I would to. But Larsson isn't worth Mackinnon right now. Larsson is also younger then both Gelinas and Merril by a full year. Merril is ok to me sure Larsson hasn't shown much in his first 2 seasons but in the little of this season he has played it looks like he has improved a lot in a short period of time. I still think Larrson will be the best of them all he has the potential it's about reaching it. Merril is nice but I think he will end up being a good 3/4 guy and I don't think anyone would complain about that. Gelinas likely has the highest league wide value of all of them right now but he could end up being a number 1 guy So do you risk trading him when he has been our best guy imo Greene has been the safest but next year Gelinas will be better then Greene just about in every aspect of the game and is 6'4 and mobile. I don't know what it is about Merril he is a good player and is smart with the puck but other then Pete liking him I don't see anything that makes me think he will be better then Larsson if Larsson hits his full potential. There where reasons why one guy was compared to having Lidstrom like hockey smarts and the other wasn't.
- blizzzard

I like both players, but I agree that Larrson may become the best out of them, but not under PDB, and that's the key, PDB. And Lou likes PDb a lot, I think if we brought Sutter or bring in someone like Laviotte, Larrson could be the player that he was drafted to be, but not under PDB is all I'm saying. Plus, for me, I haven't had a big enough sample of Merrill. to clearing trade him, not yet.

I like both players, but I agree that Larrson may become the best out of them, but not under PDB, and that's the key, PDB. And Lou likes PDb a lot, I think if we brought Sutter or bring in someone like Laviotte, Larrson could be the player that he was drafted to be, but not under PDB is all I'm saying. Plus, for me, I haven't had a big enough sample of Merrill. to clearing trade him, not yet.
- Devils9503

I don't like Lavy and don't think his coaching is suited for this franchise. Sutter would be great I liked him when he was here and he has done well with kids before. Sutter is more about everyone playing their games instead of making everyone try to play his game. Pete is forcing guys who will never be able to play his way to play a cycle and board play type of game instead of letting them play there way and be useful.

I mean to me constantly cycling the puck is great. It pins the other team in their end makes them work hard and tires them out but that is all we do is cycle and cycle and cycle and hardly come out of the cycle and attack. Jagr did it for a few games and got rewarded with goals but it seems now they just do it for a whole shift and nothing else so our possesion numbers are great but nothing really happened other then Jagr Zajac and Zubrus putting on a keep away clinic.

Got to think to just because Pete likes someone doesn't mean a whole lot for the long term. Are we going to move a guy we took with our highest draft pick since Neidermayer because Deboer doesn't like him ? I don't think so. I think Deboer is walking a pretty tight line this year and will be under even more pressure next Year I find it hard to believe he will be coach in 3 years when Larsson is 24 and coming right into his prime. Defense tend to look grreat then take use steps backwards then in a few years slowly climb back up until they hit 24-25 and then explode into forces. For that reason alone I would hold on to Larsson first, Gelinas second and then Merril and Severson followed by Santini. I would trade any of these guys for the right return though but right now none are worth Mackinnon right now and all of them could take a huge step backwards next year so a team isn't going to trade a Mackinnon for anything but a player that is done going through growing pains and is completely ready to take over games on the back end.
- blizzzard

True, but your relying on his potential in say three years, same thing with MacKinnon. May look really good up front, but he not lighting up goalie, 25 gp, 5 g, 16 points. That nice production, but not Crosby. So, I thing even Merrill maybe with a pick or player depending on who it is could possibly get MacKinnon.

