Interesting Lou quote

“It was certainly a time in (Pandolfo's) life where he had to make a decision and we had to make a decision," Lamoriello said. "We could not keep both Jay Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin in the roles that they play and also with the young players that have to be infused into this lineup. We’re delighted to have Jay back. He wanted to be back. We wanted him back and you find a way."
http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2008/07/pandolfo-happy.html

This makes it seem like Lou plans on at least having Bergfors and Corrente make the team, possibly more. But our roster is full right now. This suggests (to me anyway) that someone will be moved before camp starts.

I think Rupp will start in the minors (he has a 2way contract I think), which makes 12, not including Bergfors.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2008/07/pandolfo-happy.html

This makes it seem like Lou plans on at least having Bergfors and Corrente make the team, possibly more. But our roster is full right now. This suggests (to me anyway) that someone will be moved before camp starts.

Yup, thats why I think we are probably trading VV. Also one of our D-men probably will end up in Lowell if Corrente makes a good training camp.

As for offense, we still have room for one more reserve forward(if Pelley doesn't make the roster), but I think Lou is gonna trade someone, whether that is Zajac, Gionta or Zubrus I dunno. Most likely a center or someone who we got to play center and didn't pan out.

Yup, thats why I think we are probably trading VV. Also one of our D-men probably will end up in Lowell if Corrente makes a good training camp.

As for offense, we still have room for one more reserve forward(if Pelley doesn't make the roster), but I think Lou is gonna trade someone, whether that is Zajac, Gionta or Zubrus I dunno. Most likely a center or someone who we got to play center and didn't pan out.

Rupp becomes 13th forward

Elias, Parise, Gionta, Rolston, Bergfors, Madden, Zajac, Zubrus, Langenbrunner, Pandolfo, Holik, Clarkson, Rupp

White, Martin, Salvador, Oduya, Greene, Corrente, and either Mottau or Brookbank as #7.

Vish for a 4th next season. there is your deal.

I know the defensive posters will say our D Sucks but it really does not. It could be better but we were still a 4th seed last season with the same D and no Salvador for an entire year and not as potent of an offense.


Guys I hate to ruin everyones giddyness during the fun transaction filled off season, but Lou might be done.

A defense man will be added at the trade deadline.

Rupp becomes 13th forward

Elias, Parise, Gionta, Rolston, Bergfors, Madden, Zajac, Zubrus, Langenbrunner, Pandolfo, Holik, Clarkson, Rupp

White, Martin, Salvador, Oduya, Greene, Corrente, and either Mottau or Brookbank as #7.

Vish for a 4th next season. there is your deal.

I know the defensive posters will say our D Sucks but it really does not. It could be better but we were still a 4th seed last season with the same D and no Salvador for an entire year and not as potent of an offense.


Guys I hate to ruin everyones giddyness during the fun transaction filled off season, but Lou might be done.

A defense man will be added at the trade deadline.

Does anybody but me remember how horrible our D was against the Rangers and that WAS with Salvador?

Does anybody but me remember how horrible our D was against the Rangers and that WAS with Salvador?

yeah, thats why I think we'll have some change on the blue line. I am still expecting a trade from Lou or somebody like Corrente making the roster.

Bergfors - Elias - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Rolston
Pandolfo - Madden - Langenbrunner
Zubrus - Holik - Clarkson

Martin - Oduya
Salvador - Greene
White - Corrente

Brodeur
Weekes

thoughts?

Bergfors - Elias - Gionta
Parise - Zajac - Rolston
Pandolfo - Madden - Langenbrunner
Zubrus - Holik - Clarkson

Martin - Oduya
Salvador - Greene
White - Corrente

Brodeur
Weekes

thoughts?

2nd round exit at most. Rolston and Holik was the right direction, but we are not going anywhere until we get another defensemen.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2008/07/pandolfo-happy.html

This makes it seem like Lou plans on at least having Bergfors and Corrente make the team, possibly more. But our roster is full right now. This suggests (to me anyway) that someone will be moved before camp starts.

