Readiness of our Prospects

So who of all our prospects do you see ready to join the team next season? I thought Bergfors was ready but he apparently didn't make it, I'm still hoping to see more of him this season.

What about Corrente? I know he's still in the Juniors right? Is he going to be ready next season or is he going to spend a year in Lowell?

What about guys like Fraser who's been here a while, would he ever get a chance at the lineup considering the lack of reliable D we have?

What about guys like Clarke, Vrana, and Ryznar who are making a name for themselves in Lowell, would we ever see any of them?

Also, is Mondou part of our system or does he belong to someone else?

Finally I think guys like Halichuk, Palmeri, Romano and Tulupov are showing real promise and can definately be here in the future, the question is how long?

I believe Vrana is actually leading Lowell in scoring.

I believe Vrana is actually leading Lowell in scoring.


Could be the extra center we need, definately looks good so far.

next season the contracts for Rachunek, Brookbank and Mottau should be up, we should have room for Fraser, Corrente and Fayne.

Would look good :

Martin-White
Greene-Fraser
Corrente-Fayne
Oduya

PS. OOPS forgot about Vishnevski. Well he'll have to fight the AHLers in training camp for a spot.

Could be the extra center we need, definately looks good so far.

next season the contracts for Rachunek, Brookbank and Mottau should be up, we should have room for Fraser, Corrente and Fayne.

Would look good :

Martin-White
Greene-Fraser
Corrente-Fayne
Oduya

PS. OOPS forgot about Vishnevski. Well he'll have to fight the AHLers in training camp for a spot.
I don't think Fayne is ready yet. Give him another year or two.

I don't think Fayne is ready yet. Give him another year or two.

Martin - White
Greene - Fraser
Corrente - Vishnevski
Oduya

?

By all accounts, Fraser is NHL-ready.

Corrente could probably use a season or maybe half-season in the AHL, but if we're pressed for D, I could see him in the lineup next year.

Tulupov is in the same boat as Corrente, I'd give them a year in the AHL to get used to the grind of a pro schedule. But, again, if the Devils are pressed for defenseman, he could be in the lineup next year.

The knock on Vrana has been his consistency...if he has a good year all the way through this year, I could see him making the big club. But don't forget Palmieri and Halischuck aren't too far behind. If Vasyunov ever come across the ocean, thats another guy with promise looking for some playing time. This is a big year for Vrana, if his consistency doesn't come around, he might get passed by.

Ryznar and Tallackson are not likely to be part of the Devils future. They've been passed by. They are either career AHLers or they'll get traded somewhere as part of a draft-day deal or something.

Palmieri impressed me in training camp, but I'd give him some more time, power-forwards tend to need a little longer for their development. While a guy like Halischuck would be more likely to step in sooner.

Romano has a high-ceiling offensively, but I wonder if he's going to grow up or not. Based on what I've read, his attitude is less than stellar. But, who really knows yet, he's still young.

Mark Fayne is 2-3 years away of even being considered for an NHL spot.

Right now Bergfors and Vrana are the ones closest to making it to the NHL among forwards.

The picture is not as clear among the d-men. Fraser seems to have taken a step back this year, but that's nothing we should worry about. That's the life of a defenseman. He'll probably come around very soon.

Corrente is maybe 1-2 years away from NHL duty. The same goes for Tulupov.

I would be pretty surprised if Corrente doesn't start the year in New Jersey next year. He's had two solid training camps, and hung around late in camp again this year and from all accounts, played well. Fraser I think is probably ready now, which makes him a pretty good bet for next year. Vrana appears to be having a bit of a breakthrough thus far this year, and aside from Bergfors, could be the closest among our forwards to making the team next year.

From what I hear, Bergfors is doing terribly in Lowell. Apparently he's sulking again, which doesn't bode well for his future with the organization.

Mark Fayne definitely has a future in the NHL. He will surprise alot of people. I've seen him play a few times and he was Providence's best defenseman far and away as a freshman.

I'm expecting Corrente to make the team next year. He's played very well while in the lineup this year and has hung around the last two camps like someone said.

Tulupov probably has a future, but I hear he's unpolished and therefore will take a bit longer than Corrente.

