nj96 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 With all the threads pushing for a complete rebuild or calling for Maclean's head, am I the only one noticing some signs of improvement? The goal against Toronto was just another example of something that didn't happen at the beginning of the year... The man in front. That's just one of the basics I've seen flashes of from about 10 games ago on: - They've have guys moving toward the attacking zone as they dump pucks in instead of players moving parallel to the blueline or even away from the attacking zone. - They've been putting a man toward the net and getting a puck, if not to him, near him when cycling and on rushes - They are finally getting a screen in front! Nothing pisses me off more than 5 guys on the perimeter shooting to an unobstructed goalie. - They're actually doing things with purpose - like throwing a puck into the corner because a teammate is going there, not because it's away from everyone, friend or foe. Passing like they have a plan, not just because the player is undefended... Now if they would just have hours of passing and one-timer practice and Kovalchuk finally realize he's faster than most defensemen and can just skate around them instead of trying to go through them... While it sucks to watch this team in its current state, but I think they can really start rolling... Then a (hopefully) 100% Parise for the push... Maybe I'm the only one delusional enough to think that, though... Hey - they can only get better, right?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 you're going to get pilloried for this, but i do agree that there are some signs of life. that boston game was real bad, though. the defense has been a little better recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I haven't been able to watch any of the recent games so I can't comment on the actualy improvement of certain aspects of play but if those are signs of improvement then at least it's something. More power to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamtheprodigy Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I didn't see the game last night but up until then I would agree. The improvement is too slow of a process however and the defense is still not tight enough. At this rate, even if we do keep steadily improving, the playoffs will be out of reach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubie#8 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) I as well have seen improvement in their play especially passing out of the zone and transitioning to offense. I have also noticed more intense back checking, even from kovy last night. Every shift kovy hauled his ass back to help out on D. When we have tao and langenbrunner back i believe this team will get better, we still haven't seen a healthy lineup of skaters Kovy Zub Vas Elias Arnott Tedenby Rolston Zajac Langs Pelley Mair Clarkson Tao Greene White Tallinder Magnan Volchenkov I mean seriously corrente blows, he takes stupid penalties and hes horrible on D. When langs and tao come back we should be fine, But once again i can only HOPE Edited November 19, 2010 by Zubie#8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Any info on Mark Fraser? I know he has a short fuse(so did Scott Stevens when he first entered the NHL) but if we move Colin White I wouldn't mind seeing Fraser take his spot. At least Fraser showed emotion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubie#8 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Any info on Mark Fraser? I know he has a short fuse(so did Scott Stevens when he first entered the NHL) but if we move Colin White I wouldn't mind seeing Fraser take his spot. At least Fraser showed emotion. Fraser > Magnan, Corrente Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrydevil Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Sorry, I don't see a whole lot of improvement. I see a team that does not generate enough quality scoring chances even strength, and a team that is just awful with a man advantage. It's been like that all season. We'll see a game here and there where they do better, but there is no growth or step-by-step improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubie#8 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) Sorry, I don't see a whole lot of improvement. I see a team that does not generate enough quality scoring chances even strength, and a team that is just awful with a man advantage. It's been like that all season. We'll see a game here and there where they do better, but there is no growth or step-by-step improvement. Well its better than the whompings from the caps 7-2, sabres 6-1, bruins 4-1, and sharks 5-2 There is SOME improvement but your definitely right, its not in a consistent step by step basis. Edited November 19, 2010 by Zubie#8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devlman Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Agreed they are playing better but its time for points, not moral victories. But, youre right in that things are moving in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Well its better than the whompings from the caps 7-2, sabres 6-1, bruins 4-1, and sharks 5-2 There is SOME improvement but your right not in a consistent step by step basis. Well I guess we'll see if there really is any improvement when we face the Flyers and Caps; two of the toughest teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaneykoIsGod Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Agreed they are playing better but its time for points, not moral victories. But, youre right in that things are moving in the right direction. I hate to say it, but there is an increasing chance that moral victories are the most numerous victories we'll be seeing this year. Gotta take what you can get. I like the new lines. Zajac, Rolston, Clarkson; and Kovalchuk, Zubrus, Vasyunov are players with styles more suited to each other and it showed last night. I just wish Rolston wasn't so completely and utterly useless. I liked the way the defense seemed to clamp down after Marty left last night. It reminded me of the way the D played for Clemmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devs1965 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) I agree about the small signs of life. Especialy Kovy back checking (thought I would never see that). I would like to see more