This was already posted on tuesday, but if you heard Lou on nhl live a few days ago, he basically said that Bergfors and Vrana are playing for spots and Corrente and Eckford are playing for spots. Those were the names he mentioned, so I think both sets are competing, and we will see either Bergfors or Vrana and Corrente or Eckford.

This was already posted on tuesday, but if you heard Lou on nhl live a few days ago, he basically said that Bergfors and Vrana are playing for spots and Corrente and Eckford are playing for spots. Those were the names he mentioned, so I think both sets are competing, and we will see either Bergfors or Vrana and Corrente or Eckford.

WOW Eckford? he came out of nowhere

I really don´t think that we will see too many young faces on our team. Corrente, imo, is the most likely because he has the least competition. Bergfors and Vrana have to fight against Gionta mostly, and perhaps Zajac. At the same time, if they impress in camp, why not....The best that could happen were if Lou dealt Gionta because Bergfors or Vrana can fill the gap he left, and we can somehow get a strong puck-moving defenseman. Then again, I would not be shocked if we start the season like this....which is fine for the regular season, because let´s face it....DEfensively, these guys still have it. It was the scoring that sucked all the time, and we saw when the D stepped up what difference it made! Also, Rolston will make one hell of a difference on the PP, and we have really solid 4 offensive lines now.

This team is much much better now than it was last year.

Lou can't be done if he wants the Devils to get another cup.

I want Corrente on this team next season.

Lou can't be done if he wants the Devils to get another cup.

Bingo was his name-o.

WOW Eckford? he came out of nowhere

No.. he's been a huge pleasant surprise with his development. I think we ended up with an NHL player there.

Bingo was his name-o.

The CUp is in June. the playoffs are in April. It is July 3rd.

HE might stand pat until after the season starts. I am not ruling out a trade. EVERYONE is ruling out he stays put. This is a realistic possibility.

He's talking about Vrana pretty much. Bergfors still has another year or two before his time is up. This is Vrana's last chance to make the lineup however. I believe he is waiver eligible next year.

Does anybody but me remember how horrible our D was against the Rangers and that WAS with Salvador?

Our defense wasn't THAT horrible. And that defense also had Greene in it. Our main problem was our inability to score. He did give up 4 goals twice, though

Our defense wasn't THAT horrible. And that defense also had Greene in it. Our main problem was our inability to score. He did give up 4 goals twice, though

We had the worst 1-6 (7?) (8?) group of defensemen this team has seen since 1987 or so. They were so bad that we couldn't play Sutter's preferred style, and had to resort to what worked best: Let the opposition shoot at will and hang Marty out to dry.

A full year of El Salvador will be an improvement, but Mottau has to go and so does Vish. Oduya needs to be on the 3rd pair. Greene? Who the freak knows what he will do/

Our defense wasn't THAT horrible. And that defense also had Greene in it. Our main problem was our inability to score. He did give up 4 goals twice, though

I also remember at one point Greene was a +12 til he got paired up with Vishnevski.

Does anybody but me remember how horrible our D was against the Rangers and that WAS with Salvador?

Yes but give Salvador some more time in our system! He was coming off an injury. Give him a full training camp and conditioning and he'll be better. At least, he better be :rant:

I'm in the camp that the defense isn't THAT bad. Some people on here think our defense is on par with that of the Los Angeles Kings. Sure, it's a mediocre defense, but with an addition here and a tweak there it becomes a pretty good defense. Give Martin another year to develop into a top guy, give Oduya another year to develop into a solid guy, give Sal a full year to learn the system and get comfortable.

To quote Rick Pitino, "Scott Stevens' is not walking through that door fans, Scott Niedermeyer is not walking through that door, and Ken Daneyko is not walking through that door"

We need to get past the fact that we'll never have a defense like that ever again likely again. Lets just focus what we have now. It's not great, but it's not something to shy away from.

