Sutter wants to see more from Fedorov

When I asked Brent Sutter today if he's liked Fedor Fedorov's effort in the two preseason games he's played in so far, the Devils coach paused for a few seconds and looked up. That long pause was a clue to the answer that followed.

"At times, he's been good. At times, he hasn't," Sutter said. "It's been kind of a hit-and-miss thing. I mentioned this the other day. He's got to learn things in his game. You have to play a certain way over here and, hopefully, he'll pick it up as the games go on. I thought there were different times in both games there were shifts where he was fine and there were shifts that he wasn't very good. I'm just being honest.

"It's up to him how he wants to do it. He can do it the way it needs to be done and he can give himself a chance. Hopefully, he's smart enough to pick that up as far as knowing what has to be done to give himself a chance to make the team."

"There's reasons why isn't in the NHL or hasn't been," Sutter continued. "He went back to Europe to figure that out and this past year (in Russia), he had a pretty decent year. Now. you come back and it's a different game and you have to adjust to that. The biggest thing is always competing. He's got to have a high level and he's a big kid. When he figures that out, he's going to be fine."

Sutter didn't have many glowing words to say about Nicklas Bergfors' play so far either. Then again, he didn't way much at all when he was asked about Bergfors.

"He's been OK," Sutter said.

Bergfors sat out today's practice, but Sutter said it was nothing serious. "There's a couple of guys that have some nagging things and we have a couple of days between games and we're trying to get guys close to 100 percent again."

***

Sutter said the team will soon make its first set of roster cuts. "I would think probably in the next day or so, you'll see our numbers go down," he said. "I think would like to get down in numbers, especially after (Saturday's) Ranger game. We play four games in six nights (after that) and it's important to settle in."

***

Sutter again said that two of his three defense pairs are basically set with Bryce Salvador and Paul Martin playing together and Colin White staying with Mike Mottau. Johnny Oduya will be in the remaining pair, but his partner is still to be determined. Andy Greene and Sheldon Brookbank are the incumbent candidates, but Anssi Salmela put himself in the mix with a good first preason game on Wednesday and Matt Corrente isn't out of it yet either.

"You're looking at Johnny and then you're looking at who fits in good with Johnny," Sutter said. "Johnny's going to get minutes too."

At this point, it doesn't look like rookie Jeff Frazee will get to play in any of the team's NHL preseason games. Sutter said he plans to continue rotating Martin Brodeur, Kevin Weekes and Scott Clemmensen. "That could change, but at this point in time the plan is to stay with the three (veterans)."

***

Sutter on the line of Mike Rupp, Bobby Holik and Dainius Zubrus: "That's a big line in hockey. When you think about it, they're all 225, 230-pound guys that are all 6-5 (Holik is actually 6-4). As long as they all stay within their jobs and the roles they have to do, they're going to be a very effective line. They're a big line. They've got the experience. There's toughness. Obviously, there's size and strength. They've got to play well defensively and they have to be strong on pucks and win the battles along the boards. Definitely, when all three of them are on the ice there's not much room."

***

I failed to include earlier Sutter's reponse when I asked him if Matt Halischuk will get to play in one of the team's five remaining preseason games.

"I hope so," Sutter said. "That's been discussed. It would be good to get him into a game."

Comments

[Maxwell]

I can't wait to watch this line as well as the Elias-Rolston-Gionta line work. This line, however, will be the reason that Zubrus ends up with over 30 goals this season.

[Jason]

Awesome Line. Rupp and Zubrus had some chemistry together last year, and Holik will always go hard to the net.

[Jason]

Actually Sutter was off a little bit. They are all 230-235, and only Rupp is actually 6-5 (the other 2 are 6-4). If ESPN is accurate anyway.

[TG]

According to the Devils' training camp guide, Holik is 6-4, 230, Rupp is 6-5, 230 and Zubrus is 6-5, 225.

And I don't think Zubrus, who has never scored more than 24 goals and hit 20 only one other time, will end up with 30 goals playing on that line.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Great stuff TG, thanks for all the updates gotta say it gets me through the work day, and with all the rain on the way tommorow i hope you get to do a few more posts for then! i actually have to ask you TG what you thought of Spiller last night? he was the new face, if you will cause federov and Bergfors aren't exactly rookies, that stood out the most to me. I liked the way he played in his own end yesterday, he just looked very poised to me. Anyways keep up the great work TG, we are definitely appreciative!

