Why I Like Mike

[NJDevs4978]

msweet:

The guy has played in 14 NHL games.

He's scored 2 goals, and he's on the positive side of +/-

He plays with a goon converted to forward (Jimbo) and Turner Stone-hand-son.

Let's give him a bit more time.

Who in this thread has said get him out of here? Some (like me) are wary that Mount Danton will blow up again BUT I think we all recognize his talent (even if few of us are applying for the presidency of his fanclub) and I think most of us, including me, are willing to give him another chance (though this is his third chance, at some point the well does have to run dry). In fact, there are more people giving DANTON a chance than NIEDS which is a little disturbing.

Jerry maybe it's me and I don't neccesarily need all of my players to be saints but I'd rather not win the way the Leafs win. You can be chippy without being dirty (Claude, Holik). I have no problem with Danton's on-ice chippiness so far so it's a moot point as of now anyway.

I generally agree with Devspage though I suppose it's human nature to start worrying when players you want to produce aren't producting (especially with the general feeding frenzy atmosphere on this board, which just adds fuel to whatever irrational inner fears we already have). For example, I was worried about Langer at the start of the year and then he went on his streak. I started getting a little worried about Nieds and Friesen and they both scored last night. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been as worried about any of those players if not for the general trigger-finger tone here.

So in conclusion, 16 games is far from enough to get concrete conclusions on anyone and we all have to take a step back and recognize that.

[SBT]

Mike Jefferson/Danton/whatever.

Never liked him.

Never will.

[Derek21]

Devspage, you are correct on what makes the Devils a tough team to play thus far. They are getting contributions from other players while the couple of stars try to find their game(s).

Which btw is why the Rangers are only a game under .500.

Ironically enough, both the Rangers and Devils enter tomorrow night's clash with some similarities in these aspects.

[devspage]

I generally agree with Devspage though I suppose it's human nature to start worrying when players you want to produce aren't producting (especially with the general feeding frenzy atmosphere on this board, which just adds fuel to whatever irrational inner fears we already have). For example, I was worried about Langer at the start of the year and then he went on his streak. I started getting a little worried about Nieds and Friesen and they both scored last night. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been as worried about any of those players if not for the general trigger-finger tone here.

So in conclusion, 16 games is far from enough to get concrete conclusions on anyone and we all have to take a step back and recognize that.

I agree with you as well.

I understand why the hair-trigger, it's just a byproduct of the Net and human nature to just ride the ones who aren't performing the way you want.

But I'm pretty happy with this team. The talent Elias and Nieuwy have, well you know that won't last forever... esp. with them getting really good chances. And there's people there in the meantime, it's the hallmark of this team. ALWAYS. Rafalski, Nieds, Tivo... all guys capable of hot streaks. So if Maddenbrunner's down (and I don't see that except when they're physically out and even then whoever is left works HARD), there is always a Brylin there for us. A Friesen like last night.

Somewhere in the long, long, LONG offseason I became a lot more rational in the team. Not in my emotional reactions (unfortunately), but in the way I think about them. No stupidstitions, no need to have overly high demands. Of course, I want the ultimate in success for them on every level. I want Patty as first team all-star again, I want Marty to win his Vezina, I want B-Raf to get to play in the all-star game he was unable to be in last year.

But when it comes down to it, all I really want is for them to win. And they're doing pretty well during the early struggles. I think it'll really pay off later.

The diff. between our team and Derek's team is that we don't have those weird Rag pressures to derail it.

[redruM]

I want Danton to go after Bure that will set the ranger off and get them off their game in a minute!!!

[Diablo]

I feel, from watching the games, he has been selfish. He is very unlikely to pass the puck, and instead will try to beat the defense 1 on 1 or 1 on 2. He goes out of his way to deliver body checks regardless if it will lead to a defensive break down or not. I feel both of those situations are ones where he puts himself, trying to impress others, ahead of what would help the team the most.

-Scott

But look at who he is playing with Turner can barely stay on his feet and has done what I had thought may have been impossible he got even slower. I know this is due to his knee injuries but it really is showing.

And Jim isn't one who I would want to carry the puck either. He does a good job battling on the boards but his puck handling and skating makes him sacry on the open ice.

I don't think it is a coinsidence that Dantons and the 4th lines best showing as of late came tuesday when it consisted of Mckenzie-Darby- Danton

[devspage]

Umm, I've seen quite a few games where Turner's play has been very important.

No, he doesn't have the jump that a Danton would. But the fourth line as Jimmy-Danton-Turner has kept the play on the opposite side of the ice quite a bit this year.

In particular the Atlanta game they really stood out slowing down the Thrashers' young guns.

[Diablo]

I'm not saying he hasn't contributed here and there. In fact there isn't a devil who you can say hasn't contributed except Schawb but then again he hasn't played either.

I guess all I am saying is I have trouble seeing where regularly starting him makes the Devils a better team.

And actually my original post wasn't meant to rip on either Jim or Turner. I was pointing out how sometimes you are product of what surrounds you. And if you have to tailor your play to make it work with your linemates that is what you do. And that means Danton handles the the puck a little more so be it.

[Derek21]

Has:

"In fact, there are more people giving DANTON a chance than NIEDS which is a little disturbing."

It's very different for the two players. One was a nuisance off the ice after an injury which went undetected as to the severity. He also whined like a baby over being scratched and in the process, almost got wacked by the Tony Soprano of the Devils, Lou. Then, he drank some of his Kool-Aid at a meeting and piped down.

The other has been a Devil since the team traded away some defenseman who I am drawing blanks on at the moment. Now I remember. It was Tom Kurvers to Toronto for their 3rd overall pick in the 1991 draft.

