Save us Jacques Lemaire

[BostonNala370]

i was one of those questioning loudly why severson for larsson when you had options. that was because i couldn't have possibly expected severson to be this good this early. now, it's possible he regresses or hits a wall. i certainly hope not, but it's possible. for now, i totally get how there really isn't room for larsson unless it's at the expense of gelinas and that's tough. for all of gelinas' defensive warts, his shot, skating, and PP ability are ++ attributes. larsson has good vision and more often than not makes the smart play. those are his + abilities, but they aren't ++.

 

it's as clear as day that if you took the names and the C off the sweaters, larsson is probably in for salvador. but you can't and they won't. so that's the problem with larsson's time right now.

 

i'm a big larsson fan - i remember Anton telling me from his first practice, "he's the real deal" and I got his jersey before he even played a game for us. it stinks because, for now, without injury, there really isn't a place for him. his game is different than salvador's supposed game which is toughness and PK ability. honestly, i think it will take something like zidlicky not returning, gelinas moving into that role and larsson coming into the spot where gelinas is playing.

Very well said and supported with logic. I believe you are correct if he stays around collecting his pay check he will replace Gelinas when Gelinas replaces Zidlicky and that maybe next season.

[BostonNala370]

FYI -- There is no one out there I prefer over DeBoer and he's not beyond hope.  But he needs to be managed - with care - because he's very artful at deluding himself.  He's very wily about shuffling around the words, praise, criticism, even observations to suit his own picture.  He's an expert arguer - and paints a desirable picture. This is a problem once that picture diverts too far from the reality of the situation. Why do I suspect this --- because when the Devils get on a strong run, it seems to me that DeBoer doesn't actually see why -- he DECIDES why.  and he's wrong so he cannot repeat his success or grow off of his failures.

 

What's annoying is that he knows how to lose his cool at an appropriate moment but it's still not reflecting the reality of ... well Part of me wants to call it his system.  Because his system is not a system but a survival plan built for himself above and beyond the team.  He's picking up the wrong things with each team he moves to.  I don't think he understands that is what he's doing though.  Coaching is not about handling people -- and he's handling people too much. He's being a people person not a hockey person and that's a problem.  Because no one can trust what he's going to do then. He has not picked up the winning path like Pat Burns -- but rather the winning argument as to why he is correct.   but he's not correct ad he can't find correct until he surrenders to hockey.  to the game of hockey not his own value system.  I don't disapprove of his value system at all by the way.  but he's got to allow his own vulnerability and fallibility.

 

He just needs to take another step that I dont think he is able to take.  I want everyone to be a superstar.  To my mind, if you are not - it's your choice your doing.  Once you reach a certain point success or failure is in your own hands.  If there is ANY way Lou can help him down the right path I'd like him to do so, rather than fire him.

Nice read, it appears that he is out on a limb of his own choice with no one giving him any direction while he saws the limb on the wrong side of his feet.

[devilsrule33]

i was one of those questioning loudly why severson for larsson when you had options. that was because i couldn't have possibly expected severson to be this good this early. now, it's possible he regresses or hits a wall. i certainly hope not, but it's possible. for now, i totally get how there really isn't room for larsson unless it's at the expense of gelinas and that's tough. for all of gelinas' defensive warts, his shot, skating, and PP ability are ++ attributes. larsson has good vision and more often than not makes the smart play. those are his + abilities, but they aren't ++.

 

it's as clear as day that if you took the names and the C off the sweaters, larsson is probably in for salvador. but you can't and they won't. so that's the problem with larsson's time right now.

 

i'm a big larsson fan - i remember Anton telling me from his first practice, "he's the real deal" and I got his jersey before he even played a game for us. it stinks because, for now, without injury, there really isn't a place for him. his game is different than salvador's supposed game which is toughness and PK ability. honestly, i think it will take something like zidlicky not returning, gelinas moving into that role and larsson coming into the spot where gelinas is playing.

 

I'll disagree about the names and the C. Deboer, like many hockey people including Lou, believe you need that physical defenseman in the lineup. The name and letter probably kept him there over Volchenkov last year, though. Maybe, I am wrong. Was Volchenkov ever scratched while Salvador was hurt last year?

 

The only way Salvador is kept out, and it's still a long shot, is if he goes down to an injury and the team goes on such a role without him where all the youngsters are playing excellently. Deboer needs to experience that.

[sundstrom]

I'll disagree about the names and the C. Deboer, like many hockey people including Lou, believe you need that physical defenseman in the lineup. The name and letter probably kept him there over Volchenkov last year, though. Maybe, I am wrong. Was Volchenkov ever scratched while Salvador was hurt last year?

The only way Salvador is kept out, and it's still a long shot, is if he goes down to an injury and the team goes on such a role without him where all the youngsters are playing excellently. Deboer needs to experience that.

Yes - Anton was scratched. He wasn't particularly healthy either but they did healthy scratch him a couple times when Sal was also out.

They went Fayne-Greene Larsson-gelinas Zidlicky-Merrill a couple times.

[devilsrule33]

Yes - Anton was scratched. He wasn't particularly healthy either but they did healthy scratch him a couple times when Sal was also out.

They went Fayne-Greene Larsson-gelinas Zidlicky-Merrill a couple times.

 

I remember that group, but forgot if it was because of injuries or scratches. Something like that could happen this year. It'll just happen when Salvador is out.

[Marshall]

Maybe PDB is trotting Salvador out there for all that PK time so he'll get injured? 

