Post by flojo888 (Devils GM) on Aug 10, 2011 6:16:59 GMT -5
Amid a flurry of activity in the New Jersey Devils organization, they biggest move was to add a new General Manager to the mix.
GM Flo Jo was signed to a flexible contract that will be kept undisclosed, and immediately made his first move by adding a 23 year old Evgeni Dadonov to the mix, trading away Paul Gaustad and a 4th round pick to acquire him.
The new general manager was quoted on the trade, saying he "felt the basis for a trade was there, it just had to be acted upon. Joe Colborne is ready to move up into the big leagues. We have incredible depth on the right wing, a solid and developing defensive core, and multiple goaltenders in this organization. We felt that we wanted to add a top 6 winger to the mix, and Dadonov gives us that aspect while also having the ability to move throughout the lineup and organization. We see him as a talented young forward that can fit on the 2nd and 3rd line."
When asked to analyze his current roster, he responded with a breakdown:
"What can I say, I look around the league and I can see that there are some dangerous teams out there. What I want is to have a team that can compete, a team that is balanced and efficient. We have three dynamic forwards in Martin Havlat, Loui Eriksson, and Mike Ribiero who are supported by the likes of Dainius Zubrus, Kristian Huselius, David Clarkson, and the newly acquired Dadonov. While not the youngest of forwards, we feel they can be a good group of efficient scorers.
Then theres a defence core that centers around developing stud duo defencemen Adam Larsson and Victor Hedman. These are two possible future franchise d-men, who have the likes of Jon Merrill and Jared Cowen developing behind them. Throw in the veterans Chris Phillips, Bryce Salvador, and Colin White and theres a very solid and deep group there. Our current priority is talking to Andy Greene's camp about a contract, we are currently considering our options and have reached out to them.
Our goaltending is solid, with Martin Brodeur, Ilya Bryzgalov, and Robin Lehner in the system. We feel comfortable with these goalies."
Lastly, he responded when asked what types of moves he would like to make.
"Obviously, we want to improve. We have about 11 million in cap space, and we have lots of pieces. We're definitely looking to add some more dynamic talent in our top 6, but the fact is we're not going to trade away Adam Larsson or Victor Hedman. It's not going to happen. There are more players that I may not be willing to part with, but these two are going to be our Swedish Twins. We're comfortable in taking time with our players and our team, and letting everything develop. Our biggest need is more skill up front, and I'll be looking to see what's available in the coming days. It may be possible we'll try to upgrade our talent in the bottom half of our defence core."
In conclusion, it's clear that the new General Manager isn't going to sweep the house clean. It's going to be a matter of upgrading his team to a point of contention as opposed to ripping it down and building it back up.
With the players currently under contract, this is what it looks like the line-up will be:
Kristian Huselius - Mike Ribiero - Loui Eriksson
Evgeni Dadonov - Dainius Zubrus - Martin Havlat
Patrick Thorensen - Joe Colborne - David Clarkson
? - ? - ?
Victor Hedman - Chris Phillips
Adam Larsson - ?
Jared Cowen - Bryce Salvador
Ilya Bryzgalov
Johan Hedberg
GM Flo Jo was signed to a flexible contract that will be kept undisclosed, and immediately made his first move by adding a 23 year old Evgeni Dadonov to the mix, trading away Paul Gaustad and a 4th round pick to acquire him.
The new general manager was quoted on the trade, saying he "felt the basis for a trade was there, it just had to be acted upon. Joe Colborne is ready to move up into the big leagues. We have incredible depth on the right wing, a solid and developing defensive core, and multiple goaltenders in this organization. We felt that we wanted to add a top 6 winger to the mix, and Dadonov gives us that aspect while also having the ability to move throughout the lineup and organization. We see him as a talented young forward that can fit on the 2nd and 3rd line."
When asked to analyze his current roster, he responded with a breakdown:
"What can I say, I look around the league and I can see that there are some dangerous teams out there. What I want is to have a team that can compete, a team that is balanced and efficient. We have three dynamic forwards in Martin Havlat, Loui Eriksson, and Mike Ribiero who are supported by the likes of Dainius Zubrus, Kristian Huselius, David Clarkson, and the newly acquired Dadonov. While not the youngest of forwards, we feel they can be a good group of efficient scorers.
Then theres a defence core that centers around developing stud duo defencemen Adam Larsson and Victor Hedman. These are two possible future franchise d-men, who have the likes of Jon Merrill and Jared Cowen developing behind them. Throw in the veterans Chris Phillips, Bryce Salvador, and Colin White and theres a very solid and deep group there. Our current priority is talking to Andy Greene's camp about a contract, we are currently considering our options and have reached out to them.
Our goaltending is solid, with Martin Brodeur, Ilya Bryzgalov, and Robin Lehner in the system. We feel comfortable with these goalies."
Lastly, he responded when asked what types of moves he would like to make.
"Obviously, we want to improve. We have about 11 million in cap space, and we have lots of pieces. We're definitely looking to add some more dynamic talent in our top 6, but the fact is we're not going to trade away Adam Larsson or Victor Hedman. It's not going to happen. There are more players that I may not be willing to part with, but these two are going to be our Swedish Twins. We're comfortable in taking time with our players and our team, and letting everything develop. Our biggest need is more skill up front, and I'll be looking to see what's available in the coming days. It may be possible we'll try to upgrade our talent in the bottom half of our defence core."
In conclusion, it's clear that the new General Manager isn't going to sweep the house clean. It's going to be a matter of upgrading his team to a point of contention as opposed to ripping it down and building it back up.
With the players currently under contract, this is what it looks like the line-up will be:
Kristian Huselius - Mike Ribiero - Loui Eriksson
Evgeni Dadonov - Dainius Zubrus - Martin Havlat
Patrick Thorensen - Joe Colborne - David Clarkson
? - ? - ?
Victor Hedman - Chris Phillips
Adam Larsson - ?
Jared Cowen - Bryce Salvador
Ilya Bryzgalov
Johan Hedberg