New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

[Weezer21]

Lou Lamoriello takes to the podium with a neutral look on his face.

"Good morning to everyone and thank you for coming out. You guys are the true blue fans and you deserve credit, and here in New Jersey, we respect and cherish our fanbase. So again, thanks for sticking with it. Now, down to some business. There's no two ways around it, this past season was not a very successful one for us. We thought with the signing of Ilya Kovalchuk, and our young players like Parise and Zajac starting to spread their wings, we would have a strong push toward the playoffs. Well, needless to say this was not the case, as Zach Parise only appeared in 22 games due to an injury, in which he amassed 10 points. And for Ilya and Zajac, they both had of seasons, granted they were missing Zachary on their wing.

Aside from injuries and such, we do expect a good performance from this club, and you fans deserve it. The past season left me no choice but to relieve Jacques Lemaire of his duties as head coach of our hockey club. Lemaire did bring a solid system and a good resume with him, but things didn't work out with us as we had envisioned. We hope he finds a new home and can continue to coach, because he is a great guy and a good coach. Today I would like to announce the hiring of Dave Cameron as the new head coach of our team. Cameron lead the St. Michael's Majors to an OHL finals appearance, and a solid memorial cup showing. He demonstrated great person to person skills, as well as coach to player skills. I talked with him for quite some time now and he is a great guy, and we really think he's the right man for the job here in New Jersey.

I don't want to disclose too much about my plans as General Manager, but the draft is a few days away, and our team has some salary trouble, and age is starting to catch up to us. I want to be able to see a cup come to New Jersey before I leave here, and the only way we can do this now is by restructuring this organization. We have a long road ahead, as we finished with 35 wins this year, and the cup winning Canucks finished with 50. Anyway, it's time for me to get to work so if there is no more questions, I'll be making my way, Alright, thanks."

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Just so everyone knows I am beginning in the offseason after the 2011 season, so i simmed the first season.

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

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Mcguire: Hello hockey fans all around the world, and welcome to the 2011 NHL entry draft!

Mckenzie: I love this time of year Pierre, there is just so much buzz in the air, the excitement surrounding the events is just awesome.

Mcguire: Yeah Bob, the draft can make or break a team sometimes, and this year should be no different. There has been some speculation as to who will be the first overall pick this year, as there is no clear cut front runner.

Mckenzie: That's right, this is a deep class, but not one that is loaded up front with star power, there is going to be some great players that emerge from this year's draft, but no Crosby is expected, anyway. It's our understanding that the Avalanche are going to be either picking Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Larsson, or Gabriel Landeskog with the first pick.

Mcguire: Well it looks like the speculation is about to end, the Avalanche are just about ready to make the pick.

Sherman: First let me say what a pleasure it is to be here in Minnesota for the NHL entry draft, this city is quite the place to be. Well, without further stalling, here it is. With the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche are very proud to select, from the WHL Red Deer Rebels, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Mcguire: Yep, there it is, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is just an absolutely fantastic hockey player Bob, his vision and passing is something that I don't think we've seen before from a junior hockey player. His talent may be a bit raw, and he is a bit small, but hey, this kid is chalk-full of talent, great pick.

Mckenzie: There's no doubt that he's a great player, I just wonder if the Avalanche missed the boat with Adam Larsson, they could really use some help on the blue line, and with Duchene and Stastny at center, where does Nugent-Hopkins fall in?

Mcguire: Don't worry Bob, Ryan will have no trouble blending into the NHL game. Well it looks like the Blues GM Doug Armstrong is rushing to the podium, I think he may be excited about the Avs not picking Larsson.

Armstrong: With the second overall pick, the St. Louis Blues select Adam Larsson.

Mckenzie: Armstrong was very quick with that selection, and he may be the happiest GM out of the lot, Larsson is being heralded as an upgrade to a Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has been a very good player.

Mcguire: Out with Johnson, and in with Larsson. The Blues have nailed their top blue liner and this time I think this is a real keeper. Larsson draws comparisons to Lidstrom and Niedermeyer, and his defensive game is really starting to shape up, he may be the most NHL ready player out of the entire draft.

Mckenzie: Here comes Fletcher for the Wild.

