From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY DEMONS
NEW JERSEY DEVILS - Carving A New Path Without Zach Parise.
Money changes everything.
New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek went from having the NHL threaten to separate him from the team, to recently buying out his partners, and solidifying his place as sole owner. In the process, he refinanced the team's debt, and ultimately removed the Devils from under a constant cloud of organizational uncertainty.
With Jeff Vanderbeek's new found operational certainty, I guess comes operational flexibility as well. And with a new CBA in place, I guess operational predictability plays a part too. The result? Wednesday, Lou Lamoriello announced the Devils signed their seventh year center, Travis Zajac, to an eight year contract extension worth $46 million dollars. Last year, Zajac's season was derailed by an Achilles injury. He only managed to play in fifteen regular season games before participating in the Devils inspired playoff run to the Cup Finals. Zajac would have become a free agent at the conclusion of this season.
In the 2010's at least, it seems as if the Devils have turned over a new leaf. This is twice now the Devils have bucked the trend and doled out major dollars for a player. Money couldn't solve all the Devils problem though. Sandwiched between signing Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk's pact, was the departure of free agent Zach Parise to the Minnesota Wild. The Devils offer was representative. But apparently, Zach Parise wanted to be home. And speaking of home, Ilya Kovalchuk finally returned from Russia and reported to Devils camp.
So what do the reigning Eastern Conference champions do now? They continue the relentless search for interchangeable players, like the Devils always have. This is not the first time money came between a player and the Devils. Instead, this is a way of life in New Jersey. They will absorb the impact of Parise's defection, who was a Devils 2003 first round pick, and somehow find themselves right in the mix again this Spring. It is now the turn of more recent first round selections like Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby, and Adam Larsson, and an outstanding hockey player picked in the third round named Adam Henrique to carve a new path. But without a suitable replacement for Zach Parise, the Devils certainly have their work cut out for them indeed. However, if we've learned anything about the New Jersey Devils in the Lou Lamoriello era, it is to never count them out until they're out.
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Jeff Vanderbeek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeff Vanderbeek. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thursday, April 26, 2012
N.J. Devils ~ Game Seven In Martin Brodeur's Hands
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY DEMONS
Game Six was a mixed bag of goods. On the one hand, the Devils earned a hard fought overtime win on home ice to stave off elimination for at least one more game.
On the other hand, they needed overtime after blowing a 2-0 second period lead. You might say the Devils won in spite of Martin Brodeur. In a game in which the Devils peppered the former Devil back-up goalie; Scott Clemmensen; with forty-two shots on goal, Martin Brodeur was charged with handling all of sixteen shots by Florida. Yet, he still allowed two of those pucks to get by, erasing New Jersey's two goal lead. If that didn't bring back flashes of Game Three, it should have.
Who exactly are the Devils going to get between the pipes tonight? Will it be the one who got pulled after allowing Florida to erase a three goal deficit in Game Three? Will they get the goalie who opened the door for overtime in Game Six? Or will they get the future Hall of Fame goalie who shut out the Panthers in Game Four?
This can potentially mark the last game for Zach Parise in a Devils uniform. The future unrestricted free agent is unlikely to continue playing for New Jersey come next season. That's just not in the Devils' economics right now. Not while owner Jeff Vanderbeek is snagged in a financial bear trap with the city of Newark.
This might also mark the end of a career for Martin Brodeur as well. He will shortly turn forty years old. But for the moment, he and Zach Parise have the power within them to put those matters aside for at least another two weeks with a series clinching Game Seven victory tonight in Sunrise, Florida against the gutsy Panthers.
The Devils come into tonight's game with as much Game Seven savvy and experience as one can admire. So they'll have that on their side this evening. But they need to stop tripping over themselves and spending time in the box.
Additionally, the Devils can hardly depend on Steve Bermier to continue scoring for them. He scored his second of the playoffs in Game Six. But every Devils fan knows damn well who needs to rise and deliver. Ilya Kovalchuck scored goal number three during game Six as well. Like I say in any huge situation - the team's biggest players need to step up and take the game into their hands. That could be Kovalchuck. That could also be Parise, or even David Clarkson. But if I'm playing hunches and theorizing who might step up to be tonight's hero, I'm thinking Patrick Elias. Like Game One.
There are still players on this team who know how to win championships.
Mike.BTB
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ~ 2012 ~ QUARTER FINAL ROUND
TONIGHT
GAME SEVEN
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
vs.