I'm not very encouraged by Bergfors as I once was. I feel like he should be breaking out this year and it seems like he's plateaued. We'll have to see what the deal is with him.

I have high hopes for Vrana but I doubt his ceiling is anything higher than a Brylin type player for us.

Palmieri and Halischuk have me excited, but I think they'll both spend a year or so in the AHL before they're given a real shot. Who knows though...Palmieri stuck around alot longer than anyone would've guessed.

Mark Fayne is 2-3 years away of even being considered for an NHL spot.

Right now Bergfors and Vrana are the ones closest to making it to the NHL among forwards.

The picture is not as clear among the d-men. Fraser seems to have taken a step back this year, but that's nothing we should worry about. That's the life of a defenseman. He'll probably come around very soon.

Corrente is maybe 1-2 years away from NHL duty. The same goes for Tulupov.

i want tulupov developed asap, he looks like a crazed lunatic when he plays and i love it

From what I hear, Bergfors is doing terribly in Lowell. Apparently he's sulking again, which doesn't bode well for his future with the organization.

I think he is one of the few bargaining chips the devils have and they should use it. it seems the guys that are highly touted in the devils farm that don't make it rather quickly end up sucking

oduya/bergfors/#2 pick for a #2 center at deadline.

the above package is not enought to get a premeir dman

i think corrente would have to be in the mix

I think he is one of the few bargaining chips the devils have and they should use it. it seems the guys that are highly touted in the devils farm that don't make it rather quickly end up sucking

oduya/bergfors/#2 pick for a #2 center at deadline.

the above package is not enought to get a premeir dman

i think corrente would have to be in the mix

Definetly agree with the Bergfors statement. We need to move him now before he loses all value. But I'm sure that your Oduya-Bergfors-2nd rd. pick package will get that.

Fraser is the most NHL ready and could possibly be the 6 or 7 defenseman next year. I dont see any other prospect making the team next year.

Corrente is close and should get a bunch of games next year, but I dont think he will spend the full year up in NJ. Our best prospect by far.

Halishuk is pretty close I believe, maybe 2 years away.

Tulupov, Fayne, Perkovich and Palmieri all have a future in NJ but it will take at least 3 years.

I dont think Bergfors has a future with this team, as hard as it is to admit. Another failed European prospect. There is hope, but he is doing crappy in the AHL and he got physically dominated in his only game. I think Lowell is being terribly mismanaged and that is hurting him as well as other prospects.

The only other guy that has a chance in my eyes is Vrana but I dont think he'll ever crack it full time.

Of the "wildcards," I think Eckford could develop into a good PP specialist and I'm not sure about him but I would like to see some of Zharkov. Vasyunov and Romano wont be able to put it together IMO. TJ Miller and Sopanen have outside chances, and who knows about that McPherson kid.

One thing is for sure, we better be getting an offensive stud in this draft.

Fraser is the most NHL ready and could possibly be the 6 or 7 defenseman next year. I dont see any other prospect making the team next year.

Corrente is close and should get a bunch of games next year, but I dont think he will spend the full year up in NJ. Our best prospect by far.

Halishuk is pretty close I believe, maybe 2 years away.

Tulupov, Fayne, Perkovich and Palmieri all have a future in NJ but it will take at least 3 years.

I dont think Bergfors has a future with this team, as hard as it is to admit. Another failed European prospect. There is hope, but he is doing crappy in the AHL and he got physically dominated in his only game. I think Lowell is being terribly mismanaged and that is hurting him as well as other prospects.

The only other guy that has a chance in my eyes is Vrana but I dont think he'll ever crack it full time.

Of the "wildcards," I think Eckford could develop into a good PP specialist and I'm not sure about him but I would like to see some of Zharkov. Vasyunov and Romano wont be able to put it together IMO. TJ Miller and Sopanen have outside chances, and who knows about that McPherson kid.

One thing is for sure, we better be getting an offensive stud in this draft.

Wow, if you wanted to someone to be reassured on the future of the devils, they would just have to read your post.
:sarcasm:

Fraser is the most NHL ready and could possibly be the 6 or 7 defenseman next year. I dont see any other prospect making the team next year.

Corrente is close and should get a bunch of games next year, but I dont think he will spend the full year up in NJ. Our best prospect by far.

