NJ Devils 2010-2011

[coryroth24 15]

Didn't see a thread for this dismal team yet. But anyway, Rolston's gone...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=345474

[tro 4]

I don't think anyone will pick up Rolston even on re-entry for $2.5M, maybe I'm wrong, but it still seems like a lot for a slap shot.

So called hockey experts & bloggers in the basement, keep mentioning Marty being traded, his last chance at a cup, I really don't see this ever happening, it would be different if he had never won (ie:Bourque) but I think Marty is a Devil to the end.

Kovi- On Pace 81 14 26 40 -18, it goes without saying, but even on a bad team, you have to find away to score more than 14. Dude better pick it up. Well done Atl/LA/Islanders!

[mug25 2]

MARRRRRRTTTTTYYYYY!

Fatso will retire after this season :D Sorry, as a Rangers fan I couldn't resist.

In all seriousness, it really sucks not seeing the Devils do well b/c I feel that it brings out the best in the rest of the division. I'm a little bored with the Penguins being at the top and if it's not the Rangers — I'd at least want the Devils ahead of the Pens and Flyers.

[hamstercaster 2]

Yep, Kovalchuk's signing is really blowing up in Lou's face right now but Kovalchuk's got quite a few years to make up for this year's poor offering though. The whole team is playing poorly and as for Marty, not sure that he'll retire at the end of this year. If he ends up missing any significant amount of time this year he may play another year just so not to retire after such a dreadful season.

[mug25 2]

I think he saw how poorly the team was doing and knew the rest of the season was going to go so poorly - he then got "injured" just to avoid hurting his career stats.

Yeh you can tell I don't like the guy.

[Speedz98 15]

MARRRRRRTTTTTYYYYY!

Fatso will retire after this season :D Sorry, as a Rangers fan I couldn't resist.

I don't think any of that is necessary especially since you don't see any other fan of any other team going on the ranger thread looking for a fight.

[mug25 2]

I don't think any of that is necessary especially since you don't see any other fan of any other team going on the ranger thread looking for a fight.

You obviously didn't read the 2nd part of my post. I said it jokingly. Pull the jock out of your anus sir. <---joke as well.

[Chadd 916]

You obviously didn't read the 2nd part of my post. I said it jokingly. Pull the jock out of your anus sir. <---joke as well.

Jokes or not, stay out of the topic if you aren't going to contribute something of value.

[Agent1.8 1]

Yep, Kovalchuk's signing is really blowing up in Lou's face right now but Kovalchuk's got quite a few years to make up for this year's poor offering though. The whole team is playing poorly and as for Marty, not sure that he'll retire at the end of this year. If he ends up missing any significant amount of time this year he may play another year just so not to retire after such a dreadful season.

I don't think Kovalchuck is to blame. I think Zach going down for 3 months hurt more but honestly, I think it has to do with not signing Paul Martin and the other injuries on D. Salvador is hurt, Salmella was hurt, and they lost that offensive minded defenseman who can move the puck. Keep in mind they probably had 3 D skaters that would still be in the AHL.

I also am an optimist. The past few years they dominate early and crumble late. This year they sputter out of the gate and I think they can turn it around.

Remember, when the Pens won the Cup 2 years ago they were not even in the playoff picture until they went on a tear.

[mug25 2]

Jokes or not, stay out of the topic if you aren't going to contribute something of value.

My bad. I apologize.

I don't think Kovalchuck is to blame. I think Zach going down for 3 months hurt more but honestly, I think it has to do with not signing Paul Martin and the other injuries on D. Salvador is hurt, Salmella was hurt, and they lost that offensive minded defenseman who can move the puck. Keep in mind they probably had 3 D skaters that would still be in the AHL.

I also am an optimist. The past few years they dominate early and crumble late. This year they sputter out of the gate and I think they can turn it around.

Remember, when the Pens won the Cup 2 years ago they were not even in the playoff picture until they went on a tear.

The upside to this is that the Devils are going to get to draft either Sean Couturier or Adam Larssan. Gotta love the way the draft works.

[BenderHockey 127]

My bad. I apologize.

The upside to this is that the Devils are going to get to draft either Sean Couturier or Adam Larssan. Gotta love the way the draft works.

I thought the Devils traded their first rounder this year in the Kovalchuck deal, or am I wrong?

[coryroth24 15]

I thought the Devils traded their first rounder this year in the Kovalchuck deal, or am I wrong?

You're right. I'm pretty sure the Devils won't have to show up to the draft for the next two years since they've pretty much given up everything for big #17...

[Agent1.8 1]

Was at the game tonight, God they can't get the puck on the net. When I got to my car, I put the post game radio show on and the Devils had 46 shot attempts but only 16 went on net (3 posts). It was very frustrating because they did play pretty solid and they looked aggressive. They just cannot build any momentum after a win.

