Wed 14 Nov 2007
The 2007-08 New Jersey Devils suck.
It’s not lack of effort. No, not at all. This team tries. Certainly tries hard. Maybe not for, well, a full 60 minutes a night, but they damn well do the best they can out there.
Problem is, there’s not much talent.
I’d love to sit here and proclaim Red ‘n Black to be the little engine that could, but I’d be lying. And I don’t like lying.
Oh, it’s certainly odd and even awkward to watch a bad Devils team — heck, we haven’t seen a yucky hockey club in over 10 years. Somewhat strangely enough, I find solace in that.
Hey, it’s not the end of the world. We’ve watched this team win three Cups, win tons of division titles, and kick serious butt against the likes of the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers over the past few years, but, well, it really may just be an off year for the New Jersey Devils.
Should we reach for a panic button? Oh, of course not. That would be ridiculous. Last thing this team needs is a fire sale. You see, while this team does show lack of talent, they don’t prove to be a downright awful team, at least, in my eyes. For now, of course. I reserve the right to change my opinion, but that will likely be unnecessary.
Of course, there are certainly adjustments that need to be made in order to salvage future Devils teams. I do firmly believe that Patrik Elias is an unneeded component, and I’ve believed that for a while now. It’s not fun to write, sure, but the poor lad just can’t muster up any consistency anymore. Try as he may, and he does damn well try, I just don’t see the juices flowing soundly enough for him to be what this team needs. He’s certainly a fine player, don’t get me wrong, but he just cannot seem to fulfill the responsibilities he is called upon. Nothing wrong with that — we are simply asking too much of him.
That said, or written, the serious downgrade in defense has clearly come to bite the collective ass of the New Jersey Devils. When you are already sporting a mediocre offense, you need a damn good defense. I’m more than pleased with the Andy Greenes of the world, but let’s be honest here: having a team that sports names like Mike Mottau and Sheldon Brookbank in the same starting lineup does not fly. Not kosher. Really. Not. Nothing against those men as they are both fine, fine men, but, well, they just won’t bring the bacon home anytime soon.
I do find comfort in the idea that Mr. Anger Management will be making a triumphant return quite soon, but I fear it is simply not enough.
And, hey, that’s perfectly fine. Teams can have bad years. We’re just not used to seeing bad years from the Devils. I can come to accept that, so long as this doesn’t become a trend. Oh, and of course, I’d love to be proven wrong. If the team went on a nine-million game winning streak the second I hit the publish button on this bad boy, I’d eat crow ’til the cows came home, I really would. So, either way, I’m cool with what happens.
Moral of the story, folks? Try not to get too frustrated. They’re doing the best they can. Might not be all that great, but it’s better than winning zero out of 82 games played, mmkay?
November 14th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I’ll tell you who sucks….who ever built this team, and that same lame guy that wont make any moves to improve this team, other than picking up AHL’ers from waivers.
I really am embarassed being a Devil fan again, our new home is infested with ranger fans again, just like the first 15 years of our existance. suck suck suck suck suck
November 14th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
one positive though:
Jamie kicked ass
November 14th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
I totally agree with Mike-picking up Nhl garbage and selling most talented players won’t bring back our old great team .
November 14th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Ya know I wanted to see Marty play his entire career as a Devil, but if we’re rebuilding, we can get something good for him, and Elias too, the right teams heading to the playoffs could use these guys, cause by the time we rebuild, they’ll be done anyway.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Are we going to be the same last in standings team like a flyers were last season???? Good question,or we going to be like the other guy sad after lost to NYI on sartuday “we play one game very good and the next we suck” if so then we only going to get 80 points wich all you know is not enough to even get close to miss the playoffs.I still have hope, but loose to Rangers team which last time score more then 3 gols I belive was an opening night against Florida.Huge holes on the D and some on O.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Are we going to be the same last in standings team like a flyers were last season???? Good question,or we going to be like the other guy sad after lost to NYI on sartuday “we play one game very good and the next we suck” if so then we only going to get 80 points wich all you know is not enough to even get close to miss the playoffs.I still have hope, but loose to Rangers team which last time score more then 3 gols I belive was an opening night against Florida.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
MIKE? WTH?