Fletcher: With the third overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Minnesota Wild are proud to select, from the OHL Kitchener Rangers, Gabriel Landeskog.

Mcguire: Beast. Simply put, Landeskog is a beast. He is Rick Nash 2.0, and although some people don't believe it, I think Gabriel has the potential to be better than a Rick Nash. The Wild play a tough, physical, and smart game, and that's exactly the type of play Landeskog was known for in junior, great fit.

Mckenzie: You said Larsson was the most NHL ready, I think it's Landeskog, his size and strength is unmatched in this draft, he is simply a physical monster. He does need to tweak a few things out, but overall he plays a very solid game and can help the Wild alot, he'll create space for guys like Havlat and Koivu, that's for sure.

The Boston Bruins go on to select Sean Couturier at number 4, and at number 5 the Phoenix Coyotes picked Dougie Hamilton.

Mcguire: Here comes Lou Lamoriello for New Jersey, there's a few directions he can go with this pick, of course, Chris Gibson, the top rated goaltender is still on the board, as well as Huberdeau and Murphy, really, any three of those three players would be good for the Devils.

Mckenzie: The Devils are an interesting team, they had high hopes this season going in, there were injuries and things didn't work out as planned. The team is getting a bit older and this number 6 pick will really rejuvenate and bring some good youth to the club, they really can't go wrong with Murphy, Huberdeau, Gibson, or even Joel Armia of Finland. Anyway, here he comes.

Lamoriello: With the sixth overall pick in this year's NHL entry draft, the New Jersey Devils are proud to select, from the Saint John Sea Dogs, Jonathan Huberdeau.

Mcguire: Wow, just wow, the things Huberdeau can do in the offensive and defensive zones are just mind boggling, I thought maybe the Coyotes take him at five, but he falls right into Lamoriello's hands. Nice pick-up here.

Mckenzie: And here come Lamoriello and the newly drafted Jonathan Huberdeau for an interview.

So Lou, were you happy with the pick?

Lamoriello: Was I happy? This was like a dream come true. Jonathan embodies everything we represent in New Jersey, being strong on the puck and playing a responsible two way game. We also know Jonathan has a knack for scoring and we hope he can translate that to the NHL. But yes, I am very pleased to have a two way forward of Jonathan's caliber in the organization.

How does it feel to be drafted sixth by New Jersey, Jonathan?

Huberdeau: This is just a dream come true right now. I'd like to thank Mr. Lamoriello for picking me here today, I think he knows what kind of player I am and I will work my hardest to try and make myself the best I can be. But really this is all overwhelming right now I am just trying to take it all in.

So Lou what is on your plate looking forward?

Lamoriello: Well we know Jonathan is a great kid, and a hell of a hockey player, and now that we have him in our system, we want to just give him time, and train him right so he can be the best he can be, which I know is a very good, talented centerman.

Alright, that's great, now we must go to commercial break, thanks for your time guys.

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New Jersey Devils Draft Picks
Pick	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
6	Jonathan Huberdeau (67 A-/A/A-)	C	6'1"	155
66	Shane McColgan (70 B/B-/B-)	RW	5'10"	160
96	Stuart Percy (65 C/A-/C)	D	6'0"	175
126	Duncan Siemens (62 C/B-/B)	D	6'3"	192
156	Christopher Festarini (58 B/B/C)	G	6'1"	170
186	Wheaton King (63 B/C/B-)	LW	6'3"	182

( NOTE: yes I did edit the top 10 players so that A, they were better, and B, that it sort of followed real life. Also please forgive me I forgot to change Siemens so he stayed as a not-so good prospect, oh well lol )

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Devils sign picks, and three

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Newark, NJ- Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has had quite the busy week thus far. He kicked it off by attending the prospects game, followed by a quite successful draft. Now comes the re-sign phase, and in five days time comes the FA phase. Today, the Devils announced that they were able to come to terms with all six of their draft prospects, all of them signed on to the standard three year entry-level contracts. Monetary amounts for prospect signings were not released.

