X factors

[mouse]

At this point in the season, we have some idea what kind of team we have. I see us as a lower seed, with some potential. Considering how uncertain next year is with Zach UFA and Marty probably retiring, we obviously want to be more than that. At this point, having looked at how things are breaking now, I think there are 3 things that could/need to happen for us to be a legit contender.

1) The right trade. We're actually in a great position for this. We have 10 forwards for 9 spots when JJ gets back, and while our D isn't good enough, we have 8 or 9 guys who can play NHL minutes. We need a strong top 4 guy back, because IMO we only have 2 (Tallinder and Fayne, neither of whom belongs on the top pairing). I like Sal for taking tough minutes, but it seems like he's out there a lot when we can't get a clear. We need to package a good, young forward (JJ, Teddy, Clarkson if we're lucky) and somebody like Greene to a team with a good d and needs scoring help (Nashville anyone?). I don't see us getting a guy like Webber or Suter back, but we can get a real top 4 guy.

2) is similar to 1. When Lou signed Volchenkov, we thought we were getting a superstar. Instead, he's been solid at best, too slow at worst. He needs to be the player we thought he was. I don't think that's beyond the realm of possibility. I'd like to see him paired with a positionally sound guy who can skate, so he's free to raise hell instead of having to worry about his partner. Either trade for somebody, or shake things up and put him with Tallinder, or even Larsson, but Sal and White are both lousy fits for him, and we've wasted some of his talent for a year and a half.

3) Marty needs to get hot. Last year, Marty struggled early, but around February or March, he began to look like the Marty of old. It's not fair to expect him to bring it all season at his age, but if he warms up again late, the defense suddenly starts to look better by default, and we establish the consistency that we've lacked all year.

[HellOnICE]

At this point in the season, we have some idea what kind of team we have. I see us as a lower seed, with some potential. Considering how uncertain next year is with Zach UFA and Marty probably retiring, we obviously want to be more than that. At this point, having looked at how things are breaking now, I think there are 3 things that could/need to happen for us to be a legit contender.

1) The right trade. We're actually in a great position for this. We have 10 forwards for 9 spots when JJ gets back, and while our D isn't good enough, we have 8 or 9 guys who can play NHL minutes. We need a strong top 4 guy back, because IMO we only have 2 (Tallinder and Fayne, neither of whom belongs on the top pairing). I like Sal for taking tough minutes, but it seems like he's out there a lot when we can't get a clear. We need to package a good, young forward (JJ, Teddy, Clarkson if we're lucky) and somebody like Greene to a team with a good d and needs scoring help (Nashville anyone?). I don't see us getting a guy like Webber or Suter back, but we can get a real top 4 guy.

2) is similar to 1. When Lou signed Volchenkov, we thought we were getting a superstar. Instead, he's been solid at best, too slow at worst. He needs to be the player we thought he was. I don't think that's beyond the realm of possibility. I'd like to see him paired with a positionally sound guy who can skate, so he's free to raise hell instead of having to worry about his partner. Either trade for somebody, or shake things up and put him with Tallinder, or even Larsson, but Sal and White are both lousy fits for him, and we've wasted some of his talent for a year and a half.

3) Marty needs to get hot. Last year, Marty struggled early, but around February or March, he began to look like the Marty of old. It's not fair to expect him to bring it all season at his age, but if he warms up again late, the defense suddenly starts to look better by default, and we establish the consistency that we've lacked all year.

1. Don't disagree mostly. I think Teddy is the most tradeable, although I hate to give up on him at this point. I don't want to trade him, because his value right now is super low. I used to want to trade Clarkson, now he's actually more valuable to us. He's played very well, has been largely consistent most nights, and we don't have any type of guys like him. If anything I'd like to see a guy like Ruutu here to add some sand paper. I think we need that.

2. Did anyone think we were getting an all star with Anton? He is what he is. I thought this would be exactly what we're getting. I'm happy with him for the most part. I don't think he's able to throw the kind of hits we throught he would here, but I haven't watched him close enough to figure out why that is exactly.

3. Marty won't get hot. I really doubt he will. His movement his done. He's going to be given every chance to figure it out, as he should. I actually kinda wished they'd go out and get a third goalie, but we all know that ain't going to happen.

Edited December 27, 2011 by HellOnICE

[peteyvegas]

I like what I see. They have performed way beyond my expectations so far. It's hard to watch the D get lost for about 10 minutes a game, but that will stop with age. I would like to see the forwards help out in front of the net more. They seem to lose the 3 on 5 battles while in their own zone and I dont know why. The attacking team doesn't even need their defensemen to sneak in. They just have to stop the puck from going out of the zone (our centers are a little thick when it comes to staying in their lanes on D).

