Devils scouting reports

[BrooklynBound]

Hello, all. Let me give a little background before I start. While I've always respected the sport of hockey, I never really gave it a chance. Now that the NHL is coming back, I feel I'll be be able to catch up a little easier on learning the game... I want to give it another shot.

I'm a proud NJ resident, who roots for the other NJ teams (Nets and Jets) so the Devils are my team. I'm just wondering if anyone could describe the styles of the main Devils players (and team as a whole) so I'm not going into the season cold. I realize I'm a student of the game, but I'm willing to learn! Thanks.

[insanity_gallops]

Welcome aboard, BB! I hope you grow to love the game as much I (and many others) do!

If you have questions about anything hockey, this is a great place to ask! The posters here are knowledgeable and passionate. We all feel NJDevs is one of the best forums on the 'net.

As for the style of the Devils, they're a hardworking team. They rely on a stellar goalie, solid defense, and timely scoring. In truth, there are a lot of question marks about the team for this upcoming season, given all of the new rules that are likely to come out of the CBA.

The basics, though.

GM: Lou Lamoriello

You'll hear this phrase a lot: "In Lou We Trust." Lamoriello is regarded as one of the top GMs in all of professional sports, always capable of getting the most out of his teams and pulling moves that are largely unsuspected -- and usually work out quite well! As long as he's in charge, the Devils will be a competitive, driven team that aims for the Cup... and nothing less.

Goalie: Martin Brodeur.

Considered by most to be the greatest goalie in the game right now, Marty is coming off a season in which he claimed his second consecutive Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league's top goaltender. He's an excellent puck-handler, and one of the main reasons the new CBA may impose restrictions on how goalies are allowed to play the puck during games. He's as good a goalie as you could ask for these days.

Captain: Scott Stevens

One of the best defensemen of all time, Stevens has been just as integral to the Devils' success as Brodeur. He's a defensive defenseman, first and foremost, known throughout the league for his intimidating presence, tenacious play and fearsome bodychecks. Unfortunately, he missed most of last season with post-concussion syndrome, but he looks ready to return for at least one more go-'round with the team.

Alternate Captain: Scott Niedermayer

Niedermayer has been a Devil his entire career (as has Brodeur), and he's also a big reason for the Devils' winning ways. He's an all-around d-man, capable of playing stingy D and also leading the rush. This past season he was awarded the Norris Trophy, given to the league's top defenseman. He is an Unrestricted Free Agent thanks to the new CBA, so technically any team can sign him once the off-season officially begins. Attempting to re-sign him will be one of Lou's top priorities.

Alternate Captain: Patrik Elias

Elias is turning out to be one of the top LWs in the game, and he is definitely the Devils' go-to guy on offense. He's got tremendous skill, and he can play with a chip on his shoulder. Last year he was 4th in the NHL in goals scored and game winning goals, and it was the 5th season in a row that he led the Devils in scoring. If there's a marquee offensive name for the Devils right now, it's Patrik Elias, without question.

Ok, that's where I leave off... I've got to get to work bright and early in the morning!

I know many will pick up where I left off, and add in things I've missed in what I've already covered.

Again, welcome aboard, BB!

Edited July 18, 2005 by insanity_gallops

[BrooklynBound]

Thanks, insanity. That was a detailed and thoughtful response, which I appreciate. I look forward to other such posts which will help me understand a little more about the game! Thanks in advance.

I have a question:

Are the Devils considered a small market team? (I realize the cap will help small market teams, somewhat)

(Heh, I have a feeling this will be the official thread that I will use every time I need to ask a question.)

[MadDog2020]

Hello, all.  Let me give a little background before I start.  While I've always respected the sport of hockey, I never really gave it a chance.  Now that the NHL is coming back, I feel I'll be be able to catch up a little easier on learning the game... I want to give it another shot.

