davieboynj

I was at the game last night, and one of the things i like to do is forget about the puck and just watch individual players to see what i can learn about them and the game. I watched elias for several shifts and it's no doubt he deserved to be benched. His play everytime i watched him was stamped with "somebody else can do it". I was disappointed with him moreso than anyone else in the lineup. If he's injured (which i doubt), he should get out of the lineup and get better. What hurt even more was that his laziness cost the devils goals. I would watch him not put in an effort, and next thing, the puck was in the net. If he had heart last night, we would have been in that game last night. It's clear he's not playing for the C anymore. Just give the thing to madden so we can have a leader already. I'm just going to have to start expecting less from #26.

edit: whoops, wrong tab (post)... anyways, put madden and pando on the keep list, please...

Rosenism: drury collects an errant pass that goes right to him - - "Nice play by Drury to take it away!"

he's like a soccer mom watching his 22 sons play every night. if you're keeping count, that's 843 to 1 in terms of rosen compliments. it's also quite clear who's signing stan fischler's checks now...

listening to sam rosen hurts my head.

Bloody shame we didn't have a photo-op with martin and oduya finishing the paint job on center ice. I'll be there opening night on the floor. Can't wait.

I think there are some pretty big overreactions here - - based on the mild temperature difference, i would guess it just keeps snow from caking up on the sides of the blade, a problem that can scrub speed and affect stopping. If anything it will make the game safer. Do any of you guys who think this is going to make a big difference actually PLAY hockey?

no posts yet? where's the (N)Єverson hate? fair article... interesting to note that gomez has no points in three games - - which, naturally, proves that zubrus is an infinitely better player.

I like Max except for when he nearly ran me over with his bmw 5 series after a loss... No, really.