Halishuk is pretty close I believe, maybe 2 years away.

Tulupov, Fayne, Perkovich and Palmieri all have a future in NJ but it will take at least 3 years.

I dont think Bergfors has a future with this team, as hard as it is to admit. Another failed European prospect. There is hope, but he is doing crappy in the AHL and he got physically dominated in his only game. I think Lowell is being terribly mismanaged and that is hurting him as well as other prospects.

The only other guy that has a chance in my eyes is Vrana but I dont think he'll ever crack it full time.

Of the "wildcards," I think Eckford could develop into a good PP specialist and I'm not sure about him but I would like to see some of Zharkov. Vasyunov and Romano wont be able to put it together IMO. TJ Miller and Sopanen have outside chances, and who knows about that McPherson kid.

One thing is for sure, we better be getting an offensive stud in this draft.

This is a serious question, who do you really see having a realistic shot at making the Devils in the near future. I know that all of these guys are pretty good players, but not all of them can make the club. I have a very academic knowledge of the farm system. I know all the players, but I haven't seen most of them play, except Bergfors, Corrente, Fraser.

The guys I think have the best chance of making the Devils next year are Corrente, Fraser, Bergfors, and Vrana. If I was betting on one of them I'd put my money on Corrente. Maybe it's just because I really like his game, but I think the fact that he's stuck around so long the last two camps says something about what the Devils organization thinks about him.

Another possibility I haven't seen anyone mention yet is Malmivaara. He's played two games already this year and I like what I've seen so far.

From what I've seen of Bergfors he's got potential to be another Elias. He's got the same style the same flair just needs more experience. It doesn't look like he's getting alot of ice time in Lowell.

Malmivaara looked a little slow but that could be cause he's so huge. He definately looks scary on the ice and we could use someone that big back there. But I think he needs to get faster on those skates if he wants to keep up with the team.

Didn't get to see Corrente play but he sounds like he has got alot of heart and not afraid of making open ice hits. Could use another person who makes the opposition afraid to come into our zone.

The guys I think have the best chance of making the Devils next year are Corrente, Fraser, Bergfors, and Vrana. If I was betting on one of them I'd put my money on Corrente. Maybe it's just because I really like his game, but I think the fact that he's stuck around so long the last two camps says something about what the Devils organization thinks about him.

Another possibility I haven't seen anyone mention yet is Malmivaara. He's played two games already this year and I like what I've seen so far.

I don't think Malmivaara has the mobility to be an NHL d-man. I saw him get beat to a few icings but hey, maybe he'll prove me wrong.

I don't think Malmivaara has the mobility to be an NHL d-man. I saw him get beat to a few icings but hey, maybe he'll prove me wrong.

I saw that too, but I also saw that he beat up the guys who beat him to the icing too LOL

This is a serious question, who do you really see having a realistic shot at making the Devils in the near future. I know that all of these guys are pretty good players, but not all of them can make the club. I have a very academic knowledge of the farm system. I know all the players, but I haven't seen most of them play, except Bergfors, Corrente, Fraser.

Near future as in next year? Fraser and Corrente possibly. I hope Bergfors proves me wrong.

I also forgot to mention Hoeffel in my last post. He should be an NHLer. Anyone else see a future third line of Hoeffel-Pelley-Clarkson?

I'll be shocked if Corrente isn't on the team next year.

Corrente will be in Lowell next year. I will be willing to bet money on it. He needs to mature a little bit before he is NHL ready. Still too emotional.

Vasyunov seems to be really NHL ready at this moment. How he isn't getting big ice time in the RSL is beyond me. The guy is blazing fast, strong on the puck and has a nice shot. Get him in Lowell and he could be in the NHL at the age of 21.

Corrente will be in Lowell next year. I will be willing to bet money on it. He needs to mature a little bit before he is NHL ready. Still too emotional.

Vasyunov seems to be really NHL ready at this moment. How he isn't getting big ice time in the RSL is beyond me. The guy is blazing fast, strong on the puck and has a nice shot. Get him in Lowell and he could be in the NHL at the age of 21.

I'm not sure about NHL ready right now, but I think he could be a player for Lowell as of now. You see guys like Kaigorodov and Mikhnov that dominate the RSL but can't make it in the NHL.

