havent been on HB in awhile, but even as a rangers fan always nice to read your blogs roger!!! ive had debates with my friends (devs fans) about brunner. i think the money is too high, if its $3mil per. he's played half a season, and did very well for 15 of those 48 games. he also had the opportunity to play a decent amount with datsyuk and/or zetterberg. i understand they needed to offer more $$$ than detroit and/or other teams, but it seems high for someone not really proven yet. however the length does kind of even it out. 2 years for him to prove himself a top 6 deal. will he be able to produce without datsyuk or zetterberg? i know how the devils fanbase feels about elias, and with no disrespect elias and ryder are no datsyuk and zetterberg.
if i may also go off topic...how do you feel about phaneuff? i personally dont look very highly on him, but its more from what ive heard, havent seen him actually play much. a lot of what is said could also be because of his contract. i just dont see him as being an answer to anything, altho he would play well in their system.
lastly...how many games do you think schneider plays? i feel if brodeur says he is good to go he WILL play. if marty decides to play more, does schneider ask for a trade since it would be his 2nd team where he is a back up/splitting roles?
- hauger14

I think the games played will probably be 60%/40% in Marty's favor at face value. That doesn't take into account any possible injuries or if one goalie gets really hot. But it is an Olympic year and if the NHL does send it's players to Russia then the workload will definitely be closer to even. And I would certainly hope that Schneider will not ask for a trade and that he will sign an extension in time seeing how the devils gave Vancouver their first rounder this year and don't have one next year.

sign raymond and brunner.

re-sign henrique.

package josefson & d for trade. maybe picks?

i mean... that's what i would do.
- AkA

Perfect! Would like to get something other than picks though, to fill the void of JJ being traded. Bottom guy maybe.

I think Brunner would be a good addition, the money is high, but like you said a two year deal is fine if it's $3 million. Ryder wouldn't even compare to Datsyuk or Zetterberg, but say ten years ago, I'd say Elias was as good or better than Zetterberg, but not now. I like Phaneuff, but his cap is 6.5 and we'd be in the same shot as if Kovy was still here, if we signed him for less next year I wouldn't mind it, but he probably won't get that much less if he does. Schneider, 30-40 games. If Brodeur is struggling but in Schneider, not point in keeping a guy in that is having difficultly stopping the puck, like Hedberg last year.
- Devils9503

If were going for it in free agency next year, it would be for Vanek, not Phaneuff.

If were going for it in free agency next year, it would be for Vanek, not Phaneuff.
- willschulme

I know. I was just making a point that if we were to go after him would be for less, not 6.5 million.

Why are the Devils fans praising Lamoriello?
No good prospects in the system, no first round pick (which will be lottery), no stars left on the team. Genius Lou? Hardly.

Why are the Devils fans praising Lamoriello?
No good prospects in the system, no first round pick (which will be lottery), no stars left on the team. Genius Lou? Hardly.
- StargateSG1

We'll see when next season rolls around, just like the wings you just can't count the devils out no matter what

Why are the Devils fans praising Lamoriello?
No good prospects in the system, no first round pick (which will be lottery), no stars left on the team. Genius Lou? Hardly.
- StargateSG1

Who are you again?

Who are you again?
- bobert836

kovalchuks wife

kovalchuks wife
- Jurco_28

Would explain a few things

Why are the Devils fans praising Lamoriello?
No good prospects in the system, no first round pick (which will be lottery), no stars left on the team. Genius Lou? Hardly.
- StargateSG1

I wouldn't say praising but if you look at it seriously, the Devils don't have the backing of the community or fans (the ones they have though are very loyal) like your Detroit's Hockey Town, they have ownership problems and NJ isn't always the biggest draw for free-agents unless they overpay, they are usually drafting late in the 1st round and yet they are the 2nd most successful franchise in hockey only behind your Detroit Redwings since 1990 (winning %, cups and cup appearances). Not bad but I'm sure we all can do better.

