In all honesty, I'd rather have a sick d-core and a so-so bunch of forwards over a sick set of forwards and the blueline we have atm.
You don't say?
But honestly, I agree. Boston of last year and the Rangers of this year remind me of the Devils of old. That absolutely kills me to say, more than I could ever express with words, but it's true. Hard working, tough defensively, blue-collar offense, fantastic goaltending, with forwards that know how to get it done.
EDIT: Oh yeah, and the Predators (as Abo just pointed out) and even the Blues. Those two don't kill me nearly enough to admit.
If not for that circus that they started the season with (and Halak not being awful for the first 2-3 months), they'd be #1 in the league, in my opinion. Skill, size, and grit ALL over the lineup with a fantastic blue line, depth, and veteran leadership. They're my sleeper pick to win the West.
hey, it works for nashville. then again, they have an elite goalie too.
Yeah that's basically the other extreme...I don't think either extreme's all that great, but yeah you'd rather start with the sick D because theoretically it's easier to trade for or patch in offense (Nashville hasn't managed to do that yet though) although the Rangers are giving lie to that this year, they've had a sick D without having sick defensemen, it's mind-boggling.
Yeah that's basically the other extreme...I don't think either extreme's all that great, but yeah you'd rather start with the sick D because theoretically it's easier to trade for or patch in offense (Nashville hasn't managed to do that yet though) although the Rangers are giving lie to that this year, they've had a sick D without having sick defensemen, it's mind-boggling.
Agreed, to an extent. Their defense is great defensively. Marc Staal is a great shutdown forward and skates really well, and the same goes for Girardi and McDonaugh (Bob Gainey you *******...). When it comes to offense, Tortarella has them playing their role perfectly. They always know where to put pucks to keep the offense going, even if it's not with a beautiful pass or some fancy stickwork.
Lou turns 70 this year (right at the beginning of next season).
He doesn't seem the retiring type but it's unlikely to expect he will work forever. I dread the post-Lou world. I hope there are plans for succession.
Rest assured, there are.
Lou is an elite, HOF executive.
His (rare) type plan for everything. He has always looked at the big picture, as opposed to over-reacting to the moment. The big picture, as it does for all of us, includes a time when he is not in the saddle.
He has it covered.
That said, we will not look upon his like again, to borrow from Shakespeare.
Whoever it is, I would hope for more of a modern approach to marketing and embracing some aspects of social media. Not asking for them to bring back Mike McKenna, but a little more exposure for the team and it's star players couldn't hurt.
Whoever it is, I would hope for more of a modern approach to marketing and embracing some aspects of social media. Not asking for them to bring back Mike McKenna, but a little more exposure for the team and it's star players couldn't hurt.
Devils players are allowed to have a twitter as long as they don't disclose team info.
They simply just choose not to use it for the fear of making the mistake Mckenna did.
Here's how Lou's farm is growing. I'm much more sad than I am scared of the thought of a post Brodeur era. I know we'll be alright. And it's not like there won't be free agents and other teams' elite backups that want to be starters.
NJ GOALIE PROSPECT STATS:
Scott Wedgewood (OHL-Plymouth):
.913 SV% --- 2.98 GAA --- .571 SA/MIN --- .727 WIN%
Maxime Clermont (ECHL-Kalamazoo) (also stopped 28 of 30 shots in a win with Albany):
.891 SV% --- 3.51 GAA --- .539 SA/MIN --- .500 WIN%
Keith Kinkaid (AHL-Albany):
.907 SV% --- 2.77 GAA --- .495 SA/MIN --- .500 WIN%
Jeff Frazee (AHL-Albany):
.905 SV% --- 2.63 GAA --- .461 SA/MIN --- .434 WIN%
Timo Pielmeier (ECHL-Elmira) (also stopped 45 of 48 in 78 minutes with Albany, where he recorded a win)
.905 SV% --- 2.87 GAA --- .503 SA/MIN --- .565 win%
, but a little more exposure for the team and it's star players couldn't hurt.