I'm not sure about NHL ready right now, but I think he could be a player for Lowell as of now. You see guys like Kaigorodov and Mikhnov that dominate the RSL but can't make it in the NHL.
Different style and different players. Vasyunov doesn't play a flashy dipsy type game. He plays a hard north south game. His coach in Russia is King who is a canadian. He has burned some great CHL defensmen this series with his pure speed. Our fastest and most explosive skating prospect in a while.
The players you mentioned move east to west quite a bit once they hit the line. Vasyunov goes to the net. I haven't seen anything worthwhile on his line yet. Let him play with a PF and then you will see something from him.

This is the lineup I would like to see the Devils have next season:

Parise--Zajac--Langenbrunner
Brylin--Elias--Hossa
Pandolfo--Madden--Clarkson
Zubrus--Pelley--Asham
Vrana and Janssen

Corrente--Martin
Doughty--White
Priessing--Vishnevski
Oduya or Mottau

Marty
Weekes


Gionta, Bergfors, Greene, Malmavaara and our #1 to LA for Drew Doughty and Tom Priessing. (This presumes that LA has the #2 overall pick so we can draft Doughty).

Sign Marian Hossa to replace Gionta.

Gionta, Bergfors, Greene, Malmavaara and our #1 to LA for Drew Doughty and Tom Priessing. (This presumes that LA has the #2 overall pick so we can draft Doughty).

Sign Marian Hossa to replace Gionta.

If LA had the #2 pick I'm pretty sure they wouldn't trade it in a deal centered around a guy who is UFA after 2009. I could see LA dealing Dallas' #1 pick--which they got for Norstrom last year--but if they have another top 5 pick, I can't see why they wouldn't add another cornerstone to go along with Kopitar, JJ, and Bernier. LA's already got their own version of Bergfors in Lauri Tukonen and Malmivaara doesn't have much trade value.

As much as I'd like to see Hossa on the Devils, I'm doubting we'd win the bidding war on that one.

This is the lineup I would like to see the Devils have next season:

Parise--Zajac--Langenbrunner
Brylin--Elias--Hossa
Pandolfo--Madden--Clarkson
Zubrus--Pelley--Asham
Vrana and Janssen

Corrente--Martin
Doughty--White
Priessing--Vishnevski
Oduya or Mottau

Marty
Weekes


Gionta, Bergfors, Greene, Malmavaara and our #1 to LA for Drew Doughty and Tom Priessing. (This presumes that LA has the #2 overall pick so we can draft Doughty).

Sign Marian Hossa to replace Gionta.

I just calculated the potential cap number of that team. Assuming Pandolfo making about 1.5 million (very low estimate), the cap number of the forwards + goalies is around 40 million dollars. Add the defense (assuming Doughty gets the rookie max which is approximately 3.5 million) and you've got around 55 million dollars.

Probably your most realistic series of proposals.

This is the lineup I would like to see the Devils have next season:

Parise--Zajac--Langenbrunner
Brylin--Elias--Hossa
Pandolfo--Madden--Clarkson
Zubrus--Pelley--Asham
Vrana and Janssen

Corrente--Martin
Doughty--White
Priessing--Vishnevski
Oduya or Mottau

Marty
Weekes


Gionta, Bergfors, Greene, Malmavaara and our #1 to LA for Drew Doughty and Tom Priessing. (This presumes that LA has the #2 overall pick so we can draft Doughty).

Sign Marian Hossa to replace Gionta.

Yuck, for some reason, i hate that lineup...

That is not devils hockey :teach:

Brylin over Zubrus on the 2nd line = no.

Hossa ever even considering signing w/ us + us ever even considering signing him = no, as much as I hate to say it.

Different style and different players. Vasyunov doesn't play a flashy dipsy type game. He plays a hard north south game. His coach in Russia is King who is a canadian. He has burned some great CHL defensmen this series with his pure speed. Our fastest and most explosive skating prospect in a while.
The players you mentioned move east to west quite a bit once they hit the line. Vasyunov goes to the net. I haven't seen anything worthwhile on his line yet. Let him play with a PF and then you will see something from him.

Jason you have me excited about Vasyunovs' future. Does he still remind you of Afinogenov?

