hemsky wasn't THE problem.. but he was part of the problem.

Just hoping he goes to a good home. He's always always loved the idea of playing with Jagr so that could be going well for you.

This is coming from a bottom of the barrel team so don't take too much offense to it. I hope Hemsky signs with a better team. Nothing against you guys, but I really want him to sign with a contender and get a cup
- CrustyRooster

You right and no offense taken. The Devils should be trying to unload some of their veterans instead of bringing more in. Problem is Lou will never "rebuild" and there is not much value in our veterans who can be traded. The ones who have value have NTC's or NMC's.

Todd Cordell: Targeting Ales Hemsky
- Todd.Cordell

Edmonton didn't hold Hemsky back he was the focal point of their offence for years. His constant injuries and inconsistent pay is what held him back. Not to mention that he had more of less mentally checked out over the past two seasons.

Cant seem to find a hockey site that tracks shootout stats for teams but a forward with skills in the shootout should be one of our biggest priorties as our shootout losses cost us a playoff spot last year.. Hemsky would be a nice addition but shouldnt be the only one.

Edmonton didn't hold Hemsky back he was the focal point of their offence for years. His constant injuries and inconsistent pay is what held him back. Not to mention that he had more of less mentally checked out over the past two seasons.
- Reveen

Agreed.

I'd be happy if we got him. It's not the only move I think we should make, but it's definitely a good move. He's worth 4-5mil.

Your right, he actually has offensive skill....Devils seem to perfer defensive
- Gambi99

He needs to play more like gionta

Ruutu, Zubrus, Clowe, Ryder, Brunner, Carter, Gionta, Josefson, Bernier...
so much mish mash. They're all decent, but they're all meh. Some have great qualities, some have lack luster qualities.

Ruutu, Zubrus, Clowe, Ryder, Brunner, Carter, Gionta, Josefson, Bernier...
so much mish mash. They're all decent, but they're all meh. Some have great qualities, some have lack luster qualities.
- MartysBetter88

Bernier's dead in the water.

Edmonton didn't hold Hemsky back he was the focal point of their offence for years. His constant injuries and inconsistent pay is what held him back. Not to mention that he had more of less mentally checked out over the past two seasons.
- Reveen

Correct.

Edmonton didn't hold Hemsky back he was the focal point of their offence for years. His constant injuries and inconsistent pay is what held him back. Not to mention that he had more of less mentally checked out over the past two seasons.
- Reveen

Agree with this, which is why it was so annoying when Edmonton fans were expecting teams to line up for him at the deadline. "easily a 1st or a 2nd with a roster player".

That Clouts dingus kept pushing the Hemsky for Stastny trade for a solid 2 years.

He's going to get his 4 year $20 mill deal from someone. It's not going to be Ottawa. I would imagine he wants to go to a true contender. He's been loosing for soooo long.
The guy hasn't played playoff hockey in what.. 7 years ??

He's going to get his 4 year $20 mill deal from someone. It's not going to be Ottawa. I would imagine he wants to go to a true contender. He's been loosing for soooo long.
The guy hasn't played playoff hockey in what.. 7 years ??
- Erik6Karlsson5

I don't think a contender would pay him that. He'd only get that from a middle of the road team. He'd have to take a paycut to play somewhere decent.

I agree Ryder should be traded, not because he's horrible like some Devil fans think, but because of his contract he's probably the only veteran devil worth the money he's making (1yr-3.5mil)...others like Zubrus (2yrs-3.1mil), Ruutu (2yrs-3.8mil), Zajac(7yrs-5.75) and Clowe(4yrs-4.85) are untradeable because of contracts and Elias has a NMC. Brunner could be another but the Devils do need some speed on their team. ....another thing is what do we do if Boucher is ready or any other young forward we have in the minors (Matteau?)....Lou needs to free some spots up here.
- Gambi99

EDM would happily take Zajac and run with him

Edmonton didn't hold Hemsky back he was the focal point of their offence for years. His constant injuries and inconsistent pay is what held him back. Not to mention that he had more of less mentally checked out over the past two seasons.
- Reveen

Was there someone on the team that hadn't? Kinda starts to wear on you when your team comes last place in the league for several years in a row

EDM would happily take Zajac and run with him
- TheNugeIsHuge

Yeah I don't see Zajac's contract as unmovable as much as the others do. I love him as a #1 center. If he had two really good wingers, he'd get 70 and be a +30 in the process.

Yeah I don't see Zajac's contract as unmovable as much as the others do. I love him as a #1 center. If he had two really good wingers, he'd get 70 and be a +30 in the process.
- archromat

I don't know about 30+, he did have Parise and Kovy, but I agree with the rest. If we were to trade him the odds of getting a center as good as him in his around game would be pretty slim.