We had the worst 1-6 (7?) (8?) group of defensemen this team has seen since 1987 or so. They were so bad that we couldn't play Sutter's preferred style, and had to resort to what worked best: Let the opposition shoot at will and hang Marty out to dry.

A full year of El Salvador will be an improvement, but Mottau has to go and so does Vish. Oduya needs to be on the 3rd pair. Greene? Who the freak knows what he will do/


I agree with everything you said, except that I would like to see MM given another chance. I think he played well and represents value for his salary. But yeah, the amount of pure "homerism" and denial among Devil fans about how bad the D is is annoying. People keep pointing to how they allowed almost the fewest goals in the NHL, but that was ALL BRODEUR. IMO, 2007-2008 was the best year of Brodeur's career.

I agree with everything you said, except that I would like to see MM given another chance. I think he played well and represents value for his salary. But yeah, the amount of pure "homerism" and denial among Devil fans about how bad the D is is annoying. People keep pointing to how they allowed almost the fewest goals in the NHL, but that was ALL BRODEUR. IMO, 2007-2008 was the best year of Brodeur's career.

Mottau will make the team as a six, as is, otherwise, as a seven.

I think that Salmela is going to be one of our 6 starting defensemen. Last season he had 16 goals and 16 assists in 56 games with the Tappara Tampere, and I'm sure the Finnish SM-Liiga is better than the AHL. He has international experience with team Finnland to. If he can get used to the size of NHL rinks and to the way the game is played in North America he should put up a reasonable 30 points in 82 games. I don't know how reliable his defense is.

I agree with everything you said, except that I would like to see MM given another chance. I think he played well and represents value for his salary. But yeah, the amount of pure "homerism" and denial among Devil fans about how bad the D is is annoying. People keep pointing to how they allowed almost the fewest goals in the NHL, but that was ALL BRODEUR. IMO, 2007-2008 was the best year of Brodeur's career.

Dont forget how much our stellar 2-way forwards had to bail them out.

Face it people, our defense really does suck.

I think that Salmela is going to be one of our 6 starting defensemen. Last season he had 16 goals and 16 assists in 56 games with the Tappara Tampere, and I'm sure the Finnish SM-Liiga is better than the AHL. He has international experience with team Finnland to. If he can get used to the size of NHL rinks and to the way the game is played in North America he should put up a reasonable 30 points in 82 games. I don't know how reliable his defense is.

As I said in another thread, Salmela has an offensive d-man´s toolbox and he has plenty of upside on that department, while dispalying allround ability. He did impress last year in SM-liiga, there´s still a lot of miles to go before he´s ready to crack the lineup.

Salmela plays physical game and can also clear the crease, but can get himself out of position when looking for a big hit or when emotions get the better of him. But the basics are there fixed, so he´s not another Vishnevski wondering around the rink. Basically, he needs some time to adjust and polish his game. One year in AHL with a couple of callups to encourage him would be my pick.

Even though this D might not take us too far on paper, things aren´t that bad compared to last year, when White and Martin were the only regulars that have been around more than a year. And with experienced Salvador being around all year our core isn´t yet made of concrete, but isn´t a twig fence either like last year.

Plus not to forget that Paul Martin has taken a major step ahead. If and when he keeps up that path, he´s going to be something special. And with little help from his friends our offense won´t starve. This doesn´t mean that the D wouldn´t have use for another puckmover, but just to say that things aren´t by far the same as going to last season.

Assuming that there won´t be new names introduced before camp, I think our D is somewhat like this:

Certain names:

Martin
Oduya
White
Salvador

Probably there:

Mottau
Corrente
Vishnevski

Aye, work ye arse off and I shalt giveth´ thy a reward:

Greene
Brookbank
Fraser
Salmela
Eckford

Assuming that there won´t be new names introduced before camp, I think our D is somewhat like this:

Certain names:

Martin
Oduya
White
Salvador

Probably there:

Mottau
Corrente

Aye, work ye arse off and I shalt giveth´ thy a reward:

Greene
Brookbank
Fraser
Salmela
Eckford

Thanks for playing, here's your Devils logo totebag:
Rachunek
Vishnevski
Matvichuk


Fixed ;)

no joke I had a dream last night that Atlanta signed Rachunek for 10mil per. :biglaugh:

weird ****.