Also does he have the ability to lead the Devils in scoring, when he gets called up?

From what Jason said Vasyunov sounds a bit like Kovalchuk, not so much Afinogenov.

Corrente will be in Lowell next year. I will be willing to bet money on it. He needs to mature a little bit before he is NHL ready. Still too emotional.

Vasyunov seems to be really NHL ready at this moment. How he isn't getting big ice time in the RSL is beyond me. The guy is blazing fast, strong on the puck and has a nice shot. Get him in Lowell and he could be in the NHL at the age of 21.
I forgot about Vasyunov, I liked what I saw in the Super Series. I presume you're watching the ADT Challenge? How has he looked - I saw he wasn't on the scoresheet last night, though the Russians got a big win.

next season the contracts for Rachunek, Brookbank and Mottau should be up, we should have room for Fraser, Corrente and Fayne.

Would look good :

Martin-White
Greene-Fraser
Corrente-Fayne
Oduya

PS. OOPS forgot about Vishnevski. Well he'll have to fight the AHLers in training camp for a spot.

We can't afford to let three D go in the offseason. Our defense isn't all that great, the last thing we need is a weaker defense. I'd let Mottau go, but I'd try to keep Rachunek at the very least, and Brookbank for depth.

Martin - White
VV - Greene
Oduya - Rachunek

With Brookbank and Fraser for depth, and Corrente and Fayne in the AHL. No need to rush the youngster IMHO.

*If* Fraser is really ready (Lowell fans know better than me) then I'd let Brookbank go with Mottau and go with this defense:

Martin - White
VV - Greene
Fraser - Rachunek
Oduya

Which would be OK. Not great but OK.

Well I for one just don't see the advantage of keeping vishnevski. He's slow, he hits but not at the right times, and he rarely wins a puck battle along the boards. When he blocks he blocks Marty's view too. His only advantage is size and sometimes thats not so great.

Brookbank looks better than him, he at least have a good hockey sense and pretty strong positionally. He needs a little help on skating but otherwise is solid.

Like I said, lets leave it up to the training camp but definately not worth paying higher salaries for a veteran that performs like a rookie that makes less money.

Lou will nevr sign Hossa, especially for $7 to $8 million. Look for a possible signing of Legwand or Hecht and with Rachunek probably gone, a defenseman like Jackman. As for Doughty, we keep playing like we are, expect another 20 + pick. Doughty will go first or second.

Jason you have me excited about Vasyunovs' future. Does he still remind you of Afinogenov?

Also does he have the ability to lead the Devils in scoring, when he gets called up?
He plays more like Kovalechuk and Ovechkin then a Datsyuk but he certainly doesn't have the stickhandling that those players have. I really want to see him in a situation where he plays 20 minutes or more.

He plays more like Kovalechuk and Ovechkin then a Datsyuk but he certainly doesn't have the stickhandling that those players have. I really want to see him in a situation where he plays 20 minutes or more.
Its hard to put a number on Vasyunov at the moment because he is young and with his skill set he could catch fire in terms of production any year. I say his max potential would be a 40 goal scorer because he has the instincts, shot and speed.

As of right now the only thing that doesn't impress me is his ability to get open. That may be because his linemates are not that good but he needs to find open covereage better.

Its hard to put a number on Vasyunov at the moment because he is young and with his skill set he could catch fire in terms of production any year. I say his max potential would be a 40 goal scorer because he has the instincts, shot and speed.

As of right now the only thing that doesn't impress me is his ability to get open. That may be because his linemates are not that good but he needs to find open covereage better.

His shot is wonderful, he's a great sniper. He's playing with guys that he is alot better than, now maybe a true great would be able to elevate his teammates, but he hasn't thus far, for whatever reason. Put him with Elias and watch the goals get racked up, I think Patty can become that playmaking center type.

That said, he should spend some AHL time working on little things and getting stronger on the puck. But, he's definitely got the shooting ability and speed to play in the NHL and he'll make a good passer look great.

Lou will nevr sign Hossa, especially for $7 to $8 million. Look for a possible signing of Legwand or Hecht and with Rachunek probably gone, a defenseman like Jackman. As for Doughty, we keep playing like we are, expect another 20 + pick. Doughty will go first or second.

