Devils Sign Arron Asham

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by nyisles15

Give me a list of the Devs projected 2-4 lines this year. I don't know how the Devils do things but with Asham's tenure with the Isles, he was usually a floater meaning he could be stuck on the 4th or 3rd line or be cycled throught lines 1, 2 and 3.

Elias-Zubrus-Gionta

Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Madden-Brylin

Leaving so far Rupp, Marshall, Clarkson, Janssen and Asham to fill the 4th line. It is possible that Clarkson or Marshall will get sent down, though the Devils do have 2 extra forward slots right now. On the other hand I don't want to see Janssen sitting in the pressbox night in and night out. I would rather see the 4th line with him and a combination of any other 2 extra players.

[JKidd]

****.

Good pick up by the Devils... Gives Ash 8 times a year to show his stuff against the squad that let'em go - the Isles.

[wellzy]

Man i wish this guy would have been signed by Detroit.

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by jkidd

****.

Good pick up by the Devils... Gives Ash 8 times a year to show his stuff against the squad that let'em go - the Isles.

Really, against who? Simon? I think the Islanders best hope is that Kip Brennan really shows up to training camp & for pre-season games determined to win a spot. Other than that, have fun with stick-swinger.

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by Skorka85

Elias-Zubrus-Gionta

Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner

Pandolfo-Madden-Brylin

Leaving so far Rupp, Marshall, Clarkson, Janssen and Asham to fill the 4th line. It is possible that Clarkson or Marshall will get sent down, though the Devils do have 2 extra forward slots right now. On the other hand I don't want to see Janssen sitting in the pressbox night in and night out. I would rather see the 4th line with him and a combination of any other 2 extra players.

Ok here comes my Asham homerism. How can you possibly argue that Pandolfo has a secure spot on the 3rd line? Asham if he played as many games as Pandolfo will have more goals and assists. And Asham can fight and is tough as hell. You really think Asham won't be gunning for his spot. Pandolfo is terrible.

[wellzy]

i have to agree that asham is better, but the devils love pandofalo like how the wings love Maltby. They will keep him on the third line.

[nyislesfan45]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Why thank you.

Btw, good luck with Chris Simon. Bet it'll be yet another great year to be an Islanders fan this season. Oh wait, Yashin and Blake left. Nevermind....

Hump, ignore that, i agree with what you said before haha


With Cam, the Devils really didnt have to sign Aaron. Hopefully it doesnt screw Cam out of his permanent spot on the 4th line. I love Asham but hes a very "hot and cold" type player, now that he cant fight Cam, i can only see him fighting maybe 2 or 3 times. He was a waste of space for a good part of the season along with Simon, even Simon was more useful towards the end.

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by wellzy

i have to agree that asham is better, but the devils love pandofalo like how the wings love Maltby. They will keep him on the third line.

You can't say that until they see Asham play with the team. Doesn't matter how much they love Pandolfo, if Asham outplays him in training camp then you're telling me Pandolfo keeps his spot because they like him. That makes no sense whatsoever.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Really, against who? Simon? I think the Islanders best hope is that Kip Brennan really shows up to training camp & for pre-season games determined to win a spot. Other than that, have fun with stick-swinger.

Well, I dont know if you were trying to quote someone else or what, but this makes no sense.

I was meaning more in terms of being a complete player. One that hits, fights, and put up points. Something, the Islanders will likely be missing this upcoming year.

[wellzy]

Originally Posted by nyisles15

You can't say that until they see Asham play with the team. Doesn't matter how much they love Pandolfo, if Asham outplays him in training camp then you're telling me Pandolfo keeps his spot because they like him. That makes no sense whatsoever.

Well if Pandolfo keeps playing like he does, at a average level for the NHL, the Devils will not take him off that line, if Asham does play a little better then Pandolfo. Like Maltby with the wings, these two have been on their respected teams for a long time, and if they keep playing and makeing the Staff happy then they will not be taken off the third line for a new player coming in.

Now if they played like sh*t and didnt do anything, then yes, I can see a new player coming in take their spot.

I didnt think i had to type this out in the first post, I thought people would understand what i saying.

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by nyisles15

Ok here comes my Asham homerism. How can you possibly argue that Pandolfo has a secure spot on the 3rd line? Asham if he played as many games as Pandolfo will have more goals and assists. And Asham can fight and is tough as hell. You really think Asham won't be gunning for his spot. Pandolfo is terrible.

It has zero to do with offensive numbers and willingness to fight when it comes to the Devils 3rd line. When Asham is a Selke candidate, he'll have a miniscule chance of taking Pandolfo's spot. Madden and Pandolfo are arguably among the top 3 or 5 defensive minded forward pairings in the league, and definitely two of the top penalty killers.

By the way, Pandolfo had 27 points last year. Asham 23. All the while Pandolfo keeps guys like Jagr off the score sheet. The top priority for the Devils 3rd line is always to be a true checking line and shut down the opposing team's top players. Any added offense they give you is a bonus. Asham doesn't fit that type of mold. He's a grinder and energy player who will put a few goals in the net for you, but he is nowhere near the defensive specialist that Pandolfo is.

[Agitator97]

My question is what makes everyone think Marshall will crack the line-up this year. He didn't play 1 game last year. I think Marshall and Clarkson will be in Lowell and if there's a call-up needed they're going to bring up Clarkson before Marshall.

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by Agitator97

My question is what makes everyone think Marshall will crack the line-up this year. He didn't play 1 game last year. I think Marshall and Clarkson will be in Lowell and if there's a call-up needed they're going to bring up Clarkson before Marshall.

Marshall was sent down for cap reasons last year, and when a callup was needed the Devils had to go with less expensive players like Clarkson or Pelley. He signed a cheaper contract this offseason and could figure into the plans more. You are right though, he could still end up in Lowell.

[BGDDYKWL]

Good to see Asham signed, but I can't say I saw him not being picked up before the season started. That being said, this isn't the ideal situation for fight fans. As has been mentioned, the Devils have too many guys for the fourth line as it is, and I'd be very surprised if this didn't mean significantly less time for Janssen.

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by Skorka85

It has zero to do with offensive numbers and willingness to fight when it comes to the Devils 3rd line. When Asham is a Selke candidate, he'll have a miniscule chance of taking Pandolfo's spot. Madden and Pandolfo are arguably among the top 3 or 5 defensive minded forward pairings in the league, and definitely two of the top penalty killers.

By the way, Pandolfo had 27 points last year. Asham 23. All the while Pandolfo keeps guys like Jagr off the score sheet. The top priority for the Devils 3rd line is always to be a true checking line and shut down the opposing team's top players. Any added offense they give you is a bonus. Asham doesn't fit that type of mold. He's a grinder and energy player who will put a few goals in the net for you, but he is nowhere near the defensive specialist that Pandolfo is.

I think you are reaching here. Jagr avg'd a about a point per game against the devs. Pandolfo averages twice the ice time as Asham and still only had four more points. I'll give you that pandolfo is better at defense but you have to remember that Asham is coming from a system that stresses defense. Nolan will make you play at both ends of the ice if you want to play for him. I see Asham being cycled into a couple of lines with the devs. I'm sorry but your team on paper is not that good. You guys win because you play a bs system where you practically babysit your goaltender. Asham is not 4th line material because he has the ability to score. Stop making Pandolfo to be this great player. He would be a nobody on any team besides the Devils.