As I said in another thread, Salmela has an offensive d-man´s toolbox and he has plenty of upside on that department, while dispalying allround ability. He did impress last year in SM-liiga, there´s still a lot of miles to go before he´s ready to crack the lineup.

Salmela plays physical game and can also clear the crease, but can get himself out of position when looking for a big hit or when emotions get the better of him. But the basics are there fixed, so he´s not another Vishnevski wondering around the rink. Basically, he needs some time to adjust and polish his game. One year in AHL with a couple of callups to encourage him would be my pick.

Even though this D might not take us too far on paper, things aren´t that bad compared to last year, when White and Martin were the only regulars that have been around more than a year. And with experienced Salvador being around all year our core isn´t yet made of concrete, but isn´t a twig fence either like last year.

Plus not to forget that Paul Martin has taken a major step ahead. If and when he keeps up that path, he´s going to be something special. And with little help from his friends our offense won´t starve. This doesn´t mean that the D wouldn´t have use for another puckmover, but just to say that things aren´t by far the same as going to last season.

Assuming that there won´t be new names introduced before camp, I think our D is somewhat like this:

Certain names:

Martin
Oduya
White
Salvador

Probably there:

Mottau
Corrente
Vishnevski

Aye, work ye arse off and I shalt giveth´ thy a reward:

Greene
Brookbank
Fraser
Salmela
Eckford

Whether any of us agree or not Andy Greene is in the Devils plans. Lou mentioned him as one of the 4 set in stone on an interview on NHL Live. He was a sophomore and I am not against giving him a second chance.

IN:

Martin
White
Salvador
Oduya
Greene

If Corrente pans out in Camp he is in as well.

That is our starting 6 barring a trade (which is still possible or Lou might wait until the season)

7th spot battle:

Mottau
Brookbank

GONE:

Vishnevski

Yeah, well, the looming depature of Vishnevski will change things and Greene has a better shot making the team. I´m not against having him around and put Vish ahead of him on my list simply cos of his paycheck.

We had the worst 1-6 (7?) (8?) group of defensemen this team has seen since 1987 or so. They were so bad that we couldn't play Sutter's preferred style, and had to resort to what worked best: Let the opposition shoot at will and hang Marty out to dry.

So if the Devils' defensive plan was to let opponents shoot at will, how come they let up the eighth lowest in the league in shots against per game average in the league (27.5/game) as well as in total shots against (2257)? I would think that logic is much more accurate for a team like, say, Philadelphia (31.8/game and 2609 shots, respectively).

I understand the defense isn't good on paper, but the numbers tell a different story. Are the stats somehow wrong? Did Martin Brodeur cause teams to shoot less than usual? To the point of less than 28 per game?

We will ship out 1 defensemen for picks before the season and pick up another at the deadline. You won't see a major deal till then.

Sami Salo?

Sami Salo?

Don't he and Ohlund have NTC?

So if the Devils' defensive plan was to let opponents shoot at will, how come they let up the eighth lowest in the league in shots against per game average in the league (27.5/game) as well as in total shots against (2257)? I would think that logic is much more accurate for a team like, say, Philadelphia (31.8/game and 2609 shots, respectively).

I understand the defense isn't good on paper, but the numbers tell a different story. Are the stats somehow wrong? Did Martin Brodeur cause teams to shoot less than usual? To the point of less than 28 per game?

I think that has a lot to do with the fact that our forwards' offense had to be curtailed since they were playing more defense because the d men suck. That's a large reason why we got shutout 11 times. If they were able to play with a certain piece of mind that they could concentrate on their offense without having to almost be worried about a rush the other way, the offense as a whole would have been more effective.

Don't he and Ohlund have NTC?

yep but he might waive it if asked by the new GM