The Devils were also able to hang on to three players from last year's team. Defenseman Andy Greene has accepted a three year deal, worth $1.000M per season. Greene had a great season last year, with 9 goals and 33 assists, and lead all New Jersey defenders with the subsequent 42 points. The Devils also signed burly D-man Rob Davison to a contract extension, a two year deal worth $0.675M each year. Davison spent most of the season in the AHL, but was called up toward the end of the year and played quite well. Additionally, New Jersey came to terms with 32 year old Adam Mair. The two sides agreed on a two year deal worth $0.780M per season. Mair had a stellar season with 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points, playing on the fourth line.

In other news, the Devils also tendered qualifying offers to goaltender Jeff Frazee, along with wingers Vladimir Zharkov and Alexander Vasyunov. New Jersey also continues negotiations with Zach Parise, who is set to become a UFA if the team can't get him to ink the paper. The Devils freed up cap space at the deadline, just so they could sign Parise, but right now no one is really sure what is going to happen.

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Devils ink Parise, Salmela

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Newark,NJ- The wild goose chase is over as the New Jersey Devils were able to lock up Zach Parise to a long-term deal. The Devils had foreseen a situation like this, and made efforts to clear cap during the season (trading Langenbrunner, Arnott) just to set aside dough for Parise. It was announced today that Parise was looking for a short term deal somewhere in the area of 6-million or more. Lamoriello was able to negotiate with Parise, and the final contract is an 8 year deal worth $5.755M each year. This makes Parise the third highest paid player on the roster, behind Kovalchuk and Elias. With the young star winger locked down for 8 seasons, the Devils can rest assured knowing there will be no shortage of goal scoring.

Additionally, the Devils also came to terms with defender Anssi Salmela. The details have not yet been disclosed but it is said to be a 2 year contract worth just under 900K/season. Salmela appeared in 80 games for the Lowell Devils of the AHL this past season, and registered 54 points and a +3 rating.

Although the Free Agency Phase, and the Trading Phase as well, are still a few days away,the rumour mill is starting to heat up in New Jersey. Prospect goalie Jeff Frazee came out with a statement that he had no intention to accept the qualifying offer from the Devils, and will hold out as long as he has too. The devils are apparently searching for teams that Frazee would be willing to sign with, and that a trade would make sense with. As well, Brian Rolston's name is being tossed around as a trade target. The 38 year old is entering his last season on his $5.060M contract, and is coming off a weak season, with 32 points in 82 games.

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Devils deal Rolston, burly winger coming in

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Newark, NJ- The Free Agency session of the 2011 Off-season began on Friday, and with that, trading has opened up again. The Devils wasted no time, striking a deal early Saturday afternoon with the Buffalo Sabres. The trade sees Rolston, 38, who has spent his last 3 seasons with the Devils, move to Buffalo in exchange for Zack Kassian. Rolston is on his last year of his 5 million dollar contract, and the Sabres are looking to load up for a strong run this year after resigning Tim Connolly. For the Devils, they are trying to reconstruct the organization, and with this trade they clear cap space, and get a promising prospect to add to a fairly subpar prospect pool. Kassian has 3 years left on his entry level deal and will most likely battle for a bottom 6 spot on the Devils this season.

The Details: Zack Kassian, 20 years old, 70 OVR B-/B-/B- POT
for Brian Rolston, 38 years old, 79 D-/D-/D- POT

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Devils sign pair of veteran wingers

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Newark, NJ- Just when it looked like there was going to be a youth movement in New Jersey, Lamoriello went out and surprised a lot of people, by signing Alex Kovalev, and Tomas Holmstrom. Kovalev, 38, signed to a 1 year deal for $1.880M, and Holmstrom, 38, signed a 1 year deal for $1.010M.

Alex Kovalev is coming off a solid year, despite being traded, he racked up 58 points, with 23 of those being goals. He also posted a +6 rating and had 6 powerplay goals. Holmstrom was apart of a deep playoff run in Detroit, and played a key role as the team's "mule" so to speak. He set screens, blocked shots, made hits and scored goals. Last season Holmstrom had a career year, accumulating 69 points, with a whopping 30 goals. And to draw comparison to Kovalev's +6, Holmstrom was a +34 as Detroit dominated the Western Conference.

The two wingers join the Devils, both one 1 year deals, to bring some stability to a somewhat lost squad. They will provide secondary scoring, as well as some defensive minded play, well Holmstrom atleast.

