GDT: New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers: New Coach(es) addition

[Tundra]

Personally, I think it could be 2 years until they get back to a playoff spot. This is a league where half the teams make it. If they make the right decisions this June and continue to grow the young d-men, then they shouldn't be too far off. As far as a cup is concerned, that's probably 4-5 years away from but its a tough call considering you don't know what will happen with free agency and trades.

Not only that. Look at the east. A few teams already started their rebuild. I don't want to see the sabres in 2-3 years. The east has been down for the last 3 years but that only lasts for so long.

 

[JimEIV]

It's impossible to put a time frame on these things...this could be a decade or it can change next year...fortunes can change quickly and superstars aren't a prerequisite for success.

A couple of decent forwards to complement existing players like Cammalleri, Zajac and Henrique and you can possibly find synergy rather quickly.

Not talking about a contender, just talking competitive

 

[tycobb]

3 years for playoffs.

That is ridiculous.

Any team can get into the playoffs in the East. FLA is even 4 PTS out with 3 less games than WAS/TOR.

This team can easily be playoff bound next year with Larsson, Severson, Merrill, and Gelinas taken a step forward.

STL went from 87 PTS to 109 PTS with only two 20+ goal scores. The 87 PT team had 5 20+ goal scores and 1 30+ goal scorer.

The difference? Getting Ken Hitchcock to turn a team that had 5on5 SV% of 90.95% (1757 SA) into a team that got 93.91 SV% (1658 SA).

That is nearly a 60 goal swing.

STL went from 2.48 GF60 2.45 GA60 for 50.3% (15th) to 2.08 GF60 1.58 GA60 for 56.8%.

If the team lacks skill then you better make sure you keep the other team from scoring goals.

It isn't hard to make the playoffs in the East.

 

[Tundra]

That is ridiculous.

Any team can get into the playoffs in the East. FLA is even 4 PTS out with 3 less games than WAS/TOR.

This team can easily be playoff bound next year with Larsson, Severson, Merrill, and Gelinas taken a step forward.

STL went from 87 PTS to 109 PTS with only two 20+ goal scores. The 87 PT team had 5 20+ goal scores and 1 30+ goal scorer.

The difference? Getting Ken Hitchcock to turn a team that had 5on5 SV% of 90.95% (1757 SA) into a team that got 93.91 SV% (1658 SA).

That is nearly a 60 goal swing.

STL went from 2.48 GF60 2.45 GA60 for 50.3% (15th) to 2.08 GF60 1.58 GA60 for 56.8%.

If the team lacks skill then you better make sure you keep the other team from scoring goals.

It isn't hard to make the playoffs in the East.

The East is gradually improving. It's not going to be a doormat for long due to cyclical trends. Florida has grown by leaps and bounds. Buffalo is loaded going forward. Columbus has staying power. As the devils get worse, the East is improving.

 

[tycobb]

Not only that. Look at the east. A few teams already started their rebuild. I don't want to see the sabres in 2-3 years. The east has been down for the last 3 years but that only lasts for so long.

And I am sure you were saying that exact same thing about EDM 3 years ago or FLA.

Teams can go from bad to playoff bound with a new coach or a lucky draft pick.

 

[Tundra]

And I am sure you were saying that exact same thing about EDM 3 years ago or FLA.

Teams can go from bad to playoff bound with a new coach or a lucky draft pick.

The devils have significant holes up front. Barring McDavid or Eichel I just don't see how this is turned around that quickly.

 

[tycobb]

The East is gradually improving. It's not going to be a doormat for long. Florida has grown by leaps and bounds. Buffalo is loaded going forward. Columbus has staying power.

I have my doubts. If BUF gets McDavid he alone isn't going to make Buffalo a powerhouse. People seem to forget that Crosby has Malkin and Ovie has Backstrom. They were never 1 man shows that got them for terrible to great.

 

[tycobb]

The devils have significant holes up front. Barring McDavid or Eichel I just don't see how this is turned around that quickly.

How many teams do not have significant holes? Even if Camm and Henrique are our only top 6 players we can still be a competitive team.

The LAK had 2 players with 20+ goals last year. You don't need to have dominate forwards to win in this league.

 

[Tundra]

How many teams do not have significant holes? Even if Camm and Henrique are our only top 6 players we can still be a competitive team.

The LAK had 2 players with 20+ goals last year. You don't need to have dominate forwards to win in this league.

The kings have a multitude of players that they could rely on. They led the NHL in playoff scoring. Williams, Gaborik, Carter, Kopitar. All established players with resumes.

 

[njdevils1982]

I have my doubts. If BUF gets McDavid he alone isn't going to make Buffalo a powerhouse. People seem to forget that Crosby has Malkin and Ovie has Backstrom. They were never 1 man shows that got them for terrible to great.

it would make me very happy to see the slugs reap nothing out of how **** they are.


that city can continue to enjoy the heap pile of garbage that all their pro sports trod out.


keep up the crap western new york!

 

[billingtons ghost]

3 years for playoffs.

Believe it or not, I think we will be back next year.

