Janssen: I want to stay

Right wing Cam Janssen knows that the Devils have a full roster with 23 active players and realizes that someone will have to go for him to be activated from long-term injured reserve and play this season. He also knows the best chance for that to happen will be before the Feb. 26 NHL trade deadline.

He just hopes he's not the one to be traded.

"I do not want to go anywhere at all," he said today. "I'm comfortable here. I love the organization. I love the staff. I love the guys. I don't want to go anywhere, but I do want to play."

Janssen hasn't played an NHL game this season after having surgery on Oct. 4 to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He did get in three AHL games with Lowell on a conditioning stint last month and is healthy enough to play, but the Devils don't have room to activate him.

Center Rod Pelley said he had a short meeting on the ice with head coach Brent Sutter at the end of Tuesday's practice. Pelley will be a healthy scratch for the third game in a row tonight after play in the Devils' first 54 games.

"I talked to coach yesterday and he was just telling me that as a coaching staff they feel my best games I played this year are when I'm playing physical and being involved," Pelley said. "It was just a brief conversation. I know that as a player when I'm hitting and playing physical, everything else just follows."

Comments

[Devilswede]

I'd like to see Cam get in a game or two, but that's not happening until someone gets dealt. We're carrying 8 d-men now, I don't think we'll be doing that after the deadline though.

[Mike]

I want to see Cam play next time we play the Rangers and Islanders! We need to win a nasty snarly disgusting game against both of those teams and we need Cam to spearhead it!
JUST DO IT LOU!

[KR]

Lou likes cam a lot and i dont think he really would like to see him go. Cam can not fit in the lineup as of now. Someone has to be sent on waivers or traded. I don't see who it could be really. Brookbank hasn't played in a while. I was pretty impressed with his play. He took shots, but none really seemed to go near the net.

Also Mr. Gulitti, do you know if we could/eventually be able to watch the practices from inside? Someone told me that Lou and Sutter don't really want to open them up. Just seeing if you have any insight on that. Thank you!!

[Pat D'Amico]

Poor Cam, I feel bad that a man with that kind of dedication to the organization can't play.

[Mike M]

Unless he's developed some skills during his recovery who is going take him?

I like a physical game as much as the next guy, but we have guys who can do that AND score goals.

[MikeK]

Rupp isn't a goal machine either. Asham hasn't been doing his job. Clarkson, dare I say, contributes more that the whole 4th line combined. Want number fun: Clarkson has 7 goals, 12 assists and is +3.

Asham, Rupp, and Pelley have 8 goals, only 1 more than David, 8 assists, 4 less than David, and as a group are -16.

Well, you can say, that the 4th line brings physical play to the lineup. They can do the dirty work so Clarky can worry about scoring and playing defensively on the 3rd line. If only that were true. Clarkson has 15 fighting majors, compared to just 10 for the entire 4th line. (5 each for asham and rupp)

So, what exactly is the 4th line doing? Just put Cam out there so atleast David doesn't have to fight, too.

[Tom]

lol, but the +/- stat isnt so bad for clarks cuz he has been with madden and either pando or brylin like all year..

[alzheimers]

Asham has had 4 goals, 3 at the beginning of the season and one in late December.

No goals AND no fighting majors in 08. Minus 5 on the season.

Why is he still getting ice time?

[mikeford]

Asham needs to go to make room for Cam. He's playing the worst out of anyone on the team.

[Brian]

Ditch Asham or Brookbank for Janssen.

[Hard Hat Nick #3]

Lossing Cam is BIG. Bigger than some of you might realize. The kid is full of pop and energy. I believe that he could have been a great boost in the Game vs Anaheim. He could of brought some desperately needed energy that was lacking in the first period. I think if we trade him it is a mistake.

[scottyc]

LET CAM PLAY!!!

[Nancy]

Attendance still isn't what they hoped for at the new arena. I'm sure they'd sell more tickets if they brought Cam back. He brings energy and excitement. Fans are constantly asking for him. What's the problem?

[Devilsguy]

Let Cam play - in Lowell!

[PhantomNJ]

Somehow, I don't think Cam is the answer to increasing attendance. Playing the full 60 minutes on a consistent basis instead of taking periods off, now that might help.

Gotta love how the defensemen are getting more involved in the offense. If Gerber keeps giving up rebounds like that and Emery continues to be a headcase, the Sens are going to disappoint their fans big time in the playoffs.

[Devs4Life]

we just can't let go of Cam. I think Asham needs to make room. Maybe we can trade him for a draft pick or something, I don't think that Aaron by himself will get us much.

[Devs4Life]

I'm making a sign the next game I go to asking for the devils to bring back Cam.

[Sarah]

I hope they manage to get him in for a couple games. He has such a love for the game and clearly loves this team, its a shame the logistics just don't work right now. I think the energy he brings is an asset that a lot of people overlook. And he's just a lot of fun to watch, too.

[Mark Krulish - NYS]

I suppose I'm one of Brookbank's few supporters. He may not be the flashiest, but I've found him to be far steadier on the blue line than Rachunek, Oduya, even Mottau and White at times. I was surprised not to see him in the lineup against a tough team like Anaheim that plays physical.

I'm not a fan of Asham, I originally liked the signing and thought there was some potential, but if we're going to have a guys on the fourth line that don't score, I'd rather it be Rupp and Janssen. Can you believe this guy was playing in the top six at one point?

As someone else pointed out, Cam has got to be in the lineup when they face off against the Rangers and Islanders. This team desperately needs a win over both of them.

[Ralph]

Cam needs to play against the Rags so what Orr can destroy him? The affection that's being shown for a just ok middlweight who barely has AHL skills is comical.

[JJ]

I understand the love for Cam but he's just a 5 minute/game guy, good for a couple hits and a fight when the team needs energy or someone out there to equalize things and he seems like he's a funny guy and good for the locker room. On the ice he doesn't really do anything besides fight and hit people. There are other ways to get energy - like scoring freaking goals. Then again Asham has been a big disappointment, very uninspired play thus far. I expected a LOT more from him seeing the way he played for NYI the last couple years. He's too nice of a guy, we need someone nasty and obnoxious on that fourth line.

[Mark Krulish - NYS]

Well, I think its not so much that we display a huge amount of affection for Cam (well, I don't, anyway), but when you're 0-for-the-season against your two closest rivals, you've got to try SOMETHING. No, Cam isn't all that skilled, but maybe he can make a difference somehow.

[Ralph]

So seeing Cam get his a** handed to him by Orr would turn things around. As soon as he hits somebody Orr will be all over him. Deal with it he's a very marginal NHL "talent" at best. We're better off without him. If we have to count on a guy like that to turn things around vs NYR and NYI we're done.

[Nancy]

Hey Brent and Lou are you reading this?

[Jason]

Orr had enough trouble with Rupp last time around, and Rupp isn't even a real fighter. I like Orr's size and strength, but he is also just a marginal fighter.