Bajahobo
10-11-2005, 05:18 PM
Two Devils articles headline NHL.com and ESPN.com :amazed:
The NHL.com article is about Brodeur (particularly his puck handling ability). The ESPN.com article is an excellent piece about Larry Robinson and his loyalty to the organization.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2187228
http://www.nhl.com/features/east/index.html
Unthinkable
10-11-2005, 05:29 PM
From the ESPN feature:
Robinson illustrates a basic truth about the Devils: Whatever your impressions are of the team, they're probably wrong.
When they appeared to be just a one-trick pony responsible for the trap and a generation of boring hockey, they were regularly among the highest-scoring teams in the Eastern Conference. Now, when they appear to be going through a cataclysmic upheaval, they remain one of the most stable franchises in the league.
Tao Jones
10-11-2005, 06:40 PM
Wish Gomez would back up his admiration for Larry on the ice. Loyal Larry may love being a Devil, but Jim EIV is right, Larry's non-chalant, everything's cool press quotes have instilled zero confidence. Captain? Maybe we will, maybe we won't? It would be too easy for Larry to wait for Elias' return to get things going and point to that and the departure of the Scotts, rules changes, officiating, the dog died, etc. for reasons for failure, which is very un-Devil like. New NHL, survival of the fittest. Adapt or die. It will be interesting to see how they come back after 4 days off.
Unthinkable
10-11-2005, 07:26 PM
Wish Gomez would back up his admiration for Larry on the ice. Loyal Larry may love being a Devil, but Jim EIV is right, Larry's non-chalant, everything's cool press quotes have instilled zero confidence. Captain? Maybe we will, maybe we won't? It would be too easy for Larry to wait for Elias' return to get things going and point to that and the departure of the Scotts, rules changes, officiating, the dog died, etc. for reasons for failure, which is very un-Devil like. New NHL, survival of the fittest. Adapt or die. It will be interesting to see how they come back after 4 days off.
In fairness to Larry Robinson with regards to the captaincy, its safe to say Lou Lamoriello has some major input on this decision as well (if not the final decision). Have to figure Lou wants to see who best emerges as a consumate team leader before bestowing it on someone who may or may not want to remain with the team in a year or two years time. Still fresh on the minds of everyone that the former captain retired and his replacement left for Anaheim when many expected and/or hoped for him to remain with the team so heavily committed towards success. Wouldn't look very well planned if the team somehow managed to lose 3 captains over a years period of time. Isn't Patrik Elias an UFA next summer if the team can't lock him up in the coming months?
From the ESPN feature: Robinson illustrates a basic truth about the Devils: Whatever your impressions are of the team, they're probably wrong.
When they appeared to be just a one-trick pony responsible for the trap and a generation of boring hockey, they were regularly among the highest-scoring teams in the Eastern Conference.
Did I read that wrong?
2003-2004 213 GF #8 GF in the East
2002-2003 216 GF #8 GF in the East
2001-2002 205 GF #11 GF in the East
GA a different story...
2003-2004 164 GA #1 in the east
2002-2003 166 GA T1 in the east (Flyers)
2001-2002 187 GA #1 in the east
Unthinkable
10-11-2005, 11:59 PM
Did I read that wrong?
2003-2004 213 GF #8 GF in the East
2002-2003 216 GF #8 GF in the East
2001-2002 205 GF #11 GF in the East
GA a different story...
2003-2004 164 GA #1 in the east
2002-2003 166 GA T1 in the east (Flyers)
2001-2002 187 GA #1 in the east
You are looking at the last three seasons instead of the ones Robinson coached. Robinson coached the Devils previously from March 23, 2000-January 28, 2002.
1999-00 New-Jersey Devils NHL Head Coach‡ 8 4 4 0 0 0.500 Won Championship
Goals Forced: 251 (2nd only to Detroit Red Wings' 278)
2000-01 New-Jersey Devils NHL Head Coach 82 48 19 12 3 0.677 Lost in Finals
Goals Forced: 295 (1st overall)
2001-02 New-Jersey Devils NHL Head Coach† 51 21 20 7 3 0.510 Lost in round 1
Goals Forced: 205 (middle of the pack offense this season-LR was part of this for the first 4 months)