43 replies to this topic

[Default]

the team was fine without Zach 2 years ago with worst players too

So fine they missed the playoffs.

[CarpathianForest]

So fine they missed the playoffs.

Oh yeah. That's right it;s not like they made an epic run at like 25-4 without Zach or anything.

[SterioDesign]

Oh yeah. That's right it;s not like they made an epic run at like 25-4 without Zach or anything.

yup i was talking about that part lol

[ZeroGravityFat]

Epicly terrible coach followed by an epic run, team will be fine without Zach. Plus we will actually have ascoring powerplay which will win us games we lost gong 0_6 on pp

[NLinfante]

While I agree 100% that I think Lou knows what he's doing (and taking his time might not be such a bad thing), I will still be concerned on opening night with the current roster assuming the other teams in our division get better. Philly will be better should they acquire Weber, and NY/Pitt will be scary assuming they add some piece of Semin/Doan/Nash/etc. Let's be honest here; we had a great run last year but finished 4th in the division. As of right now we're not as good of a team, and if everyone else gets better...uh oh.

Edited by NLinfante, 20 July 2012 - 08:15 AM.

[Devilsfan118]

While I agree 100% that I think Lou knows what he's doing (and taking his time might not be such a bad thing), I will still be concerned on opening night with the current roster assuming the other teams in our division get better. Philly will be better should they acquire Weber, and NY/Pitt will be scary assuming they add some piece of Semin/Doan/Nash/etc. Let's be honest here; we had a great run last year but finished 4th in the division. As of right now we're not as good of a team, and if everyone else gets better...uh oh.

Lotta hypotheticals in that statement there. As of right now, imo, the division hasn't gotten significantly tougher skill-wise.

[Chuck the Duck]

Lotta hypotheticals in that statement there. As of right now, imo, the division hasn't gotten significantly tougher skill-wise.

I agree. As things stand right now, Pitt has gotten weaker with the loss of Staal and Michalek. The Rangers are about the same as last season (unless you count Prust moving on as a loss to them and their PK). Philly will get better assuming Nashville refuses to match the Weber offer, but if the sheet is matched, they are worse than last year with the loss of Jagr and Carle. The Isles...why bother.

Unfortunately, we have also gotten worse from where last season ended. No matter how much we attempt to sugar coat it, the loss of Parise will be huge for this team over the course of next season.

[Colin226]

I agree. As things stand right now, Pitt has gotten weaker with the loss of Staal and Michalek. The Rangers are about the same as last season (unless you count Prust moving on as a loss to them and their PK). Philly will get better assuming Nashville refuses to match the Weber offer, but if the sheet is matched, they are worse than last year with the loss of Jagr and Carle. The Isles...why bother.

Unfortunately, we have also gotten worse from where last season ended. No matter how much we attempt to sugar coat it, the loss of Parise will be huge for this team over the course of next season.

True we don't have as skilled a player on our top line by losing Zach, but we played most of last season without as deep a team.. If that 4th line, which really only played together for the playoffs, comes back and is lights-out then it helps add goals where Zach's will be missed

[Chuck the Duck]

True we don't have as skilled a player on our top line by losing Zach, but we played most of last season without as deep a team.. If that 4th line, which really only played together for the playoffs, comes back and is lights-out then it helps add goals where Zach's will be missed

It goes deeper than the scoring though. Zach played all 3 phases and was willing to drive the net and take the punishment that comes with it to score. Another thing is his ability in the shootouts. We won a lot of games and gained a ton of extra points last season by being one of the best shootout teams in the league. Kovy and Zach were unstoppable and gave us a huge lift there. Those extra points could be the difference between a 6-7 seed and missing the playoffs.

[Devildude]

True we don't have as skilled a player on our top line by losing Zach, but we played most of last season without as deep a team.. If that 4th line, which really only played together for the playoffs, comes back and is lights-out then it helps add goals where Zach's will be missed

Colin, no offense, but the 4th line does not equal all that traitor Parise offered. It kills me to say it, but we are going to hurt without him. Maybe everyone contributes a little more and all of our players are healthy, but for a team that came in 4th in the Atlantic, yet still made it to the cup finals, the expectations will be higher, our schedule may be tougher... etc, the Devils have a small margin of error this coming year.