1. Marty has a not trade clause.
2. HE IS ARGUABLY THE BEST GOALTENDER OF ALLL TIME AND YOU WANNA TRADE HIM? HE’S WON US 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS!
3. you guys do realize, it’s not even close to half way through the season, i mean, look at what the yankees did. plenty of time, this team CAN turn it around. were not going through a complete rebuilding period. we didn’t loose everyone like the isles. i really think this team, is not a team right now, and that they have to bond, and play together. and sutter need to stop changing the f-ing lines.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Dana do you realize his GAA is 31st in the league??, and with our weak defense, maybe Marty would accept a deal to a better Canadiens team (or whoever). Do you guys remember when the great Patrick Roy was on a lousy Canadians team, and was getting shelled every night, he demanded a trade, won a cup with Colorado and finished his career on a good note.The thing with Marty is he’s on the down side, he’s been giving up bad goals since the Tampa series last spring, and we don’t have the offense to bail him out.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:32 am
one bad year out of about 13 amazing ones? so maybe he has an off year, so what? and, he, and he Martin Brodeur, says he wants to finsish his career with the devs and would NOT play for the HABS. he doesn’t want to have to deal with that kind of stardom. and is marty like Patrick Roy in any way shape or form besides their the 2 most winingest goalies? have you ever seen marty fight or demand a trade ? or say something stupid? anyway, it’s not HIM who has been loosing the game, it’s the whole team. he’s actually been playing amazing lately and the team just can’t friggin score.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Ok first off trading Marty isn’t the smartest move here. He’s the only face of the Devils. With a new arena the last thing Vanderbeek wants to do is not fill it with no one to really get behind. Marty is the glue right now.
Offense: We really only have 1.5 lines. With Jamie coming back, he, T-funk and Zack are the #1 line. Gionta, Elias and whoever (should be Zubrus) aren’t a solid #2 line. They’re not. They need another play maker on offense. If Patty has to go, so we can get a solid center and a decent winger, so be it. I’ll take that deal.
Defense: Sucks. We’re beyond small and get caught out of position all the time. Paul Martin tries to be Neidermeyer, but he can’t dance thru 4 guys, and when he does push up, there’s no one covering his vacant spot, IE: The Rangers first goal last night. I’m happy with Andy Greene and Vishnevski. Brookbank isn’t bad, he’s a 3 liner and Johnny O, plays a solid 2nd liner. But we need Colin back. He won’t stand for shiat back there. And that’s what we need.
Its almost as though we need an all out brawl one night, everybody getting involved, having each other’s back, to get that comrodery back. Get a few goals on the board and get Ruppy in one, Asham, Clarkson, and Brookbank in one. Have a scrap around Marty. Need something. These guys are looking around for a leader and NO ONE is stepping up. If there’s not going to be one leader, maybe we could get a few leaders…
November 15th, 2007 at 9:12 am
One bad year out of 13 good ones I can accept, but its the timing, he’s getting older, and if his bad seasons are coming now, we are in trouble.
Marty wasn’t good against the Rangers, and if he cant get up for that game, he’s shot.
I am more concerned with the Wins and Losses, and we are headed for mega losses.
Hey if Lou and Vanderbeek don’t care about this team, why should the fans ????
November 15th, 2007 at 9:34 am
I have to disagree…While the team isn’t performing up to the way fans would like, this team does not “Suck”. First off, and I know this has been said A LOT but it IS a new system and a new coach. You can’t compare it to last year because Julien just did what every other Devils coach did. Thats not Sutters way. Last night has some good moments but we did lose out top D-man early in the game. Give this team some time because as a whole they don’t suck. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter if you finish 1st or finish 8th and while finishing 1st seems like a long shot, finishing 8th is certainly something that is possible. Should I remind you how bad we looked in 2005 before we started clicking sometime in January.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:58 am
NJ Devil you’re right about having NO leadership, and this team doesnt have an identity, we arent hard to play against anymore, we cant go run and gun with the offensive teams, we are lame, we dont drop the gloves anymore. I’ve been seeing the stats between us and our opponents and in every game, we are outshot, out hit, the other team blocks more shots, they get more quality scoring chances, all the things we used to do….we dont do anymore, its the coaches job to set a style and make the players play that style, and its Lou’s job to get the players that can fit that bill, but we are totally mixed up right now, no direction what so ever…and the team is already used to losing, it hardly bothers them.And it pisses me off.