I'm a proud NJ resident, who roots for the other NJ teams (Nets and Jets) so the Devils are my team.  I'm just wondering if anyone could describe the styles of the main Devils players (and team as a whole) so I'm not going into the season cold.  I realize I'm a student of the game, but I'm willing to learn!  Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Jets are NOT- I repeat - NOT a NJ team. Don't ever insult a boran and raised NJ native and Dolphins fan like myself by saying that ever again.

[RowdyFan42]

The Jets are NOT- I repeat - NOT a NJ team. Don't ever insult a boran and raised NJ native and Dolphins fan like myself by saying that ever again.

Well, they play in New Jersey, therefore...

Besides, the Jets are more of a NJ team than the MIAMI (which, the last time I checked, was in Florida) Dolphins will ever be.

[BrooklynBound]

Hello, all.  Let me give a little background before I start.  While I've always respected the sport of hockey, I never really gave it a chance.  Now that the NHL is coming back, I feel I'll be be able to catch up a little easier on learning the game... I want to give it another shot.

I'm a proud NJ resident, who roots for the other NJ teams (Nets and Jets) so the Devils are my team.  I'm just wondering if anyone could describe the styles of the main Devils players (and team as a whole) so I'm not going into the season cold.  I realize I'm a student of the game, but I'm willing to learn!  Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Jets are NOT- I repeat - NOT a NJ team. Don't ever insult a boran and raised NJ native and Dolphins fan like myself by saying that ever again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I really don't want to get into this... the point of this thread is for me to ask about the Devils, not go off on tangents. The Jets play in my home state, and the Dolphins play 2,000 miles away - that's why I root for them. NJ pride. Anyways, back on topic.

Edited July 18, 2005 by BrooklynBound

[CRASHER]

hey the more the better on this site

and nice to see it coming to life again

this board would NOT be this board if it wasn't always drowning in in-fighting

[Belizarius]

Welcome here!

I have to add somethings about the Devils.

NJ is one of the famous teams in the NHL for finding young talents and bringing them at the higher levels.

A youngster to watch this next season will be college sensation Zach Parise, who won a gold medal with team USA at the 2004 World Juniors. He also won MVP award. Played last season with the Albany River Rats, NJ affiliate, where he was very good in a weak team.

Some other names of the team :

C Scott Gomez

One of the best playmaker in the league. Lead the NHL in assists before the lockout, won the Calder trophy (top rookie) in 2000. I just hope he will be back at the same level (fractured hip in a minor league game during the lockout).

RW Brian Gionta

The smallest player in the NHL, Gionta is fast, very fast, fearless, and can score from everywhere.

D Brian Rafalski

All-star defenseman is a puck-moving player who won a silver medal with team USA in 2002 Olympics.

D Colin White

Big and tall, agressive stay-at-home defenseman

C John Madden

Defensive-forward, plays in key shorthanded situations. Won Selke Trophy (best defensive-forward) in 2001 and twice nominated since (i hope I'm not making a mistake in the dates).

LW Jay Pandolfo

Former college scoring forward became a defensive-forward, shorthanded specialist and Madden's partner.

F Sergei Brylin

One of the fan favorites. This Russian can play in any position, with any given forward. Can play in all situations. Unsung hero, but popular and well appreciated by the other players.

Here the players who are still under contract I believe.

For the others, we'll see that in a few days...

Just hope my little english is understandable, after all there's Devils fans everywhere... and I also have my jersey and my Devils watch!

Another info : Elias contracted Hepathis A in Russia during the lockout so he won't be able to start the season...

[CRASHER]

and oh yeah...I should like plug my website

http://www.crasherline.net

it still works right ??

[Derek21]

That's the best part of this board Crasher.

[RowdyFan42]

The best part of this board is Crasher's website?

[devils102]

Welcome aboard,

Teams you MUST hate if you're cheering for the Devils

1. Philadelphia: Prolly our biggest rival,

2. NY Rangers: Our most local rival, however they've sucked in recent years, so its become pretty onesided.

3. Toronto: I live in Ontario, Canada so I take alot of flak from my leafs fan friends. Others may replace this one with NY Islanders or Red Wings, but ever since Domi knocked out Niedermayer in the 2001 playoffs I've had a special hatred for the Maple Leafs.

