New Jersey Devils : The Beast of the East-Blog about the New Jersey Devils (NHL Hockey): Lamoriello

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Updated New Jersey Devils News and notes, February 25, 2009

NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Thursday's game shifted to MSG Plus - (Fire & Ice)
Clemmensen surprised and disappointed, not bitter; Hopes to get back to NHL - (Fire & Ice)
Clemmensen's teammates appreciate what he did - (Fire & Ice)
Brodeur: I'll be in tomorrow - (Fire & Ice)
Brodeur activated from IR, likely to start Thursday; Clemmensen sent to Lowell - (Fire & Ice)
Zajac back at practice - (Fire & Ice)
New Jersey Devils' Scott Clemmensen disappointed but not bitter - (The Star Ledger)
Brent Sutter's son sent to minors for conditioning - (The Star Ledger)
New Jersey Devils' goalie Kevin Weekes: I can empathize with Scott Clemmensen - (The Star Ledger)
New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will face Colorado Avalanche - (The Star Ledger)
New Jersey Devils get their top line back together for practice - (The Star Ledger)
Martin Brodeur activated by New Jersey Devils; Scott Clemmensen sent to Lowell - (The Star Ledger)
Travis Zajac makes surprise appearance at New Jersey Devils' practice - (The Star Ledger)
Devils bring back Martin Brodeur - (The New York Daily News)
Brodeur off IR, Clemmensen to Lowell - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Join the Devils Legion Race Team - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Community: Clifton School #4 Visit - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Brodeur will return Thursday vs. Avs - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Clemmensen odd-man out with Brodeur's return - (NHL.com)
Brodeur to start Thursday; Clemmensen sent to AHL - (NHL.com)
Brodeur returns; Devils say they won't change - (NHL.com)
NHL Standings - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils' Team Statistics - (Yahoo NHL)
UPDATE: Brodeur activated from IR; Clemmensen sent down to Lowell - (hockeybuzz.com)
What Will Lou Lamoriello and the Devils Look To Do Before the Trade Deadline? - (Bleacher Report)
Here’s Lookin’ at You, Clemmer. - (2 man advantage)

LOWELL DEVILS
Clemmensen and Salmela Return to Lowell - (LowellDevilsHockey.com)

TRADE NEWS & RUMORS
QOTW answers: The trades you want to see before March 4 - (ESPN)
Top Shelf: Trade deadline is game time for NHL GMs - (The Hockey News)
Mike Smith’s Blog: The Trade Deadline, again - (The Hockey News)
THN.com Top 10: Deadline Day blockbusters - (The Hockey News)

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

New Jersey Devils News and notes, January 21, 2009

NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Montreal at Devils, 7 p.m. - (The Bergen Record)
Devils up next - (The Bergen Record)
Devils face trap game before break - (The Bergen Record)
Brodeur not skating yet, but might get clearance on Wednesday - (Fire & Ice)
New Jersey Devils' Brendan Shanahan fits right in -- players wonder if deal for defenseman is coming - (The Star Ledger)
Is Brendan Shanahan the spark the New Jersey Devils needed? Fans respond - (The Star Ledger)
Devils resting for final game before All-Star break - (The Star Ledger)
Like old times for Shanahan - (The New York Post)
The Maven Responds (1/20) - (Msgnetwork)
ESPN TV spots: "Climate Change" - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
ESPN TV spots: "Going Up?" - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Canadiens-Devils Preview - (FOXSports.com)
NHL Standings - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils' players stats - (Yahoo NHL)
Shanahan's Return Not the Only Story in Jersey - (Sporting News)
Looks like we're going to have another dogfight in Atlantic Division - (ESPN)
Burke over Lou? Seriously? - (In Lou We Trust)

LOWELL DEVILS
Martin Brodeur Bobblehead Night Highlights Festivities at Devils Game on January 24 - (LowellDevilsHockey.com)

AROUND THE NHL
Claude Lemieux is officially ready to piss off the rest of the NHL - (Yahoo NHL)
50 wins within Kiprusoff's reach? - (The Globe and Mail)
Mid-season comebacks aren't easy to pull off - (Telegram)
An...ahem...Claude Lemieux-Ted Lindsay comparison - (Red Wings Snapshots - MLive.com)

MISCELLANEOUS
Larry Robinson: 'Big Bird' was the complete package - (NHL.com)
Puck Daddy: With a Cherry on top - (Yahoo NHL)
Could Shaq connect the Nets to the Rock? Well, there's hope but no plan - (Atlantic Yards Report)
Val Caron boy's NHL All-Star dream fulfilled - (NorthernLife.ca); Crowder