traffic in front of the net, I agree we are trying to get more people there ( hence last nights only goal) but we can not seem to set up long enough for a good shot on net every thing seems rushed once they get in the offensive zone. But I will agree I have seen improvement just real slow! The D is just a mess, watching Kessel shoot in front of our net with not a player anywhere around him was something I dont think I have ever seen before. I should add just like DIG just said as soon as Hedberg came in the did tighten up but is that just a sign that our team does not trust Hedberg? Lets Go Devils Edited November 19, 2010 by Devs1965 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatansDevils Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 The team maybe improving in some ways but it is certainly not on special teams with the PP and PK. That is still piss poor and unacceptable. Team is under achieving and the veterans on this team need to step up their games or get shipped out. Zajac, Clarkson, Langenbrunner, Arnott, Zubrus, Kovalchuk and Elias have to step up their games. Besides Kovy, Zubrus and Arnott the other veterans have been MIA out on the ice. Enough talking from these vets and start producing and win some games. Its embarrassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 We played a Buffalo team under .500, a crappy Edmonton team and a lousy Toronto team (who we lost to) in the last four games, be careful about trying to glean any 'improvement'. I think Clarkson himself's been improved the last few games, playing more like the guy just trying to get a job in the NHL. But in general, no. Kovy of all people made the point that we're just playing not to get scored on now, that's why we haven't been whipped quite as bad in recent games but it's also not giving us a real chance to win either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 is that just a sign that our team does not trust Hedberg? I see that as a plus. Once this team gets it in their heads that Hedberg nor Marty can no longer bail them out, the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Fraser can't come close to replacing White and I don't think Fraser is better than Magnan at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devs1965 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) We played a Buffalo team under .500, a crappy Edmonton team and a lousy Toronto team (who we lost to) in the last four games, be careful about trying to glean any 'improvement'. I think Clarkson himself's been improved the last few games, playing more like the guy just trying to get a job in the NHL. But in general, no. Kovy of all people made the point that we're just playing not to get scored on now, that's why we haven't been whipped quite as bad in recent games but it's also not giving us a real chance to win either. That would explain Kovy back checking, our PP is non exsistant what is Oats doing to correct this? Winky even though he just came back is suppose to be our PP specialist and he still can't hit the net he is as bad as he was last year. and the PK seems to be geting worse. But small doses of light I think is all we are going to get this year! Embarising would be a year like 83-84 I went to those games and you could count how many people were at Brendan Byrne.. But at least those years we could fight better:) Edited November 19, 2010 by Devs1965 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin226 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I STILL BELIEVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrthemike Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Calling the product i've been watching the last few games "improved" is a stretch. There is much more in the negative column than positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpathianForest Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Fraser can't come close to replacing White and I don't think Fraser is better than Magnan at this point. I don't think Fraser could replace White, but if you want to have a youth movement and White gets moved then at least you've got a semi-decent replacement in Fraser. You could put Fraser in with Volchenkov. Magnan is good too. I just like the fire that Fraser brings. We've been pretty lacking in emotion lately. It would be good to at least see this team have a meltdown like they did against the Caps. That way we fans would know that the Devils still have a pulse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Man, scoring one goal and getting a few more chances than usual against a very average team is an improvement. Even in the darkest days of my negativity last season could I ever imagine that it would come to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I don't think Fraser could replace White, but if you want to have a youth movement and White gets moved then at least you've got a semi-decent replacement in Fraser. You could put Fraser in with Volchenkov. Magnan is good too. I just like the fire that Fraser brings. We've been pretty lacking in emotion lately. It would be good to at least see this team have a meltdown like they did against the Caps. That way we fans would know that the Devils still have a pulse. Fraser is not good. I think it's a massive overstatement to call him even a semi-decent replacement. Playing little and protected minutes against easy opponents Fraser struggled greatly, so there is no way he can come close to handling big unprotected minutes against top lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devs1965 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I see that as a plus. Once this team gets it in their heads that Hedberg nor Marty can no longer bail them out, the better. I know what your saying, But I have got to the point where every shot at Hedberg I feel is going to score, Maybe a lot of it is our D but he just lets some bad goals in. Def not a 1.5 mil goalie. I agree that the Devils feel safe with Marty, like can save every game and as sad as it is his best days are behind him, still a good goalie but not the best as he once was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubie#8 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Start Mckenna tmrw! Its his hometown maybe he will get a shutout who knows! Whats there to lose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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