[BrooklynBound]

Welcome aboard,

Teams you MUST hate if you're cheering for the Devils

1. Philadelphia: Prolly our biggest rival,

2.  NY Rangers:  Our most local rival, however they've sucked in recent years, so its become pretty onesided.

3.  Toronto:  I live in Ontario, Canada so I take alot of flak from my leafs fan friends.  Others may replace this one with NY Islanders or Red Wings, but ever since Domi knocked out Niedermayer in the 2001 playoffs I've had a special hatred for the Maple Leafs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Check!

[DevilMinder]

Hey BrooklynBound, everyone has opinions and well we know the rest of that saying. Glad you found the site, hope your love of the Devils grow this year.

[MadDog2020]

Hello, all.

[MadDog2020]

The Jets are NOT- I repeat - NOT a NJ team. Don't ever insult a boran and raised NJ native and Dolphins fan like myself by saying that ever again.

Well, they play in New Jersey, therefore...

Besides, the Jets are more of a NJ team than the MIAMI (which, the last time I checked, was in Florida) Dolphins will ever be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Jets are as Jersey as the Mets or Yankees. They're a NY team that plays in NJ and refuses to acknowledge it, just like the Giants (and I'm actually glad the Jets don't acknowledge it because I hate their guts, obviously). And they won't be playing in NJ for much longer I'm sure (hopefully), because eventually Woody will wise up and move them to Queens where the majority of their fan base is, and where they belong. Anyway, I realize this is way off topic and BB- welcome to the board. You may root for the Jets, but you're a Devils fan and that makes you cool in my book. Go Dolphins though!!

[StarDew]

F Sergei Brylin

One of the fan favorites. This Russian can play in any position, with any given forward. Can play in all situations. Unsung hero, but popular and well appreciated by the other players.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Timex is so flexible and never really complains...he does whatever is asked of him...he can put a player in place if needed...I think it was Friesen he gave some words to during the 2003 playoff run

[CRASHER]

The best part of this board is Crasher's website?   

Well to ME it is

and come on I've not whored my board in a YEAR!!!!!

[BrooklynBound]

Hello, all.  Let me give a little background before I start.  While I've always respected the sport of hockey, I never really gave it a chance.  Now that the NHL is coming back, I feel I'll be be able to catch up a little easier on learning the game... I want to give it another shot.

I'm a proud NJ resident, who roots for the other NJ teams (Nets and Jets) so the Devils are my team.  I'm just wondering if anyone could describe the styles of the main Devils players (and team as a whole) so I'm not going into the season cold.  I realize I'm a student of the game, but I'm willing to learn!  Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Jets are NOT- I repeat - NOT a NJ team. Don't ever insult a boran and raised NJ native and Dolphins fan like myself by saying that ever again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I really don't want to get into this... the point of this thread is for me to ask about the Devils, not go off on tangents. The Jets play in my home state, and the Dolphins play 2,000 miles away - that's why I root for them. NJ pride. Anyways, back on topic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They're a NY team though. That's all I'm trying to say.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You've got to look at my post in the context I was saying it in. I root for local teams... and since the Jets, Mets, Nets are my local teams I root for them - just like I will root for the Devils.

[BrooklynBound]

So guys, what are our needs going into the draft? Is it defensemen since Niedermayer might bolt and Stevens doesn't have much left?

Or do NHL teams mostly focus on the best player available?

Also, can someone tell me the difference in roles between a Center and a Wing? Also, do different lines have different characteristics or does it vary among teams?

[insanity_gallops]

BB, I'll start with the lines question, first.

All teams try to assemble a "top line." That's the line that has their best offensive players on it. For the Devils last year it was largely Elias-Gomez-Gionta; small, but speedy and skilled. This is the go-to line for offensive, and has the team's biggest point producers.

The second line is usually another scoring line, composed of skilled players that are capable of putting up points and relieving some of the opposing team's focus on the first line. If a team only has one good scoring line, the defense can key in on it, and that spells trouble... which was a bit of a problem for the Devils last season. The Devils' second line is very much in question for the upcoming year.