[n3ss 0]

You're right. I'm pretty sure the Devils won't have to show up to the draft for the next two years since they've pretty much given up everything for big #17...

On the flip side, the kovalchuk deal is like the gift that keeps on giving for the thrashers...

[FITLTID 0]

You're right. I'm pretty sure the Devils won't have to show up to the draft for the next two years since they've pretty much given up everything for big #17...

No, they have their first round draft pick. They lost their first rounder last year and swapped 2nd's with Atlanta. They did lose a third rounder this year and a first rounder in the next four years...

Honestly, Kovalchuk has been one of the bright spots for the Devils as of late. It is honestly mismanagement with the coaching staff. MacLean has no idea what he is doing.

I don't think Kovalchuck is to blame. I think Zach going down for 3 months hurt more but honestly, I think it has to do with not signing Paul Martin and the other injuries on D. Salvador is hurt, Salmella was hurt, and they lost that offensive minded defenseman who can move the puck. Keep in mind they probably had 3 D skaters that would still be in the AHL.

I also am an optimist. The past few years they dominate early and crumble late. This year they sputter out of the gate and I think they can turn it around.

Remember, when the Pens won the Cup 2 years ago they were not even in the playoff picture until they went on a tear.

Paul Martin was never going to come back. The Devils really mismanaged his injury last year, keeping him from the Olympics... Salvador was a big loss but there is no cap space for him anyway. Salmela is nothing to jump over. THe true hit was losing Matt Taormina. He looked GREAT before going down and has just had another setback in his return.

[Agent1.8 1]

No, they have their first round draft pick. They lost their first rounder last year and swapped 2nd's with Atlanta. They did lose a third rounder this year and a first rounder in the next four years...

Honestly, Kovalchuk has been one of the bright spots for the Devils as of late. It is honestly mismanagement with the coaching staff. MacLean has no idea what he is doing.

Paul Martin was never going to come back. The Devils really mismanaged his injury last year, keeping him from the Olympics... Salvador was a big loss but there is no cap space for him anyway. Salmela is nothing to jump over. THe true hit was losing Matt Taormina. He looked GREAT before going down and has just had another setback in his return.

You make very good points, after last nights debacle I am one week away from throwing in the towel on them making a run

[FITLTID 0]

You make very good points, after last nights debacle I am one week away from throwing in the towel on them making a run

Yeah, it's really tough. I blame MacLean 100% with Arnott and how he was treated earlier this year and now has Rolston playing center, a position that we learned in his first month of him resigning, doesn't work. If he couldn't center Elias and Gionta, why would it work with Clarkson and Tedenby. Tedenby was on fire before MacLean dropped him...again, unjustified. Elias has been playing with a fire under him, Zajac looks lost. The scary thing is that by losing Parise in the off-season, which I think is a big possibility, you lose Zajac's production and pretty much Zajac. And then you're back to not having ANY centers.

[Speedz98 15]

Zajac is such a mentally shaky guy, you can see it in his game. He's got to become more of a leader and initiate plays on the ice.

[FITLTID 0]

Zajac is such a mentally shaky guy, you can see it in his game. He's got to become more of a leader and initiate plays on the ice.

So if Parise walks next year, can Zajac still be a force? He has no NHL success without Parise, this season included.

[Chadd 916]

Zajac is such a mentally shaky guy, you can see it in his game. He's got to become more of a leader and initiate plays on the ice.

Mentally "shaky" guys don't become leaders

[Speedz98 15]

So if Parise walks next year, can Zajac still be a force? He has no NHL success without Parise, this season included.

As a third line center, maybe. His commitment to defense is impressive but as an offensive threat, thats where he thrives with Parise.

[FITLTID 0]

As a third line center, maybe. His commitment to defense is impressive but as an offensive threat, thats where he thrives with Parise.

Even if that's true that me makes a third line center, that leaves the Devils without a number one center for the future. A lot of people are talking about Henrique and josefson but it seems that they were not the future first line centers (I know that it's too early to tell, just initial thoughts). It's scary to see teams in the division like Philly that has RIchards, Carter, Briere, and Giroux locked up for the future and Pittsburgh with Crosby, Malkin, and Staal for their future to see the Devils with no true centers...

[n3ss 0]

Devils dropped MacLean and hired Lemaire, apparently temporarily..

[jds 20]

Devils dropped MacLean and hired Lemaire, apparently temporarily..

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/12/devils_fire_coach_john_maclean.html

[Hradsky 1]

Devils dropped MacLean and hired Lemaire, apparently temporarily..

Finally.

Opposite of this:

Seems kind of too late though, 18 points out of #8 in the east and half way through the season, they would have to turn it up BIG TIME to get in to the playoffs, I'm not sure that I don't take Larson instead...

Anyways, the devils main issue IMO other than a bad coach is that they have no puck moving defensemen. You get Kaberle or someone back there and I think they would do a lot better. That's why we need Larsson :D