I would to. But Larsson isn't worth Mackinnon right now. Larsson is also younger then both Gelinas and Merril by a full year. Merril is ok to me sure Larsson hasn't shown much in his first 2 seasons but in the little of this season he has played it looks like he has improved a lot in a short period of time. I still think Larrson will be the best of them all he has the potential it's about reaching it. Merril is nice but I think he will end up being a good 3/4 guy and I don't think anyone would complain about that. Gelinas likely has the highest league wide value of all of them right now but he could end up being a number 1 guy So do you risk trading him when he has been our best guy imo Greene has been the safest but next year Gelinas will be better then Greene just about in every aspect of the game and is 6'4 and mobile. I don't know what it is about Merril he is a good player and is smart with the puck but other then Pete liking him I don't see anything that makes me think he will be better then Larsson if Larsson hits his full potential. There where reasons why one guy was compared to having Lidstrom like hockey smarts and the other wasn't.
- blizzzard

Yeah i agree Mackinnon is worth more than Larsson. The only reason i think Merrill will be better is because after he finished his junior year in college he went right to playing in Albany. With not having much pro experience he seems to be transitioning to the pro level pretty quickly. Plus he's logging some significant minutes already and getting PP time as well.
In a perfect world i would love if we kept all three for many years, but it seems evident we may have to move one of them for a goal scorer.

I mean to me constantly cycling the puck is great. It pins the other team in their end makes them work hard and tires them out but that is all we do is cycle and cycle and cycle and hardly come out of the cycle and attack. Jagr did it for a few games and got rewarded with goals but it seems now they just do it for a whole shift and nothing else so our possesion numbers are great but nothing really happened other then Jagr Zajac and Zubrus putting on a keep away clinic.
- blizzzard

Exactly, because I think guys like Ryder and Brunner doesn't fit them. Hell, even Elias or Henrique don't really fit the system, they can do it, but that's about it is cycle. Elias' production is lower than we could of hoped, 6 g, 15 points in 21 gp. That's not bad, but Elias should have at least 10 goals and over 20 points. Henrique also, 6 g, 11 points, in 29 gp. That should be around 20-25 in points.

True, but your relying on his potential in say three years, same thing with MacKinnon. May look really good up front, but he not lighting up goalie, 25 gp, 5 g, 16 points. That nice production, but not Crosby. So, I thing even Merrill maybe with a pick or player depending on who it is could possibly get MacKinnon.
- Devils9503

THey passed over Seth Jones for him. That will be the bar that they set if they ever do trade MacKinnon.

True, but your relying on his potential in say three years, same thing with MacKinnon. May look really good up front, but he not lighting up goalie, 25 gp, 5 g, 16 points. That nice production, but not Crosby. So, I thing even Merrill maybe with a pick or player depending on who it is could possibly get MacKinnon.
- Devils9503

There are very few players who did what Crosby and Ovechkin did as a rookie. I don't think Merril or another player gets it done that is still amazing production for a rookie. That would put him 2nd on our team for points and if he played on our team he might have more points because he would be better then half our team. The thing about him is he has every tool needed to succeed. He was the best skater in the entire draft and has a decent frame ( not huge but solid ) with a never quit attitude on the ice. He will be a fanchise player also the only Crosby comparisions made about Nate and Crosby where that they both came from the same place and both took the same roots. McDavid is more similar to Crosby in skill and playing style.

Exactly, because I think guys like Ryder and Brunner doesn't fit them. Hell, even Elias or Henrique don't really fit the system, they can do it, but that's about it is cycle. Elias' production is lower than we could of hoped, 6 g, 15 points in 21 gp. That's not bad, but Elias should have at least 10 goals and over 20 points. Henrique also, 6 g, 11 points, in 29 gp. That should be around 20-25 in points.
- Devils9503

I think the lack of production is because we really only have 2 complete lines, our 1st and 4th. Peter Sykora put up 20 goals in this system so I don't see why Ryder or even Brunner couldn't.