Hecht resigned in Buffalo for 4 years. Jackman would be nice, although I imagine somebody will toss 3 mil/year at him.

This is supposedly a good draft for defensemen, so hopefully one can fall to wherever we're picking. Then again, I'd be just as happy landing any good prospect regardless of position. Hopefully somebody can have a Sykora/Parise-esque drop in the Draft.

Lou will nevr sign Hossa, especially for $7 to $8 million. Look for a possible signing of Legwand or Hecht and with Rachunek probably gone, a defenseman like Jackman. As for Doughty, we keep playing like we are, expect another 20 + pick. Doughty will go first or second.

Legwand is a Nashville franchise player. They love him, he loves them, he's not coming here.

Hecht resigned in Buffalo for 4 years. Jackman would be nice, although I imagine somebody will toss 3 mil/year at him.

This is supposedly a good draft for defensemen, so hopefully one can fall to wherever we're picking. Then again, I'd be just as happy landing any good prospect regardless of position. Hopefully somebody can have a Sykora/Parise-esque drop in the Draft.

3 mil? I hope we toss that at him. That'll be a bargain with the cap going up. Get Vishnevski and Rachunek outta here, and we have the money for him.

From what I've seen of Bergfors he's got potential to be another Elias. He's got the same style the same flair just needs more experience. It doesn't look like he's getting alot of ice time in Lowell.

Didn't get to see Corrente play but he sounds like he has got alot of heart and not afraid of making open ice hits. Could use another person who makes the opposition afraid to come into our zone.

Bergfors doesn't play well on the defensive side of the puck, needs to get physically stronger and doesn't know what to do without the puck on offense. He is the farthest thing from Patrik Elias as there is in this world, other than he is a forward with a nice shot (which is less and less a part of Elias' game, actually, further making my point.)

I'll be shocked if Corrente isn't on the team next year.

Of ALL the prospects, I think Corrente is an absolute lock to be in our top 6 next season. He needs to mature, for certain, but I think he does that on the NHL squad, with Larry Robinson coaching him.

Corrente WILL make the team out of next year's camp. Book it.

Corrente will be in Lowell next year. I will be willing to bet money on it. He needs to mature a little bit before he is NHL ready. Still too emotional.

Vasyunov seems to be really NHL ready at this moment. How he isn't getting big ice time in the RSL is beyond me. The guy is blazing fast, strong on the puck and has a nice shot. Get him in Lowell and he could be in the NHL at the age of 21.

I would love for us to get a long look at Vasyunov. I've HEARD all kinds of great stuff. I want to see him play in person.

But, as per usual, ours will be a tough line-up to crack next season. Next season, I don't see anyone besides Corrente, among the kids, making the team straight away. Anyone else would need to be a injury call-up, IMO.

Bergfors doesn't play well on the defensive side of the puck, needs to get physically stronger and doesn't know what to do without the puck on offense. He is the farthest thing from Patrik Elias as there is in this world, other than he is a forward with a nice shot (which is less and less a part of Elias' game, actually, further making my point.)


I disagree about Bergfors. I saw the way he skates and passes the puck, he has the same instincts that Elias does(did). Its just he wasn't completely in synch with the rest of his line. He does look a little lazy sometimes on the ice, but he can get there with the right coach. Mark my words, someday he'll be a superstar.

I disagree about Bergfors. I saw the way he skates and passes the puck, he has the same instincts that Elias does(did). Its just he wasn't completely in synch with the rest of his line. He does look a little lazy sometimes on the ice, but he can get there with the right coach. Mark my words, someday he'll be a superstar.

Too bad he got hurt in the opening game of the season. His best shot at cracking this line-up was when Langenbrunner was injured. I would have loved to have seen more of him.

I would love for us to get a long look at Vasyunov. I've HEARD all kinds of great stuff. I want to see him play in person.

But, as per usual, ours will be a tough line-up to crack next season. Next season, I don't see anyone besides Corrente, among the kids, making the team straight away. Anyone else would need to be a injury call-up, IMO.
I want to see Vasyunov brought over here next year. Whether he plays in Jersey or Lowell, it has to be better than rotting away on the bench in the RSL. From what I've seen and heard, he has impressed in the Super Series and in the Russia-CHL series going on now, so I don't understand why he doesn't get more playing time, but he certainly can't improve if he doesn't play.