Finally (and please dont strike me dead) we need goaltending. Marty and Hedberg have been showing their age, getting shortsided and beat without a screen. While they've made great saves in games, they just cant keep it up going into the third period.

Overall, I'd say we're ahead of schedule in the maturity of the young 'uns and that's a good sign.

[LucifersDog]

1. Don't disagree mostly. I think Teddy is the most tradeable, although I hate to give up on him at this point. I don't want to trade him, because his value right now is super low. I used to want to trade Clarkson, now he's actually more valuable to us. He's played very well, has been largely consistent most nights, and we don't have any type of guys like him. If anything I'd like to see a guy like Ruutu here to add some sand paper. I think we need that.

2. Did anyone think we were getting an all star with Anton? He is what he is. I thought this would be exactly what we're getting. I'm happy with him for the most part. I don't think he's able to throw the kind of hits we throught he would here, but I haven't watched him close enough to figure out why that is exactly.

3. Marty won't get hot. I really doubt he will. His movement his done. He's going to be given every chance to figure it out, as he should. I actually kinda wished they'd go out and get a third goalie, but we all know that ain't going to happen.

+1

[msweet]

I don't think our defensive problem is with the defenders, forward or goalies. It is the system we are playing. I am not saying Deboer is wrong yet.. but time will tell. Anyone think we'd have the same problem if Lemaire was the coach? We'd have a few less goals and a bunch more regulation wins.

What this team need is to figure out how to score on a power play that has Parise, Elias and Kovalchuk on it. ...and not get scored upon frequently... somehow I think that one is on the coaches.

[njdevil26]

In response to "What this team needs to go big"

My answer: A bigger dick.

(Puck Moving Defenseman)

[Triumph]

I don't want this team renting any defensemen. The more I see teams try it, the more I think it doesn't work. They've got capable guys and they're 8 defensemen deep. Adding one more guy to that mix doesn't seem sensible.

I'm confused about how this team is using Volchenkov, because it seems like all 3 coaches have limited his ice time, and I don't exactly know why. On the other hand, he hasn't played that well.

I also would not trade Tedenby because he's at exactly the lowest point in his value. If he were in the AHL and had 10 goals and 25 points, his value would be higher.

Edited December 27, 2011 by Triumph

[Onddeck]

I don't want this team renting any defensemen. The more I see teams try it, the more I think it doesn't work. They've got capable guys and they're 8 defensemen deep.

I'm confused about how this team is using Volchenkov, because it seems like all 3 coaches have limited his ice time, and I don't exactly know why. On the other hand, he hasn't played that well.

I also would not trade Tedenby because he's at exactly the lowest point in his value. If he were in the AHL and had 10 goals and 25 points, his value would be higher.

haha what?? you say you dont know why they are limiting his ice time, but then you say he hasn't been playing that well. well if thats the case there, buddy, then my guess is thats why they've been limiting his icetime lol.

HOWEVER, I disagree that he hasn't been playing well. Compared to the defensemen we have, I actually think Volchenkov has been playing pretty decent, and pretty consistent at that.

Edited December 27, 2011 by Onddeck

[TomsRiverDevil]

I think Volchenkov needs to get a better, at least by a little bit.

I hope we find anyway to make the playoffs, and Marty wills himself into a hot streak.

I want Clarkie to stay, and get some more clutch goals.

What's Anton's nickname? Does it end with an (-ie)?

[Jas0nMacIsaac]

The piece we are missing is goaltending.

[Derlique]

People thought Marty was done last year too. While I doubt he puts together a .920 save percentage like he did under lemaire, you never know. Unfortunately, hedberg has been struggling recently. The sutter goal and Stewart goal were totally unacceptable and backbreaking. One of our geezers need to step up, or we will probably miss the playoffs

[Guadana]

we need david

no trade for him

that is first condition

[Neb00rs]

I don't think our defensive problem is with the defenders, forward or goalies. It is the system we are playing. I am not saying Deboer is wrong yet.. but time will tell. Anyone think we'd have the same problem if Lemaire was the coach? We'd have a few less goals and a bunch more regulation wins.

What this team need is to figure out how to score on a power play that has Parise, Elias and Kovalchuk on it. ...and not get scored upon frequently... somehow I think that one is on the coaches.

[bobilly45]

get the power play working like a power play should (hell just get to be average) amd give up less goals while on the power play. That should be the number 1 issue

[snartly]

We definitely need to get another D-man. Possibly:

UFA Defencemen in 2011-12 that I'd like to get:

John-Michael Liles

Brent Burns

I don't know if they have re-signed, but If possible, I'd think that 3.5 mil and some type of bonus for one of them would go well for the Devils.

