SBNation.com User Blog: Murdoc

David Clarkson, Trading Block?

Murdoc — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:56:38 -0000

I cannot possibly do a more complete job on analyzing David Clarkson's recent performance than John has here. He's a top-6 winger right now. I'm still not comfortable depending on him to continue to perform at that level. I wanted to provide a place to talk about the possibly unpleasant reality of David Clarkson and his future.

He'll be a UFA after this season, free to test the waters of free agency. I think it would be naive of us to assume that Lou would make an exception to his own policy of not negotiating with pending UFAs during the season. He could be re-signed between the end of the season and July 1, or he could sign after the Free Agent period opens. Or, he could sign somewhere else, and the liklihood of someone overpaying for his skill-set, especially since he's demonstrated an ability to get the puck in the net, is pretty much a gaurantee. Will David Clarkson command a $4.5M price tag? $5M? More? Does the PDB connection (He's the only guy to believe in me and that made me play out of my skull for the past 2 seasons) give the Devs the edge to keep him in Free Agency?

Now that his stock is higher than ever, does it make sense to entertain trade offers? The NJ Devils could have gotten quite the return out of a Parise rental/positioning last year, and instead fell short of a Cup and lost their "face of the franchise" to free agency. For nothing. I'm certainly not an advocate of trading away all pending UFAs for a bag of magical beans and a six-pack, but there is value in David Clarkson.

What could the Devils expect to get in return? Would any return on David Clarkson be able to fill the gap he left on the score sheet? Maybe a package deal with an NHL level defenseman for a top-6 winger?

I'm very interested in the community's thoughts. I don't know what side of the fence I am on. The Devils clearly need Clarkson, or more accurately, the goals he scores, and I'm not sure the void would be fillable in the near term. But I also recognize that the Devils could easily enough be without him next year, and the prospect of losing a top scoring threat, again, makes me a little sick inside since there's been so much done to address it so far this year.

Lokomotiv Ticket Offer

Murdoc — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:44:34 -0000

Lokomotiv Ticket Offer

$35 100s w/hotdog and soda. Portion of sales goes to the YAROSLAVL FAMILY VICTIMS FUND. Good cause. Support 'em if you can. RIP.

Devs sign 12 for Albany

Murdoc — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:26:53 -0000

Devs sign 12 for Albany

(G) Maxime Clermont
(D) Peter Harrold
(F) Matt Anderson, Bryan Haczyk, Brad Mills, Nathan Perkovich, Tim Sestito, Myles Stoesz, Stephane Veilleux, Joseph Whitney, Chad Wiseman and Steve Zalewski.
(Haczyk, Perkovich, Stoesz and Whitney were signed to AHL contracts)

Wedge and the Whale beat Rangers

Murdoc — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:52:22 -0000

Wedge and the Whale beat Rangers

Over 300 shots against, a save percentage nearing 93%.

Beating the Rangers is a huge confidence boost for the Whale, they could be hard to beat.

Have the Devs found their next goalie? Imagine how good he could be in an organization and system that makes goalies look GOOD.

USA Today on the Jack Adams

Murdoc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:51:00 -0000

USA Today on the Jack Adams

Not that we haven't already talked about this, at length, but its nice to see it elsewhere.

Wiseman's 4 in 10

Murdoc — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:14:47 -0000

Wiseman's 4 in 10

At a time when goals are hard to find, I thought perhaps watching Chad score 4 in 10 minutes would brighten a day or two.

Kaberle to be a Bruin

Murdoc — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:31:12 -0000

Kaberle to be a Bruin

and Boston PAID for that rental.

Think he stays?

Brodeur to IR

Murdoc — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:41:20 -0000

Brodeur to IR

Don't worry, he's eligible to return at any time. It's retro and he's already served minimum.

Hopefully it isn't any worse than we've been told.

Another bag skate

Murdoc — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:41:12 -0000

Another bag skate

At least JMac recognizes that the breakout is a problem. And who knew, you gotta hit the net?!

I give it a big "Whatever." Bag skates haven't exactly worked in the past, but it's best to get it out of the way early in the week so the guys get a little rest before the next game.

I'm still waiting for a player to step up.

Also spent the day wondering how a Kovy Zajac Zharkov line would work...when does he get brought up and is Zajac fast enough to keep up?

Devil's Day at the Farm

Murdoc — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 23:53:13 -0000

Devil's Day at the Farm

If anyone is in the Morris Co. area, Dan-o and the mascot are scheduled to be at Alstede Farms in Chester on Sunday, October 3. Mr. Danyko is supposed to be there from noon to 1. But I hear that it's wise to get there early.

Sarge was/is in town!

Murdoc — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:31:38 -0000

Sarge was/is in town!

Forget the Kovalchuk saga, we've got Brylin news!

Congrats on the new Brylin.

"Some of you mentioned that you saw former Devil Sergei Brylin in New Jersey recently. Brylin was back in the area after his wife gave birth last month. but will be playing in the KHL again in the upcoming season for SKA St, Petersburg (the same team that’s been interested in Kovalchuk).

"This is where he will make his home in the future and he’s a Devil for life," Lamoriello said of Brylin."

We're here when you're done playing in the KHL. Come back soon.