Monday night’s game against the Nashville Predators marks the debut of Brendan Shanahan. It also marks a critical point in the season where head coach Brent Sutter must decide who to push off the carousal that will become the back two lines of the line up.
There is no question, Shanahan needs to be in the line up. The Devils need the help on the second power play unit, even with Rolston and Clarkson beginning to show productivity while on this road trip. Shanahan brings experience and skill to hopefully make both units equally dangerous.
Sure questions linger with brining in Shanahan. At 40, it can be wondered how effective Shanahan will be. Health and durability at that age can always become suspect. Which is why the Devils need to hold off on making any trades until they can effectively gauge Shanahan’s contribution.
The question, when that time comes, is who to move.
Jay Pandolfo and John Madden have been the most frequent names kicked around. Brian Gionta’s name was also tossed around earlier in the season. Mike Rupp has also been suggested as being the one who should be sitting to make room for Shanahan.
Jay Pandolfo just signed a contract extension over the offseason for 3 years/$2.5 million a season. With the new contract, it was assumed Pando would be able to keep his effectiveness from last season. But his productivity, as well as role, have both diminished significantly this year. Sutter’s new offensive-based system seems to be paying off dividends in the win column but has also diminished the need for a line dedicated to shadowing the opposing teams’ top lines.
The new system has also taken a toll on Madden, who is arguably one of the best defensive forwards currently playing in the NHL. His has a high value for teams who need to secure up a defensive line but his offensive abilities have been lacking, amassing a mere 14 points in 39 games, split up due to missing time because of an ankle injury and a bout with the flu. Madden has also suffered one of the longest goal droughts in his career with a 20 game skid, his longest being 29. It is very clear at this point, being a shadow to an opposing team’s top scorer even a role on the devils anymore as they currently sit 10th overall in scoring, and 5th in goals against, entering the Nashville game.
There has been speculation in news papers in New Jersey that Mike Rupp will not only lose playing time, but also could be moved from the team. Don’t believe it. There is no reason to move Rupp, and they need a player like him on the team, someone who is not afraid to drop the gloves, or send a physical message to an opposing player. Bryce Salvador and Johnny Oduya have done their part at times, as has David Clarkson, but Rupp has been the most physical of the Devils. He is filling the role vacated when Colin White began donning a visor. Rupp will stay on the Devils, he may lose a game or two here and there to gauge who should stay out of Madden and Pandolfo, but I firmly believe he’ll be around for the season.
The wild-card who I think has the most potential to be traded is Brian Gionta. I think his trading value will skyrocket if he can keep his offensive streak going and Shanahan can be a solid offensive threat. If both of those hypothetical come to fruition, Gionta could be moved for a solid defenseman to sure up the defensive corps. Currently at 38 points, Gionta is on pace to reach his highest points total since he scored a Devils record 48 goals and racked up 89 points in 2005-2006. Shanahan has averaged nearly a point a game throughout his entire career and matching that offensive productivity could be reason enough to gamble on moving Gionta, who is in the final season of a four year, $4 million contract he signed following the 48 goal campaign.
Further changes will be coming to the Devils, the only variable at this point, is time. Shanahan’s role will be identified within the next few weeks [I say weeks only because they have a game Monday and then Wednesday vs. Montreal before reaching the all-star break] but I believe moves will come well before the trading deadline on March 4th.
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Showing posts with label Jay Pandolfo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jay Pandolfo. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2009
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Devils Off-Season Part 1
As of today, there are two weeks until the free agent frenzy begins. The Devils have 4 Restricted Free Agents and 6 remaining Unrestricted Free agents. Here’s a look into the class:
UPDATED 7/1: contract results are listed below player summary
RFA’s
David Clarkson – RW – ‘07-‘08 salary: $555,000 – This one’s a no-brainer. Clarkson is a solid defensive forward. He worked very well with John Madden and Jay Pandolfo during the season and the group was one of the high points in a dismal playoffs for the Devils. Lately, he has gained comparisons to the likes of John MacLean or even line mate John Madden.
