mouse

Any more games?

I don't buy that we have the defense to win 1-0 games. Good as Marty is, he can't shut them out every time, and without Stevens, Nieds, and Dano, this team is going to give up some scoring opportunities they didn't give up before the lockout. Martin and Oduya are more comfortable when the team is playing more aggressively, and we have the personnel to implement the forecheck. I hope Jacques tightens up the d and holds guys accountable without changing the system.

Doesn't Rolston prefer playing left wing? Bergfors could be the x-factor. It'll take time, but if he starts to look like Gio by the end of this season, the team gets a lot stronger.

Stevens is taking a "more active role." I may be reading too much into this, but I could see it being a 2 year, 2 person competition to replace Lemaire. I respect both guys, so I'd have no problem with that.

Dano telling us to make some noise worked during the playoffs. It would be sweet if they could get retired players/coaches etc to pump up the crowd, especially for big games. I'd love to see Stevens, Dowd, Pat Burns (health permitting) around more often anyway.

I don't want to give up much. If Elias moves to center, we have no urgent needs. I'd like to get one more forward, and Elias would be happier if he could stay on the wing, but we shouldn't dump our top prospects (Bergfors, Tedenby etc) for a veteran, unless it's a steal.

I'd love to be wrong, but I'm afraid he's going to try to bring back his system, when the team plays better forechecking and scoring more. That said, I have a huge amount of respect for Lemaire and all he's done for the franchise.

And Langs is a GREAT captain now, whom we don't have if not for that trade.

It would be nice if they would change how he did it. Keep out of the corners in the upper sections, and make sure he's doing his thing at appropriate times, maybe the first 2 periods and blowouts. If he's getting people loud at the beginning, that's fine, but I have no desire to see him make an ass of himself at the end of a close game.

I'd be interested in combining these ideas. Most schools have about the same schedule. Pick a game where the crowd is going to be smaller, preferably a bad team on a weekend, around the end of a marking period, and offer the discount that game. That could make the logistics easier, if they just open up a couple of ticket windows to check report cards.

This isn't necessarily important from a hockey perspective, but JVB has made a huge commitment to the city of Newark. He's even the chairman of the public library. His commitment to a city that needs it, more than just building the arena, gives me a lot of respect for him as a person.

Devil Dan 56 -- Funny pic, and Elias deserves the props after getting overshadowed by Marty GA Devil -- genius

Sal's play seems to have a lot to do with whom he's paired. When he was with Martin, he was lights out; when he was with Greene and Havelid ... less so. On a more talented team, he becomes valuable. Eckford and Corrente will hopefully benefit him more. I've always seen Motts as the next Ken Sutton. Hopefully he can actually play in that role this year. He's never gonna be a great top 6 guy, but I see him moving seamlessly into the lineup for injuries, and I have no problem with him playing 40 or 50 games to give guys (White and Sal especially) days off to stay healthy.

7 Daneykoisgod nmigliore

I think Zajac will be back. Not going for any UFAs this year ensures that there is enough money for him this year and Paul Martin next year. If a couple other young players work out, Lou is a genius. If they don't, we were screwed anyway with a salary cap. This may not work out short term, but this team has a direction, and thus far, that has been good enough with Lou in charge.

I'd rather move Elias to center. He's a great passer anyway. If Bergfors can replace Gionta, a Rolston Elias Bergfors line could be lethal. It's easier to sign a 3rd or 4th line center for cheap, and if they can't dump Zubrus, he and Pelley are fine centers. ZZPop Rolston Elias Bergfors Pikkrainen (sp?) Pelley Clarkson Pandolfo Zubrus Shanny PL3 and Halischuk on the bench

The safe move is giving it to a vet, probably White or Shanny. The way this offseason has gone, it seems like Lou's finally serious about a youth movement though. I think it goes to Martin or Zach, and I agree with this logic. Langs, Elias and Marty are still in charge, but it's time to begin passing the torch. I feel better with a blueliner wearing the A, so my vote is Martin.

Sometimes you have to get worse to get better. This is going to be a young team, and we're going to watch them go through their growing pains, but with the cap, you build with young talent. We needed to get our prospects into the NHL. Long term, we benefit from this season, which doesn't necessarily mean this year is going to be fun. I still think we make the playoffs, and it's entirely possible that this team starts to jell and makes some noise, but the beginning could suck, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

He's a backup, who was brilliant when the franchise goalie went down. Weekes is also an excellent backup, but there's no need to bash Clemmer. They played great with him in net. If he leaves, I understand, but there is no need to trash him.

While I agree with you, and think it's a bad trade for Philly long term, I still hate Pronger being in the division.

Fvck, I did not want Pronger in the division.

In all seriousness, Cameron was an issue. I would like it if they are careful to make sure he only does his thing at appropriate moments (not when Marty's lying on the ice). Also, I never went, but I loved the idea of getting fans together in bars for away games. It would be sweet if they could do that more often, either once a month, or for big games.

+1 Langs is the best captain I've seen on one of my teams other than Stevens, and maybe Charles Oakley.

There are dozens of us. DOZENS! I had a great picture of Tobias, but I can't figure out how to attach it... damn

mikeford cmonhobey