01-19-13 08:40 AM - Post#1500116    

After losing in the Cup finals to the Kings last year, it wasn't the best offseason for the Devils. Parise went over to the Wild and assistant coaches and HOFers Adam Oates and Larry Robinson also left. Robinson is replaced by Scott Stevens and Matt Shaw, who came from SJ. Parise wasn't replaced.

The positives as usual, start with the defense. They have to be considered one of the best in the league.They don't have a Norris candidate, but the top 6 is as good as it gets.

Brodeur returns again. After a shaky start last year, he played great and led them to the finals. I'm not sure if there's another goaltending duo in NHL history with combined aged of 81.

The big question mark is replacing the 52 goals and 54 assists from Parise and Sykora. The team is hoping Zajac(who missed most of last year) and young dude Tenenby can fill the role. An improving Henrique will also be a big help. You have to expect less from Elias considering he isn't getting any younger. He was tied for 10th in scoring last year though.

The fighting should still be there since Janssen has made the team and they signed Barch. Clarkson will fight on occasion, but he's become more valuable on the ice. I doubt he'll ever fight 20 times a year anymore.

They should be around the 6th seed. The Atlantic Division is stocked. They are way under the cap, and if they are in the position to make a run, LL will pull the trigger.

Possible line combos:

Kovy-Zajac-Tenenby

Elias-Henrique-Clarkson

Zubris-Josefson-Matteau

Janssen/Barch/Carter/Gion ta/Bernier


Volchenkov-Greene

Salvador-Zidlicky

Larrson/Tallinder

Fayne

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-19-13 08:44 AM - Post#1500117    

    In response to DoubleJ

If that's the opening lineup, that's pretty weak. Both Barch and Janssen scratched? I thought they'd alternate.

formerly Belak_2 aka Bleka... DOWN GOES BRASHEAR!

01-19-13 08:48 AM - Post#1500118    

    In response to Twist 'n Belak

• Twist 'n Belak Said:

Either Cam or Barch will play. Probably Cam. It's the same lineup as last year's regular season minus Parise and adding Zajac. Scoring will probably be an issue.

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-19-13 01:59 PM - Post#1500181    

    In response to DoubleJ

My only question is what backyard will the parade be in?.......

Hasnt you anything else thinking than Juha82??????

01-19-13 03:23 PM - Post#1500231    

    In response to Baldridge

• Baldridge Said:

Dude, your pathetic team is closing in on 40 years without winning a Cup. And you probably talk about those two teams like you were at every game when in reality you weren't even born or so young the only thing you could do in life was shit yourself.

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-19-13 05:23 PM - Post#1500265    

    In response to DoubleJ

Do you have to pay admission in a parking lot parade?......

Hasnt you anything else thinking than Juha82??????

01-20-13 06:35 AM - Post#1500409    

    In response to Baldridge

First two lines are underrated by some guys IMO.
Tedenby, Kovalchuk although they are more onedimensional guns but very dangerous in the offense and Kocy has worked a bit in the defense as he has learned something ...
Elias, Clarkson... in the defensive lines are playing guys like Zubrus, Josefsson and Gionta who can be productive with decent way in the offense at the same time.
Not bad offense, quite good IMO.
Goaltending is good level, Brodeur.
Defense looks about solid but not sure is it enough good either.
Talinder, Salvador are accurate defenders in own area and Volchenkov is big key-player.
Zidlicky is force in the offense but has learned something of his defense which has been his biggest minus always and never become though for master defender in the defensive zone.

01-20-13 08:52 AM - Post#1500423    

    In response to Baldridge

• Baldridge Said:

No, it's free. That's important because LL doesn't like to give away anything.

The Devils win the Saturday night opener. That's how most Devil games will go this year. Low scoring.

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-20-13 03:40 PM - Post#1500689    

    In response to DoubleJ

They lost too much, have an already overrated and OLD goalie and an apparently totally overrated, no-name defense.

They'll be lucky to make the playoffs.

Touché.

-PR

The 2012 Stanley Cup champions...YOUR Los Angeles Kings!

01-20-13 03:41 PM - Post#1500691    

    In response to Baldridge

• Baldridge Said:

No, but bring a SWAT team if you're at that arena...

-PR

The 2012 Stanley Cup champions...YOUR Los Angeles Kings!

01-20-13 03:42 PM - Post#1500692    

    In response to PuckRogue

That 1995 Cup win should have an asterisk - As should this season's Cup winners.

Is Roy Innis gonna have to choke a bitch?!

01-20-13 03:50 PM - Post#1500699    

    In response to PuckRogue

• PuckRogue Said:

That's right. Just bring it...

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-20-13 03:53 PM - Post#1500701    

    In response to Fotiu

• Gill Said:

Totally disagree. More because the post-season is almost totally it's own animal. Hence why the Presidents Trophy winner almost always gets bounced in the first round.

-PR

The 2012 Stanley Cup champions...YOUR Los Angeles Kings!

01-20-13 03:54 PM - Post#1500704    

    In response to DoubleJ

• DoubleJ Said:

I'm honestly surprised that you're still bitter about the way the Kings manhandled the Devils in the Finals...

-PR

The 2012 Stanley Cup champions...YOUR Los Angeles Kings!

01-20-13 03:57 PM - Post#1500706    

    In response to PuckRogue

I'm not mad, the Kings won the Cup and deserved it.
They have a pretty cool team too. But dissing the Devils because they play in the ghetto is lame coming from a guy who's team that use to play at the Forum.

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-20-13 07:20 PM - Post#1500840    

    In response to DoubleJ

Check the times on my post in this thread and your posts in the Kings thread.

Why go all "Gee...why are you picking on the Devils?" on me?

-PR

The 2012 Stanley Cup champions...YOUR Los Angeles Kings!

01-21-13 10:18 AM - Post#1501003    

    In response to PuckRogue

I don't get it. I'm either slow or it's my Monday hangover.

Philly comes to town tomorrow night. Philly needs this win badly, since a slow start in a shortened season is tough to overcome.

I'm officially worried about last years 4th overall pick Adam Larsson. He didn't even make the opening night lineup. He was a healthy scratch for Mark Fayne. I know he's only 19, but he's suppose to be the next great Devils defenseman.

Devils John Madden being interviewed: Interviewer- How does it feel to cover Gomez? Madden- I don't know. I don't cover 3rd line centers.

01-22-13 07:39 PM - Post#1501700    

    In response to DoubleJ

The Flyers look brutual.......Looks like last year's playoffs all over again.No contest.....

Hasnt you anything else thinking than Juha82??????

01-22-13 07:50 PM - Post#1501707    

    In response to PuckRogue

• PuckRogue Said:

There's just too many things that can happen in an 80+ game schedule that may not happen in a 48 game schedule - Mainly injuries. But ultimately, you've worked a lot harder if you play a full schedule and win The Cup than if you play 48 games and win the "Cup." Asterisk city, IMO.

Is Roy Innis gonna have to choke a bitch?!

01-22-13 07:50 PM - Post#1501708    

    In response to Baldridge

• Baldridge Said:

Really? Check out the Rangers. Ugh.

Is Roy Innis gonna have to choke a bitch?!