Prediction: Re-sign @ $725,000/yr
Result: re-signed @ $837,500/yr
Olli Malmivaara – D – ’07-’08 salary: n/a – Malmivaara is a decent defenseman who spent all but 2 games in ‘07-‘08 campaign in Lowell. The 26 year old at 6’7” is a large presence at the blue line. The former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick was signed by the Devils to add depth in their minor league system.
Prediction: Re-signed to 2-way contract.
Rod Pelley – C – ’07-’08 salary: n/a – Pelley played four years at Ohio State University, graduating in 2006. The 24 year old spent most of last season [58 games] with the big club, registering 2 goals and 4 assists. Pelly is on the fast track of success with the Devils, as he has significant experience with the team in his first two season of professional hockey, the points just need to follow.
Prediction: Re-signed @ $475,000
Barry Tallackson – RW – ’07-’08 salary: n/a – The University of Minnesota product is still trying find a break in the Devils roster. He does not have significant time in the NHL, 16 games over three seasons, and his AHL numbers are mediocre, an average of just over 23 points a season. At 25, it is not unreasonable to think that if he is re-signed, it could be his last contract with the Devils.
Prediction: Re-signed to a 2 year, 2-way deal
UFA’s
Arron Asham – RW – ’07-’08 salary: $700,000 – For a quick fix, Asham made good of his chance with the Devils, playing in 77 games tallying 10 points and 82 penalty minutes. An inexpensive winger, but no better than 3rd line material, Asham fit well into the Devils’ system for this year but will most likely not return as there are viable candidates for his position in Lowell.
Prediction: not re-signed.
Result: No contract tendered
Noah Clarke – LW – ’07-’08 salary: n/a - The southern California native, and Los Angeles Kings outcast, Clarke scored a goal in his only game with the Devils last season against the Florida Panthers. He played 20 games over three seasons with the Kings, but did put up solid numbers , 14 goals 17 assists, in 47 games with Lowell.
Prediction: At age 29, if he’ll take a minor league deal, I’d give it to him, but I don’t see him being an asset with the NHL team.
Richard Matvichuk – D – ’07-’08 salary: $1,368,000 – When a back injury ended Matvichuk’s 06-07 campaign, few thought it would be the last game he would play with the Devils. But with a new coach, a new system, a conflict with GM Lou Lamoriello, and the Devils salary cap issues, Matvichuk found himself relegated to the minors. In a situation very similar to Dan McGillis, Matvichuk was looked upon to be a leader for the minor league relegation.
Prediction: This one is another no-brainer. Matvichuk will not be back on the Devils next year. The question is, at 35, will he find another team?
Jay Pandolfo – RW - ’07-’08 salary: $836,00 – Lifelong Devil who has been a reliable winger on both the checking line as well as the penalty kill, Pandolofo was limited to only 54 games in ‘07-‘08 due to a groin injury, but had not missed a single game in the previous 3 seasons. He has never been a scoring threat, tallying his first hat-trick last season versus Tampa Bay, but has the ability to stifle even the most prolific scorers that the opposition can throw at the Devils. His character is something the Devils are in desperate need of and his intangibles cannot be lost.
Prediction: Re-signed @ $1,250,000/year. In my opinion, Pando is a must keep player.
Result: Re-signed @ $2,500,000 for 3 years.
Karel Rachunek – D - ’07-’08 salary: $1,400,000 – Last season, the thinking on Rachunek was right price right time. Still feeling the sting of losing Brian Rafalski to the Detroit Red Wings, the Devils picked up Rachunek along with Vitali Vishnevski to help add veteran leadership to a seemingly inexperienced defensive core. Injuries and an over abundance of defensemen limited Rachnek’s playing time during the ‘07-‘08 campaign.