Florida Panthers
From
Sunrise, Florida
SERIES TIED 3-3
I - NJD 3; FLA 2
II - FLA 4; NJD 2
III - FLA 4; NJD 3
IV - NJD 4; FLA 0
V - FLA 3; NJD 0
VI - NJD 3; FLA 2*
*overtime
NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Game Seven is Hell.
Game Six was a mixed bag of goods. On the one hand, the Devils earned a hard fought overtime win on home ice to stave off elimination for at least one more game.
On the other hand, they needed overtime after blowing a 2-0 second period lead. You might say the Devils won in spite of Martin Brodeur. In a game in which the Devils peppered the former Devil back-up goalie; Scott Clemmensen; with forty-two shots on goal, Martin Brodeur was charged with handling all of sixteen shots by Florida. Yet, he still allowed two of those pucks to get by, erasing New Jersey's two goal lead. If that didn't bring back flashes of Game Three, it should have.
Who exactly are the Devils going to get between the pipes tonight? Will it be the one who got pulled after allowing Florida to erase a three goal deficit in Game Three? Will they get the goalie who opened the door for overtime in Game Six? Or will they get the future Hall of Fame goalie who shut out the Panthers in Game Four?
This can potentially mark the last game for Zach Parise in a Devils uniform. The future unrestricted free agent is unlikely to continue playing for New Jersey come next season. That's just not in the Devils' economics right now. Not while owner Jeff Vanderbeek is snagged in a financial bear trap with the city of Newark.
This might also mark the end of a career for Martin Brodeur as well. He will shortly turn forty years old. But for the moment, he and Zach Parise have the power within them to put those matters aside for at least another two weeks with a series clinching Game Seven victory tonight in Sunrise, Florida against the gutsy Panthers.
The Devils come into tonight's game with as much Game Seven savvy and experience as one can admire. So they'll have that on their side this evening. But they need to stop tripping over themselves and spending time in the box.
Additionally, the Devils can hardly depend on Steve Bermier to continue scoring for them. He scored his second of the playoffs in Game Six. But every Devils fan knows damn well who needs to rise and deliver. Ilya Kovalchuck scored goal number three during game Six as well. Like I say in any huge situation - the team's biggest players need to step up and take the game into their hands. That could be Kovalchuck. That could also be Parise, or even David Clarkson. But if I'm playing hunches and theorizing who might step up to be tonight's hero, I'm thinking Patrick Elias. Like Game One.
There are still players on this team who know how to win championships.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Rangers/Devils ~ BATTLE OF THE HUDSON IV
BATTLE of the HUDSON IV
Thursday; February 3, 2011
New Jersey Devils
vs.
NEW YORK RANGERS
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
I'll be there! Look for the #4 Greschner jersey.
I'll be there! Look for the #4 Greschner jersey.
New Jersey Devils: It Just Keeps Getting Worse For Devils, Just When Coach LeMaire Has Team Playing Better.
The Devils are coming off a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators at The Rock Tuesday night. Since January 9th, the Devils are 7-1-1 in their last 9 games. They are playing for respect as a playoff spot is very unlikely at this point. But they are still a talented collection of players that can make some of the Atlantic Division teams very miserable down the stretch. They followed up a win over Pittsburgh back on January 20th by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers on the 22nd at a time when everybody is having problems with the Flyers. Either it was just a matter of time before they collectively started to play better Hockey together, or Coach LeMaire is starting to have his affects on the team. In either case, it's probably way too late anyway.
In three meetings against the Rangers this season, the Devils are win-less.
The biggest news out of the Land of Devils was a Bloomberg report the Devils were put up for sale by Owner Jeff Vanderbeek. The Devils have released their statement regarding the matter, and you can read the entire summary and Jeff Vanderbeek's statements HERE. While there is potentially a stake of the team for sale, it's not Mr. Vanderbeek's. His stated intention is to remain as Majority and controlling Owner of the New Jersey Devils. Mr. Vanderbeek's partners are the ones who seem to want out. Mike Gilfillan and Ray Chambers referred back to their original intentions for backing the Devils and the Prudential Center which was to help boost Newark along with revitalization efforts. Feeling like they have achieved what they set out to do, their interests in the team are now up for sale.
Trouble has been pounding on the Devils' door looking to wreak havoc for years:
*First and foremost, the debt on the new arena and overall attendance are still not in sync. The Devils continue to draw around 88% capacity (on the good side) in spite of the new arena and efforts to improve the surrounding area in Newark. For the most part, they never really enjoyed the intended appreciable spike in attendance like they hoped.
