I thought Zids was fine, especially considering it was his first game. The only two players I'm a little disappointed in are Henrique and Brodeur (bring on the hate!)
Zidlicky made some nice passes, managed to hold off Stamkos on that partial break (I'll take that penalty any time), had a beautiful shot on net from the point, and kept the transition going all game.
I also liked seeing him pinch and actually hold on the puck. The only other Devils d-man I've seen do that all season is Urbom, I think. Greene used to, but now he just winds it around the boards or lofts it towards the net every time. Salvador syndrome.
Zidlicky's movement on the PPG by Parise was the ONLY reason Parise had all that open space.
If people expected greatness or even any type of consistency with him in this game (even tomorrow for that matter), you're out of your mind. He has had 0 practice time with this team.
He should be improved by the Boston/Capitals games compared to today.
I liked Zidlicky. When he was on the ice the breakout was actually crisp. The icing with 10 seconds to go was a high risk on his part; if that hits the goalie there's still a chance for one or two more close shots. Anyway, wonder who else, if anyone, we'll bring in tonight or tomorrow.
I think Taormina will leave the Devils this off season. He knows the Devils have many more promising prospects and will probably ask for more than Lou will be willing to offer.
I liked Zid. He had not practiced with the team or with the PP unit so there has to be some consideration taken for that. Just because he didnt come in and score 4 goals doesnt mean he was bad. He made good passes and lots of movement on the PP which was different. In time he will be perfectly fine i believe.
Shocking a loss with a brand new Dman and a rookie Dman who hasnt played a game in almost a month.
I think Taormina will leave the Devils this off season. He knows the Devils have many more promising prospects and will probably ask for more than Lou will be willing to offer.
Zidlicky's movement on the PPG by Parise was the ONLY reason Parise had all that open space.
If people expected greatness or even any type of consistency with him in this game (even tomorrow for that matter), you're out of your mind. He has had 0 practice time with this team.
He should be improved by the Boston/Capitals games compared to today.
Well not only that but he's been scratched the last couple weeks as well. So basically he had Larsson-type rust. The one play that did irk me was just before Parise's goal where Zidlicky had an open lane to the net with only Clarkson in front and instead of putting it on net or getting it to Clarkson on a pass or deflection attempt, he just kept holding the puck and skating off to the side till the defenders got back into position, but what are ya gonna do?
I think Josefson/Tedenby will get dangled if we bring in something decent. If we bring in a "Skoula", aka a vet that blows, we are losing a pick and someone like Brad Mills for example.
Regarding our needs for the next 15 hours, I really hope that Lou will add a veteran d-men and someone to take faceoffs. Over the past couple of games, we've been getting our ***** handed to us at the dot and when you don't start with the puck, you end up chasing it and that just sucks the energy out of our guys for nothing.
There's two things I want my team to do on a regular basis and that's winning faceoffs and braking out of our own zone with ease. If you can win both of those battles, you are now concentrating almost all your energy controling the puck and that's key IMO if you want to win hockey games.
Despite doing both of the those things kind of poorly, we still manage to get by pretty well cause when we do get the puck, we control it like it's no one's bussiness. Improve both those things and we'll be dominating the east in no time.
We have Tao and Tally though. Who would he go for? A FA for sure.
And Zajac for face offs. Lou will consider that.
If Zajac comes back, that doesn't take away the fact that he'll be the only reliable guy we have. The more options the better and in the post season, your 4th line is always a key part of your success.
Adding a Gaustad would be dreaming but Pahlsson is a solid 2nd option. He played real well with Rob Niedermayer (yes, he was good back then ) in their cup run and he'd be the guy we throw out there at the end of games as a winger just in case Zajac get's tossed.
I think Lou will get some calls. Maybe look at some 4th line center type thats good in the dot. But i dont think he will make a move because the price is going to be so high.
I agree with the above poster about Tally and Zajac being those additions.
I know its prob not going to happen but what about grabing Clitsome from waviers as our depth Dman? Wouldnt cost us anything.
) in their cup run and he'd be the guy we throw out there at the end of games as a winger just in case Zajac get's tossed.