The injuries are a decent excuse - but I really think it is the mishandling of the team that is the big problem here.

If you get any one line going and producing how they SHOULD be producing, this team looks a lot better.

I have confidence that this coaching staff knows how to put lines together and KEEP them together until they produce.

Right now the sum of these parts is WAY less than the individual pieces.

Our goal came from Bernier tonight for cripes sakes. Tootoo had a wrap, Gelinas wrang the post and Bernier was set up beautifully on the PP. If that is Cammy instead, its a goal.

Henrique, Elias, Cammy, Jagr - if these 4 were to suddenly get 'on pace' - we'd be winning 2-1 games or 3-2 games instead of losing them.

Cory seems to have his game together.

I mean, in reality - it has rarely been 7-1 losses we are seeing. One more goal a game could have meant the difference in 15 of the last 21 losses in the last month if you count up the blown leads, SO losses and EN goals. That's between 15-30 points (we could have 45pts or 61pts) which would have us in 3rd in the Metro.

Cammy, Henrique, Zajac, Ruutu, JJ and the whole D will be back. I hope to get at least one young NHLer and a prospect from Zids/Ryder/Jagr.

The D will contribute more with Severson, Larsson, Merrill and Gelinas in full time roles.

 

[njdevils1982]

Believe it or not, I think we will be back next year.

The injuries are a decent excuse - but I really think it is the mishandling of the team that is the big problem here.

If you get any one line going and producing how they SHOULD be producing, this team looks a lot better.

I have confidence that this coaching staff knows how to put lines together and KEEP them together until they produce.

Right now the sum of these parts is WAY less than the individual pieces.

Our goal came from Bernier tonight for cripes sakes. Tootoo had a wrap, Gelinas wrang the post and Bernier was set up beautifully on the PP. If that is Cammy instead, its a goal.

Henrique, Elias, Cammy, Jagr - if these 4 were to suddenly get 'on pace' - we'd be winning 2-1 games or 3-2 games instead of losing them.

Cory seems to have his game together.

I mean, in reality - it has rarely been 7-1 losses we are seeing. One more goal a game could have meant the difference in 15 of the last 21 losses in the last month if you count up the blown leads, SO losses and EN goals. That's between 15-30 points (we could have 45pts or 61pts) which would have us in 3rd in the Metro.

Cammy, Henrique, Zajac, Ruutu, JJ and the whole D will be back. I hope to get at least one young NHLer and a prospect from Zids/Ryder/Jagr.

The D will contribute more with Severson and Gelinas.

sure, but you cant discount the passing play that set up one of the nicest goals this season. that was a sweet play worthy of highlight reels.

if anything it gave a bunch of us devils fans to actually smile and enjoy ……and im all for that

 

[glenwo2]

I guess the truth hurts eh? I don't want to read again that the Penguins suck on how they built their team.

Yeah but the Difference is that they WILLINGLY "Tanked".

The Devils right now just suck, period.

 

[glenwo2]

@TGfireandice: Lamoriello said Oates was trying some different things on the PP, which is why Gionta was out there and Zajac was on point.

Hopefully that experiment is over.

@TGfireandice: Lamoriello said part of the reason also was to try to keep other players fresh by not overusing them early.

See, Eddy? There *is* a method to Lou's madness after all.

 

[billingtons ghost]

sure, but you cant discount the passing play that set up one of the nicest goals this season. that was a sweet play worthy of highlight reels.

if anything it gave a bunch of us devils fans to actually smile and enjoy ……and im all for that

Amen to that.

That was a 10-bell savvy pass by a guy with a cannon of a shot.

I'm just saying that - we're being carried over the last two months by guys like Ruutu, Gionta and Bernier scoring a goal.

If they can reclaim Zajac - get Henrique going and have a healthy Cammy or ANYONE else like Jagr/Gomez/Elias/Ryder/Havlat even kick in ANYTHING... we might have twice as many wins at this point.

 

[glenwo2]

Not gonna be mad at the Coaching Mafia. They played just as ****** as they did when Deboer was here.

"Coaching Mafia"?


That's a tremendous name for them, Situation.

That's good. I appreciate that we're actually getting answers to these things.

I'll reserve judgement until the new crew has time to get a solid foundation started. It might take a while, as we saw with Lemaire years back.

Amazing that we're getting actual answers from Mr. Status Quo himself.

 

[billingtons ghost]

"Coaching Mafia"?


That's a tremendous name for them, Situation.

yeah - I should have given this the props it deserved too... I laughed a bit at that.

 

[Eggtimer]

I don't believe in tanking at all....

But a McDavid or Eichel will change a team over night... these are different players.

This.

No fan wants to see their team lose. However with McEichel in this draft , I want to lose every single game left this year or have the best chance possible to draft one of these kids.
They are generational talents. I would not normally want to tank ever , but this year it is worth it.
It is the difference between a 1-2 year rebuild/retool and a 4-5 year rebuild/retool.
We are not making the playoffs and we have steaming piles of garbage for forwards and forward depth in the system.