From what Jason said Vasyunov sounds a bit like Kovalchuk, not so much Afinogenov.

i was thinking more like Maxim than Kovvy myself, but who knows.. :)

What do you guys think about Zharkov at all? bust?

From what I've seen (Super series+WJC), Vasyunov is much much more Afinogenov than Kovy. It seems that his biggest problem is involving his linemates. He has great speed but needs more strength and smarts, and I'm not sure if his brain operates as fast as his feet. He needs games and playing time, whether in Lowell or Russia next year. To Jason MacIsaac...Dave King coached Metallurg Magnitogorsk (he now coaches Malmo in Sweden), Vasyunov plays for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv.

Zharkov has struggled to get ice time, and hasn't been able to get on to any of the international teams for some reason. He needs playing time too. I have seen him compared to Sergei Brylin, I haven't seen him though so I wouldn't know. I wouldn't call him a bust yet, but a Russian poster here mentioned sometime this season that Zharkov hadn't progressed as they had hoped/expected.

Vili Sopanen is a long-shot to make the NHL, but he has improved and perhaps he could make it in a few years. I don't know much about him.

As for the others:

Bergfors definitely hasn't produced in the AHL as I would have hoped and he should be making an impact on a nightly basis at this stage of his development. That said, he looked good in preseason and he looks like he has the tools to be a very good NHL second-liner. I know it's easy to suspect that he hasn't given an honest effort, but I wouldn't criticize him without any evidence to back it up.

I'm pleased with Vrana's statistical progress. He's had injury problems in the past that slowed him down, but I think that he's stepping it up this year. I'm concerned about his size, and how he fits into the team's long term plans. He probably doesn't have the ability to replace a scorer like Gionta/Parise/Elias, and doesn't replace the physicality of a Clarkson/Langs/Zubrus/Zajac. He probably wouldn't help a ton on the 4th line, where Asham and Pelley fit really well (Asham's physicality and Pelley's great D). The only guy I see him "replacing" would be Brylin. And Sarge provides experience and is a good soldier who can play in a lot of different roles. So Vrana may be a "tweener" for this team. If he continues to improve, he can probably force his way on to this team. But I wouldn't neccessarily clear out a spot for him.

Thoughts on the other Lowell players...Mondou is I think on an AHL contract. Don't think he's big-league material. Clarke is probably a career AHL'er. Barry Tallackson hasn't taken "the next step" and I don't think he'll ever be a solid NHL'er. Jason Ryznar is a nice AHL'er maybe will play in the NHL but not as a regular. Patrick Davis has some talent but I worry that he will become a Barry Tallackson--good size and hands and speed, not enough hockey sense. He's at least 3 years away even if he does progress. Sean Zimmerman hasn't drawn rave reviews in Trenton or Lowell. So he's probably at least 3 years away if he ever makes the NHL. He will be a bottom-pairing dman at best. Ivan Khomutov definitely has talent and has maybe gotten his act together this year, but still needs plenty of work and is probably 2-3 years away if he ever makes it. I've liked what I've seen from Fraser, he won't be anything spectacular but plays a physical game and is a good skater for his size. He won't put up many points but seems like a pretty intelligent player. Malmivaara doesn't have NHL foot speed.

I don't have high hopes for the NCAA dmen--Fayne/Miller/Eckford don't stand out to me. I've seen Eckford a few times and wasn't impressed (below-average D, not special enough offensively), and Fayne and Miller haven't stood out statistically. Fayne was touted as an 2way Dman, but he has done nothing offensively this year and modest numbers last year. Miller has modest numbers as well, and while he is a co-captain in a Sophomore year, I've heard his D needs plenty of work and he's an offensive Dman who probably isn't talented enough to make the big league.