Thursday, January 15, 2009

New Jersey Devils News and notes, January 15, 2009

NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Devils officially add Shanny - (The Bergen Record)
Shanahan officially signed, will practice with team in Columbus (updated) - (Fire & Ice)
New Jersey Devils owner still wants New Jersey Nets to play at Prudential Center - (The Star Ledger)
New Jersey Devils' Bobby Holik is the all-time leader in games played by a Czech player - (The Star Ledger)
New Jersey Devils wait on Brendan Shanahan with a day in Vancouver - (The Star Ledger)
Half-season trophy tracker a revealing picture - (NHL.com); Brent Sutter
NHL Standings - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils' players stats - (Yahoo NHL)
Names in the Game - (International Herald Tribune); Lou Lamoriello
Deal with the Devils: Shanahan signs with New Jersey - (TSN.ca)
News about two former Red Wings players - (MLive.com); Brendan Shanahan
Gulitti: Shanahan Signs - (In Lou We Trust)
Division Snapshot 1/14 - 1/21 - (In Lou We Trust)

LOWELL DEVILS
Devils Keep Rolling Against Bruins, 3-2 - (LowellDevilsHockey.com)
Rare goal pays dividends - (The Lowell Sun)

TRENTON DEVILS
Snetsinger Nets Four Points As Devils Blast Chiefs, 5-2 - (TrentonDevils.com)
T-Devils offense overpowers Chiefs 6-1 - (The Trenton Times)

MISCELLANEOUS
Is Newark dead? Devils owner wants to negotiate regarding Nets - (Atlantic Yards Report)
CBA student named player of the month - (Bayshore Courier); New Jersey Devils High School

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

New Jersey Devils News and notes, December 10, 2008

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Updated New Jersey Devils News and notes, December 4, 2008

NEW JERSEY DEVILS
It's official: Clemmensen will start; Rolston ready to go - (Fire & Ice)
Rolston on ice for morning skate - (Fire & Ice)
Lamoriello: Corrente should be fine - (Fire & Ice)
Lemieux's NHL comeback attempt goes through Worcester, Mass. - (The Star Ledger)
Recharged Devils battle Flyers in Philly - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Fact or Fiction: Devils Shopping for Gaborik, Bouwmeester? - (Bleacher Report)
One Devil due back tonight: Brian Rolston excited to get back on ice - (ESPN)
Game 23: Devils @ Philadelphia - (In Lou We Trust)

TRENTON DEVILS
Brighten the holidays for a Trenton child - (The Trenton Times)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

New Jersey Devils News and notes, October 29, 2008

Prospects movin' on up - (The Bergen Record)
New Jersey Devils Salvador, Holik don't take U.S. citizenship lightly - (The Star Ledger)
New Jersey Devils aren't fretting next trip to Philly after flare up - (The Star Ledger)
Kids night for Devils - (The New York Post)
New look greets Brodeur's pursuit of record - (NHL.com)
Brodeur still has fire to win - (NHL.com)
Brodeur on way to owning goalie record book - (NHL.com)
Martin Brodeur video highlights - (NHL.com)
Martin Brodeur career photo retrospective - (NHL.com)
New Jersey vs. Toronto - (CBSSports.com)
Devils night comes early for TO - (Toronto Sun)
The Nose Knows - (Michigan Technological University Online Lode) About Martin Brodeur

10 shocking numbers - (Yahoo NHL)

Rio Grande is all abuzz over its hockey team’s newfound sting - (ReporterHerald.com); Lemieux Eyeing NHL Return at the bottom of the article

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Updated New Jersey Devils News and notes, October 28, 2008

Lamoriello doesn't blame Flyers, security for smoke bomb - (Fire & Ice)
Halischuk, Bergfors excited to be called up - (Fire & Ice)
Leblond has cracked orbital bone; Rolston, Langenbrunner, Holik updates - (Fire & Ice)
Langenbrunner not practicing; Leblond injured - (Fire & Ice)
Lamoriello: Devils aren't worried about Flyers' security - (The Star Ledger)
Letourneau-Leblond sidelined with nasal fracture; Langenbrunner still out - (The Star Ledger)
Bergfors, Halischuk at Tuesday practice - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Devils call up Bergfors and Halischuk - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
NJD Audio Spotlight: Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Read the original story - (NHL.com)
Power rankings: Feel their pain … - (Yahoo NHL)
Campbellnomics - Oct. 28 - (The Hockey News)
Devils recall Bergfors and Halischuk - (hockeybuzz.com)
A ‘Stone For The Rock - (2 man advantage)
It Wasn't Just Nicklas Who Got the Call - (In Lou We Trust)

New Jersey Devils Call Up Bergfors and Halischuk - (LowellDevilsHockey.com)

Phoenix Coyotes Claim Ken Klee Off Waivers - (hockeyfights.com)

Monday, October 13, 2008

Devils season preview: Why the Devils are a better team

Well I don't like to brag, but I have to be the best Devils' blogger out there. In case you think I am nuts, this is sarcasm. I haven't written anything about the Devils since November 25, 2007. The Devils were just getting around after a rough start of the season.