Would you rather :
1. Suck very bad this year and get a McEichel and have a dynamic game breaking , framchise player like a Crosby/Stamkos/Malkin and possibly compete for the playoffs in the next 1-2 years?
Or
2.Kinda suck , miss playoffs , draft in the 6-8 range and get a "decent" player that is 2-3 years away from maybe being a top 6 forward , and be an average team for the next 3-5+ years and still kinda suck?

I would much rather be putrid (to the point of not winning another game this year )and drafting 1-3 and get a game changing player , than be below average for the next 4-5 years drafting in the 8-10 range and getting on "ok" player.

 

[billingtons ghost]

This.

No fan wants to see their team lose. However with McEichel in this draft , I want to lose every single game left this year or have the best chance possible to draft one of these kids.
They are generational talents. I would not normally want to tank ever , but this year it is worth it.
It is the difference between a 1-2 year rebuild/retool and a 4-5 year rebuild/retool.
We are not making the playoffs and we have steaming piles of garbage for forwards and forward depth in the system.


But would you rather :
1. Suck very bad this year and get a McEichel and have a dynamic game breaking , framchise player like a Crosby/Stamkos/Malkin and possibly compete for the playoffs in the next 1-2 years?
Or
2.Kinda suck , miss playoffs , draft in the 6-8 range and get a "decent" player that is 2-3 years away from maybebeing a top 6 forward , and be an average team for the next 3-5+ years and still kinda suck?

I would much rather be putrid (to the point of not winning another game this year )and drafting 1-3 and get a game changing player , than be below average for the next 4-5 years drafting in the 8-10 range and getting on "ok" player.

The way I draw it up - the team turns it around, goes on a tear with Jagr, Zids, Ryder and Havlat all on fire.

We send them all away for at least two good offensive prospects/young players and then suck our way right back down to the bottom of the standings.

We also trade Greene away just to guarantee the suck, and bring back a first rounder or very good young player.

Get a good high percentage draft pick.

 

[NJDevs26]

Kudos to HenriqueItsOver (among others) for actually using the DRAFT THREAD for draft talk

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1733311&page=20

 

[JimEIV]

The funny thing is, I think we saw the best you can ask for from this team tonight.

At this point I'm just going to wait patiently for the house cleaning to begin.

 

[billingtons ghost]

The funny thing is, I think we saw the best you can ask for from this team tonight.

At this point I'm just going to wait patiently for the house cleaning to begin.

I disagree - if only because:

A confident Zajac doesn't blow a tire.
With healthy folks back, Tootoo probably isn't in the lineup taking a bad penalty.
With a few practices, the PP might start clicking.
With a healthy Cammy, and getting ANYTHING from Elias/Havlat/Ryder, this team is better.

My hopes are pinned on the fact that each of the coaches used the word BUILD in their press conferences. Coaches who are building a team will be making decisions to better the kids' and vets' confidence, and not just punatively benching or randomly looking for sparks to win games.

I like the idea that they will be working towards something - because I think the majority of players are underperforming.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

The funny thing is, I think we saw the best you can ask for from this team tonight.

At this point I'm just going to wait patiently for the house cleaning to begin.

Yup. Even when healthy, were not much better. Like I said earlier, if they give these kinds of efforts and still lose then I'm perfectly fine with that. Dump the vets in a few months and get to the lottery with our fingers crossed. We should get a great player either way, but I really believe a top 2 pick isn't out of the realm of possibility.

 

[JimEIV]

I disagree - if only because:

A confident Zajac doesn't blow a tire.
With healthy folks back, Tootoo probably isn't in the lineup taking a bad penalty.
With a few practices, the PP might start clicking.
With a healthy Cammy, and getting ANYTHING from Elias/Havlat/Ryder, this team is better.

My hopes are pinned on the fact that each of the coaches used the word BUILD in their press conferences. Coaches who are building a team will be making decisions to better the kids' and vets' confidence, and not just punatively benching or randomly looking for sparks to win games.

I like the idea that they will be working towards something - because I think the majority of players are underperforming.

I don't know? I just don't see much to build with here...

I mean when I see guys like Jagr, Gomez, Ryder, Zubrus, Havlat, Bernier... I just don't have much hope. Even if/when you get a good game out of these guys you know that there is nothing in the future to look forward to and you know there is nothing right now to be happy about...

It is just pure stagnation.

 

[Eggtimer]

I don't know? I just don't see much to build with here...

I mean when I see guys like Jagr, Gomez, Ryder, Zubrus, Havlat, Bernier... I just don't have much hope. Even if/when you get a good game out of these guys you know that there is nothing in the future to look forward to and you know there is nothing right now to be happy about...

It is just pure stagnation.

I feel the same pain.
It would at least be bearable if we were a team like the Panthers who have a bunch of young talented kids coming up and developing and trending in the right direction.
We have one top 6 forward under 30 in Henrique. Zajac is a 3rd line C at this point.

We have nothing to look forward to for forwards. Wood or (Woods?) making US world juniors is a little encouraging but is no future top 6 stud.