In other news, there is still no word on the status of Jeff Frazee and if he plans to accept the qualifying offer from the Devils. Rumors are also saying that Zharkov is very close to resigning with the Devils. Lou Lamoriello could not be reached to today but is expected to speak in a conference sometime soon.

[SENS_AK27]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Nice rebuild so far Weezer, I imagine trying to work around the cap can be quite difficult with Kovalchuk's huge contract. It'll be interesting to see how your prospects develop.

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Nice rebuild so far Weezer, I imagine trying to work around the cap can be quite difficult with Kovalchuk's huge contract. It'll be interesting to see how your prospects develop.

Yeah thanks, I definitely want to try and bulk up my prospect pool a bit, the team is pretty old and there's no real outstanding prospects in the wings. Hopefully Huberdeau and now Kassian can both turn out to be eventual top 6 forwards.

And yeah, it'll be interesting to see how cap will shape up.

[SENS_AK27]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

I suggest drafting or trading for a decent goalie as well. I've seen the Devils tank after Brodeur retires because they are stuck without decent goal prospects.

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

I suggest drafting or trading for a decent goalie as well. I've seen the Devils tank after Brodeur retires because they are stuck without decent goal prospects.

Have that taken care of, you will see soon enough

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Vasyunov out, Delory and Zharkov in

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Newark, NJ- The Devils have been one of the busier teams in the offseason thus far. With already one trade and two free agent signings under his belt, Lamoriello was at it again today as he dealt Alexander Vasyunov to the Florida Panthers in return for James Delory. Vasyunov showed no intention of resigning with the Devils, despite having a strong year with the Albany Devils, he wanted north of $1.000M, and the Devils were not prepared to roll out the dough. Lamoriello searched for a trade partner and found one in Florida, who are looking to load up their offensive prospect field.

The Details: Alexander Vasyunov, 23, LW, 72 OVR B-/C/C POT (0 years left) sent from NJD to FLA in exchange for James Delory, 23, D, 74 OVR B-/C/C POT (1 year @ $0.555M)

As well, winger Vladimir Zharkov has accepted the qualifying offer presented by the New Jersey Devils. The details of the contract were not disclosed, but Zharkov was happy to resign with the Devils. He posted 10 goals and 6 assists for 16 points last season, appearing in 69 games.

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

Devils sign a tender

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Newark, NJ- Lou Lamoriello has been wheeling and dealing during this 2011 offseason, as he tries to prepare for the future that lies ahead for the Devils. Franchise goalie and sure hall of famer Martin Brodeur is entering the final year of his contract, and the word "retirement" is already looming. New Jersey did draft goaltender Christopher Festarini in the 6th round of this year's draft, but he is a real project and will take a long time to see if he is a true blue NHL goalie.

As well, Jeff Frazee, who is considered by many to be the Devils best goalie prospect, is holding out on the qualifying offer by Lamoriello and co. This left the Devils little choice but to try and sign a goalie. They weren't able to come to a long term deal with anyone, but they were able to sign a veteran. Alexander Auld will join the team on a $0.850M, 1 year contract. Auld has a lot of experience as a backup in the NHL, and the Devils intend to use him as just that. Perhaps if Brodeur starts to slow down or has an injury, Auld can step in. The plan is to sign Auld after the season to a longer deal, especially if Brodeur calls it quits. But obviously, this does not solve the Devils problem, because while Auld is a stable goalie, he will not be around for long and won't be leading any cup runs anytime soon. The search for a prospect goalie is still on in New Jersey, but Auld may be a quick fix.

[nhl11buff]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

I personally wouldn't have signed Kovalev, what kinds of plans do you have with him?

Same plans that I had with Guerin in my dynasty? Sign a decent forward in the hopes he'll give support to the Stanley Cup, or some other reason?

[Weezer21]

Re: New Jersey Devils: The Rebuild (NHL 11 BAGM)

I signed him and Holmstrom to just one year deals, to help me contend this year while I continue to rebuild. The goal next year is to be a bottom seed in the playoffs, and add some pieces to become a real cup contender, hopefully Kovalev and Holmstrom can provide the short term help. Also with one year deals I won't have my hands tied come the offseason, and if things go downhill one or both of them could be a "rental" player I can sell off at the deadline.

So to answer your question I guess, yes. To be a veteran role player and depth forward.