I can't promise I will write more on a regular basis because the News and Notes take a good chunk of my hockey time every day. But I wanted to blog about the 2008-09 Devils before the season started. As you all know the season started already and of course I am late.

Needless to say, last season didn't end the way we all had hoped for. It was a tough pill to swallow to lose the the Rangers and the only positive was that we still have not been swept in the playoffs. I have to admit and everyone probably agrees, our team was just not good enough to go any further. At least not much further.

It was a year full of paradoxes, where the defense was inexperienced and somewhat shaky but still efficient, thanks in large parts to Marty. Nobody could really agree on who should play on defense. The offense was terrible and ended up affecting the team's performance. The paradox is that many observers called the players underachievers but most people agreed the team overachieved. Go figure that one out.

The new season has just started and I will say a few words about it later. I am not sure this team can go all the way but I think it is safe to say this team is a lot better than last year. I expect them to at least make the playoffs and go further than two rounds. And by the way, don't expect me to give you a season preview or predictions for the new season. All I care for and about is the Devils and the rest can rot in hell.

Why are the Devils better than last year?

Well you can start with the substractions we had. The most notable and only one is Serguei Brylin. You can say what you want about Karel Rachunek of Vitaly Vishnevski but these two never really fit in with the Devils. It was tough to see Sarge go, more so because of what he represented than what he brought last year. He couldn't find the right place or right line to fit in and the expectations were probably a little too much when Langenbrunner was still out recovering from hernia surgery.

Serguei Brylin was such a great part of this organization that it was tough to see him go. He was the perfect good soldier. Best of luck to him in his new team SKA Saint-Petersbourg.

Meanwhile the Devils brought old Devils Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik back on July 1st. I was just starting to follow the Devils when Rolston was traded to Colorado for Claude Lemieux. Even though some people think Lou gave him a little too much of everything (years and money), I think this was an excellent signing for the Devils. He will make the power play better and he gives us a top line center.

Bobby Holik is not the same player as he was when he left the Devils. He is a few years older but he can still bring a lot to the team in terms of experience, leadership and feistiness.

We now have four very good lines :

Elias-Rolston-Gionta
Rolston scored 30 goals in each of the last three season with the defensive minded Minnesota. I believe his production will be around that for the Devils. Gionta and Elias need to rebound from subpar years and I believe they will.

Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
The ZZPop line is reunited. They showed good chemistry a while ago. Since then Zajac had a sophomore slump and Langenbrunner hernia surgery. I am sure Parise will carry this line and make Zajac and Langenbrunner better.

Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson
One of the best duo of checking forwards are back together as Lou signed Jay Pandolfo over the summer. Clarkson should fit in well with those two and add feistiness to that line

Rupp-Holik-Zubrus
This line is a curiosity. Zubrus was signed to help forget about Gomez departure to the Rangers. Zubrus didn't produce as well as expected on the Devils top two lines last year and found himself on the fourth line with Rupp. The addition of Holik makes this line one of the biggest line in the league and Sutter will probably play them more than a regular fourth line, giving the third line more freedom than just a checking role. They also have more offense than Cam Janssen.

Extra forward: Petr Vrana has made the team after training camp. The fact he would have had to clear waivers probably helped him make the team but apparently management liked his versatility and his hockey skills.

The Defense is almost unchanged from last year except they are a year older as in more experienced. And the defensive corps that was made of rookies in now made of players who have a few games under their belt. Also Colin white will start the season after he couldn't start last year because of an eye injury and Salvador is now healthy. He didn't play much last year after being traded and he should be able to bring some stability to the defense.

Defense: Salvador, Martin, White, Oduya, Mottau, Greene, Brookbank.

Anssi Salmela also made the team for the defense. He signed as an undrafted free agent back in May and he could be a Devils success story 'a la Rafalski'

Goalies: Brodeur, Weekes
I would like to see Weekes a little more this season. I like seeing how he gets excited on the bench when there is a fight. But I'd like to see him play a little more than he did last year. I always fight with people who say Brodeur plays too much but I believe 67-70 games should be the limit for Marty. I want him fresh and rested for the playoffs. I want him to be the difference in the playoffs so he can shut everybody up. Considering last year's struggles and how tight the race was in the East and the Division, Marty had to play. That's why I believe a better offense and more experienced defense this year will allow Marty to take a little more rest.

The Devils know how to make the playoffs. The team hasn't lost much since last year. The additions of Rolston and Holik give the team more depth and more options for the offense. The fourth line will provide a defensive relief for the checking line and also for the defense. Sutter also has one year of experience behind the bench and will have more talent to work with. We won't start the year on the road like we did last year and that will also help lay the foundations of a solid season.