Maven predicts Vrana to make impact

I'm not a Fischler fan at all but I thought this was interesting for him to think Vrana was ready. I wonder if he is just speculating based on what Vrana's stats or if he actually thinks this.

●Our pick for the surprise Devil of 2008-09 is center Petr Vrana. Lowell’s (AHL) leading scorer last year, the Czech has paid his minor league dues and appears ready for The Show.

Also mentions Holik was number two in faceoff wins last season to Sundin. I didn't realize that.

●Can you guess who was the leading faceoff winner in 2007-08? Here’s a clue: At this very moment, he’s not in the league. Give up? Answer: Mats Sundin topped the list with 945. Trailing by 68 in second spot is none other than Bobby Holik (877).


Here is the rest of the article.

http://www.hockeyjournal.com/Article.php?ArtID=999796

Fischler is normally a pompous pain in the butt on camera, but he get his thoughts out better with the Pen, and is more tolerable. We can all speculate, but if he doesnt make the team, he wcan't have an impact.

Fischler is normally a pompous pain in the butt on camera, but he get his thoughts out better with the Pen, and is more tolerable. We can all speculate, but if he doesnt make the team, he wcan't have an impact.

If Stan actually knew what the **** he was talking about half the time, I'd be excited someone sees this kid as being something great for us. But it's Maven, the guy is out of his ****ing mind.

The Maven just rambles. Read what he says and move on.

If Stan actually knew what the **** he was talking about half the time, I'd be excited someone sees this kid as being something great for us. But it's Maven, the guy is out of his ****ing mind.
Indeed.

If Stan actually knew what the **** he was talking about half the time, I'd be excited someone sees this kid as being something great for us. But it's Maven, the guy is out of his ****ing mind.

Totally. I think he probably has never seen Vrana play but just looked at his stats and said, this kids ready I'm going to throw it out there so if he makes it I look like I know what I was talking about. And if he doesn't, who reads this and will remember I said it anyway.

Totally. I think he probably has never seen Vrana play but just looked at his stats and said, this kids ready I'm going to throw it out there so if he makes it I look like I know what I was talking about. And if he doesn't, who reads this and will remember I said it anyway.

I'll never forget the game...."what's a factor for the Devils in tonights game Stan?"

Stan: "Fear Eric Fehr, this kid is gonna be a factor..."


did he even play? No. And he's gotten chances and still hasn't done ****.

Its going to be so tough for a rookie to make this team.

We are probably going to have Bergfors, Vrana, Pelley and Tallackson at forward - Corrente Fraser and Greene on Defense all vying for a spot that doesn't really exist.


Defense is a Log Jam

Martin
White
Oduya
Salvadore
Vishnevski
Brookbank
Mottaue
Greene
Corrente
Fraser

Forward is equally so

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

And I really don't see any room in the top 12 for a rookie forward at all....Unless the brass looses faith in Zajac.......Maybe Rupp in and out of the lineup??? I don't know, I just don't see it.

Its going to be so tough for a rookie to make this team.

We are probably going to have Bergfors, Vrana, Pelley and Tallackson at forward - Corrente Fraser and Greene on Defense all vying for a spot that doesn't really exist.


Defense is a Log Jam

Martin
White
Oduya
Salvadore
Vishnevski
Brookbank
Mottaue
Greene
Corrente
Fraser

Forward is equally so

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

And I really don't see any room in the top 12 for a rookie forward at all....Unless the brass looses faith in Zajac.......Maybe Rupp in and out of the lineup??? I don't know, I just don't see it.

You left out Salmela and Fedorov which makes things even tighter.

At least on defense, I think the top-4 is pretty well set in stone as we all can agree (Martin, White, Salvador, Oduya). Beyond that I see no reason that any of the before mentioned rookies (Salmela, Corrente) shouldn't battle with the guys who were on the squad last season. I have ZERO confidence in any of Mottau, Vishnevski, Greene, Brookbank and don't think we can compete with them seeing the kind of minutes they were seeing last season. Waive Vishnevski and his $1.8 million, and then put the last three spots up in camp and see who comes out on top. I don't see any reason Corrente shouldn't be on the team come opening day.

He also thought Mike Rupp would be the answer to all our problems last season.

At least on defense, I think the top-4 is pretty well set in stone as we all can agree (Martin, White, Salvador, Oduya). Beyond that I see no reason that any of the before mentioned rookies (Salmela, Corrente) shouldn't battle with the guys who were on the squad last season. I have ZERO confidence in any of Mottau, Vishnevski, Greene, Brookbank and don't think we can compete with them seeing the kind of minutes they were seeing last season.

I don't disagree but I don't think Greene should be lumped in with the likes of Mottau, Vishnevski and Brookbank.

If you think back to Oduya's first 90 games and compare them to his last 60 games the contrast is night and day.

I don't think Greene has been given the opportunity to grow that Oduya has.

To date Greene has only played 82 NHL games over the course of 2 seasons and 52 AHL games. That is some pretty limited pro expirience for a defensemen coming out the NCAA.

Even Oduya had 3 full seasons of Pro Hockey in the SEL before making it over here.

