Opening Night 6th Defenseman

With opening night less than a week away now, I'm curious to see who everyone thinks will be on the blueline with Oduya on opening night. Vote for who you think Sutter will choose vs. who you want to see in there.

Salmela has been impressive this preseason & should be a lock to make the team at this point, but it sounds like he could work on improving his defense a bit. Also with Sutter preferring to carry only 7 d-men, he could be the odd man out & start off in Lowell to get some playing time since he doesn't have to clear waivers.

Greene has the most experience of the 3, but struggled last season. Sounds like he worked hard this offseason & was playing well early on but I haven't heard much about him lately.

I would imagine most people would like to see Brookbank as the odd man out, but he's still around for a reason. He's the only right handed shot among the defensemen & adds more of a physical presence than Salmela or Greene. Sutter is obviously looking for some more toughness from the team this year (as evidenced by all the fights this preseason & PLLL getting such a long look) & Sheldon is a guy willing to drop the gloves. An Oduya - Brookbank pairing would also match the other defensive pairings, where a tough stay-at-home defenseman is pairing with a puck-carrying defenseman.

So, who's number gets called on Friday?

It has to be Salmela, He has had a great pre-season, If he plays full time and is on the powerplay unit with his shot I could see him scoring 10 goals with 30 assist in his first season. He had a sweet goal the other night and made a great pass to Parise last night. I would like to see Greene play in place of Mottau, I think Mottau is a stiff, plus every time I hear his name I think of Stephane Matteau and that horrible memory. lol

Salmela. I'll be pissed if I see the other two turds on opening night instead of him.

I'll be pissed too. If im going to opening night, i want to see Salmela play.

He deserves it more than those other dmen.

I say Greene. Personally I think the brass are going to want Salmela to take some time in Lowell to get accustomed to North American hockey.

I say Greene. Personally I think the brass are going to want Salmela to take some time in Lowell to get accustomed to North American hockey.

The way he has been playing in the pre-season, i think he is already accustomed to it.

The way he has been playing in the pre-season, i think he is already accustomed to it.

He has been good, but there have been other times where his head was firmly planted between his colon and upper-large intestine.

I'm glad we got the guy, but I think giving him a month or so to play in the minors and fully adjust and be moreso allowed to make mistakes without the pressure is more conducive to his success in NJ.

Just my opinion though. Andy Greene might be on everyone's **** list right now, but he's still a young guy who can be quite solid on the blueline for us. Him being in the lineup isn't going to definitely hurt us.

I say Greene. Personally I think the brass are going to want Salmela to take some time in Lowell to get accustomed to North American hockey.

I think he's played well enough to show everyone that he can adjust in a fairly short period of time. Besides, he would start out on the bottom pairing anyways. And Greene has been playing here his whole life, and he's still not accustomed to North American hockey.

He has been good, but there have been other times where his head was firmly planted between his colon and upper-large intestine.

I'm glad we got the guy, but I think giving him a month or so to play in the minors and fully adjust and be moreso allowed to make mistakes without the pressure is more conducive to his success in NJ.

Just my opinion though. Andy Greene might be on everyone's **** list right now, but he's still a young guy who can be quite solid on the blueline for us. Him being in the lineup isn't going to definitely hurt us.

In the games i saw, Greene did look solid, but was just afraid to make mistakes. I think with Salmela, he will take those chances offensively, and sometimes it will be bad, sometimes it will be good.

Either way, I really dont want to see Brookbank there.

In the games i saw, Greene did look solid, but was just afraid to make mistakes. I think with Salmela, he will take those chances offensively, and sometimes it will be bad, sometimes it will be good.

Either way, I really dont want to see Brookbank there.

Plus, even though Salmela is pretty much the same size as Greene, he's like a wrecking ball out there. Andy should take notes from the press box. I know he bulked up this summer, but he's too soft mentally. He needs to meet his Tyler Durden.

I'm gonna go with Greene, I just have a good feeling about him this season. Salmela needs to work on some things before he surpasses Greene IMO. But eventually he will.

Plus, even though Salmela is pretty much the same size as Greene, he's like a wrecking ball out there. Andy should take notes from the press box. I know he bulked up this summer, but he's too soft mentally. He needs to meet his Tyler Durden.

Just don't become a complete nihilist and destroy the entire team. haha.

Just don't become a complete nihilist and destroy the entire team. haha.

Maybe he'd destory the entire D. That wouldn't be THAT bad, plus it would give Lou an excuse to rebuild it, and hopefully won't take the turdtastic approach the second time around.

I don't understand what this fasicnation with Sheldon Freaking Brookbank is. Why we would keep 8 defensmen again is totally beyond me. What is even more beyond me is why anyone even cares if he gets claimed.

If Salmela gets sent down just so we can keep that turd around I am going to be pissed.

Brookbank should not have even been an option.

Salmela, with Greene as our 7th.

I don't understand what this fasicnation with Sheldon Freaking Brookbank is. Why we would keep 8 defensmen again is totally beyond me. What is even more beyond me is why anyone even cares if he gets claimed.

If Salmela gets sent down just so we can keep that turd around I am going to be pissed.

I dont get it either.

I don't understand what this fasicnation with Sheldon Freaking Brookbank is. Why we would keep 8 defensmen again is totally beyond me. What is even more beyond me is why anyone even cares if he gets claimed.

If Salmela gets sent down just so we can keep that turd around I am going to be pissed.

That much I can agree with. Salmela has far more upside to him than Brookbank does and quite frankly Brookbank should be a career minor leaguer, not a rotation guy on an NHL club.

It's criminal if we hold Salmela back because we're afraid of losing Brookbank to waivers.

