NJ Devils 2010-2011

[Chadd 916]

It was only a matter of time and given all the problems, I'm surprised that it took this long.

[ibeck 38]

Devils are becoming a graveyard for coaches. Not wining (Maclean) you are fired. Win the division in your first year with the team (Julien) get fired.

[FITLTID 0]

Pretty shocked that it happened actually. It's really late in the game for a change like this to matter and they have been grooming MacLean for YEARS now. A lot of people thought he was going to be the coach of the future, especially after the season he had in Lowell last year. It's going to be interesting to see the relationship between him and Langs, they had a HUGE problem after Langs was benched before the playoffs last year. It will also be nice to see Kovy not on a line with Tim Sestito and getting rid of some of the AHL d-men.

[Chadd 916]

Some say MacLean was being groomed for years, others say he was passed over a number of times because he wasn't ready. Given the amount of time invested in prepping him as a coach, one would think he would have been prepared by now. One of the biggest differences between the AHL and NHL is managing the players in the locker room and not just the X's and O's. MacLean managed to alienate a large number of veterans in the locker room in a very short time.

[ibeck 38]

Some say MacLean was being groomed for years, others say he was passed over a number of times because he wasn't ready. Given the amount of time invested in prepping him as a coach, one would think he would have been prepared by now. One of the biggest differences between the AHL and NHL is managing the players in the locker room and not just the X's and O's. MacLean managed to alienate a large number of veterans in the locker room in a very short time.

Like who and what happened?

[FITLTID 0]

Like who and what happened?

Even if no one said it, it is very clear that Mac was passed over many times, biggest before Sutter was brought in and before Lemaire was brought in. And after Lemaire was brought back, they assigned Mac to Lowell to get some head coaching experience knowing that Lemaire wouldn't last longer than 2 years (honestly, I think Lou thought Lemaire was going to coach last season and this season). Mac did a great job in Lowell, especially because of how many AHLer's the Devils had to bring up last year but as Chadd said, it couldn't translate.

Personally, of all the times that they passed on him, I feel that they should have gone with an experienced coach from the start this season. This has obviously been the most unstable team the Devils have had in a while and not a great experience for a first time coach. He had to work a lot around salary cap problems, including many times where the Devils couldn't dress enough players. I think he'll be back.

[Agent1.8 1]

Even if no one said it, it is very clear that Mac was passed over many times, biggest before Sutter was brought in and before Lemaire was brought in. And after Lemaire was brought back, they assigned Mac to Lowell to get some head coaching experience knowing that Lemaire wouldn't last longer than 2 years (honestly, I think Lou thought Lemaire was going to coach last season and this season). Mac did a great job in Lowell, especially because of how many AHLer's the Devils had to bring up last year but as Chadd said, it couldn't translate.

Personally, of all the times that they passed on him, I feel that they should have gone with an experienced coach from the start this season. This has obviously been the most unstable team the Devils have had in a while and not a great experience for a first time coach. He had to work a lot around salary cap problems, including many times where the Devils couldn't dress enough players. I think he'll be back.

I love Lemaire and I know it is his first game back...but down 3-0 to the Isles in one period???

[FITLTID 0]

yeah, this is a joke.

[hamstercaster 2]

Mario Tremblay who is still very close to Lemaire and who has was at Pat Burn's funerals said he talked to Kovalchuk at the funerals and he apparantly wasn't happy about how things were going in Jersey, including but not limited to him. There have been talks of Kovalchuk and maybe others asking for McLean's head. Apparantly Kovalchuk really loved to play for Lemaire last year and has suggested that the Devils bring him back. How much of this is true or just speculation from ex-hockey coaches, journalists and such, I don't know but you have to think that if a couple of guys or even Kovalchuk alone walks in in Lou's office and ask for a coaching change, Lou is bound to listen to what the player(s) have to say and make his decision after. Knowing Lou's trigger happy propensities to fire coaches, this does not come at a surprise at all. The only surprise is that Lou did not decide to step behind the bench himself although after his last attempt at coaching I believe he said something about it not being is place to be and that he would not coach again.

[Chadd 916]

I think he'll be back.

If he learns from it, he might. Then again, most people would have known that you can't treat a veteran team like a bunch of kids. He blamed just about everyone other than himself (by name) for the slow start this season.

[FITLTID 0]

well for the kicker...Parise is out until at least March, already a month behind his recovery. I said when he first went down that a big part of him staying was going to be how they treated his injury, the reason I think Paul Martin left. So this will be interesting

[Agent1.8 1]

well for the kicker...Parise is out until at least March, already a month behind his recovery. I said when he first went down that a big part of him staying was going to be how they treated his injury, the reason I think Paul Martin left. So this will be interesting

The only hope is making him the Captain when they trade Jamie.

[FITLTID 0]

I really dont understand it...just got outplayed and outworked by the two worst teams in the NHL, other than the Devils. Both looked light years ahead of the Devils.

[Agent1.8 1]

I really dont understand it...just got outplayed and outworked by the two worst teams in the NHL, other than the Devils. Both looked light years ahead of the Devils.