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Oh and i think Federov is a wasted reclamation project. he will NEVER wear the Red White and Black, because he doesn't play with enough heart to do so.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

LOL TG, i think that if that line collectively scores 45 goals it would be a miracle

[TG]

I forgot to include earlier what Sutter said when I asked if Matt Halishcuk will play in one of the team's remaining preseason games. I've added his reponse at the end of the post above.

[Devilswede]

Not a chance Zubrus gets close to 20 on that line, let alone 30. If Zubrus scores 15 goals we should be happy, after all..he's a 4:th liner.

[elias26]

An expensive 4th liner at that.

[Justin]

I saw a LOT more out of Leblond last night the Fedor

Any chance of him making it you think?

[JJ]

45 is a good number RJ, actually 45 is an awesome number considering they aren't gonna get as many minutes as the other three lines. Holik will be the shooting threat and garbage picker on that line. Zubie's more of a playmaker than a scorer anyway, that 24 was all about getting tons of ice time with Ovechkin.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

actually JJ, i think if they get to 45 collectively it would be a minor miracle. I just think that each player will end up with about 10, with Holik maybe getting 15 or so because he SHOULD be on one of the PP lines creating trouble in front of the net. At least that would be how i would use him. But i am not Sutter... and if i were sutter, i would be giving Federov the first cut slip of Training camp and hoping he has a wonderful season in Massachusetts

[Pat D'Amico]

I think Oduya should take Mottau's spot with White. Sutter thinks very highly of Mottau but I just don't see what the big deal is.

[Ali-P]

Don't forget Zubrus had all those goals playing with Ovechkin.

[Ali-P]

NJ.com is reporting that Lou/Sutter made some cuts tonight. My guess is that Federov is already on a plane back to Russia.
Lou likes to have a team with some "Freshman" as refers to it. So I would expect at least a forward or d-man will make the squad. Not sure where they will fit though.

[TG]

No cuts have been announced yet, but I'd be willing to guarantee that Fedorov has not been cut. I think it will just be a few draft picks who were sent back to their junior clubs.

[modnarm]

Mottau is smart. Big deal. He gets pushed off the puck, beat off the puck, isn't intimidating to top forwards like Gagne, Kovalev, Getzlaf. .. i still think we should've gone out and signed a top or solid defenseman.

[Brea]

TG
any news of the cuts Star Ledger is reporting some player have been sent down as of about 6:30.
They don't have names yet.

[Ali-P]

TG, curious on your thoughts based on the practices you have seen and your discussions with Sutter on who will make the lineup. Perhaps its too early to tell but just was interested to hear your gut feeling.

[MoonDragn]

I for one think Federov will make the team. He has so much talent and potential that he's really a steal. If anyone can motivate him it would be Sutter, he's good at dealing with young people like him. If Federov was a prospect in our system, he would have been ranked somewhere in the top 5. I did see some heart out of him at times during wed's game, I think he just need to keep that intensity up for the whole game and he'll be sure to make it.

[TG]

No cuts have been announced as of 10 p.m.

[Ali-P]

Federov seems to be already in Sutter's dog house and the season hasn't even started yet. I know he is trying to push him but honestly why would a coach need to push someone to try to make the team. Isn't that enough motivation in itself. I think the forwards are locked at this point (see below) but we may see a defensmen slide in as a 7th d-man and then maybe move to 5-6 slot during the season. I really do not see Brookbank as a regular but I think Sutter really likes him. BTW, I can't believe i'm listing Zubrus as a 4th liner with his salary he should be a top 6 forward. This is another Lou mess up.

Elias Rolston Gionta
ZZPop
Madden Pando Clarkson
Zubrus Holik Rupp

[Frankie D]

I think we have the most expensive 4th line in the entire NHL.

[Hattrick]

I refuse to Believe Zubrus is a 4th liner, Hes got a nice shot, and has nice puck possession skill and solid hands around the net, this guys is no 4th liner. hes a top 6-9 player, not a top 12 , no chance!