I took a stab at the forwards lineup in 5 yearrs. This is what I came up with

______-Henrique-_______
Boucher-Zajac-_________
______-Kujawinski-Matteau
______-_______-_______

THey passed over Seth Jones for him. That will be the bar that they set if they ever do trade MacKinnon.
- rmdevil313

It really does suck that the change the lotery pick rules after we won the lottery we could of had Nuge. Not that he would of developed any better but at the time he wouldn't of been thrown into the fire at 165 lbs and likely would have developed similar to Seguin because Boston was deep they could protect him but Edmonton didn't have the forward depth so Hall is now imo a little behind Seguin in developing so I think had we got Nuge he would of had an easier path and likely would of spent the year in jr instead of the NHL because we had Parise and Kovlachuk and Henrique Elias and Zajac

I think the lack of production is because we really only have 2 complete lines, our 1st and 4th. Peter Sykora put up 20 goals in this system so I don't see why Ryder or even Brunner couldn't.
- rmdevil313

True, but he did score quite a few off the faceoff, we can't even do that. We cycle than pass it to the point and than some dumb@$$ like Zid, shots it into the defender.

I would to. But Larsson isn't worth Mackinnon right now. Larsson is also younger then both Gelinas and Merril by a full year. Merril is ok to me sure Larsson hasn't shown much in his first 2 seasons but in the little of this season he has played it looks like he has improved a lot in a short period of time. I still think Larrson will be the best of them all he has the potential it's about reaching it. Merril is nice but I think he will end up being a good 3/4 guy and I don't think anyone would complain about that. Gelinas likely has the highest league wide value of all of them right now but he could end up being a number 1 guy So do you risk trading him when he has been our best guy imo Greene has been the safest but next year Gelinas will be better then Greene just about in every aspect of the game and is 6'4 and mobile. I don't know what it is about Merril he is a good player and is smart with the puck but other then Pete liking him I don't see anything that makes me think he will be better then Larsson if Larsson hits his full potential. There where reasons why one guy was compared to having Lidstrom like hockey smarts and the other wasn't.
- blizzzard

I don't think Gelinas will be better defensively than Greene next season. Andy is our #1, the guy plays 25mins+ a game and doesn't make mistakes.

I took a stab at the forwards lineup in 5 yearrs. This is what I came up with

______-Henrique-_______
Boucher-Zajac-_________
______-Kujawinski-Matteau
______-_______-_______
- Twist

Clowe

Todd here is a question for ya. I thought the refs were terrible last night. I normally do not criticize refs but I thought there should have been more penalties called on the Habs. On the game tying goal Elias gets taken down by PK. I felt like there should have definitely been a penalty called on the play. What do you think?

I don't think Gelinas will be better defensively than Greene next season. Andy is our #1, the guy plays 25mins+ a game and doesn't make mistakes.
- Rseen

Hard to say. Seems like Gelinas is developing quite fast and if he keeps going at this rate ( I do expect some hiccups along the way ) he should be pretty damn close and he is almost playing 20 minutes a night as a rookie I imagine if his play doesn't drop off at all the rest of this season he will be seeing close to 23 minutes a night next year. He also can pinch guys off at the boards a lot more effectively then Greene who sometimes lets guys slip by him because he doesn't take the body well enough. You seem to be Mr. Negative though eh ? all about the old guard of Marty Brodeur and and every other long time Devil. Everytime someone says something bad about them you seem to take offense to it.

Yeah i agree Mackinnon is worth more than Larsson. The only reason i think Merrill will be better is because after he finished his junior year in college he went right to playing in Albany. With not having much pro experience he seems to be transitioning to the pro level pretty quickly. Plus he's logging some significant minutes already and getting PP time as well.
In a perfect world i would love if we kept all three for many years, but it seems evident we may have to move one of them for a goal scorer.
- FAZOOL

I think it comes down to who will give you the best return for what their potential ceiling is. Merrill and Gelinas are both safe prospects and while they might not turn out to be Shea Webers and Drew Doughty's, I think we'll be relying on both of them to play 20+ minutes a night. Larsson's a bit less certain. If he plays like he did before he got hurt then I'm sure he'll be terrific, perhaps an all star. But before Gelinas was called up, he really wasn't playing too well. Is Gelinas bringing his play up or is it Larsson finally showing his potential? I think teams look at Larsson being drafted 5th overall and value him a little more, so I'd trade him.