Prediction: Departing. Another victim of the new offensive system, Rachunek is guaranteed to be playing elsewhere in ‘08-’09.
Bryce Salvador – D - ’07-’08 salary: $1,500,000 – Acquired at the trade deadline from St. Louis for bruiser Cam Janssen. This move was made early in the day, and left Devils fans thinking that the team had more in the works. 3 pm rolled around and nothing, 4 pm and still nothing, after 5:30 they knew there was nothing else. Salvador was another veteran added to an already jam-packed blue line corps. I didn’t understand the move in March but didn’t mind it for the low asking price. Many people loved cam, but he had no real role in Sutter’s system.
Prediction: My head’s telling me he’s gone, but my heart has a strong feeling that Lou is sold on him and he’ll come back above his value. I’m seeing a $2,000,000/per deal on this one.
Result: Re-signed for over his value, as predicted, $2,900,000 for a ridiculous 4 year deal.
UPDATED 7/1: contract results are listed below player summary
RFA’s
David Clarkson – RW – ‘07-‘08 salary: $555,000 – This one’s a no-brainer. Clarkson is a solid defensive forward. He worked very well with John Madden and Jay Pandolfo during the season and the group was one of the high points in a dismal playoffs for the Devils. Lately, he has gained comparisons to the likes of John MacLean or even line mate John Madden.
Prediction: Re-sign @ $725,000/yr
Result: re-signed @ $837,500/yr
Olli Malmivaara – D – ’07-’08 salary: n/a – Malmivaara is a decent defenseman who spent all but 2 games in ‘07-‘08 campaign in Lowell. The 26 year old at 6’7” is a large presence at the blue line. The former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick was signed by the Devils to add depth in their minor league system.
Prediction: Re-signed to 2-way contract.
Rod Pelley – C – ’07-’08 salary: n/a – Pelley played four years at Ohio State University, graduating in 2006. The 24 year old spent most of last season [58 games] with the big club, registering 2 goals and 4 assists. Pelly is on the fast track of success with the Devils, as he has significant experience with the team in his first two season of professional hockey, the points just need to follow.
Prediction: Re-signed @ $475,000
Barry Tallackson – RW – ’07-’08 salary: n/a – The University of Minnesota product is still trying find a break in the Devils roster. He does not have significant time in the NHL, 16 games over three seasons, and his AHL numbers are mediocre, an average of just over 23 points a season. At 25, it is not unreasonable to think that if he is re-signed, it could be his last contract with the Devils.
Prediction: Re-signed to a 2 year, 2-way deal
UFA’s
Arron Asham – RW – ’07-’08 salary: $700,000 – For a quick fix, Asham made good of his chance with the Devils, playing in 77 games tallying 10 points and 82 penalty minutes. An inexpensive winger, but no better than 3rd line material, Asham fit well into the Devils’ system for this year but will most likely not return as there are viable candidates for his position in Lowell.
Prediction: not re-signed.
Result: No contract tendered
Noah Clarke – LW – ’07-’08 salary: n/a - The southern California native, and Los Angeles Kings outcast, Clarke scored a goal in his only game with the Devils last season against the Florida Panthers. He played 20 games over three seasons with the Kings, but did put up solid numbers , 14 goals 17 assists, in 47 games with Lowell.
Prediction: At age 29, if he’ll take a minor league deal, I’d give it to him, but I don’t see him being an asset with the NHL team.
Richard Matvichuk – D – ’07-’08 salary: $1,368,000 – When a back injury ended Matvichuk’s 06-07 campaign, few thought it would be the last game he would play with the Devils. But with a new coach, a new system, a conflict with GM Lou Lamoriello, and the Devils salary cap issues, Matvichuk found himself relegated to the minors. In a situation very similar to Dan McGillis, Matvichuk was looked upon to be a leader for the minor league relegation.
Prediction: This one is another no-brainer. Matvichuk will not be back on the Devils next year. The question is, at 35, will he find another team?
