Post by flojo888 (Devils GM) on Aug 25, 2011 12:48:40 GMT -5
In the midst of a troubled season, the New Jersey Devils are finding hope in looking to the future. Even after trading away their first before the season began to acquire Niklas Kronwall, the base of the team is set for the long run and looks to be a stable core.
Let's start the analysis with a blank roster:
And fill the Devil's players that they are very comfortable with.
Unlike most teams, the top 6 is filled with question marks while the bottom 6 is filled and comfortable. The defence is solid and will be filled up with free agents and a backup goaltender won't be hard to find.
Pieces available: Martin Havlat, Evgeni Dadonov, Jussi Jokinen, Andy Greene, Niklas Backstrom, Brian Gionta, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Niklas Hagman, Colin White, Bryce Salvador, Johan Hedberg.
While it's entirely possible the Devils may re-sign defencemen Andy Greene and Colin White and making a top 6 of
But it seems more likely the Devils will wait for UFA to get near so that the they can analyze what will be available.
A backup goaltender will be easy to come across, although the Devils may roll a combo with Backstrom and Lehner competing for the starters job.
The top 6 has been an interesting factor this season as neither line has put up big +/- numbers but the top line have scored at a decent pace. Currently the lineup is:
But it seems un-avoidable that changes will be made. A #1 center is still the big search, but with Nash and Havlat clicking it doesn't seem like the Devils will be willing to over-pay to acquire one.
Jokinen has rumoured to be a hot commodity, with a current offer consisting of a depth center and a young top 6 scoring winger on the table. This would, however, give them 5 top 6 wingers and a playmaking second line center. It would seem like a deal involving Gionta or Havlat for a center is what the Devils are searching for.
Another factor the Devils will be looking for is size on the second line, using either Dadonov or Bouchard as trade bait to add it.
This means that the Devils will be looking to roll a top 6 of this format:
And hopefully it will lead to a more balanced and successful season for the top 6 group!
Let's start the analysis with a blank roster:
? - ? - ?
? - ? - ?
? - ? - ?
? - ? - ?
? - ?
? - ?
? - ?
?
?
? - ? - ?
? - ? - ?
? - ? - ?
? - ?
? - ?
? - ?
?
?
And fill the Devil's players that they are very comfortable with.
Nash - ? - ?
? - ? - ?
Letestu - Colborne - Clarkson
(Sjostrom) - Novotny - Moen
Hedman - Kronwall
Larsson - ?
Merrill - ?
Lashoff
Lehner
?
? - ? - ?
Letestu - Colborne - Clarkson
(Sjostrom) - Novotny - Moen
Hedman - Kronwall
Larsson - ?
Merrill - ?
Lashoff
Lehner
?
Unlike most teams, the top 6 is filled with question marks while the bottom 6 is filled and comfortable. The defence is solid and will be filled up with free agents and a backup goaltender won't be hard to find.
Pieces available: Martin Havlat, Evgeni Dadonov, Jussi Jokinen, Andy Greene, Niklas Backstrom, Brian Gionta, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Niklas Hagman, Colin White, Bryce Salvador, Johan Hedberg.
While it's entirely possible the Devils may re-sign defencemen Andy Greene and Colin White and making a top 6 of
Hedman-Kronwall
Larsson-Greene
Merrill-White
Larsson-Greene
Merrill-White
But it seems more likely the Devils will wait for UFA to get near so that the they can analyze what will be available.
A backup goaltender will be easy to come across, although the Devils may roll a combo with Backstrom and Lehner competing for the starters job.
The top 6 has been an interesting factor this season as neither line has put up big +/- numbers but the top line have scored at a decent pace. Currently the lineup is:
Nash-Jokinen-Havlat
Dadonov-Bouchard-Gionta
Dadonov-Bouchard-Gionta
But it seems un-avoidable that changes will be made. A #1 center is still the big search, but with Nash and Havlat clicking it doesn't seem like the Devils will be willing to over-pay to acquire one.
Jokinen has rumoured to be a hot commodity, with a current offer consisting of a depth center and a young top 6 scoring winger on the table. This would, however, give them 5 top 6 wingers and a playmaking second line center. It would seem like a deal involving Gionta or Havlat for a center is what the Devils are searching for.
Another factor the Devils will be looking for is size on the second line, using either Dadonov or Bouchard as trade bait to add it.
This means that the Devils will be looking to roll a top 6 of this format:
Nash-~80 offense center-Havlat/Gionta
Dadonov/Bouchard-Sizeable ~76 offense 2nd liner-Young scoring winger
Dadonov/Bouchard-Sizeable ~76 offense 2nd liner-Young scoring winger
And hopefully it will lead to a more balanced and successful season for the top 6 group!