*There has been for some time, a contentious battle with the City of Newark over back-rent payments, parking revenue sharing, and payments for infrastructure costs associated with the site the Devils were responsible for per the construction agreement. Most of these issues may or may not have all been settled. But it does nothing to take the sour taste out of their mouths after having gone through a bitter haggle with the City.
*Diminished results on the ice; beset with an onerous contract to Ilya Kovalchuv, and being dead-last in the NHL standings, I'm sure are exasperating any sentiment to sell the team. The three partners were not all in agreement offering Kovalchuk that contract.
*The reality that the End of an Era is at hand, once Martin Brodeur retires, compounded by their spot in the standings my give one (an owner) a bleak outlook for the future of the team.
*Then there is the never-ending Devils' coaching dilemma to contend with. Jacques LeMaire has already announce he will not be returning next season to Coach the Devils.
*Without knowing the details of their Partnership Agreement, it's possible Jeff Vanderbeek may have to sell his stake also.
Now here's a rub.. The Buffalo Sabres just got sold. The Dallas Stars and the Los Angeles Kings are undergoing their own ownership turnovers. The question is how many more buyers are out there looking to purchase into a Hockey team as a minority owner (if indeed Jeff Vanderbeek stays on) in an area/fan base that won't fill arena seats to capacity...and who have a restrictive Salary Cap problem on their hands.
And here's the food for thought... There's always Kansas City and their brand new arena with no tenant, and Quebec who is clamouring for another NHL team. What if the Devils are made to be sold in full? A new owner can get out of the lease agreement with the Prudential Center with money of course.
The Devils escaping the NY/NJ area would shape up to be the easy part. Keeping them here however, has a small but real chance of turning into something difficult to stop. But of course these are just my speculations gone wild.
Trouble has been pounding on the Devils' door looking to wreak havoc for years:
*First and foremost, the debt on the new arena and overall attendance are still not in sync. The Devils continue to draw around 88% capacity (on the good side) in spite of the new arena and efforts to improve the surrounding area in Newark. For the most part, they never really enjoyed the intended appreciable spike in attendance like they hoped.
*There has been for some time, a contentious battle with the City of Newark over back-rent payments, parking revenue sharing, and payments for infrastructure costs associated with the site the Devils were responsible for per the construction agreement. Most of these issues may or may not have all been settled. But it does nothing to take the sour taste out of their mouths after having gone through a bitter haggle with the City.
*Diminished results on the ice; beset with an onerous contract to Ilya Kovalchuv, and being dead-last in the NHL standings, I'm sure are exasperating any sentiment to sell the team. The three partners were not all in agreement offering Kovalchuk that contract.
*The reality that the End of an Era is at hand, once Martin Brodeur retires, compounded by their spot in the standings my give one (an owner) a bleak outlook for the future of the team.
*Then there is the never-ending Devils' coaching dilemma to contend with. Jacques LeMaire has already announce he will not be returning next season to Coach the Devils.
*Without knowing the details of their Partnership Agreement, it's possible Jeff Vanderbeek may have to sell his stake also.
Now here's a rub.. The Buffalo Sabres just got sold. The Dallas Stars and the Los Angeles Kings are undergoing their own ownership turnovers. The question is how many more buyers are out there looking to purchase into a Hockey team as a minority owner (if indeed Jeff Vanderbeek stays on) in an area/fan base that won't fill arena seats to capacity...and who have a restrictive Salary Cap problem on their hands.
And here's the food for thought... There's always Kansas City and their brand new arena with no tenant, and Quebec who is clamouring for another NHL team. What if the Devils are made to be sold in full? A new owner can get out of the lease agreement with the Prudential Center with money of course.
The Devils escaping the NY/NJ area would shape up to be the easy part. Keeping them here however, has a small but real chance of turning into something difficult to stop. But of course these are just my speculations gone wild.
NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts Suffer From Getting Healthy.
*No Crosby; No Malkin; No Ranger Win.
*Vinny Prospal is Coming Back But There Is Only One Place For Him To Play.
**Jordan Staal was ejected from the game between Pittsburgh and the Rangers Tuesday night with a Match Penalty; for intent to injure, as he punched Brandon Prust with his glove on. There will be no suspension for Staal.
The game? With no Crosby or Malkin in sight, a 2-0 lead against the Penguins went "POOF"!
They ALL skated with cement blocks on their feet...(eh hem; Girardi and Del Zotto I think may have broken an ankle pivoting on one of the goals against, if I'm not mistaken).