Jay Pandolfo – RW - ’07-’08 salary: $836,00 – Lifelong Devil who has been a reliable winger on both the checking line as well as the penalty kill, Pandolofo was limited to only 54 games in ‘07-‘08 due to a groin injury, but had not missed a single game in the previous 3 seasons. He has never been a scoring threat, tallying his first hat-trick last season versus Tampa Bay, but has the ability to stifle even the most prolific scorers that the opposition can throw at the Devils. His character is something the Devils are in desperate need of and his intangibles cannot be lost.
Prediction: Re-signed @ $1,250,000/year. In my opinion, Pando is a must keep player.
Result: Re-signed @ $2,500,000 for 3 years.
Karel Rachunek – D - ’07-’08 salary: $1,400,000 – Last season, the thinking on Rachunek was right price right time. Still feeling the sting of losing Brian Rafalski to the Detroit Red Wings, the Devils picked up Rachunek along with Vitali Vishnevski to help add veteran leadership to a seemingly inexperienced defensive core. Injuries and an over abundance of defensemen limited Rachnek’s playing time during the ‘07-‘08 campaign.
Prediction: Departing. Another victim of the new offensive system, Rachunek is guaranteed to be playing elsewhere in ‘08-’09.
Bryce Salvador – D - ’07-’08 salary: $1,500,000 – Acquired at the trade deadline from St. Louis for bruiser Cam Janssen. This move was made early in the day, and left Devils fans thinking that the team had more in the works. 3 pm rolled around and nothing, 4 pm and still nothing, after 5:30 they knew there was nothing else. Salvador was another veteran added to an already jam-packed blue line corps. I didn’t understand the move in March but didn’t mind it for the low asking price. Many people loved cam, but he had no real role in Sutter’s system.
Prediction: My head’s telling me he’s gone, but my heart has a strong feeling that Lou is sold on him and he’ll come back above his value. I’m seeing a $2,000,000/per deal on this one.
Result: Re-signed for over his value, as predicted, $2,900,000 for a ridiculous 4 year deal.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lamoriello Asleep at the Wheel?
This was a thread posted on ESPN.com's New Jersey Devils message board last Friday. The contents of the thread are not as important as the title, but a few points within there make sense.
On Friday, the Devils made two trade and not one player was involved. First, the Devils traded their 1st round, 21st overall draft pick to the Washington Capitals for their 1st round pick, 23rd overall, and a 2nd round pick, 54th overall. Lou Lamoriello then took his new spot in the first round and shipped it to the Wild for their pick, 24th overall and a 3rd round selection in next year's draft. Two moves made and the Devils managed to get an extra two draft picks out of making it.
To some, this may seem like a great decision. I see this, however, as being an early indication of our team's complete lack of a true game plan. Now I do not know when the trades were mead in relation to the actual time in the draft, but it feels like Lamoriello was just trying to buy himself more time because he did not know who to go after in the Draft.
Their first selection, Mattias Tedenby, is a Swedish born player who was ranked third among European born players, according to newjerseydevils.com. The 5'10" 176 pound Tedenby has drawn comparisons to Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu because of his ability to take a hit and keep on going. The Devils needed a goaltending prospect badly to begin grooming to take over Martin Brodeur's role when he hangs up his skates in the [hopefully not too near] future. They made two trades, not one of which addressed this need, nor put them in a position to address the need.
Also, a few decent players were available through trades, and neither avenue were pursued. Olli Jokinen, for example, was acquired for a 2nd line player, a 3rd-4th defenseman and a draft pick. Are you trying to tell me that Lamoriello, who has dangled Brian Gionta's name like a pinata at a birthday party, could not come up with a viable trade? I find this concerning because five years ago, he was able to pull off a deal with the Anahiem Ducks that by acquiring Jeff Freisen and Oleg Tverdovsky, helped deliver the Devils their third cup.