I find it baffling that they cannot score more than one goal a game! This is beyond words! Crosby has 16 goals in December, the Devils have 12!

[Hradsky 1]

I find it baffling that they cannot score more than one goal a game! This is beyond words! Crosby has 16 goals in December, the Devils have 12!

This. They have less than a 2.0 GPG average. That is SAD.

[Fury of One 6]

They're just awful in every aspect — goaltending, defense, offense. They've been outshooting teams and still only manage one goal, Lou handicapped himself with the 4, 5 year deals to guys like Rolston & Zubrus — virtually untradable. Colin White should be in the AHL. The season's a goner, too bad Lou can't do a fire sale, but he can start looking at either Sean Couturier or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

[FITLTID 0]

They're just awful in every aspect — goaltending, defense, offense. They've been outshooting teams and still only manage one goal, Lou handicapped himself with the 4, 5 year deals to guys like Rolston & Zubrus — virtually untradable. Colin White should be in the AHL. The season's a goner, too bad Lou can't do a fire sale, but he can start looking at either Sean Couturier or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Actually, I think White has been one of the few bright spots this year. So with Rolston on waivers, I guess the plan is for a team to pick him up on re-entry, meaning the Devils would be on hook for 2.5 million for the next year 2 years. If he isn't picked up on re-entry, I assume the Devils will just bring him right back. A little strange but it looks that he won't be in the lineup against the Rangers.

[Agent1.8 1]

40+ shots on goal and again, only ONE goal.

[BucksAway 16]

what is going on with them, my mate follows them but doesnt no why they cant win, its embarrassing since they had the potential to make play offs

[Hradsky 1]

Finally a win today, nice goal by Kovalchuk.

[Agent1.8 1]

Finally a win today, nice goal by Kovalchuk.

He has been trying so hard, you can see how much he cares and wants the fans to love him. So happy he scored there.

[FITLTID 0]

I wonder if Marty stays for the rest of the season. After tonight, being pulled for the 3rd time in 6 nights, he left without talking to the press. If the Devils move to relying heavy on the Moose, I wonder if Marty stays with the team for the season. He did not take losing the job to Luongo during the Olympics well.

[Speedz98 15]

He did not take losing the job to Luongo during the Olympics well.

According to who?

[FITLTID 0]

According to who?

He tries to hide it but its pretty obvious... here are some things that stood out about the article. I dont really have much behind that but if he sees that hes not playing well and going to split his time, he might not see it worth staying around, especially with how the devils have dug themselves into a deep hole with the cap next year as well...might not have much of a future in the few more years he has left... That last quote at the end, maybe it his time to pass the torch to another goalie. again, nothing behind this, probably wont happen but its just something that i was thinking about today when he got pulled. He does not look good this year, moose does. it will be interesting to see how he handles that.

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/devils_goaltender_martin_brodeur_didnt_feel_as_much_a_part_of_this_olympic_/

“It’s hard,” he said. “When you don’t play, you don’t feel as much a part of the team. For me, I didn’t know how I was going to react. Going through it I was ready go come back, but I really got into it and it was fun to see some of these young guys doing well.

This time around, for sure it’s not as rewarding as when you play, but it is what it is.”

Brodeur did not speak about losing the No. 1 job to Luongo in Vancouver. He did not seem bitter about it, but was clearly disappointed.

I made it clear that I don’t want to hear what they (the media) say (is) the reason why. I’m just not playing. I didn’t want to ruin anything. I was happy to be there. So, I didn’t talk to the media. We didn’t have much time to talk to the media. The way it’s set up, you walk through everybody and you’re walking with everybody that is playing, so they don’t waste time. They just want to get who is important for that day, for that game. So, I didn’t really have to answer any questions about it when I was there.”

Lemaire could tell it was hard for Brodeur, though.

“It was.” Lemaire said. “I talked to him and it was difficult for him because he had 15 members of his family there and they wanted to see him play. But this is the Games. You get in and you get a so-so night and somebody replaces you in the net. You never know what’s happening there.”

Brodeur admitted it was a little tough for his family.

“My kids, especially my oldest (Anthony) came in from Minnesota for that quarterfinal game that I didn’t play,” he said. “But, they’re young. They don’t care. They were so nervous. Everybody was so nervous when I was playing. They were like, ‘Wow, we never had to live (through) a tournament when there was no pressure, less pressure anyway.’”

“Well, I should be well rested now,” he said. “I should at least get that for another five to 10 games (without people saying) that I’m tired or play too much. That’s one thing. But, it puts a lot of things in perspective. I’m excited to get back. It’s the stretch run now. So, it’s going to be good.”

Brodeur seemed to concede there was a bit of a passing of the torch to the next generation of goaltenders.

“These guys are the ones that are supposed to be (playing). They’re 30 years old. It’s time for them to shine,” he said. “They’ve been waiting for it. I was able to hold off as long as I could and played one bad game and that’s what happens. I’m proud of what I accomplished.

[Agent1.8 1]

break up the Devils!! 2 in a row baby!! Kovy with 2 goals tonight! Why can't we play the Bolts every night?? lol