But we need to sign Zach first, and see how much higher the cap goes. That will be helpful if it goes up like 3-4 million.

[ATLL765]

We definitely need to get another D-man. Possibly:

UFA Defencemen in 2011-12 that I'd like to get:

John-Michael Liles

Brent Burns

I don't know if they have re-signed, but If possible, I'd think that 3.5 mil and some type of bonus for one of them would go well for the Devils.

But we need to sign Zach first, and see how much higher the cap goes. That will be helpful if it goes up like 3-4 million.

I'd love to get JM Liles, but he's been playing real well in Toronto, so I imagine that they will try to resign him before he hits the open market and Brent Burns was acquired via a trade that saw Heatley and Setoguchi go to Minnesota, so I doubt they let him walk this offseason. If we could make a trade with Toronto at the deadline for Liles and then resign him, that might be a possibility, but I that will depend on Toronto's position in the standings at that point and whether or not they're interested in any players we're willing to let go of.

[nessus]

Yeah, it's nice to dream, but I couldn't imagine either of those guys realistically coming here. Burns would be a great guy to have. While I don't think that defense should be the team's biggest concern right now, it's interesting that trading for that #1 D is such a popular idea around here. Obviously, I like the idea, but where are you going to find an organization willing to trade one? I've yet to come across a prospective trade that seems somewhat reasonable for both sides.

I'm hoping for a busy offseason for Lou this summer. Or even sooner, if possible.

[mouse]

get the power play working like a power play should (hell just get to be average) amd give up less goals while on the power play. That should be the number 1 issue

That's already happening, though the shortys are backbreakers. I think Foster will continue to help that.

[mouse]

While I don't think that defense should be the team's biggest concern right now, it's interesting that trading for that #1 D is such a popular idea around here. Obviously, I like the idea, but where are you going to find an organization willing to trade one? I've yet to come across a prospective trade that seems somewhat reasonable for both sides.

I don't buy that we need a number 1. I think Larsson develops into that, and maybe Merill if he gets his head together. We need a stopgap til then, especially since we have a surplus of forwards. If the next couple seasons weren't so uncertain, I'd say fvck it, get the kids experience, wait to make a run, but since the goalie situation is likely to get worse, and who knows what happens with Zach, there's more pressure to make a run now.

[Mitico12]

I don't want this team renting any defensemen. The more I see teams try it, the more I think it doesn't work. They've got capable guys and they're 8 defensemen deep. Adding one more guy to that mix doesn't seem sensible.

I'm confused about how this team is using Volchenkov, because it seems like all 3 coaches have limited his ice time, and I don't exactly know why. On the other hand, he hasn't played that well.

I also would not trade Tedenby because he's at exactly the lowest point in his value. If he were in the AHL and had 10 goals and 25 points, his value would be higher.

Although Kaberle didn't have a good playoff last year, the end result was the Boston Bruins winning the Stanley Cup...so, rentals aren't always a bust.

[mouse]

Although Kaberle didn't have a good playoff last year, the end result was the Boston Bruins winning the Stanley Cup...so, rentals aren't always a bust.

Or they won because a lot of guys who were already on the team, led by Tim Thomas, got hot at the right time. Those guys are the reason the Bruins are the best team in hockey after Kaberle left.

I still want a rental, but I don't buy that Kaberle had any positive effect.

[Triumph]

The goalie situation is not likely to get worse. It's tough to find worse goaltending than Brodeur this year - you really have to go looking for it.

[mouse]

The goalie situation is not likely to get worse. It's tough to find worse goaltending than Brodeur this year - you really have to go looking for it.

And I would have said the same thing about Marty this time last year. Hopefully he finishes strong again.

[EdgeControl]

Theres not a big gap in talent between our #1 Dman and our #6. didnt know much about Atrain besides a big hitter before he got here but he doesnt seem to be playing up to his contract. at times he looks like he has cement skates on, and lately he's the one getting hit

greene? have to give him a few games before we can tell if resigning him was the right move. he definetly hasnt looked as quick as he used to but thats most likely the toe

tallinder is our best puck mover, but being the best of this group means little, but hey anyone who will try and skate it out from behind the net I'll take!

bryce and fayne are up and down, fayne may improve, but I think WYSIWYG with these guys

the newbs have some promise but right now who really knows

I disagree that its "the system" it is what it is, average D talent. we could use a stud, or at least a top 10 defenceman and an upgrade at goalie

Moose is playing better but like with tallinder, being slightly better than marty, whoopie

[Dadds3424]

I think that the X factor is 1-2 years of experience (including playoffs) for JJ, Teddy, Henrique, Larsson, Urbom, and Taormina. I think this year can only help Kovalchuk play better.