Clowe
- shvingter88

Early retirement due to concussions. Doesn't count. Plus, his contract ends in 4 years after this year. I'm not counting this year :D

I don't think Gelinas will be better defensively than Greene next season. Andy is our #1, the guy plays 25mins+ a game and doesn't make mistakes.
- Rseen

Greene's a great player to have to bring these young defensman along. Plays a very responsible game and can log a ton of minutes.

I think it comes down to who will give you the best return for what their potential ceiling is. Merrill and Gelinas are both safe prospects and while they might not turn out to be Shea Webers and Drew Doughty's, I think we'll be relying on both of them to play 20+ minutes a night. Larsson's a bit less certain. If he plays like he did before he got hurt then I'm sure he'll be terrific, perhaps an all star. But before Gelinas was called up, he really wasn't playing too well. Is Gelinas bringing his play up or is it Larsson finally showing his potential? I think teams look at Larsson being drafted 5th overall and value him a little more, so I'd trade him.
- rmdevil313

If we are talking legit superstar potential number one centers I trade him for sure to.

If we are talking legit superstar potential number one centers I trade him for sure to.
- blizzzard

I'd work a package around Larsson for Eberle, Kane, and even a guy like Strome.

Hard to say. Seems like Gelinas is developing quite fast and if he keeps going at this rate ( I do expect some hiccups along the way ) he should be pretty damn close and he is almost playing 20 minutes a night as a rookie I imagine if his play doesn't drop off at all the rest of this season he will be seeing close to 23 minutes a night next year. He also can pinch guys off at the boards a lot more effectively then Greene who sometimes lets guys slip by him because he doesn't take the body well enough. You seem to be Mr. Negative though eh ? all about the old guard of Marty Brodeur and and every other long time Devil. Everytime someone says something bad about them you seem to take offense to it.
- blizzzard

I'm just being real. Greene played 5 outa 6 minutes of the pk from yesterday's game. Gelinas played none. He also used to be a forward. When do you see Greene ever making mistakes? Right now defensively they aren't even close. I think Gelinas will improve, but to say he will be better than Greene in a year is just over-hyping the guy. I don't take offence to comments against Marty or long time Devils, just the comments that are stupid annoy me. You do a pretty good job with perfecting the dumb comments.

I'd work a package around Larsson for Eberle, Kane, and even a guy like Strome.
- rmdevil313

I wouldn't move him for a guy not playing in the NHL. Strome is nice but he hasn't done jack poop at the NHL level and for what he was hyped to be you would of thought he wouldn't have needed that extra year of Jr. I would include him plus something else for someone like Barkov or Mackinnon or another young center who is playing in the NHL and looking promising. To me if you Trade Larsson for Strome you are taking a step back by trading a guy who might finally being coming into his own at the NHL level for a guy you need to groom at the NHL level. Huberdou is another guy but I would offer Merril or Severson for Strome but not Gelinas or Larsson.

Hard to say. Seems like Gelinas is developing quite fast and if he keeps going at this rate ( I do expect some hiccups along the way ) he should be pretty damn close and he is almost playing 20 minutes a night as a rookie I imagine if his play doesn't drop off at all the rest of this season he will be seeing close to 23 minutes a night next year. He also can pinch guys off at the boards a lot more effectively then Greene who sometimes lets guys slip by him because he doesn't take the body well enough. You seem to be Mr. Negative though eh ? all about the old guard of Marty Brodeur and and every other long time Devil. Everytime someone says something bad about them you seem to take offense to it.
- blizzzard

I think Gelinas still has a lot of room to improve. When he's 25 we'll start to see his full potential. But as of now he still makes quite a few defensive errors, although he is usually good at recovering.

I'm just being real. Greene played 5 outa 6 minutes of the pk from yesterday's game. Gelinas played none. He also used to be a forward. When do you see Greene ever making mistakes? Right now defensively they aren't even close. I think Gelinas will improve, but to say he will be better than Greene in a year is just over-hyping the guy. I don't take offence to comments against Marty or long time Devils, just the comments that are stupid annoy me. You do a pretty good job with dumb comments.
- Rseen

whatever dude Everyone has their fair share of stupid comments including you