Atlantic Division New York Rangers 2006-07: 42-30-10, 6th in Eastern Conference Style: Aggressive mix of skill and grit. Strengths: High-end scoring depth, goaltending. Weaknesses: Fair-to-spare blueline corps. MVP: Henrik Lundqvist (left). On a team of hockey royalty, King Henrik rules. The offense will shoulder its share of the load, but the two-time Vezina finalist legitimizes them as Stanley Cup hopefuls. Don't count on: Marcel Hossa. The Rangers have experimented with the strapping (6-3, 220) winger on the first unit with Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr, but he's no Mike Knuble in the making. Hossa will work hard for his minutes, but unless he enjoys banking shots in off his backside, he will be blessed to break 40 points. Kid to watch: Marc Staal. A defensive-minded blueliner, Staal brings a physical presence and a keep-it-simple approach that makes him easy to coach. If he doesn't open the season with the big club, he?ll get the call soon enough. Overview: Every team talks about being Stanley Cup contenders. The Rangers are the real deal. Adding Chris Drury and Gomez on the opening day of free agency addressed a major concern down the middle and bolstered an already staggering array of offensive options. The defense isn't necessarily bad as much as it is non-descript. It lacks an obvious presence like a Niedermayer or Lidstrom, but it is capable (ninth overall last season). That said, chances are it won't look the same heading into the playoffs as it does now. Expect the Rangers to challenge for the President's Trophy. Summer Report Card: Offseason moves and analysis Pittsburgh Penguins 2006-07: 47-24-11, 5th in Eastern Conference Style: They'll say otherwise, but it's run-and-gun Strengths: Explosive offense; staggering talent at center; power play Weaknesses: Reliance on young players, especially on defense and in goal MVP: Sidney Crosby (left). You were expecting Val Fonteyne? Heading into his third campaign, the NHL's best player is set to ratchet his game up a level: 130-140 points. Don't count on: Ryan Malone. Maybe it's time to accept that he'll never be more than a 20-goal banger. Kid to watch: Kris Letang. A disappointment in camp, botching his zone coverage and failing to move the puck quickly, but the top prospect is a blue-chipper with transition skills tailor-made for this club. It?s a matter of when, not if, he'll make an impact. Overview: Expectations can be an incredible burden. Coming off a 47-point turnaround, the Pens are now seen as one of the East's top teams. That's a lot of pressure on so many young players, but coach Mike Therrien has a deft hand. Vets Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi will help keep things on an even keel. The offense should only get better with Petr Sykora in it, an improved transition game courtesy of Darryl Sydor and the maturing of Ryan Whitney. But is the defense and goaltending sturdy enough for the long haul? Marc-Andre Fleury's gambling with the puck cost his team too many goals. If he simplifies his game and finds consistency, the Pens are in the chase for the Cup. Summer Report Card: Offseason moves and analysis Philadelphia Flyers 2006-07: 22-48-12, 15th in Eastern Conference Style: Speed, grit and tenacity, especially on offense Strengths: Physically imposing defense; elite first unit; penalty kill Weaknesses: Unproven forward corps; team defense MVP: Kimmo Timonen (left). For the money they're paying him ($6.3 million this season), he better be. The former captain of the Predators will eat big minutes and key a transition game that was so clearly absent from last season's squad. Don't count on: Jeff Carter. They're hoping for a significant offensive contribution from the 22-year-old pivot, but he hasn't yet proven himself worthy of that trust at the NHL level. A season of good health is critical to his development and the team's success. Kid to watch: Steve Downie. A Ken "The Rat" Linseman clone, he's an agitating forward with enough skill to be an offensive factor. The trick will be keeping his game just this side of mayhem. Overview: GM Paul Holmgren's dramatic makeover means last season's ugliest duckling is on the verge of becoming a big, fast, mean swan. Or maybe not. Few of his changes came without asterisks, and integrating so many new bodies can be tricky, but Timonen and Jason Smith upgrade the 28th-ranked defense with puck skills and physical play, respectively. Daniel Briere is an elite offensive center who can carry the top line. But Martin Biron must establish himself as a legit No. 1. The blue-chip status of Joffrey Lupul, Scottie Upshall and Braydon Coburn is debatable due to slow development. But the atmosphere of defeat is gone. If it all clicks, they're in the playoffs and going for the Cup in short order. Summer Report Card: Offseason moves and analysis New Jersey Devils 2006-07: 40-24-9, 2nd in Eastern Conference Style: Creating offense with smothering defense Strengths: Goaltending, team play, new coach Brent Sutter Weaknesses: Punchless offense, power play. MVP: Martin Brodeur (left). Lou Lams could cobble a lineup of beer leaguers and Rockies alums and still field a competitive squad with the reigning Vezina-winner between the pipes. Don't count on: Jamie Langenbrunner. The steady veteran (23 goals, 60 points last season) is sidelined by sports hernia surgery and expected to miss two months. The nature of this injury means he could be less than 100 percent well beyond that. Kid to watch: Andy Greene. The 24-year-old defender impressed during a late-season audition in the chorus line, but is being handed a much larger role. With Brian Rafalski gone, Greene is expected to pick up many of his team-leading minutes and much of his offensive slack. For the Devils to succeed, he has to be in the Calder mix. Overview: With Brodeur and the highly-regarded Sutter, it's unwise to bet against them, but I will. Gutted by free agency, they have serious issues, especially on defense where three raw recruits and three vets of questionable pedigree must hold the fort. The offense needs much more from Brian Gionta and Patrik Elias, especially with the extra man, but Dainius Zubrus is the top center,m so that's probably asking too much. Zach Parise's a budding star, but the other forwards are better suited for crash-and-bang than lighting the lamp. This may be a long year but Devils fans can enjoy the amenities of the spanking new Prudential Center! Summer Report Card: Offseason moves and analysis New York Islanders 2006-07: 40-30-12, 8th in Eastern Conference Style: Pluggers must outwork opponents for any chance to win Strengths: Goaltending, work ethic, coach Ted Nolan Weaknesses: Lack of top-end talent; pervasive air of mediocrity. MVP: Rick DiPietro (left). Putting that 15-year contract aside, he was magnificent last season, providing stability while playing with a hip injury that required off-season surgery. At 26, the acrobatic and entertaining stopper is just entering his prime, poised to move into the ranks of the game's elite. Don't count on: Bill Guerin. It says here his 36 goals in 2006-07 were a mirage. When the Sharks needed him most, he came up empty, chipping in just two assists in the playoffs. A creaky 37 in November, the tank is getting awfully close to E for the Isles' new C. Kid to watch: Jeff Tambellini. He's not the kind whose contributions will be reflected in the boxscore, but the 23-year-old winger should finally earn a full-time NHL gig based on his speed, tenacity and gritty defensive play. Overview: As fashionable as it is to run the Isles down, they're hardly the laughingstock they were (unless you're talking about Nassau Coliseum, of course). Coach Nolan will play to the strength of his roster by demanding a defense-first approach to lessen the burden on the pop-gun offense. While DiPietro is a singular talent capable of carrying the team for stretches, their postseason hopes will be done in by a schedule with nearly half their games against the toughest division in hockey. Summer Report Card: Offseason moves and analysis