November 15th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Big picture, we need to wait things out a little while longer. Most teams don’t do their dealing until after Christmas. A 2nd line center might gel Elias and Gionta but I agree we may need to dump Elias to get a LW + C or C + D. I wouldn’t trade Gio b/c he brings it every night. Just wish he’s start using his backhand move on breakaways again, same thing w/Zach. We need totally revamp the D, everyone is expendable. We have too many subpar big hitters and need more offense (Rupp, Asham, Clarkson, Janssen). Brylin’s time has come, Pelly can play 4th line center and Sarge can’t hack 2nd line anymore. Zuby could play 2nd line LW if we deal Elias so we’re not wasting his salary in a 3rd line role, although I don’t know how well he’d play w/Gio.
November 15th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Let’s make a pitch for Jordan Staal. He will solidify the 2nd line for years and he seems to be odd man out in Pitt behind Sid and Malkin.
November 15th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Luckily there is Pittsburgh, as they are more of a disappointment than we are, and I hear the coach will be fired if they dont beat the Islanders Fri night, so I’m sure there are some players that are expendable too. it’s just who do we trade, you have to give talent to get talent. Most of our talent from recent years are doing fine on other teams as they have “walked”. I don’t know what goes through Lou’s mind when he see’s us get booed at home and lose game like we do?? where is he hiding? I am glad you guys are more optimistic than me, but I can’t stand losing these big games.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Frankly, I think what’s more embarrassing than the struggling Devils team we’ve been watching is the fact that so many fans have simply given up on this team.
Yes, the team is having trouble - our power play is dismal (not that it’s been particularly amazing in recent years) and we can’t put together a solid 60 minutes on any given night - but this is an 82 game season. A slow start does not mean a slow finish. We’re still in the division - we have not fall behind to the point where it’s some insurmountable feat to get back into things. Until we start winning games with some consistency, however, this will be a frustrating team to watch.
However, this is NOT the worst Devils team we have seen, nor will it become the worst we’ve seen. This team is in need of a blockbuster trade, a shakeup to get them all on track.
We have much bigger problems than the fans who sold their club seats to Ranger fans last night. Someone needs to light a fire under this team - and as fans, we need to be behind them, no matter how rough of a start this is.
November 15th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I truly believe that Devils fans have grown so accustomed to success over these past few years that they simply cannot wrap their heads around a potentially “bad” hockey club, at least for a season or two.
A blockbuster deal would be more than lovely, but what the heck could we ever use to MAKE a deal? Even so, I’m not quite sure that would solve the overall problems of this team. I just don’t think there’s enough going with our offense to steal tons of games, and the defense is far too weak — ESPECIALLY if Martin is going to be out for an extended period of time. I have no qualms with guys like Sheldon Brookbank and Mike Mottau as individuals, but when they’re in the lineup together, it’s scary. They’re both sevens at best right now. To have both in the starting six is kind of yucky. I think Brookbank will be a pretty decent defenseman someday, but he needs time to grow. Same goes for Vishnevski, I think.
See, that’s what my thinking really is: why have a fire sale of huge overhaul of the team just to save one season when there’s actually a FUTURE ahead of us? I don’t think this team will be awful for years to come, but there are certain players who need more time to mature and grow. There are definitely guys who need to not be on the Devils anymore (and I firmly believe Elias is one of them), but you just can’t go and throw everyone away.
No, this is certainly not the worst Devils team we have seen. The 80s come to mind, naturally. We’re nowhere near that. However, we’re nowhere near the past few seasons of Devils teams, either. Can this team catch fire? Oh, sure. I could see it. Do I think they will ultimately make the playoffs? Not sold on that in the least. I’m just trying to say, though, that one year of potentially missing the playoffs doesn’t mean this team is doomed.