I would rather have Greene and Salmela playing and Mottau/Brookbank in the press box.

I would rather have Greene and Salmela playing and Mottau/Brookbank in the press box.

I'd rather have Greene and Salmela playing with Mottau in the press box. Send Brookbank to the minors where he belongs. If he gets claimed on the way down, who freaking cares?

Who's this "Brookbank" character everybody's talking about :sarcasm:

Looks like Salmela WILL be the sixth guy.

Sutter said if Salmela stays, which seems likely, he will be a top six defenseman rather than a seventh man.

"If we thought he wasn't capable of playing here regularly, development would be the right thing for him because it's his first year over here," the coach said. "Because he's played the way he's played, every day he's gotten better. He's adjusted to a lot of things here very quickly. Yet he's still going to have some adjustments to make."


http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2008/10/salmela_seems_to_have_secured.html

Looks like Salmela WILL be the sixth guy.



http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2008/10/salmela_seems_to_have_secured.html

Very nice. Im glad they think of him like we do.

Looks like Sutter is a member of the church too. :laugh:

Looks like Salmela WILL be the sixth guy.



http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2008/10/salmela_seems_to_have_secured.html

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g174/N_1_R/GIF/7.gif

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g174/N_1_R/GIF/7.gif

:biglaugh:

it gets me everytime.

Looks like Salmela WILL be the sixth guy.



http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2008/10/salmela_seems_to_have_secured.html

It sure does...

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2008/10/did-andy-greene.html

Did Andy Greene clear waivers?

Although Devils defenseman Andy Greene told me Friday night that he was not among the players placed on waivers by the team Friday, a source said today that he was and got through unclaimed. Greene skated with the Devils' extra players this morning and is still in New Jersey, but will not play in tonight's preseason finale against the Flyers.

I'll try to check into this tonight and will pass along any information I receive.

It sure does...

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2008/10/did-andy-greene.html

Wow :amazed:

Certainly didn't see that one coming if true...hope CJ is doing OK...

CJ, I'm sorry...

http://www.floraegypt.com/images/12PinkRoses.jpg

I'm very surprised he got through unclaimed. Maybe the GM's hold the same opinion as some of us here?

I'm very surprised he got through unclaimed. Maybe the GM's hold the same opinion as some of us here?

Well it's still not "official", but TG usually doesn't post rumors so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I would think a team like the Islanders or even Pittsburgh would take a chance. I guess not.

BTW, at least he cleared, i dont want to see CJ on a massive rampage.

I'm very surprised he got through unclaimed. Maybe the GM's hold the same opinion as some of us here?
If it's true, I'm surprised he got sent down and like you said, surprised he didn't get claimed. He had a down season last year but I still think he has potential.

And I'm also shocked that the Devils would send him down over Brookbank.

If it's true, I'm surprised he got sent down and like you said, surprised he didn't get claimed. He had a down season last year but I still think he has potential.

And I'm also shocked that the Devils would send him down over Brookbank.

The only reason for that is Brookbank is a righty.

The only reason for that is Brookbank is a righty.

And because he isn't afraid to do the dirty work?

I like Greene, but the dude plays lighter than a feather...

Looks like Salmela WILL be the sixth guy.



http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2008/10/salmela_seems_to_have_secured.html

word:yo:
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http://nsfw.sidewayspony.com/images/trough/production/2007/aug/24/38962_formatted_dance.gif
http://blogs.smh.com.au/mashup/images/applause.gif

Awwwww thanks for the condolences. I don't mind if Andy gets sent down, but I'd rather see him than Brookbank...Ugh that name makes me sick!

Greene didn't get sent down. TG updated that post and said he confirmed that Greene didn't get waivered. I'm really thinking they are going to carry 8 D and Vrana as the extra forward.

id rather keep greene AND salmela and send down mottau but we all know that wont happen

Looks like Salmela made the team, so i fully expect him to play opening night.

I would be very dissapointed if he doesnt, because he deserves it the most.

i want salmela but i see sutter picking greene.

i want salmela but i see sutter picking greene.

Sutter likes physicality. That's the only reason Brookbank is still here.

Sal (two Sal's on one team :sarcasm:) is a lot more physical than Andy.

Greene didn't get sent down. TG updated that post and said he confirmed that Greene didn't get waivered. I'm really thinking they are going to carry 8 D and Vrana as the extra forward.

I called that didn't I?

Well, I think Brookbank and Greene are sitting out the first game. But I don't think this D can stay healthy for them to sit for long. We'll see Greene in the lineup by the 3rd game.

I called that didn't I?

Well, I think Brookbank and Greene are sitting out the first game. But I don't think this D can stay healthy for them to sit for long. We'll see Greene in the lineup by the 3rd game.

Greene's going to get some action this year, no doubt about it. There will be injuries, poor play, he'll get his shot.

Just a matter if he does anything with it.

Looks like Salmela WILL be the sixth guy.



Dont be so sure. I'm not voting in this poll because I feel at worst he's the FIFTH guy! :yo:

Looks like he is in the top 4.

Martin-Salvador
White-Salmela
Oduya-Mottau

Looks like he is in the top 4.

Martin-Salvador
White-Salmela
Oduya-Mottau

Wow - impressive. With White he'll have the green light to skate the puck up ice then... or should I say he'll have the Greene light. :sarcasm:

Sorry CJ

Wow - impressive. With White he'll have the green light to skate the puck up ice then... or should I say he'll have the Greene light. :sarcasm:

Sorry CJ

zing

Wow - impressive. With White he'll have the green light to skate the puck up ice then... or should I say he'll have the Greene light. :sarcasm:

Sorry CJ

Ba-dum-chhh.