We also need to remember that this kid broke in at a very difficult time to be a devil defensemen. And even with these obsticles he hasn't been all that bad for a 1st year pro.

Career Totals (Full) 82 3 13 16 -1 28 - With 3 PP goals and 4 PP asisst.


Last season he was actually tied for 4th in +/- amoung the 9 Devils Defensemen.

I think the jury is still out on Greene and a little patience needs to be shown with him.

I personally don't like to cast off a rookie as quickly as the posters on this board do. Especially a defensemen that notoriously take time to develop.

I think the Maven was on these boards as School before CJ ran him out. :nod:

Definately a trade coming.

Gionta/Vrana for Hamhuis.

Definately a trade coming.

Gionta/Vrana for Hamhuis.

I would love that.

EDIT: Now that i think of it, i really think Vrana will be good for our team, and i think getting rid of Gio is getting rid of alot offense. Ahhh w/e.

Its going to be so tough for a rookie to make this team.

We are probably going to have Bergfors, Vrana, Pelley and Tallackson at forward - Corrente Fraser and Greene on Defense all vying for a spot that doesn't really exist.


Defense is a Log Jam

Martin
White
Oduya
Salvadore
Vishnevski
Brookbank
Mottaue
Greene
Corrente
Fraser

Forward is equally so

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

And I really don't see any room in the top 12 for a rookie forward at all....Unless the brass looses faith in Zajac.......Maybe Rupp in and out of the lineup??? I don't know, I just don't see it.

all of the guys in bold are gurantees to make it. that leaves one forward position and 2 defensive poistions.

my guess

bergfors

corrente
greene

all of the guys in bold are gurantees to make it. that leaves one forward position and 2 defensive poistions.

my guess

bergfors

corrente
greene

Interesting......How do you see the D Pairing?

Martin and Oduya
White and Greene
Salvador and Corrente ???

Interesting......How do you see the D Pairing?

Martin and Oduya
White and Greene
Salvador and Corrente ???

Switch the 2 and 3 pairs.

My ideal lineup would be

Oduya-Martin
Salvador-Corrente
White-Fraser/Greene

If we dress seven dmen, this is what i would want. This year has to be the year for Fraser. Like i said before in another thread Fraser is the Vrana of Defense. He has nothing left to prove in the AHL.

Interesting......How do you see the D Pairing?

Martin and Oduya
White and Greene
Salvador and Corrente ???

yea, except one minor modification

Oduya-Martin



Martin-Oduya dont really need any justification

White-Greene because White is slow and greene is quick and usually pretty sure-handed

Salvador-Corrente, Salvador will be solid and hopefully he can show Corrente not to do too much. Nice hard hitting pair

I would love that.

EDIT: Now that i think of it, i really think Vrana will be good for our team, and i think getting rid of Gio is getting rid of alot offense. Ahhh w/e.

Where do you play Vrana? His agent has Vrana as a Devil and won't go back to Lowell. Unless, he dazzles and forces Lou to make a tough decision. Same goes for Gionta, I just don't see him in the Devils long term plans. Unless Bergfors is a complete bust and doesn't make the team. This team still needs a top four and unless makes the leap, a trade is coming.

I can actually see Vrana on the 4th line LW. It all depends on Sutter though. I can see Vrana being the Rod Pelley of this year. Right now, Vrana's chances are also riding on Bergfors being a bust. If he busts, then Vrana will have a lot more room to be a part of the team. Im hoping both of them can make it, but i just dont see the room.

Also, i think Lou gives Gionta another chance before we trade him. Hes entering a contract year, so if he does awesome, then we can keep him. If hes not awesome, he will be gone at the deadline. I am all for giving Gio another chance. I think the lines that would be best for both Bergfors and Gionta would be:

Parise-Rolston-Gionta
Elias-Zajac/Zubrus-Bergfors

Giontas line is extremely fast and with Rolston creating rebounds, Gio can get alot more of those dirty goals. Also the PP will help him tremendously.

Elias and Bergfors have alot of the same qualities to play with each other. Its a very spread out type of game. If you match them with Zubrus or Zajac who can crash the net (in Zajac's case he will have to not be afraid to) you have two very well balanced lines.

And if Bergfors does bust, I think Vrana's play making ability can rekindle the fire in Elias's goal scoring touch on the LW if Vrana is placed on the RW, or even center if Zajacs play slips like last year.

I don't disagree but I don't think Greene should be lumped in with the likes of Mottau, Vishnevski and Brookbank.

If you think back to Oduya's first 90 games and compare them to his last 60 games the contrast is night and day.

I don't think Greene has been given the opportunity to grow that Oduya has.

To date Greene has only played 82 NHL games over the course of 2 seasons and 52 AHL games. That is some pretty limited pro expirience for a defensemen coming out the NCAA.

Even Oduya had 3 full seasons of Pro Hockey in the SEL before making it over here.

We also need to remember that this kid broke in at a very difficult time to be a devil defensemen. And even with these obsticles he hasn't been all that bad for a 1st year pro.

Career Totals (Full) 82 3 13 16 -1 28 - With 3 PP goals and 4 PP asisst.