Thefourthperiod.com is reporting the the Devils are STILL undecided about what to do with veteran winger Sergei Brylin. The Devils' season ended almost two months ago, and Brylin is not the only veteran who should be returning who has not been re-signed. Jay Pandolfo is also without a contract as are many of the Devils' free agents except for little-used defensemen Mike Mottau and Sheldon Brookbank. Its not Brookbank that bothers me as much as Mottau. The former Rangers castoff had a mediocre season with the Devils last year. In the few games I was able to see him play in, he looked lost and opposing teams took advantage of it.
The Devils traditionally run a tight ship, so to hear few rumors about their potential moves is not something new. But to have them stall and delay because of a lack of a clean cut game plan is completely new. I hope that these blips on the radar are simply being over analyzed and that they are not a clear indicator of the off season to come. July 1st is rapidly approaching, offers have not been made to key veterans who need to be retained. They messed up at the trading deadling by not addressing the Devils' glaring need for a scorer, they in my opinion, messed up the Draft by not acquiring a goaltending prospect or an NHL ready scorer. If nothing significant is done this off season, that would be strike three in my book and I truly will have lost faith in our once great leader.
On Friday, the Devils made two trade and not one player was involved. First, the Devils traded their 1st round, 21st overall draft pick to the Washington Capitals for their 1st round pick, 23rd overall, and a 2nd round pick, 54th overall. Lou Lamoriello then took his new spot in the first round and shipped it to the Wild for their pick, 24th overall and a 3rd round selection in next year's draft. Two moves made and the Devils managed to get an extra two draft picks out of making it.
To some, this may seem like a great decision. I see this, however, as being an early indication of our team's complete lack of a true game plan. Now I do not know when the trades were mead in relation to the actual time in the draft, but it feels like Lamoriello was just trying to buy himself more time because he did not know who to go after in the Draft.
Their first selection, Mattias Tedenby, is a Swedish born player who was ranked third among European born players, according to newjerseydevils.com. The 5'10" 176 pound Tedenby has drawn comparisons to Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu because of his ability to take a hit and keep on going. The Devils needed a goaltending prospect badly to begin grooming to take over Martin Brodeur's role when he hangs up his skates in the [hopefully not too near] future. They made two trades, not one of which addressed this need, nor put them in a position to address the need.
Also, a few decent players were available through trades, and neither avenue were pursued. Olli Jokinen, for example, was acquired for a 2nd line player, a 3rd-4th defenseman and a draft pick. Are you trying to tell me that Lamoriello, who has dangled Brian Gionta's name like a pinata at a birthday party, could not come up with a viable trade? I find this concerning because five years ago, he was able to pull off a deal with the Anahiem Ducks that by acquiring Jeff Freisen and Oleg Tverdovsky, helped deliver the Devils their third cup.
Thefourthperiod.com is reporting the the Devils are STILL undecided about what to do with veteran winger Sergei Brylin. The Devils' season ended almost two months ago, and Brylin is not the only veteran who should be returning who has not been re-signed. Jay Pandolfo is also without a contract as are many of the Devils' free agents except for little-used defensemen Mike Mottau and Sheldon Brookbank. Its not Brookbank that bothers me as much as Mottau. The former Rangers castoff had a mediocre season with the Devils last year. In the few games I was able to see him play in, he looked lost and opposing teams took advantage of it.
The Devils traditionally run a tight ship, so to hear few rumors about their potential moves is not something new. But to have them stall and delay because of a lack of a clean cut game plan is completely new. I hope that these blips on the radar are simply being over analyzed and that they are not a clear indicator of the off season to come. July 1st is rapidly approaching, offers have not been made to key veterans who need to be retained. They messed up at the trading deadling by not addressing the Devils' glaring need for a scorer, they in my opinion, messed up the Draft by not acquiring a goaltending prospect or an NHL ready scorer. If nothing significant is done this off season, that would be strike three in my book and I truly will have lost faith in our once great leader.
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