Edit: The only players better than him all around are superstars like Kopitar, Crosby, Malkin, etc. And of you look at most superstar center, they are still not as good faceoff percentage than him.

Ruutu, Zubrus, Clowe, Ryder, Brunner, Carter, Gionta, Josefson, Bernier...
so much mish mash. They're all decent, but they're all meh. Some have great qualities, some have lack luster qualities.
- MartysBetter88

New Jersey's offense baffles me, all these players mentioned are , except a certain few. There's no real firepower like in the old days of Parise and Kovalchuk.

I don't know about 30+, he did have Parise and Kovy, but I agree with the rest. If we were to trade him the odds of getting a center as good as him in his around game would be pretty slim.

Edit: The only players better than him all around are superstars like Kopitar, Crosby, Malkin, etc. And of you look at most superstar center, they are still not as good faceoff percentage than him.
- Devils9503

blah. he never meshed with Kovy. he did a little bit later on, but it wasn't very dynamic. ZZPops was a pretty awesome line. I think he's a 20g, 40a, +15 center with the right wingers. That seems to be his average. Keep in mind he goes up against top competition regularly, and sees defensive zone starts. I'm sure Todd could find stats for that, I'd be curious what the O/D zone starts and quality of competition were for the last 3 seasons.

Agree with this, which is why it was so annoying when Edmonton fans were expecting teams to line up for him at the deadline. "easily a 1st or a 2nd with a roster player".

That Clouts dingus kept pushing the Hemsky for Stastny trade for a solid 2 years.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Do thinks Clouts' opinion was in line with most Oilers fans?

New Jersey's offense baffles me, all these players mentioned are , except a certain few. There's no real firepower like in the old days of Parise and Kovalchuk.
- TheCalSen

very true. you will not find "firepower" with that group. I like Clowe in the right role when healthy. I like Ruutu when he comes to play. I really like Carter as a 4th liner. Zubrus is showing his age, but I'd like him as a 3rd line winger. They all could potentially be role players on any team. But a team made of role players, 2 veteran Czechs, a 2-way center and up and coming 60pt center isn't enough to win a Cup. Cup winning teams have a Getzlaf, a Perry, a Toews/Kane. A Kopitar/Gaborik/Carter. A Seguin/Bergeron/Krejci, Crosby/Malkin, Datsyuk/Zetterberg.. REAL offensive players. Firepower. We need firepower.

very true. you will not find "firepower" with that group. I like Clowe in the right role when healthy. I like Ruutu when he comes to play. I really like Carter as a 4th liner. Zubrus is showing his age, but I'd like him as a 3rd line winger. They all could potentially be role players on any team. But a team made of role players, 2 veteran Czechs, a 2-way center and up and coming 60pt center isn't enough to win a Cup. Cup winning teams have a Getzlaf, a Perry, a Toews/Kane. A Kopitar/Gaborik/Carter. A Seguin/Bergeron/Krejci, Crosby/Malkin, Datsyuk/Zetterberg.. REAL offensive players. Firepower. We need firepower.
- MartysBetter88

Or dominance (guys who get +25 or higher).

You are correct... we need a true first line. It's tricky for Jersey.

That's why I'm scoffing at picking up 2nd liners. The org's next goal is to find/elect a good first line winger. I don't care if he's a PPG player, I care if he and Zajac can become a +20 or higher duo to give the Devils a dominant first line.

I don't want the Devils "to get better", I want them to get more valuable so that they can accrue the assets it takes to get the player that takes them to the top 5 in the league. Making the playoffs and getting our butt whooped by Boston isn't better than what's happening to us now. Their d and goaltending are practically there... just need that first line, now.

By the way, the O'Reilly situation is heating up.

Colorado has to qualify him at 6.5M/y (per McKenzie tweet)... which greatly affects the Stastny situation. If they don't want to pay him that much, they're going to move him and re-sign Stastny.

Like I said... I think O'Reilly gets traded.

By the way, the O'Reilly situation is heating up.

Colorado has to qualify him at 6.5M/y (per McKenzie tweet)... which greatly affects the Stastny situation. If they don't want to pay him that much, they're going to move him and re-sign Stastny.

Like I said... I think O'Reilly gets traded.
- archromat

We would be out bid by 20 other teams

By the way, the O'Reilly situation is heating up.

Colorado has to qualify him at 6.5M/y (per McKenzie tweet)... which greatly affects the Stastny situation. If they don't want to pay him that much, they're going to move him and re-sign Stastny.

Like I said... I think O'Reilly gets traded.
- archromat

Certainly not giving a "discount" is he?