I'm hoping no more Gomez means Elias starts taking control of the line. I always felt like his effort wasn't there unless he was on with Gomez and Gionta. Since that line is history, he'll be with people who compliment his playmaking talent (like Sykora and Arnott and hopefully Zubrus, Gio) rather than people who duplicate his playmaking talent (Gomez).

I don't think i ever really connected the dots on this one 'til just now, but am I missing something or on to something? 1. Scott Niedermayer leaves the Devils. 2. Scott Niedermayer in all his self-indulgent glory decides to hang the whole NHL on a string while he decides if he'll ever put his big-boy pants on again... 3. Anaheim (assuming Nieds' probable retirement) goes and lifts Mathieu Schneider from the Red Wings. 4. Detroit (in an attempt to fill Schneider's empty skates) sweeps in and offers Rafalski a rather lucrative contract that they would not have had the cap space for had they been able to sign Schneider. Mind you, Rafalski probably would not have entertained any offers that were not from either the Devs or Wings. 5. Devils Sign Rachunek. Hooray. I wonder if he really is on the level with this crap, or if he just likes the attention. Either way I think he's a tool, and as he's done enough damage already i hope he never comes back to the NHL and instead gets anal butt worms and herpes.

I know this is old as crap, but i just found these and figured I'd share: http://www.dorholtcustomsports.com/devilsJMpatch.html

is janssen wearing 29 or 20 in one of the pictures? weird.

Scott Niedermayer: 4 - (for calling a press conference to say he doesn't know what he's doing) Bobby Holik: 5 Zdeno Chara: 3 Teppo Numminen: 5 Jarome Iginla: 4 Erik Cole: 5 Nikolai Khabibulin: 5 Joe Sakic: 5 Rick Nash: 5 Mike Modano: 5 Brian Rafalski:6 Sheldon Souray: 5 Olli Jokinen: 4 Tom Preissing: 6 Brian Rolston: 6 Saku Koivu: 6 Jason Arnott: 6 Cam Janssen: 7 Bill Guerin: 5 Dany Heatley: 7 + Jason Smith: 6 David Aebischer: 5 Sidney Crosby: 5 Joe Thornton: 7 Paul Kariya: 5 Vincent Lecavalier: 5 Darcy Tucker: 4 Roberto Luongo: 5 Donald Brashear: 3 Offed: Scott Gomez

Asham +200 funny, i always laugh when OTHER people screw this stuff up. At any rate, I'll have to see who got eliminated first, Asham or Janssen. Reality tells me Janssen lost a lot of ice time, and i'm pretty sure this thread will tell me he didn't. Edit: Out at #9? Sheesh, I'm glad Cangialosi wasn't in the vote, 'cause if he lasted longer than Asham I'd have to beat my computer senseless with my forehead.

Martin Brodeur: 10 Andy Greene: 4 Paul Martin: 2 Johnny Oduya: 4 Arron Asham: 4+ Nicklas Bergfors: 2 Sergei Brylin: 4 Patrik Elias: 5 Brian Gionta: 4 Cam Janssen: 3- Jamie Langenbrunner: 5 John Madden: 3 Jay Pandolfo: 5 Zach Parise: 9 Mike Rupp: 2 Travis Zajac: 5 Dainius Zubrus: 3 David Clarkson: 3 Brent Sutter: 6 John MacLean: 4 Larry Robinson: 3 Tommy Albelin: 3 Jacques Caron: 2 Jeff Vanderbeek: 2 Lou Lamoriello: 5 David Conte: 3 Doc Emrick: 7 Chico Resch: 3 OFFED 1) Matt Laughlin 2) Karel Rachunek 3) Kevin Weekes 4) Jari Viukhola 5) Richard Matvichuk 6) Vitaly Vishnevski 7) Colin White