Mitico12

Guys, we're all quick to blame Lou. Everyone, and I mean everyone, makes bad judgement calls. Lou took a gamble this summer, and it obviously didn't work. No one knew what to expect, especially Lou, and thus this is the result. One thing is for certain, McGillis and Malkhov definitely cannot replace Niedermayer and Stevens. Sure, I would have rather taken a gamble on Hale playing than signing McGillis, but you roll with the punches. Malakhov was a Robinson favorite, had success in the past with the Devs, and so signing him as a "poor man's Niedermayer" was Lou's alternative. McGillis, is physically built like Stevens, and has shown dominating presence with Philly, so that was also a gamble in trying to replace Stevens. Langdon/Oliwa were already signed, and thus nothing could be done to avoid the mishap with them. Rheaume...that move is what I question. However, with the money Rheume was making, and the fact that he was on a 2-way contract, made him the more a lesser risk. Lou and Robinson- again, Lou cannot be faulted with this one either. I mean, Lou didn't know the prognosis on Burnsey, and so he was door popped with a vacancy late in the game. He didn't have time to seek, screen, and interview candidates in time for training camp, and so he went with what was certain...Larry Robinson. Larry's been here before, and is familiar with management and players, and so it seemed like the "lesser of the evils." Again, this was a gamble, and the risks were known, and so I'm certain Lou is not surprised at the result. I'm surprised that most of you are... Good GMs can fix gambles that they had to make...I definitely expect Lou to take this team back to winning...no question about that. It takes time folks, it takes time... In the meantime, we can sit here and play airmchair GM (if it makes us feel better)... :-)

Lou L. will probably not attend the WJC...Dave Conti usually represents the Devs.

The could play "Closing Time" for all I care cuz I don't think we'll here the HEY song in succession this year... Will we ever score more than three goals in a game again???

VIVA CAM JANSSEN! The ONLY GUY WITH LIFE last night...!

Brodeur, traded? Not a shot in hell that this would happen. I mean, Brodeur is a fan favorite, a management favorite, and the Devs most marketable commodity. Lou's got loyalties to Marty, especially since Marty ended up negotiating his contract without an agent, and with the help of just a simple lawyer. Marty's not going anywhere... But, if he were to be considered tradeable... I would take Roberto Luongo, Jay Boumeester, and a draft pick....

How 'bout: Beautiful Disaster- 311 Toxicity- System of a Down Trapped Under Ice- Metallica (this one is especially good to describe the PP)

How 'bout Eric Daze?

Agreed. The Devs have talent, they just don't have character and leadership. They remind me of the attitude my amateur soccer team has...terrible!

OK Everyone...first and foremost, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah...may the festive season bring the Devils and the fan base some success.... Here's what I think so far... Yes, the Devils absolutely need to keep shooting the puck and create some havoc in front of the net, but besides that, they need to stop playing the puck along the wall on the PP... Basically, the other team is keeping the Devs isolated along the wall, and having them pass it around, while no shots, or passes are being made in the high-slot... Additionally, Gomer keeps on trying to go from left to right with the puck, only to be stymied once entering the blue line by the opposing defense... Dump and chase...cycling, the Devs have done very, very little of that...no follow up hitting, bottom line, no tenacity! If you're going to pass, make some high-percentage passes to the high slot....

Racism is a big topic in Europe...Doan will have a field day taling smack about all the Frenchies that live near the Turin border...

Well, the only saving grace is that Doc and Chico at least make you feel somewhat "good," despite the situation, with what happens to the Devs... Here's what happens... First things first... 1. The Devs need a coach. They need a coach that can motivate, and get the best out of what ever players he has...Maybe Jaque Demers, Tommy McVie still interested in a job? 2. Lou needs to wheel and deal for some PP scorers (alla Gonchar)...what are the Devs willing to give up in exhange... 1. Whitey, Madden, Gomer, Kozy...? 3. The Devs get Elias back, preferably by mid-January, early February.... 4. The Devs make a rush for the playoffs....

My apologies...Kozy is there, but no Sarge... No Zherdev either...

What...no Sarge Brylin or Viktor Kozlov? What's the deal with that 'ish....

Folks, I was referring to English food.... ;-)

Remember, a new arena will have to have many seats filled....it's tough to fill seats in this market if your team sucks...so, believe it or not, the Devs HAVE TO play well in order to increase revenue prospects and to cover their costs...

Triumph- definitely, if we are comparing player to player, then Bertuzzi and Moore cannot be compared. However, taking into consideration the human element of the matter, Moore is just as entitled to be treated humanely as is Bertuzzi... I mean, think about it, the ASPCA will send you to jail if you hurt a dog or cat, why should now Bertuzzi be treated differently for maiming another human being...your argument simply does not hold water... Chiamaira...British food cannot be compared to Italian food...are you kidding me? ;-)

Apparently, according the CP, Bertuzzi's selection is a very big controversy in Canada...especially among hockey enthusiasts!

DevsFan26- you make a good point, but I believe to appeal to the "broader" non-NHL following audience, team Canada may have selected Bertuzzi to appeal to the public... Maybe they'll show him on Italian TV having a pizza eating competition... Who knows...the possibilites are endless...

Mark Recchi is Italian/Canadian...I hope the American team gets the best cooks there...the Canadians will get a British cook PS...when the Italian national soccer team plays abroad they bring their own cooks, own food, own pots, and own pans...they take over the hotel kitchen...it's an amazing operation!

Fellas, I travel to Italy a lot, and their own league doesn't even have a web site, therefore I highly doubt the Italians know about it... At least there are two Italian/Canadians on the team (one on the taxi squad)...Jason Spezza and Roberto Luongo... The Islanders messed up trading Luongo, Spezza, and Chara... Italy will be destroyed against Canada...guaranteed... PS...I think Gio is Italian/American too...

OK, many of us are surprised to see Bertuzzi getting selected over guys like Spezza, Crosby, and Staal... But here's my theory, do you think that Team Canada officials may have considered selecting Bertuzzi to the Canadian Olympic team giving the "Italian-ness" of his last name? I mean, the games are being played in Italy, and Bertuzzi may have significant "PR" value in Italy (especially considering that no one there knows what he did to Steve Moore), and could probably give Italy the idea that Italians are indeed hockey players? Long shot theory, but just wanted to figure out your thoughts... Cheers.

I must say, I seriously dislike the Rangers, but I forsee Petr Prucha doing a heck of a job replacing a very, very irreplaceable Patrik Elias... Prucha reminds me a lot of Elias...

Shouldn't Langdon call up Malakhov and find out what the process is to fill out retirement papers? C'mon, this guy is horrendous! We need more from Rasmussen... Let's see if Columbus will give us Mike Rupp back in exchange for Langdon... I'd even take Dagenais at this point... That's how desperate I am....

Yogi Berra once said, "A slump is like a soft bed, easy to get into and hard to get out of" Well Yogi, are the Devs in a slump?

Any reason why Suglobov was returned to Albany after Saturday night's game? What's the chances of Vrana or Bergfors making a surprise appearance on the team?