Pittsburgh answered back with three goals in the second period to take the lead 3-2. Then with less than a minute left in the second period, Ryan Callahan scored on a deflection during a Rangers' Power Play to make the score three all. That's the way regulation time ended. And that's the way Over Time ended also. They went to a Shoot-Out to decide who skates away with the second point. Fleury outlasted Henrik Lundqvist in extra, extra innings, and a long night at the Garden due to the late VERSUS start time, turned into a long trip home for the crowd in miserable weather. The Ranger lost at home again. They are now 12-12-2 at Madison Square Garden. this season.
Sean Avery was limited to 9:32 minutes. Ponderous! Only Drury and Newbury had less. In his nine and a half minutes, Avery had just as many shots on goal as anybody. I just don't know anymore! Everytime Coach Torts jacks up Avery's minutes, he takes them away the very next game. His last game before the break Avery logged 22:00 of ice time paired with Gaborik. And Gaborik hasn't played better than he does with Avery this season. Ponderous! ...The Rangers committed four penalties and none by Avery. Isn't that part of the fear? His 140+ PIM? So, what is it Coach? What's the deal? Shift to shift, he's arguably one of the Rangers' most consistent players and he's caused ZERO trouble. It's Ponderous now.
I was surprised to see Brandon Dubinsky play last night. But I'm dreading Vinny Prospal's return tomorrow versus the Devils. Newbury is probably on his way back to Connecticut as we speak to make room for Prospal. That's fine. But I'm dying to see where Vinny Prospal's playing time will come from; or more accurately, at who's expense? I understand Coach Torts has a lot of good feelings towards Prospal, but he must be relegated to the fourth line to start out. Being a healthy scratch over the next two months is a pipe-dream. I get that.
But allow me to list the names and you tell me who you would deflect ice time from and give to Prospal:
*I'll stick to the Wingers.
*Marian Gaborik? No.
*Ryan Callahan? No.
*Brandon Dubinsky? No
*Brandon Prust? No.
*Sean Avery? You know me...Hell No!
*Mats Zuccarello? I wouldn't.
*Wojtek Wolski? I wouldn't
Why even bother talking about players out of position. What Centers we have are set without Prospal causing a domino effect. It needs to be considered because of the way Torts mixes and matches within a game and breaks line integrity.
So where does that leave Vinny? Yep...He must be in the fourth row! The only factor alleviating this situation, if by only a fraction, is Ruslan Fedotenko will be out for another month. If the roster stays healthy is it stands right now, Kris Newbury and Erik Christensen might have seen their last bit of action on Broadway this season. For Prospal, that's fair enough.
The problem I have is I don't want Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury to disrupt any part of our game that was built with hard work in their absence (and/or for Drury) lack of productivity. We are where we are and we are who we are this season with little to no contributions from those two players. This team has evolved away from the team they signed-on to.
So far with Chris Drury, Coach Torts is getting it right. Last night Chris Drury didn't see action in the third period and only had just over 9 minutes of ice time for the night. Again, it's not my want to criticize Chris Drury, but he has become the most inconsequential player on the team. And I'll say it until it happens...The C must be taken from his jersey, and applied to Marc Staal's. Your team Captain can not be on the fourth line and missing whole periods due to lack of effectiveness. In the face of the hustle, grit, and new, young, eager legs, now on this team, Chris Drury is completely mis-cast. And now Vinny Prospal returns very far removed from game speed and timing, and I feel is similarly mis-cast on this New Rangers Team. The last time Prospal played on Rangers' ice, we wore one of the "A" on his jersey. All I'm saying is that should not be the case when he returns!
I'm already clear on all that. Marc Staal should be the New York Rangers Captain, while *Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky are the two A. That would be more truly representative of this team's identity.
But back to Prospal and Drury, let them be 2/3 of one of the most notable fourth lines in Hockey history (if by name only). IF.. they can manage that. But mark my word, if Sean Avery comes anywhere near the fourth line again, I'll flip. From this moment forward, to relegate Sean Avery to eight and nine minutes or less, is indefensible and damn near impossible for Coach Torts to explain or rationalize without me yelling BULL.
As far as finally getting our forward lines in order, the excuse in the beginning of the season for all the line juggling was that Torts was in observation of.., and feeling-out mode. Before injuries really took effect, Torts juggled lines to try and infuse more offense. Then the injuries did set in, and we were forced, obviously to juggle the lines like a circus clown out of necessity. But what we all talked about was a return of our regulars to stabilize the lines and gain some continuity again. Right?
