Is our defense really in need of a number one guy? Let's look at the numbers. I will be comparing the Devils to the Penguins (because they won the cup), the Hurricanes (because they eliminated us from the playoffs last year), the Red Wings (disputably the best Defense in the league, and cup runner ups.) and the Bruins (who won the Jennings Trophy, another candidate for best Defense).

First an overview of the entire defense corps, then individuals.

Let's start with points for the top 6 defensemen:

Devils: 140

Penguins: 117.

Hurricanes: 158.

Red Wings: 213

Bruins: 203

140 isn't bad, when I calculated this for the other 25 teams, the devils came in right around the middle for points by defensemen.

And the top 6 defensemen's plus/minus:

Devils: +89

Penguins: +61

Hurricanes: +16

Red Wings: +69

Bruins: +136

Without a "veteran defenseman," the devils had more points than the stanley cup winning team from their defense. Also, our defense played better defensively than the Pens (+/- wise).

They may not have had as many points as the Hurricane's defense, but the Canes played too riskily, and let many chances through.

We were also better defensively than the Red Wings.

Only Boston In the whole league had a better +/- than the Devils.

Our overall defense is very good, and better than many of you think.

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Hello all,

I have been a Devil's fan for years, yet only recently found this site. This is my first post.

After seeing this post by NJMetal15, I decided to post a possible line combination of my own, based on what's been said by Lou, previous lines that have worked, etc.

Offense:

1. Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner (Did anyone guess that?)

2. Elias - Rolston - Clarkson (I know that many of you are questioning if Clarkson should be on the second line, but Lou did say that he has to get more ice time, and what would work better than moving him up a line? I'm sure that his numbers would improve, and that he would blossom if he played with Rolston and Elias.)

3. Pandolfo - Pelley - prospect? (This assumes that Pelley plays as well as Lou expects him to. The question is which prospect will make it to this slot)

4. Shanahan/prospect? - Zubrus - Pikkarainen (Pikkarainen looks like he would be a good fit on a hard hitting fourth line, and Shanahan [if resigned] would bring needed leadership to the team. If not, a prospect would work here as well.)

Possibles:

Leblond, Bergfors, Vasyunov, Halischuck

Defense:

1. Martin - Oduya (Who else?)

2. Mottau - White (It would be nice to trade for or sign a true second line d-man (or even better if Corrente fills the role), but White works for now)

3. Greene - Salvador (Corrente?)

Possibles:

Corrente

Goal:

1. Brodeur (duh.)

2. We need to sign someone (I don't want Frazee to be rushed into the NHL, and think it would be best if he spent at least one more year in the AHL)

2. Yann Danis (His signing came after I posted this)(What I said about Frazee still stands)

Possibles:

Frazee

Please feel free to comment with your suggested changes, or what you think I got completely wrong.