[SMantzas]

It goes deeper than the scoring though. Zach played all 3 phases and was willing to drive the net and take the punishment that comes with it to score. Another thing is his ability in the shootouts. We won a lot of games and gained a ton of extra points last season by being one of the best shootout teams in the league. Kovy and Zach were unstoppable and gave us a huge lift there. Those extra points could be the difference between a 6-7 seed and missing the playoffs.

Agreed. Who knows if Semin comes here, but I think he's a fine Parise replacement. He'll replace most, if not all the offense Zach produced and is good enough on the PK. I'd love to see him and kovalchuk on the pp next year. Who do you cover, Kovys bomb or Semins wicked wrister?

[Ollie McKraut]

Lol @ anyone projecting the defending eastern conference champions to miss the playoffs on july 20th.

Pretty sure the Devils are projected to fall short of the playoffs every year at this time of year.

[Chuck the Duck]

Lol @ anyone projecting the defending eastern conference champions to miss the playoffs on july 20th.

Pretty sure the Devils are projected to fall short of the playoffs every year at this time of year.

With the parity in this league, anything is possible. I don't think the Devils will miss the playoffs even if they play next season with the roster they currently have, but they are not the same team that went to the SCF and have taken a huge hit to their top line with the loss of Parise.

Is there any doubt that Burnside predicts us to finish 11th or 12 in the conference this season? I hope so because we all know how accurate his predictions are.

[sundstrom]

if this past season has taught devils fans ANYTHING, it should be that the team that steps out on opening night means very little when it comes to who's around at the end.

guys not on opening night roster that were around for game 6 SCF:

zajac
ponikarovsky
bernier
carter
gionta
zidlicky
*henrique - while technically on the opening night roster, he got sent down almost immediately and was brought back only due to josefson's injury.

[NLinfante]

Lotta hypotheticals in that statement there. As of right now, imo, the division hasn't gotten significantly tougher skill-wise.

True, but if we look at trends in club history, it's not out of the question to assume that Pitt will look to add offense, nor is it crazy to assume that NYR will try to add via big name UFAs. Actually, I'd be considerably more surprised if we signed Semin than if Pitt and the Rags made the moves I've suggested.

[SterioDesign]

Also pittsburgh may have crosby for the whole season this season, thats a huge boost

[DevilNurn]

I'll start to feel better if we sign Semin or get someone for our top 6, but I'm actually pretty confident that Josefson or Tedenby might be ready to make an impact this year. I'm glad Lou has been draft forwards because we need youth up front. I'm really hoping we don't re-sign Petr Sykora. Love the guy, but it'd be pretty rough to have another 36+ year old up front. And depending on how well Elias/Zubrus age we could need help sooner rather than later.

Edited by DevilNurn, 21 July 2012 - 08:52 AM.

[Devils Pride 26]

I think the Fayne contract might be Lou trying to predict the future even more. An extreme value for he next two years and hopefully the Devils still have the high ground afterwards.

I think the Fayne contract might be Lou trying to predict the future even more. An extreme value for he next two years and hopefully the Devils still have the high ground afterwards.

[Triumph]

if this past season has taught devils fans ANYTHING, it should be that the team that steps out on opening night means very little when it comes to who's around at the end.

guys not on opening night roster that were around for game 6 SCF:

zajac
ponikarovsky
bernier
carter
gionta
zidlicky
*henrique - while technically on the opening night roster, he got sent down almost immediately and was brought back only due to josefson's injury.

Still the Devils spent assets to make this a reality. Sure, the team from opening night can vary considerably from one that starts Game 1 of the playoffs, but they ended up dumping several players, draft picks, and some prospects to make it happen. It's best to construct a roster where you don't have to do this.

[devilsrule33]

Still the Devils spent assets to make this a reality. Sure, the team from opening night can vary considerably from one that starts Game 1 of the playoffs, but they ended up dumping several players, draft picks, and some prospects to make it happen. It's best to construct a roster where you don't have to do this.

And when does that ever happen? The prospects and assets the Devils dropped were chump change compared to what most teams do for a few rentals. Just last year, the Bruins traded a former 1st, a 1st, and 2nd to get Kaberle.

The Devils, luckily, gave up almost nothing to get a player who had a bigger impact than Kaberle. Even when a team has constructed a roster where you don't have to do this, the GM feels the pressure to do something anyway and usually overpays for some crap.

Edited by devilsrule33, 21 July 2012 - 12:11 PM.