Usually, the third line is called the "checking line." This is the line made up of defensive-minded players and those willing to muck it out in the corners (sometimes called "grinders"). For the most part, the checking line's job is to shut down the first line of the opposing team; if the third line can contribute offense on top, that's a major bonus, but usually not their primary aim. For the Devils, the third line always has a combination of Pandolfo-Madden, but the last part has been interchangeable over the last few seasons (Gionta, Langenbrunner, Brylin, Marshall, etc.).

Then there's the fourth line. This is the line that can change on a nightly basis depending on the opponent. If, say, the Devils are playing against the Flyers, the Devils will play their bigger, meaner players to contend with Philly's physical style of play. If the Devils are going up against a team like the Oilers, a very speedy team, the Devils could opt to play smaller, shiftier, more talented players. This is the line that usually will see the most turnover during the course of the season.

Defensive pairings differ, too. Lou Lamoriello's favorite technique is to pair one stay-at-home, very defensive defenseman with a slick puck-rushing offensive d-man. Example, Stevens-Rafalski, White-Niedermayer, Hale-Martin. Teams' top d-pairing will usually play with the third line in an attempt to, once again, shut down the opponent's top line.

[insanity_gallops]

heh, shoulda fielded this question first: our needs going into the draft are addressed in another thread in Hell.

http://njdevs.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19934

Consensus is defense is probably the top priority (always seems to be with Lou), but the Devils farm system could use another sound goalie and some scoring forwards.

Now for teams drafting in general, all teams head into the draft with an awareness of their strengths and weaknesses as an organization, but sometimes they will simply choose the best available player come selection time. As with other drafts, teams also look to change positions in the draft if there is a player they really want -- case in point, the Devils moved up a few slots two drafts ago to select Zach Parise.

Edited July 19, 2005 by insanity_gallops

[insanity_gallops]

Center v. wing.

All right, well the obvious fact is that the center plays in the middle, with the wings off to the sides. But I'm sure you deduced that already.

The center is the guy who takes the faceoffs, that's one major difference. A center who can consistently win faceoffs is a valuable commodity. If a team cannot win faceoffs, then they're always going to start on the defensive and have to work to get the puck from the opposing team. "Faceoff specialists" are highly sought after, because puck-possession is crucial. If you can get a center who's great at faceoffs and a very good player -- Joe Nieuwendyk, Bobby Holik -- then you're quite happy.

The center also has more defensive responsibilities. Now I don't know all the details as well as I should, but the center is almost always responsible for "shadowing" the other center. For example. The Devils are playing the Rangers. Devils put out a line with Pandolfo (Left Wing) - Madden (Center) - Langenbrunner (RW), Rangers put out a line with Hlavac (Left Wing) - Lindros (Center) - Jagr (RW). If the Rangers are on offense, Madden's defensive responsibility is to cover Lindros... get the puck from him, prevent him from receiving passes and taking shots, etc. If the Devils go on the offensive, Lindros must now try to cover Madden.

In some defensive schemes, the wingers' defensive responsibilities are limited to shadowing the offensive team's defensemen. So, if the Rangers move into the Devils' zone, it's up to Pandolfo and Langenbrunner to cover the Rangers' defensemen. When that happens, the Devils defensemen are playing defense against the Rangers' wingers.

That's a very, very, very simplified breakdown that's only applicable some of the time. I just wanted to give some kind of an example.

The short version is that the center has the added responsibilities of taking faceoffs and playing defense against the opposing team's center each shift. ...probably shoulda just said that in the first place.

Please, anyone who can explain this in better fashion, by all means -- interject!

Edited July 19, 2005 by insanity_gallops

[Derek21]

Iggy's well explained scouting reports only applies to winning teams .

[insanity_gallops]

Iggy's well explained scouting reports only applies to winning teams .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

*insert Devils-Rangers crack here*

I'm just tryin' to 'splain as best I can!