he's got the best coaches with Sutter and Robinson.

This kid is playing in the NHL right out the gate... I can feel it. He aint no depth-D. Screw the Motoa guy.

No offense but as a Blue Jackets and Devils fan, if he can't crack the top 6 of a team that has been lacking defensive depth for its entire existence it concerns me about the Devils defensive situation if he steps right into their starting 6.

Amen. I already said it. I'm on the Brookbank bandwagon. He had a great year last year and he's got the best coaches with Sutter and Robinson.

:handclap:

gotta give credit wher credit is due I saw you called it last night when he was put on waivers.....I agree if this were the place to flourish it damn well would be here as well.

No offense but as a Blue Jackets and Devils fan, if he can't crack the top 6 of a team that has been lacking defensive depth for its entire existence it concerns me about the Devils defensive situation if he steps right into their starting 6.

Hilarious Saturday Night Live skit with Lindsay Lohan assuming the role of Hermione Granger you've got there.

I bet that we were looking at this guy way before he was signed by Columbus. I get the feeling the devils would have signed him first if Columbus hadn't.

He got claimed on waivers, he's an AHL defenseman. He's not Jesus or anything.

He got claimed on waivers, he's an AHL defenseman. He's not Jesus or anything.

no, but this is the kind of guys we usually get, somebody not very well known but put up a good year somewhere.

He got claimed on waivers, he's an AHL defenseman. He's not Jesus or anything.

Yea but like I said, I'm fairly optimistic considering he had a very good season in the AHL last year, he was Milwaukee's captain, and we have great coaches to help him in the NHL.

I'm really worried about this defense. At least we find out right off the back if they're going to suck by going up against Tampa.

He got claimed on waivers, he's an AHL defenseman. He's not Jesus or anything.

Nope, thats me...:blush:

He's not Jim Fahey!:sarcasm:

No offense but as a Blue Jackets and Devils fan, if he can't crack the top 6 of a team that has been lacking defensive depth for its entire existence it concerns me about the Devils defensive situation if he steps right into their starting 6.
But the Blue Jackets are the Blue Jackets and the Devils are the Devils. Nashville fans were saying the same thing about Vishnevski, but just because a player doesn't work out on one team doesn't mean that he can't do well on another. Lou said that they were looking at him before, so they must've seen something decent. And LRob and Sutter can work with him to see how well he can utilize what he has.

Anyway, I think this is a pretty low-risk move for the Devils. If he doesn't pan out, they send him down, and if he gets reclaimed then oh well. But his size and right shot could be useful.
He got claimed on waivers, he's an AHL defenseman. He's not Jesus or anything.
And what would the Devils need Jesus for anyway?;)

Nope, thats me...:blush:

No, I'm Jesus, abet a Chinese one, but hey, who to say Jesus wasn't Asian? It was the middle east!