Free Agency: How They Rank - Globe & Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050820/NHLGOOD20/TPSports/Hockey/

How They Rank

THE UGLY


23. New Jersey Devils: Lou Lamoriello is one of the most highly regarded GMs in the game, but even he couldn't keep Scott Niedermayer from bolting to Anaheim, leaving a large gap in his defence corps that neither oft-injured Vladimir Malakhov nor Flyers castoff Dan McGillis will fill. Goaltender Martin Brodeur makes up for a lot of mistakes, but with so much uncertainty over the health of Patrick Elias, who contracted hepatitis in Russia last year and is projected to miss at least the start of training camp, the Devils, under new-old coach Larry Robinson, could find themselves slipping from their perennial perch among the league's leaders. Former Leaf Alex Mogilny, signed as an unrestricted free agent, will help provided he's healthy and plays.

Pft, ugly.....New Jersey continually ices one of the best teams around, with key losses to boot, *sings* we shall over come.

I read the report yesterday and only thought Time will tell. Hopefully all the other teams read this and don't play up a level to beat the Devils while they push forward for another cup as the underdogs.

Teams haven't settled in under the cap yet but the predictions begin.

*shrug*

I'm not worried.

Nobody buys the Globe ands Mail for Sports. They have the crappiest sports page in all of sports. Brisbane Australia has better hockey coverage...

i didnt read the whole article either and while ill say the devils didnt have a outlandish offseason like many other teams completely revamping their roster the article lost all crediblity in my opinion when they did this:
11. Dallas Stars:

who exactly did they sign this offseason to warrent this one other than their 35 year old captain for 5 years and their "marquee" addition of marty skoula to replace their top dman?

I just want to know why the extreme hate by Canadian media when it comes to the Devils? Please don't say the trap!

what else is new... people are always giving hate towards the devils ..

Why do people hate the Devils? How do you come to that conclusion?
Are you thinking it's because of the trap?

They said it in 1995 when we lost Lemieux
They said it in 2001 when we lost Lemieux again
They said it in 2002 when we lost Mogilny
They said it in 2003 when we lost Holik & Sykora
They said it in 2004 when we lost... :dunno: Rheume :dunno:

We lose players all the time, we might sputter for half a season, or maybe even a whole season. But look at the guys we have in the wings. We'll be fine.

And I don't think its just the Canadian media. Its the same everywhere that I read it, and its the same every year. The supposed experts will in the same sentence as praising Lou and Conte for being hockey geniuses, question the methods by which they run their team. Time after time Lou is proven right and the "experts" wrong. I'm not so worried.

Nobody buys the Globe ands Mail for Sports. They have the crappiest sports page in all of sports. Brisbane Australia has better hockey coverage...

actually whether you agree with the article or not (I thought it was so -so) Eric Duhatschek is a very respected and credible hockey writer

it's probably silly to try and rate any teams offseason performance yet, for multiple reasons

I'm not a Devils fan per se, but I enjoy watching them, and I agree that your GM is going to figure this out just fine

ps in answer to someone else in this same thread I had never particular noticed an irrational hatred for the Devils from Canadian media....then again I haven't looked

Let it never be construed as hate, but I'm a bit down on the job down thus far in the offseason. I mean, Roman Hamrlik goes to Calgary for less money than we paid Malakhov? I like the Mogilny signing, but if it means pushing out Friesen, then it's not much more than a zero-sum game. Obviously all the moves have not been made, but I'm, well, let's simply say curious as to what Lou's final vision of the team will be.. because it's muddy to say the least right now.

Am I the only one who sees Malakhov as an extremely underrated d-man? Granted, he doesn't always play to his potential, but Hamrlik has never been good enough to help his team to a cup, either.

There is a always a method behind Lou's madness, as he understands that chemistry is a lot more important than individual talent. Perhaps Lou understands that we lost to the Flyers in 2004 because we didn't have enough size or strength, so of course he opted to take the 6'5" physical d-man over a scoring D like Hamrlik.

Technically, Malakhov is everything you could ask for in a d-man...if he wants to use everything he has...but hey, he did in 2000 for us. :teach: