Devils an offensive powerhouse next year? Take a look...

Do you guys think with Stevens' career winding down, Dan-o being gone, Albelin being all but done, Brodeur now on the latter half of his prime, Nieds up for Free Agency, White not playing so well, Hale not living up to expectations...that we're actually becoming an offensive minded team?

Elias, Gomez, Gionta, Friesen, Langenbrunner, Kozlov, Parise, Suglobov, Pihlman, Madden, Pandolfo, Stevenson, Brylin, Rasmussen...

I don't know do you guys think Lou is moving in another direction. Also, what would this mean for Patty Burns? :dunno:

Young team and Ftorek sitting in the wings. hmmm

Young team and Ftorek sitting in the wings. hmmm


:::shudders::: :joker:

It could be. It could. But this team will never be one-dimensional - there will always be a strong defense and goalie. Brodeur has a whole lot of years left, and will the D core we've devolped our defense will continue to be strong. That said, with the amount of offensive talent growing in Albany... Foster, Voros, Suglobov, Pihlman, Balmochynkh....

It could be. It could. But this team will never be one-dimensional - there will always be a strong defense and goalie. Brodeur has a whole lot of years left, and will the D core we've devolped our defense will continue to be strong. That said, with the amount of offensive talent growing in Albany... Foster, Voros, Suglobov, Pihlman, Balmochynkh....

I hope you're right when you talk about Brodeur...but I believe he's almost 32 and Patty Roy retired at 36.

(I might be a year off, not sure..but still)

I hope you're right when you talk about Brodeur...but I believe he's almost 32 and Patty Roy retired at 36.

(I might be a year off, not sure..but still)

Roy retired at 38, Brodeur will turn 32 in may.

Parise is an Elias style superstar who also can play on the PK. He's out next top scorer.

Martin, Hale, White, Rafalski all around for a long while.

Got a bunch of defensive prospects in Albany ready to move up.

Ari Ahonen will take Brodeur's place in a few years.

And everyone else is pretty young :) Suglobov, Foster, Pihlman, all are almost ready to go.

I have been saying this since the draft. This is the most offensive talent in terms of NHL players and Prospects I have seen on the devils. I know probably 3 out of 5 prospects won't make the league but even still we will have some good talent up front.

I hope Lou loads up on d-men this draft. The Devils could use some depth on the blueline.

Roy retired at 38, Brodeur will turn 32 in may.

Ah it was 38, not 36. My mistake. That makes me feel a little better anyways.

Hate to sound pessimistic, but you're crazy if you think a bunch of rookies are going to come in and shoulder a significant amount of the offensive burden.

Pihlman has been wildly inconsistent in Albany, and though Suglobov has adjusted well to the North American game, he's been hampered by injury and though solid, was far from dominant when healthy. Even if he plays full time with good minutes next year, I'd expect no more than 30 points at best from him.

Lou has never been one to trust prospects with significant responsibilities. Gomez and Niedermayer were rare exceptions; aside from Parise, we don't have any prospects in the system capable of stepping right in and making major contributions. Martin's fantastic play lately overshadows his early season struggles - he had a tough time in the beginning of the year, and he was much more 'projectable' prospect than Pihlman or Suglobov.

Burns was hired in large part to discipline the younger guys, and he's done a great job in defining their roles and helping develop them (Gionta especially). I fully expect Parise to make the club out of camp, assuming there's a season next year. However, he won't be given the minutes Gomez was as a rookie; he'll be eased in on the third and fourth lines to smooth his transition and relieve the pressure of competing at this level. Should he fulfill those duties, he'll have every opportunity at earning top-six minutes, but Lou is way too high on Parise to risk stunting his development. We have the luxury of two solid scoring lines headed into next year (EGG, Freeze-Kozlov-Brylin), so to expect scoring responsibilities to be trusted to rookies who have proven nothing at this level is foolish.

Lines for next year:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Freeze - Kozlov - Brylin
Pandolfo - Madden - Langenbrunner
Pihlman/Assmuffin - Hrdina/Parise - Stevenson

Extras: Marshall, Assmuffin

Of course, this doesn't account for trades or free agents, but it's definitely a solid lineup nonetheless. 2 very capable scoring lines, an excellent checking line, and a 4th line we can use to test rookies or entrust to vets depending on the night.

Hate to sound pessimistic, but you're crazy if you think a bunch of rookies are going to come in and shoulder a significant amount of the offensive burden.

Pihlman has been wildly inconsistent in Albany, and though Suglobov has adjusted well to the North American game, he's been hampered by injury and though solid, was far from dominant when healthy. Even if he plays full time with good minutes next year, I'd expect no more than 30 points at best from him.

Lou has never been one to trust prospects with significant responsibilities. Gomez and Niedermayer were rare exceptions; aside from Parise, we don't have any prospects in the system capable of stepping right in and making major contributions. Martin's fantastic play lately overshadows his early season struggles - he had a tough time in the beginning of the year, and he was much more 'projectable' prospect than Pihlman or Suglobov.

Burns was hired in large part to discipline the younger guys, and he's done a great job in defining their roles and helping develop them (Gionta especially). I fully expect Parise to make the club out of camp, assuming there's a season next year. However, he won't be given the minutes Gomez was as a rookie; he'll be eased in on the third and fourth lines to smooth his transition and relieve the pressure of competing at this level. Should he fulfill those duties, he'll have every opportunity at earning top-six minutes, but Lou is way too high on Parise to risk stunting his development. We have the luxury of two solid scoring lines headed into next year (EGG, Freeze-Kozlov-Brylin), so to expect scoring responsibilities to be trusted to rookies who have proven nothing at this level is foolish.

Lines for next year:

Elias - Gomez - Gionta
Freeze - Kozlov - Brylin
Pandolfo - Madden - Langenbrunner
Pihlman/Assmuffin - Hrdina/Parise - Stevenson

Extras: Marshall, Assmuffin

Of course, this doesn't account for trades or free agents, but it's definitely a solid lineup nonetheless. 2 very capable scoring lines, an excellent checking line, and a 4th line we can use to test rookies or entrust to vets depending on the night.
Nobody is sayinga bunch of rookies will jump right into the lineup. I feel Parise and one of Pihlman and Suglobov will make the team. Thats only is Lou cuts deadweights like Marshall.

Do you guys think with Stevens' career winding down, Dan-o being gone, Albelin being all but done, Brodeur now on the latter half of his prime, Nieds up for Free Agency, White not playing so well, Hale not living up to expectations...that we're actually becoming an offensive minded team?

Elias, Gomez, Gionta, Friesen, Langenbrunner, Kozlov, Parise, Suglobov, Pihlman, Madden, Pandolfo, Stevenson, Brylin, Rasmussen...

I don't know do you guys think Lou is moving in another direction. Also, what would this mean for Patty Burns? :dunno:

Colin White has been the man this year! :bow:

Nobody is sayinga bunch of rookies will jump right into the lineup. I feel Parise and one of Pihlman and Suglobov will make the team. Thats only is Lou cuts deadweights like Marshall.

I don't see Parise or Pihlman making the team unless Lou feels we're in dire need of offense. I guess it all depends on Freisen being kept on board.

One of Zach's main question marks has been his durability throughout the length of a season. Or whether he'll be able to withstand it, I guess. The recent signing and the fact that he'll get time in the lineup this year doesn't guarantee him a spot. Not that you're saying his spot is guaranteed.

Suglobov for sure though. I'd love to see him get some 4th line duty next year. That would be awesome.

I don't see how Parise can't make the team next year. Parise is better than Gomez was, and that saying something.

There will be space in the lineup next year. Friesen is going, we'd basically be forced to pay him 3 million if he stayed. I believe Hrdina's contract is up next year, as is Kozlov's. We got enough prospects that we can't keep everyone.


Suglobov and Parise will crack the lineup next year. If Parise does well in his trial run this playoff season, he'll play second line.

I see this as a team that, given its new owner, current players and prospects, will weather the loss of Scott Stevens very well.

We'll re-sign Niedermayer and Madden to longterm contracts. Those are things I believe we can all count on. With Stevens gone that is $7 million freed up to be used. Hale will get better. It always takes defensive defensemen time to develop and he has done very well considering.

By the season after the coming one (whenever the coming one happens) this is the lineup (or something like it) I expect to see for us:

Elias Gomez Kozlov
Friesen Parise Suglobov
Panfolfo Madden Langenbrunner
Tallackson Foster Pihlman

Niedermayer Hale
Martin White
Rafalski Kadeykin

Brodeur
Ahonen

I see this as a team that, given its new owner, current players and prospects, will weather the loss of Scott Stevens very well.

We'll re-sign Niedermayer and Madden to longterm contracts. Those are things I believe we can all count on. With Stevens gone that is $7 million freed up to be used. Hale will get better. It always takes defensive defensemen time to develop and he has done very well considering.

By the season after the coming one (whenever the coming one happens) this is the lineup (or something like it) I expect to see for us:

Elias Gomez Kozlov
Friesen Parise Suglobov
Panfolfo Madden Langenbrunner
Tallackson Foster Pihlman

Niedermayer Hale
Martin White
Rafalski Kadeykin

Brodeur
Ahonen

No Gionta, Brylin, or Stevenson? I do like the lineup, though another vet d-man is in order, and I think Giroux is a better bet than Kadeykin. I don't know if Tallackson is ready to straight jump to the NHL, or if Suggy and Pihlman are ready for a full season. Foster I agree with entirely - assuming he can stay healthy. My only question is this lineup has 5 completely new players in the top 12 of forwards - yes, they're good, but I don't know if they're good enough yet. We'll see next season. Also, if you have neither Stevenson or Marshall, Pikkaranean is a good bet to crack the roster as an agitator and tough guy who has some scoring ability, as seen in the second half of the Rats' season.

Stevenson is oft-injured and getting older, Gionta I expect to be traded at some point to a non-playoff team and Brylin, well I kinda forgot about him. I was actually not sure whether to include Friesen. It is possible that Gionta and Friesen get traded for a second line left winger.

Hrdina is signed to a long term contract to he stays. Sinse most of the ice time will go to the EGG and the Madden line, Maybe put Kozlov on LW with Parise and Stevenson on the RW. The lines could come out:

Elias-Gomez-Gionta
Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner
Kozlov-Parise-Stevenson
Brylin-Rassmussen-Suglobov

Those are four pretty solid lines.

Stevenson is oft-injured and getting older, Gionta I expect to be traded at some point to a non-playoff team and Brylin, well I kinda forgot about him. I was actually not sure whether to include Friesen. It is possible that Gionta and Friesen get traded for a second line left winger.
Why would we trade our only other player with 20 or more goals? Elias and Gomez do much better with him on the right side.

Stevenson is oft-injured and getting older, Gionta I expect to be traded at some point to a non-playoff team and Brylin, well I kinda forgot about him. I was actually not sure whether to include Friesen. It is possible that Gionta and Friesen get traded for a second line left winger.

Why do you think Gionta will be traded? I really doubt it. He's earned his spot in this roster - he works hard, plays good defense, and is tenacious at everything he does. Friesen is a second line winger, if he plays to his potential - one could argue 17 goals is a good total for a second line winger.

I'll explain my lineup piece by piece:

Elias Gomez Kozlov

The natural top line with a large presence in Kozlov (while he may not throw big checks, he certainly opens space for himself and others) who can pass and skate with the best of our team as well as having an incredible shot along with Elias whose offensive creativity is manifesting itself this season and Gomez who now has two truly legitimate passing options on his line.

Friesen (or insert scoring winger here) Parise Suglobov

A line with speed to burn, a playmaking center in Parise with a myriad of skills and general hockey sense along with Suglobov who is faster than a speeding bullet and Friesen (or scoring winger to be added later) who can keep up with them and score. None are particularly small (no, 5'11 isn't small, its average) but none are huge. The asset is speed but they won't be thrown around really either.

Pandolfo Madden Langenbrunner

The perfect checking line with the balance of scoring and reliability.

Tallackson Foster Pihlman

Young players all of them. Pihlman and Foster will have had two seasons in Albany (or partially with the Devils depending on what happens next year). Tallackson is a maybe, perhaps Pikkarainen might be better for the line due to his experience in Albany. Point of the line is having a rookie line with a balance of scoring and toughness (though Foster's injuries may prevent this from happening, I have faith in the guy).

Niedermayer Hale

Stevens might play next season if there is a next season, he might not. Either way, he isn't likely to be around in two seasons so Niedermayer will at that point be our #1 defenseman. Hale has greater potential than White as a defensive defenseman and would do well as the balance to Scott's offensive ability. By this point he will have had a full season at the very least in the NHL under his belt.

Martin White

Martin in my opinion is a better player overall than Rafalski. He has better potential both defensively and offensively. Two seasons from now I expect he will be part of the second pairing. White has in my opinion hit a roadblock but will eventually get beyond it. He has proven reliable as a second pairing defenseman and would do a good job as a foil to Martin's offensive play.

Rafalski Kadeykin

Rafalski has developed as well and as much as I think we can expect from him. He has a good bit of experience and in reality is the second most experienced defenseman on the team after Niedermayer. He won't have Stevens around anymore to cover for his defensive mistakes, but he has the experience to serve as a good teacher for Kadeykin on the third pairing. Kadeykin, or perhaps DeMarchi or some other defensive prospective defenseman will play the stay at home role and ease his way into the lineup on the third pairing.

Brodeur

No explanation needed.

Ahonen

Two years from now Brodeur will be 34 and Ahonen will start playing backup to him. He'll have had 4 years in Albany at that point and Brodeur's game count will probably start decreasing towards a more reasonable 60 games a season with his age. This will give Ahonen 3 years as a backup in which to gain NHL experience and slowly allow a transition for when Brodeur retires.

I see Gionta getting traded because he has more value as a tradeable asset in my opinion than as a member of the team. Yes he had a breakout year this year with 20+ goals, but I think next season he comes crashing down to earth as teams take notice of him. His passing game hasn't developed at all really and is rather poor, he will always get pushed around and I think he'd do better as a Steve Sullivan type player for a team that needs him. We don't really need him if Kozlov takes the next step and Suglobov develops well enough. I anticipate Suglobov doing very well on this team.

Gionta will not be traded and Brodeur will play at least till he is 40 years old... Brodeur has said he wants to play at least another 10 years. Stevens as well has stated he wants to play until he is 43. So Stevens coming back and healthy will play 2 to three more years.. This Devils team will be fine and have the same core of guys for many years to come... Parise is going to be something else... :eek:

As for Brodeur playing till he's 40, who knows? Its possible, but I think thats rather unlikely. Stevens has been out half a season with a concussion that he doesn't even know when he got. Do you honestly see him playing another two years? As for Gionta, its possible, but I personally think we'd be better off looking to the trade market with him.

No don't trade Gionta!

Teams take notice of him, but a) Refs call more penalties on infractions toward the smallest guy in the league and b) He's fast.

As for Brodeur playing till he's 40, who knows? Its possible, but I think thats rather unlikely. Stevens has been out half a season with a concussion that he doesn't even know when he got. Do you honestly see him playing another two years? As for Gionta, its possible, but I personally think we'd be better off looking to the trade market with him.

I really think that's not a decision that should be made until at least halfway through next season - till now, he's been nothing but loyal to the organization and he is a great agitator, and his presence - the little guy who works his @$$ off, has to be something good.

On Friesen, from earlier in this discussion - I don't think he'll be resigned after this season, I think that money'll go towards keeping Kozlov. That could be a whole that needs to be filled.

I can't see the Devils trading Gionta, he's defensively sound this early in his career, has a monstrous work ethic and 21+ goals for $600,000 is a bargain.

Why would we trade Gionta? Didn't Lou learn from dealing Guerin, Rolston and Sullivan. Don't trade young developing players!! :banghead:

Why would we trade Gionta? Didn't Lou learn from dealing Guerin, Rolston and Sullivan. Don't trade young developing players!! :banghead:

Guerin had to be traded, and we got a good return - one young devolping player for another. But Rolston, Morrison, Sullivan... :madfire:

For the trade with Guerin the Devils got Jason Arnott and we all know how Arnott was for the Devils. He was the man here. SCF's clinching goal vs. the Stars. I will never forget that and Arnott was a fan favorite here and then Lou goes and trades him... :banghead: :madfire:

Arnott and Sykora should still be here in New Jersey... :shakehead

For the trade with Guerin the Devils got Jason Arnott and we all know how Arnott was for the Devils. He was the man here. SCF's clinching goal vs. the Stars. I will never forget that and Arnott was a fan favorite here and then Lou goes and trades him... :banghead: :madfire:

Arnott and Sykora should still be here in New Jersey... :shakehead

GAH! No Hells, no, no. Bad. Not this argument again, please? We've had it repeatedly. It always goes the same way. I don't want to revisit it. :(

GAH! No Hells, no, no. Bad. Not this argument again, please? We've had it repeatedly. It always goes the same way. I don't want to revisit it. :(


I hear you on that one so it is a closed subject and not going to get into it... :( ;)

The only trade that you mentioned that I truly regret is Brian Rolston and even that one led to us winning a Cup so it gets redeemed. Morrison was pouting all year over his contract and got traded for the best offensive player ever to don a Devils Jersey on our way to a Cup and subsequent Finals appearance. Morrison was made expendable by Gomez's rise to the top. Sullivan had no place on the Devils and Gilmour was a great player at the time. If Mike Richter hadn't suddenly turned into God in 1997 we might have had one more Cup banner on our rafters. Guerin was of all of them the worst in his latter days as a Devil. He'd routinely dog it and play with no effort at all due to what he considered a blackmailing of a contract negotiation. He had no place on the Devils the way he was playing and he brought in the guy who scored the game winner on one of our Stanley Cup wins as well as centering the most exciting line in Devils history.