Last season he was actually tied for 4th in +/- amoung the 9 Devils Defensemen.

I think the jury is still out on Greene and a little patience needs to be shown with him.

I personally don't like to cast off a rookie as quickly as the posters on this board do. Especially a defensemen that notoriously take time to develop.
I agree about Greene, there's still potential there and it's not unreasonable to say that he could be our 6th best defenseman to start the season. I would also like to say that even though Mottau isn't someone we should bank on to turn into a full-time NHL defenseman, he had a good season for a "career minor leaguer". In my mind, he's the guy who can be our #7 if we need someone to come up in a pinch when we can't afford to take the risk of an untested player.

I like Rupp and everything, but I'd be disappointed to see a kid be held out of the lineup for his sake.

I dunno about this. I don't know if Stan would know who Vrana was if Vrana walked past him with a Vrana jersey while Sutter yelled "Vrana, get the **** over here!"

Dude looks pretty good for his advanced age, his mind, not so much so.

Thinking of this, MSG should do an "Around the Horn" style hockey show with Stan, Dugay, Chico, Bobby Granger and Dano. That could be some good stuff. For the one episode that ends during Dano's murderous rage.

Kiss of death from that huge d-bag.

Vrana will never play a game as a Devil. :(

I can actually see Vrana on the 4th line LW. It all depends on Sutter though. I can see Vrana being the Rod Pelley of this year. Right now, Vrana's chances are also riding on Bergfors being a bust. If he busts, then Vrana will have a lot more room to be a part of the team. Im hoping both of them can make it, but i just dont see the room.

Also, i think Lou gives Gionta another chance before we trade him. Hes entering a contract year, so if he does awesome, then we can keep him. If hes not awesome, he will be gone at the deadline. I am all for giving Gio another chance. I think the lines that would be best for both Bergfors and Gionta would be:

Parise-Rolston-Gionta
Elias-Zajac/Zubrus-Bergfors

Giontas line is extremely fast and with Rolston creating rebounds, Gio can get alot more of those dirty goals. Also the PP will help him tremendously.

Elias and Bergfors have alot of the same qualities to play with each other. Its a very spread out type of game. If you match them with Zubrus or Zajac who can crash the net (in Zajac's case he will have to not be afraid to) you have two very well balanced lines.

And if Bergfors does bust, I think Vrana's play making ability can rekindle the fire in Elias's goal scoring touch on the LW if Vrana is placed on the RW, or even center if Zajacs play slips like last year.

I agree with most of what you said, especially that Vrana might be this year's Pelley. But I don't necesarily think that Vrana and Bergfors chances are tied to each other. Although all 3 have to fight to be on the team, Rupp has to show he belongs again and if the kids outshine him, he becomes a spare. Granted All 3 players play different roles, in TC/PS they have to shine in their respective roles, like Bergfors did last TC/PS.

I just want to see some new blood, some hope for the future. I don't think Vrana will be a offensive dynamo, but if he's the next Sarge or Pando type with a little more o-punch, it be great to see.

I like Rupp and everything, but I'd be disappointed to see a kid be held out of the lineup for his sake.

I'm with you on this.

I'm not a Fischler fan at all but I thought this was interesting for him to think Vrana was ready.

Great, now this kid is doomed.

At least on defense, I think the top-4 is pretty well set in stone as we all can agree (Martin, White, Salvador, Oduya). Beyond that I see no reason that any of the before mentioned rookies (Salmela, Corrente) shouldn't battle with the guys who were on the squad last season.

Actually, I don't think we can all agree on THAT top four - especially with White in it. And I don't think you appreciate Mottau for what he is - a puck-moving defensemen who can move the puck and create opportunities off of transition play.

And as for Corrente, he still may be a year away. From what I've heard (having not seen any of these guys), Eckford and maybe one or two of the Lowell guys may well be ahead of him in terms of development. And Salmela, for the success he's had in Finland and at the World Championships, is still a bit of an unknown when it comes to the NHL (I'd imagine his tussle with the US after that game didn't hurt his stock).

The bottom line was last year the Devils defense AND forwards were nowhere near the presence in their own zone that they'd been in years past. Either the players, or the style of play, has to significantly change for this team to have any post-season success.

FishSchtick also predicted Forsberg going to the Rangers.

He's too old, time for the glue factory.

There was a thread on who would score the most out of a couple of players, and Vrana was listed. I said something along the lines of i hope he can translate his game to the nhl. and someone responded, and i think everyone here will like it. just thought it was very intriguing.

i really think he can produce some points and is more of a 2nd/3rd liner with a solid playmaking ability and for his size hes always been fiesty and been a player that other teams hate to play against...i remember the year he captained in the WJC and scored the game winner in the bronze metal game they said he was one of teh most hated players in teh Q and being a Mooseheads season ticket holder you could see why...he was a good agitator and played through injuries as much as he possibly could and in his final year he had nagging injuries all year long but played his heart out

i've always been a vrana fan, for a poor lowell team he was by far the most noticeable player. I hope he can make an impact at the NHL level.

The Maven talked to Lou about some of our prospects and Fed Fed.

http://www2.msg.com/video.jsp?videoID=1688292722