November 15th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I just think the timing of our demise is terrible, we have a brand new arena that should be filled every night, and its not even close, even last night there were empty seats, although it said it was a sell out, there are plenty of hockey teams around us that all got way better this season, new fans of the sport will watch them before us. And Marty, when we finally get back to being a strong team, Marty will be washed up. Bad timing by the ownership and management.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Im Afraid to say elias’s days are over! we have to trade him before he really starts to suck, and we have to get an unbeliveable playmaker that can set GIO uP! with a great playmaker, brian could have another great season like 06! i feel he plays great everygame and is always around the puck, but he doesn’t have any help!
November 15th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
I was at the game last night and was disheartened by the venom displayed by the Rangers fans. I have not been at a Devs/Rangers game with that many Rangers fans since the 1980’s. It was almost like the Rangers fans had to suck on it for a decade and know were letting the Devs fans have it all at once. As for the team, i know it has been a broken record since, i wanted Marleu in July; WE NEED A SECOND LINE CENTER! Geo, Parise and Elias shooting percentage is around 6% how is this possible? because they are not getting the puck in scoring areas. If these guys can elevate the shooting perecntage to near their career numbers the Dev’s would be back in the playoff race. Finally, I don’t think Sutter’s system is very good. All the Devs do is chase, chase, chase! come the second period they have no legs! It is no secret the Devs have been blow out of quite a few second periods after putting up a very energetic first. finally, the attacking system has allowed opponents to get speed through the neutral zone negating any opportuntiy for hitting. BRING BACK THE TRAP! it will allow us to have more legs, allow us to play more physical and allow more help for Marty! The season is not over. There are to many good players on this roster. adjustments need to be made.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
With 60+ games left and 7 points separating the entire division, this isn’t over. In December 2005, everyone counted the Devs out; they caught up and won the division, gaining 18 points on the Flyers and Rangers. They even pulled off 11 wins in a row to end the season (even coming from down 3 goals against the Habs in the last period of the last game of the season).
Marty’s pulling it together and there’s only so much you can expect when nobody’s able to clear out the front. Everyone knows if you get in his face, he’ll start to let up goals. There are bigger fish to fry on this team, namely Patty. Langenbrunner showed something last night I’ve barely seen this season - passion. He was pumped and the Devs fed off it for about 35 seconds.
Give Langenbrunner the C, bench Elias for a game or two to make him think about it, and find some way to light a fire under their asses. That’s why Lou hired Sutter and he’s yet to reach them.
Just give them time.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
jamie needs the C!!!!
the team needs jamie to have the C
November 15th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Hell yes, Jamie for C!
and the devils have space to rent!
November 15th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
With the energy Jamie brought and the fact your playing a hated rival I’m worried they couldn’t win. Or manage to make a game of it.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Solidify lines, put Zubrus back up with Gio and Elias. Having Sarge on that line makes it too small of a line and no one is clearing any lines for the Napolean line. Zubrus is big, he’ll clear some space. Defense just needs to step us. I’m still lost as to why the coaches love Martin so much. I don’t think he’s that good. He tries to be Neidermeyer, but ends up doing something stupid and coughing up the puck.
This is not Sutter’s fault. The team needs to step it up.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:56 am
I agree NJDevil…it is not Sutter’s fault.
This team has no identity!
November 16th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
The ferris-wheel continues, now Sutter is trying Elias at center for tonights game vs the Ilanders, and Patty doesn’t sound to happy about it ??????????????????????
November 16th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Its not entirely Marty’s fault. He can’t do everything alone. You look at our good D-men like Martin and Greene and you see why they are good, they get out of the sight lines of Marty so he can see the shooter and they cover the passers.
Some of the D-men like Vishnevski block Marty, like he did against the Penguins on the shot from Malkin. You can’t be doing that and expect Marty to make a save out of thin air. The D-men need to be smarter and let Marty do his job.