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Chico

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Albany Devil

Albany Devil (3/11)

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  1. It is one guy's opinion...take it with a grain of salt.
  2. http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/...d-contract.aspx
  3. Are you effing kidding me?! Phyllis George is ahead of Doc? Puh-leeze. Who made this list? I can't complain about the top 10--Doc should at least be in the top 15. Phyllis George?
  4. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?p...reenshots070815 Atlantic Division (in predicted order of finish) Pittsburgh Penguins: Why No. 1? Because Sidney Crosby's career trajectory is still in the skyrocket position, and Pens GM Ray Shero is surrounding him with a well-balanced mix of young stars (Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney) and productive veterans (Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Sergei Gonchar, Petr Sykora). The biggest trouble spot for Pittsburgh this season will be the same one that got them into trouble in the 2007 playoffs -- getting consistent performances from goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Dany Sabourin doesn't provide a wealth of confidence as Fleury's newly signed backup, but Shero will have a few months to judge and adjust that situation, perhaps bringing in a proven veteran (Ed Belfour or Curtis Joseph) as a short-term stop gap. However, if the experience and grit of offseason acquisition Darryl Sydor filters throughout the defense corps early in the season, there may be no need to take such a measure. And if they do get solid performances from the back end, a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference, as well as an Eastern Conference postseason championship, is not far-fetched. New York Rangers: Why second? Because, despite the tremendous acquisitions of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, there's the small matter of a bland, run-of-the-mill blue line that has yet to be properly addressed. And losing Michael Nylander and Matt Cullen may hurt more than team brass believe. And while a possible first line of Gomez centering Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka has the potential to be the league's most offensively potent, once you get to the third- and fourth-liners, the drop-off in talent is severe. Therefore, if the Rangers want a high playoff seeding, their power play (tied for sixth-best in the league last season) is going to have to be just as good, and Henrik Lundqvist will need to be equally spectacular in net. Fortunately for Blueshirts fans, I think history has an excellent chance of repeating in those regards. Philadelphia Flyers: Why third? Because the Devils and Islanders took steps back, and the Penguins and Rangers remain better squads, at least on paper. As noted in an earlier Screen Shots column, there's no questioning the strides the Flyers have taken since bombing like a polka band at the Apollo last season. Paul Holmgren has quickly re-jigged the roster, adding as much sandpaper (Jason Smith and Scott Hartnell) as skill (Daniel Briere and Kimmo Timonen). Much of their playoff hopes depend on goalie Martin Biron, but I think the real key will be the performance of a trio of youngsters (Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and Joffrey Lupul) who were sizeable disappointments in 2006-07. If two of those three rebound with potential-realizing results, the pressure on others will be greatly alleviated, and the Flyers will be dancing in the postseason once again. New Jersey Devils: Why fourth? Because you don't replace Gomez and Brian Rafalski with Dainius Zubrus and Vitali Vishnevski and not lose a lot in the process. Now, odds are any team with Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias on the ice and noted whip-cracker Brent Sutter behind the bench is going to be competitive. But this team somewhat reminds me of the 2006-07 Flyers, who had their veteran core slowly whittled away in prior seasons before imploding right out of the gate. If that happens, regardless of how quickly Uber-boss Lou Lamoriello acts to correct the Devils' course, teams such as the Avalanche, Blues and Panthers proved last season that an early hole is nearly impossible to climb out from. New York Islanders: Why fifth? Need you ask? No matter how optimistic their fans may be that GM Garth Snow and coach Ted Nolan will pull another rabbit out of their collective hat, few league observers believe a second bunny is on the way. The Isles' blue line frightens no one, their forward unit is comprised of other teams' castoffs and mid-tier veterans, and their top prospects are a few years away from contributing significantly. Would you say such a team should be expected to make the postseason? If so, can I interest you in purchasing a handful of magic beans? Adam Proteau's Screen Shots appears every Thursday only on thehockeynews.com. Want to take a shot at Adam Proteau? You can reach him at aproteau@thehockeynews.com or through out Ask Adam feature. And be sure to check out Proteau's Blog for daily insight on the world of hockey. Can't get enough Adam? Subscribe to The Hockey News at http://www.thehockeynews.com to get the column Proteau Type delivered to you every issue.
  5. This can't be just about Gomez...
  6. Lou is the eff'n man! Yes he created this situation...but he's also well on his way to fixing it. As Devils fans we are most fortunate to have him as the GM. It will be a sad, sad day in the Devils' Nation when he moves on. All hail Lou! Mmm kool-aid. Chico
  7. Red, Was the quote on tv or in the papers? Does anyone know where this was said?
  8. Well said. We all new the Devils weren't going to go 16-0 in the playoffs...it's just a damn shame it had to be such a blow out thus far. Hey there's still one period left and if they don't win, it's only one game! Last time I checked you have to win 4 to move on.
  9. I doubt he fell off the wagon due to his crappy play in the series. Truth be known, he's probably been off the wagon for a while; thus helping to explain his crappy play.
  10. Melrose also picked Carolina and Dallas to be in the finals, with Dallas winning it all. Carolina is still breathing; Dallas on the other hand has a big foot across their throats. Melrose springs from one bandwagon to another. After the last game against the Habs he said the Devils were a team of destiny and yet he picked Carolina to come out of the East. I think his receding hairline has his thoughts all mixed up.
  11. I think E.J. was listening to the OLN feed; Darren Eliot pointed that out pretty much right after the first goal was scored.
  12. Chico

    Marc Crawford?

    ...but what? Are we still hoping for the return of Burns?
  13. Chico

    Marc Crawford?

    Does he become a candidate for the Devils now that Vancouver has given him the boot?
  14. ...by the Ranger fans. Priceless. (Comments are at the bottom of the page) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/...rn-on-team.html
  15. This is great news! I live in Va, I have DN (DTV is my only other option for programming) I actually purchased the Sports Package (20 regional Fox channels) yesterday hoping FSNY or MSG would not be blacked out in my area. I watched the Devils Pregame and then a 7pm **POOF** blacked out! I was pissed. I had to watch the other games hoping for highlights I also watched the scores on NHL Center Ice Extra! as well as listen to John and Randy. I was all over the place...kind of like this post.
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