Well, here we are. Coach Torts has all his wingers back and according to the "past speak", our forward lines should get settled down now...right? So why do I feel like Coach Torts is going to try and magically kick-start Marian Gaborik into high gear again by reuniting him with his old line mate from last season; a Mr. Vinny Prospal? There is just now way the soon to be 37 year old (this month) is going to be up to snuff right out of the box. I couldn't care less if he was able to chase down a chicken like Mick made Rocky Balboa do. He should not be given minutes that are taken away from Avery, Zuccarello or Wolski.; - UNLESS they are earned the hard way; from the fourth line up.
Enough. I'm going to the game. That's why I'm posting tonight.
Let's Go Rangers!
Mike.BTB
I was surprised to see Brandon Dubinsky play last night. But I'm dreading Vinny Prospal's return tomorrow versus the Devils. Newbury is probably on his way back to Connecticut as we speak to make room for Prospal. That's fine. But I'm dying to see where Vinny Prospal's playing time will come from; or more accurately, at who's expense? I understand Coach Torts has a lot of good feelings towards Prospal, but he must be relegated to the fourth line to start out. Being a healthy scratch over the next two months is a pipe-dream. I get that.
But allow me to list the names and you tell me who you would deflect ice time from and give to Prospal:
*I'll stick to the Wingers.
*Marian Gaborik? No.
*Ryan Callahan? No.
*Brandon Dubinsky? No
*Brandon Prust? No.
*Sean Avery? You know me...Hell No!
*Mats Zuccarello? I wouldn't.
*Wojtek Wolski? I wouldn't
Why even bother talking about players out of position. What Centers we have are set without Prospal causing a domino effect. It needs to be considered because of the way Torts mixes and matches within a game and breaks line integrity.
So where does that leave Vinny? Yep...He must be in the fourth row! The only factor alleviating this situation, if by only a fraction, is Ruslan Fedotenko will be out for another month. If the roster stays healthy is it stands right now, Kris Newbury and Erik Christensen might have seen their last bit of action on Broadway this season. For Prospal, that's fair enough.
The problem I have is I don't want Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury to disrupt any part of our game that was built with hard work in their absence (and/or for Drury) lack of productivity. We are where we are and we are who we are this season with little to no contributions from those two players. This team has evolved away from the team they signed-on to.
So far with Chris Drury, Coach Torts is getting it right. Last night Chris Drury didn't see action in the third period and only had just over 9 minutes of ice time for the night. Again, it's not my want to criticize Chris Drury, but he has become the most inconsequential player on the team. And I'll say it until it happens...The C must be taken from his jersey, and applied to Marc Staal's. Your team Captain can not be on the fourth line and missing whole periods due to lack of effectiveness. In the face of the hustle, grit, and new, young, eager legs, now on this team, Chris Drury is completely mis-cast. And now Vinny Prospal returns very far removed from game speed and timing, and I feel is similarly mis-cast on this New Rangers Team. The last time Prospal played on Rangers' ice, we wore one of the "A" on his jersey. All I'm saying is that should not be the case when he returns!
I'm already clear on all that. Marc Staal should be the New York Rangers Captain, while *Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky are the two A. That would be more truly representative of this team's identity.
But back to Prospal and Drury, let them be 2/3 of one of the most notable fourth lines in Hockey history (if by name only). IF.. they can manage that. But mark my word, if Sean Avery comes anywhere near the fourth line again, I'll flip. From this moment forward, to relegate Sean Avery to eight and nine minutes or less, is indefensible and damn near impossible for Coach Torts to explain or rationalize without me yelling BULL.
As far as finally getting our forward lines in order, the excuse in the beginning of the season for all the line juggling was that Torts was in observation of.., and feeling-out mode. Before injuries really took effect, Torts juggled lines to try and infuse more offense. Then the injuries did set in, and we were forced, obviously to juggle the lines like a circus clown out of necessity. But what we all talked about was a return of our regulars to stabilize the lines and gain some continuity again. Right?
Well, here we are. Coach Torts has all his wingers back and according to the "past speak", our forward lines should get settled down now...right? So why do I feel like Coach Torts is going to try and magically kick-start Marian Gaborik into high gear again by reuniting him with his old line mate from last season; a Mr. Vinny Prospal? There is just now way the soon to be 37 year old (this month) is going to be up to snuff right out of the box. I couldn't care less if he was able to chase down a chicken like Mick made Rocky Balboa do. He should not be given minutes that are taken away from Avery, Zuccarello or Wolski.; - UNLESS they are earned the hard way; from the fourth line up.
Enough. I'm going to the game. That's why I'm posting tonight.
Let's Go Rangers!
Mike.BTB
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