Roger Mussa: Uncle Lou's next move
- Devils Advocate

Please no hemsky

Are the Devil's still thinking about selling the franchise? Or did gietting rid of Kovy make that a non-issue. If that is the case then bringing in new UFAs for the same $$ doesn't make sense. I feel bad for this storied and respected franchise (being completely serious even though I am a Flyers fan). They are in a bad place after the Kovy situation with assets and $$.


In all seriousness, IF the Devils relocated. What team would Dev's fans route for? NYR since most are closest to this location? The new area that the team would be relocated to? The best team the following year that is geographically close (ie. PHI, NRY, or NYI)?
- coffee junkie

Devils aren't relocating, retard.

Devils aren't relocating, retard.
- shvingter88

Man, it never ends. We should just give in. Quebec here we come!

Devils aren't relocating, retard.
- shvingter88

Wait, you're saying the NY Post was lying?

I don't see how a 2year 6 million deal is "expensive" for Brunner. Sure he's unproven, but 3 million is hardly top six money. He should have no time getting ice time either. And he's not as streaky as some would believe. His longest pointless streak was 4 games.

I wouldn't say praising but if you look at it seriously, the Devils don't have the backing of the community or fans (the ones they have though are very loyal) like your Detroit's Hockey Town, they have ownership problems and NJ isn't always the biggest draw for free-agents unless they overpay, they are usually drafting late in the 1st round and yet they are the 2nd most successful franchise in hockey only behind your Detroit Redwings since 1990 (winning %, cups and cup appearances). Not bad but I'm sure we all can do better.
- Gambi99

On top of that, its not easy building a contender when your drafting in the 20s every year.

On top of that, its not easy building a contender when your drafting in the 20s every year.
- rmdevil313

Precisely. Plus I never liked the whole "who would want to play in NJ" crap. I moved down here but I would gladly live in Cherry Hill amongst other places. Besides, Manhattan is a 15 min Path Train ride away. No logic at all in that statement.

Like you said, drafting 20-30 for practically 12 straight years, it's rather hard to build youth for the 12 following years and further.

Precisely. Plus I never liked the whole "who would want to play in NJ" crap. I moved down here but I would gladly live in Cherry Hill amongst other places. Besides, Manhattan is a 15 min Path Train ride away. No logic at all in that statement.

Like you said, drafting 20-30 for practically 12 straight years, it's rather hard to build youth for the 12 following years and further.
- FloridianDevil

Yup. Cherry hill is more philly area, but the point is the same. Last time I hear, NJ has the most millionaires per capita. There are great prep schools and great sports programs throughout the state. Its right next to NYC and a player can even live there if they choose. Its not 60 degrees when you wake up every morning but the weather isn't unbearable.

Our prospect situation is blown out of proportion too. Our goalie prospects are solid with Wedge and Kinkaid. No blue chipper there, but hopefully we won't need one for a while. Our D is really solid, with Merrill, Severson, and Santini all seem to have high ceilings not to mention Larsson already on the roster. Up front we are pretty thin but Boucher and Mattau are both solid and Pietila should be a good checker. Its a bit early to tell from this years draft but this Myles Bell guy could be a late round gem if his head is in the right place. Our center prospects are basically empty, but like goaltending, hopefully we won't need one for a while. It just looks a lot worse because we lost Kovy and don't have a true blue chipper up front.

Yup. Cherry hill is more philly area, but the point is the same. Last time I hear, NJ has the most millionaires per capita. There are great prep schools and great sports programs throughout the state. Its right next to NYC and a player can even live there if they choose. Its not 60 degrees when you wake up every morning but the weather isn't unbearable.