He's been a Devil a long time and an integral part of their 2 Cups. He's a good player. No one would dispute that. But the thing that's always come in question is why he sometimes turns it on and off for certain games.

That's why the Niedermayer topic is a popular one.

If you want to compare on-ice performance between the two guys, Danton's given more effort. He hustles and sticks up for teammates.

I think a lot of fans haven't bashed the guy because he hasn't done anything stupid to hurt himself on the ice.

Niedermayer should be expected to dominate games. All that talent and ability. He can skate as well as any player. He doesn't always do it. That's why he gets criticized.

edit for tense.

[MaddDog]

It's very different for the two players. One was a nuisance off the ice after an injury which went undetected as to the severity. He also whined like a baby over being scratched and in the process, almost got wacked by the Tony Soprano of the Devils, Lou. Then, he drank some of his Kool-Aid at a meeting and piped down.

The other has been a Devil since the team traded away some defenseman who I am drawing blanks on at the moment. Now I remember. It was Tom Kurvers to Toronto for their 3rd overall pick in the 1991 draft.

He's been a Devil a long time and an integral part of their 2 Cups.

If you want to compare on-ice performance between the two guys, Danton's given more effort. He hustles and sticks up for teammates.

I think a lot of fans haven't bashed the guy because he hasn't done anything stupid to hurt himself on the ice.

Actually, if anything, I feel Niedermayer should get the benefit of the doubt more than Punkass because he HAS been an integral part of the team for many years. Danton has been on the team a whole 15 games and yet he shouldn't get criticized?

I won't dispute that Punkass plays harder than Niedermayer overall, on the ice. He's still prone to hothead penalties, though - so far he's not been too bad but he's taken a few stupid ones. Or throwing a hit and taking himself out of position, as has been noted by another poster. That doesn't mean I want the guy run off the team, despite the fact he's hardly my favorite Devil.

I did want to emphasize that JefferDanton has been MUCH more of a disruptive influence OFF the ice than Niedermayer by far. If you think Lou doesn't take off-ice behavior into account, you are mistaken. I've heard that several of the d-men he's shipped off over the years were mostly moved due to off-ice antics and behavioral issues.

In summary, both Nieds and Punkass have both strong and bad points. You basically have to take the good with the bad if you want to support them.

[Jellofan17]

I'm a member of the Mikey Danton fan club!!!

The kid is a pest, yes. He's a punkass, yes. But he's OUR punkass, and every team needs one, I think.

He's our Fleury, and yeah, he's as short, and he's got that lip-bite thing going when he talks too. He's aggravating, and he gets on the other team's nerves, and every team DOES need a pest. We had Claude Lemieux--and on that subject, why do you think Danton got the #22? Because he reminded Lou of Claude.

Yes, he's young, yes, he's gonna make mistakes. Everyone does. He'll learn from his also. I think the team is good for him, I think he's good for the team.

He seems cool off the ice, too.

[Devils731]

Like I've said, I can take or leave Danton, no big deal to me, it just surprises me why he gets to make all these mistakes and no one cares but when other Devils make mistakes we jump all over them. I'm sure its not the case with every mistake the Devils make, but usually we like to complain when a player makes a mistake, and if he makes a bunch of mistakes, then we start questioning his role on the team. With Danton it seems most fans are content to let him make as many mistakes he wants and shrug it off. It just seems weird to me.

-Scott

[Derek21]

Actually, if anything, I feel Niedermayer should get the benefit of the doubt more than Punkass because he HAS been an integral part of the team for many years. Danton has been on the team a whole 15 games and yet he shouldn't get criticized?

MaddDog, nobody's saying he shouldn't be subject to criticism. Obviously, the way he's handled himself off the ice has come into question. I think if Mr. Danton cares about his Devils' career, he won't be saying too much after the most recent episode over a month ago.

I won't dispute that Punkass plays harder than Niedermayer overall, on the ice. He's still prone to hothead penalties, though - so far he's not been too bad but he's taken a few stupid ones. Or throwing a hit and taking himself out of position, as has been noted by another poster. That doesn't mean I want the guy run off the team, despite the fact he's hardly my favorite Devil.

I never thought you wanted him off the team. You're very fair about stuff.

I decided to take a look at the stats of both players again in case you were interested. The PIM isn't much different between them.

Danton 14 GP 2-0-2 +2 24 PIM

Nieds 16 GP 1-6-7 +2 18 PIM

Not bad. I know a couple of those were fights for Danton.

Just to throw out a comparable you will like, here are the numbers for Danton's linemates:

McKenzie 16 GP 0-2-2 +2 24 PIM

Stevenson 16 GP 0-2-2 Even 31 PIM

Amazing how all three grinders on your 4th line possess such similar statistics. It tells you that Danton is doing his job well and learning from the two vets.

I did want to emphasize that JefferDanton has been MUCH more of a disruptive influence OFF the ice than Niedermayer by far. If you think Lou doesn't take off-ice behavior into account, you are mistaken. I've heard that several of the d-men he's shipped off over the years were mostly moved due to off-ice antics and behavioral issues.

Oh, for sure, you're correct here. I noted it in my last post and a little earlier in this one. And yes, given your g.m.'s track record, Mr. Danton is on thin ice. So, I doubt you'll be hearing much from him.

In summary, both Nieds and Punkass have both strong and bad points. You basically have to take the good with the bad if you want to support them.

Agreed. I think you can say that about almost any player/person. It applies in life. Individuals have some good qualities and some faults. You take the good with the bad.

[Derek21]

Scott, I think you're forgetting one thing. Mike Danton's a rookie. Rookies are going to make mistakes. A team must show patience when bringing along a promising kid with a future.

The reason vets get bashed more when they make mistakes is because they should know better. They've been around much longer and are supposed to lead by example.

Give Danton a break there.