I'm not overly excited about the other NCAA'ers either. Perkovich is an older sophomore who is a bit of late-bloomer who is an excellent finisher but doesn't have close to NHL speed and still needs to add strength to a tall frame. I don't think he has the ability to make the NHL, if he does it will be at least 3-4 years. Mike Hoeffel has great size and reach who plays with good intensity but needs to work on his skating and doesn't have the best hands or offensive instincts. He probably has the talent to make it but probably is 4-5 years away, for sure. Jeff Frazee makes me want to tear my freaking hair out. He has great athleticism but atrocious focus and technique. I don't have a clue what he's doing half the time. If he ever makes it, he'll send whatever goalie coaches he has to padded rooms.

I have higher hopes for some of the CHL'ers. Corrente is freaking crazy, but there is no denying his talent. He's a really, really solid player. I've been very impressed with his preseason games, he's showed great poise. I think he could make the team next year, but the organization may feel that a year in Lowell would do some good so that he learns to control the game as a professional and be more disciplined. So he's 1-2 years away.

Kirill Tulupov has talent and at least doesn't seem like a nutcase, but I think he is a solid 3 years away from the NHL. He needs much more discipline in his own end, and maybe that will allow him to develop his offensive game as well.

Nick Palmieri looks like a steal. He was a big surprise in training camp and was a very solid skater who threw some nice hits and worked hard. He has shown a good finishing touch early on this year. Obviously the Devils have high hopes for him, they signed him to a big contract right after training camp. I think there is an outside chance that he will be ready in 09-10 for the NHL, but may need to refine his game in the AHL for a year or two.

Matt Halischuk has put up great numbers on an awesome Kitchener team. I haven't seen him play this year, but he probably will need at least a year or 2 in the AHL to adjust to the physical level. He needs to add muscle.

I think Tony Romano is a loong way from playing on the New Jersey Devils. His seeming hatred of defense turned me off before this season started and his lack of offense (though it has improved) has turned me off during the season. We'll see what happens with him. No matter what he's several years away from sniffing the NHL.

Ryan Molle I don't know much about. I don't have a clue why Corbin McPherson was drafted so high.

Phew...that's a long post. But that's my assessment of the Devils prospects. It's not a strength of the organization right now, but there are several hit or miss prospects that, if they hit, could be excellent players.

Lou will nevr sign Hossa, especially for $7 to $8 million.

One highly-paid Euro winger is enough for this team. ;)

Lou will nevr sign Hossa, especially for $7 to $8 million. Look for a possible signing of Legwand or Hecht and with Rachunek probably gone, a defenseman like Jackman. As for Doughty, we keep playing like we are, expect another 20 + pick. Doughty will go first or second.

F Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo FTW!!

As for the others:

Bergfors definitely hasn't produced in the AHL as I would have hoped and he should be making an impact on a nightly basis at this stage of his development. That said, he looked good in preseason and he looks like he has the tools to be a very good NHL second-liner. I know it's easy to suspect that he hasn't given an honest effort, but I wouldn't criticize him without any evidence to back it up.





I have higher hopes for some of the CHL'ers. Corrente is freaking crazy, but there is no denying his talent. He's a really, really solid player. I've been very impressed with his preseason games, he's showed great poise. I think he could make the team next year, but the organization may feel that a year in Lowell would do some good so that he learns to control the game as a professional and be more disciplined. So he's 1-2 years away.



Nick Palmieri looks like a steal. He was a big surprise in training camp and was a very solid skater who threw some nice hits and worked hard. He has shown a good finishing touch early on this year. Obviously the Devils have high hopes for him, they signed him to a big contract right after training camp. I think there is an outside chance that he will be ready in 09-10 for the NHL, but may need to refine his game in the AHL for a year or two.

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Im liking these 3 players, and hopefully they get a shot to show something...... not sure why bergfors got sent down so early though..... he didnt play all that bad!

Legwand is a Nashville franchise player. They love him, he loves them, he's not coming here.

I believe he's UFA and we all know the money problems Nashville has until they retain new ownership. He may not come to the Devils, but I wouldn't be surprised if he left Nashville, especially since he's now reaching his potential. Someone may overpay.

Hecht resigned in Buffalo for 4 years. Jackman would be nice, although I imagine somebody will toss 3 mil/year at him.

This is supposedly a good draft for defensemen, so hopefully one can fall to wherever we're picking. Then again, I'd be just as happy landing any good prospect regardless of position. Hopefully somebody can have a Sykora/Parise-esque drop in the Draft.

Thanks. Wasn't aware.