Our prospect situation is blown out of proportion too. Our goalie prospects are solid with Wedge and Kinkaid. No blue chipper there, but hopefully we won't need one for a while. Our D is really solid, with Merrill, Severson, and Santini all seem to have high ceilings not to mention Larsson already on the roster. Up front we are pretty thin but Boucher and Mattau are both solid and Pietila should be a good checker. Its a bit early to tell from this years draft but this Myles Bell guy could be a late round gem if his head is in the right place. Our center prospects are basically empty, but like goaltending, hopefully we won't need one for a while. It just looks a lot worse because we lost Kovy and don't have a true blue chipper up front.
- rmdevil313

Well, Wedgewood might become something spectacular. But if Schneider is the goalie of the future, we could trade Wedgewood and get something back.

Also, Jersey has the most number of diners not just per capita but total. That's a selling point.

Yup. Cherry hill is more philly area, but the point is the same. Last time I hear, NJ has the most millionaires per capita. There are great prep schools and great sports programs throughout the state. Its right next to NYC and a player can even live there if they choose. Its not 60 degrees when you wake up every morning but the weather isn't unbearable.

Our prospect situation is blown out of proportion too. Our goalie prospects are solid with Wedge and Kinkaid. No blue chipper there, but hopefully we won't need one for a while. Our D is really solid, with Merrill, Severson, and Santini all seem to have high ceilings not to mention Larsson already on the roster. Up front we are pretty thin but Boucher and Mattau are both solid and Pietila should be a good checker. Its a bit early to tell from this years draft but this Myles Bell guy could be a late round gem if his head is in the right place. Our center prospects are basically empty, but like goaltending, hopefully we won't need one for a while. It just looks a lot worse because we lost Kovy and don't have a true blue chipper up front.
- rmdevil313

Yeah, but with how often they stay in the tri-state area the Hill isn't too far. Agreed on the prospect deal as well, just because we don't have a bunch of top ten picks our pool "sucks". Our D is set in my eyes. Offense is something we generally always lacked, but didn't really need with who we had on the blue line let alone that "fatso" in the crease.

Lou will likely stack up this season, hopefully grab Brunner and then a 1 year big name or more depending on the cost. Next year's FA class looks so, so amazing. Not like we won't have the cap space now. The huge matter is still not having that 1st rounder. Could just go and win the cup, right? Then it won't be a biggy!

Well, Wedgewood might become something spectacular. But if Schneider is the goalie of the future, we could trade Wedgewood and get something back.

Also, Jersey has the most number of diners not just per capita but total. That's a selling point.
- MrToast

Hope is Wedge ends up as what Cory was in Couver, but instead of doing what they did, we get the value for him a lot sooner, and a lot better than what we gave up for Schneider

The diners are the top draw!

Well, Wedgewood might become something spectacular. But if Schneider is the goalie of the future, we could trade Wedgewood and get something back.

Also, Jersey has the most number of diners not just per capita but total. That's a selling point.
- MrToast

Agreed on Wedge. Another good think is that we bought him a lot of time to develop. He can spend the appropriate time in Albany, and then learn the trade as a backup, and then be used as a tradechip or even surpass schneider in the future.

I'm trying to figure out why you would want Hemsky. He is a poor fit to the NJ system. If you take him, can I interest you in Matt Niskanen. He is younger, cheaper and somewhat plays defense.
- Oneonta Penguin

Hemsky is actually very defensively aware if you have watched him closely. The problem with him, which still might make him less than a fit for NJ, is he does not like to go into traffic areas to make plays and he is allergic to the corners.

Hemsky is actually very defensively aware if you have watched him closely. The problem with him, which still might make him less than a fit for NJ, is he does not like to go into traffic areas to make plays and he is allergic to the corners.
- BarryB1124

Should avoid at all costs. Biggest problem last season was the fact no one was ever in front to screen the goalie and just cause a disturbance. Perimeter shots all day long with no traffic it drove me crazy. We really need to establish a better net presence this season and crash the net with a lot more vigor. Wouldn't mind adding a winger with some size but that would probably mean sacrificing some speed. Tough call to make.

Because we can give away Volchenkov in the trade.
- willschulme

Really don't see the oilers being interested in Volchenkov. They have a younger, cheaper, healthier Volch in Smid.