[Devils Pride 26]

Yeah

[devilsrule33]

Yeah

 

You're better than this DP26.

[NJDevs26]

Lemaire's not coming back, Lou already used up his buddy pass.

I just find it ironic that people act like no coach should ever be fired for a bad roster when coaches get fired every year with bad rosters.  If you want to say you don't like the alternatives that's one thing but people bend over backwards defending Pete more than Rex Ryan even.  And Rex had two good playoff runs.

[Zubie#8]

I would be interested in promoting Barr to head coach so we can use the same system and anything he touches is gold it seems.

[Pepperkorn]

I wish I knew more about Barr.  He always looks engaged and aware behind the bench.  He has good clothes and seems a little chatty....  maybe he's a happy idiot, you know?  Or a real yes man?  I can't guess   Stevens was so wooden you couldn't even tell if he was paying attention to the game.

[Devils Pride 26]

You're better than this DP26.

I don't know, dr. I might be going about it like an idiot but this team is a pain to watch. Can't hold a lead to save its life. Basic plays breaking down.

These are the exact problems we've been having for a couple years now.

[Pepperkorn]

 

 You still don't know what a player is going to be until you see him playing in real NHL games - I mean yeah from the preseason stuff, Severson looked good, but I wouldn't've predicted anything like this.

 

I dont like to do this and I normally always have the past posts to back up my statements -- but fact is I could have, even last year, in my head I did. I'm furious at myself for not writing it.  I liked Severson better than Merrill last pre-season.  He didn't stay and Stevens was in charge so I just figured my head was up my ass.  If Stevens hadn't been coaching D I'd have been blabbing all over hell about how stupid they were for putting Merrill higher than Severson.  As it stood though I just sat around wondering what it was I wasn't seeing. 

 

I'm not sure this is going to last but his mindset is so nice - it's prime and it's consistent. his thinking is not a happy accident or blind talent.  It's this crystal clear confidence that's just a beautiful sight.  It makes things happen.  BUT -- people are people and they screw with themselves and I don't know if he can maintain this on this particular team.  (yeah -- that's a back-peddle  )

 

 

digression:

I so long for clarity and ... this team just seems so confused about what that is. Sometimes it's just doing it. No happy horsesh!t, no "character guy" fables.... it's just doing your job.  not doing your job to the best of your ability.  No.  it's ACTUALLY doing your job WELL.  and sometimes it's letting someone find his best ability because his half-assed one is equal to some other guy's heart and soul.  Yes that seems unfair but fvck 'em! 

[Pepperkorn]

I don't know, dr. I might be going about it like an idiot but this team is a pain to watch. Can't hold a lead to save its life. Basic plays breaking down.

These are the exact problems we've been having for a couple years now.

No need to back-peddle.  No one cares what judgement DR33 has cast on you.  Frustration drives you to aggression.  It drives dr33 into insipid piety.  Neither gut reaction detracts from either of your hockey knowledge or prevents either of you from making a few salient points here and there.

[Neb00rs]

No need to back-peddle.  No one cares what judgement DR33 has cast on you.  Frustration drives you to aggression.  It drives dr33 into insipid piety.  Neither gut reaction detracts from either of your hockey knowledge or prevents either of you from making a few salient points here and there.

 

I am making a return just to say POD.

[devilsrule33]

I am making a return just to say POD.

 

Taking 4-5 months off from posting (surely reading though), to return to post that...well that would be trolling. Neboors, either contribute to the forum or don't, just don't come out of hiding only to applaud someone telling me that "No one cares what judgement DR33 has cast on you"

 

The reason I said that DP was better than that is because he's a very good poster, and bumping a thread to just say "yeah" after the first bad game of the season was kind of lazy, no? His reply to me at least had some reasons for it. That was "salient". Maybe he'll agree. I am sure others won't.

Edited October 29, 2014 by devilsrule33

[Devils Pride 26]

I'm flattered by that, and really chalk it up to frustration. Normally I don't post during games for that reason

[Neb00rs]

Taking 4-5 months off from posting (surely reading though), to return to post that...well that would be trolling. Neboors, either contribute to the forum or don't, just don't come out of hiding only to applaud someone telling me that "No one cares what judgement DR33 has cast on you"

 

The reason I said that DP was better than that is because he's a very good poster, and bumping a thread to just say "yeah" after the first bad game of the season was kind of lazy, no? His reply to me at least had some reasons for it. That was "salient". Maybe he'll agree. I am sure others won't.

 

Agreed I should make up my mind and I choose to contribute to this forum no longer, mostly because of condescending attacks coming from posters like you. 

 

I applauded PK, because it's nice to see a veteran poster point this issue out. 

Edited October 29, 2014 by Neb00rs

[StarDew]

Folks, you are all aware that Lemaire is employed by the Devils as a special assignment coach. I highly doubt he would coach as he has in the past but he sure could provide some constructive contribution.

[2ELIAS6]

Folks, you are all aware that Lemaire is employed by the Devils as a special assignment coach. I highly doubt he would coach as he has in the past but he sure could provide some constructive contribution.

im pretty sure he has said that he is completely done with coaching and he didnt want to do it anymore.

[StarDew]

im pretty sure he has said that he is completely done with coaching and he didnt want to do it anymore.

I never said he could be used as a coach.  I said I highly doubt he would however a contribution via constructive criticism could help.  He doesn't have to be a behind the bench coach to offer advice or feedback.