Grade Lou Lamoriello

This season Lou Lamoriello has been described as having a bad season and also been referred to as the man responsible for giving the team confidence and whipping them into shape

As for the following categories:

Trades/Signings: Lou deserves a C. Lukowich and Wiemer would good acquistions. Klee for Suglobov was a bad trade. Mogs/Malakhov/McGillis were bad signings and way to much money was spent on them. Ference is a waste as well.
I like the andy Greene signing and the S. GIonta Amateur shot. I also like locking up Zajac. The biggest signing which saved his grade was locking up Brodeur now long term. I think that was the biggest and best move he made was the long term move of Marty. Lou did a good job adding a little depth at the deadline.

Coaching: A. Lou took some time before he adjusted the lines. That is due to his patient character. He is so patient and never panics. Since he adjusted the lines the team has gelled and I hold him responsible for the good play of the team as a whole. The team struggled at points but they came together as a unit when it matters.

I give Lou a B for the regular season. This can become an overall A if the post season is a success.

Consdering what this team has been through and the transistion of a new era the team has bounced back to an NHL powerhouse.

I hold Lou responsible. Where there is Lou there is a way.

Lou overall: B+

Lou stepped in and became the leader of this team

This season Lou Lamoriello has been described as having a bad season and also been referred to as the man responsible for giving the team confidence and whipping them into shape

As for the following categories:

Trades/Signings: Lou deserves a C. Lukowich and Wiemer would good acquistions. Klee for Suglobov was a bad trade. Mogs/Malakhov/McGillis were bad signings and way to much money was spent on them. Ference is a waste as well.
I like the andy Greene signing and the S. GIonta Amateur shot. I also like locking up Zajac. The biggest signing which saved his grade was locking up Brodeur now long term. I think that was the biggest and best move he made. Lou did a good job adding a little depth at the deadline.

Coaching: A. Lou took some time before he adjusted the lines. That is due to his patient character. He is so patient and never panics. Since he adjusted the lines the team has gelled and I hold him responsible for the good play of the team as a whole. The team struggled at points but they came together as a unit when it matters.

I give Lou a B for the regular season. This can become an overall A if the post season is a success.

Consdering what this team has been through and the transistion of a new era the team has bounced back to an NHL powerhouse.

I hold Lou responsible. Where there is Lou there is a way.

Lou overall: B+

Lou stepped in and became the leader of this team

He gets an A for adjusting his tactics, admitting his mistakes and getting the right pieces in place. Lou admitted his three signing were a mistake and their were only two year deals handed out to the three players. Come Newark Time, all contracts will be 100% off the books.

I disagree about your assesment of the Klee/Suggy trade. Suggy wasn't going to be a Devil and Klee/Lukowich in hindsight were excellent deals. Matty is still out and these guys have filled in admirably/good. Also the Flyers were in the market for physical defenseman. The fact is we needed bodies like Klee/Lukowich to show a physical precense as well knock heads off if they get near Marty. This was a problem in the first half of the season. Ference was acquired to bolster the Albany defense and put a body in the minors.

The fact is we have 8 quality starters on the team. Matty/Lukowich will be a great shut down line in the playoffs. Lou we trust, right.

Lou gets an A for the following as well: Not naming a permanent replacement for Burns, dealing with Larry's meltdown, retiring the Scott and Kenny's numbers. The way he dealt with Elias' illness and giving him a one year 4.18 million deal and letting him take his time coming back. Let's not forget locking up the best of his generation long term, Marty.
Losing the two best defenseman and still having the team in a position to potential win the division. Hell, he should get the Jack Adams award as well.

For all the abuse Lou has taken from us Devil fans and especially Devil haters, I'm happy to give him a B+. His coaching job makes up for some earlier GM mistakes. Who ever thought Lou the coach would be so upbeat, always encouraging his players with pats on the back, smiling and never losing his cool or yelling. Burns is a great coach who is feared, Lou seems to be winning with encouragement. By the way, if we win the cup, that B+ becomes A+.

Lou is God is back! :handclap:

I disagree about your assesment of the Klee/Suggy trade. Suggy wasn't going to be a Devil and Klee/Lukowich in hindsight were excellent deals. Matty is still out and these guys have filled in admirably/good. Also the Flyers were in the market for physical defenseman. The fact is we needed bodies like Klee/Lukowich to show a physical precense as well knock heads off if they get near Marty. This was a problem in the first half of the season. Ference was acquired to bolster the Albany defense and put a body in the minors.

I think the issue there might be more so, why Klee? Many would agree that Suggy wasn't going to make it on the Devils, but for a highly touted prospect who was dominating the AHL on a very offensively barren team, I guess a lot of people thought he could have done better in the deal.

The Flyers also got a physical defenseman in Gauthier.

The Ference trade was more so to remove bodies from Albany. The deal was Schultz, Rheaume, Spencer for Ference. From what I understand, the Devils needed to pare down their pro roster from 50.

I save judgement until the second week of June

Lou is God is back! :handclap:

He never left, he was modding here the whole time, until I overthrew his regime.

Lou the GM this season - C
Lou the Coach this season - B+

Lou gets a B

I think the issue there might be more so, why Klee? Many would agree that Suggy wasn't going to make it on the Devils, but for a highly touted prospect who was dominating the AHL on a very offensively barren team, I guess a lot of people thought he could have done better in the deal.If he could have done better, then I think he would have.

The Devils clearly needed two more defensemen with Matvichuk's injury an unknown. Matvichuk is still a bit of an unknown. The Devils at least have seven quality NHL defensemen.

Klee played really well last night. He and Hale logged about 16 minutes in the game. That is really great that the third pairing can be given that much ice-time.

I give Lou a C+, and it isn't because he has been average in terms of other GMs/coaches. I'm giving him an average mark because where we are right now is right where I thought we'd be at the beginning of the year.

As it turns out, our offseason moves weren't right for this team. He gets a D for that effort. The only reason he didn't get an F is because Rafalski has played very well.

As far as coaching goes, though I don't agree with some of the line combinations and defensive pairings these past few months, you can't argue with the results. I'll give him a B+ for turning it around.

Overall, the Boss gets a C+. If I compared him to other coaches in the NHL though (again based on what he has done to turn things around), I'd give him an A straight up.

I give Lou a C+, and it isn't because he has been average in terms of other GMs/coaches. I'm giving him an average mark because where we are right now is right where I thought we'd be at the beginning of the year.

As it turns out, our offseason moves weren't right for this team. He gets a D for that effort. The only reason he didn't get an F is because Rafalski has played very well.

As far as coaching goes, though I don't agree with some of the line combinations and defensive pairings these past few months, you can't argue with the results. I'll give him a B+ for turning it around.

Overall, the Boss gets a C+. If I compared him to other coaches in the NHL though (again based on what he has done to turn things around), I'd give him an A straight up.



Really no love for the signing of Matvichuk for five years at a great price? Rafalski has played well? He turns over a puck alot, he's been putting some points, but he has been a defensive liability. His cross ice passes and clearouts are half *** and he's given it up to many times.

How about Abelin? You have to give him more credit than you do...

If he could have done better, then I think he would have.

The Devils clearly needed two more defensemen with Matvichuk's injury an unknown. Matvichuk is still a bit of an unknown. The Devils at least have seven quality NHL defensemen.

Klee played really well last night. He and Hale logged about 16 minutes in the game. That is really great that the third pairing can be given that much ice-time.

Agree....Klee is looking more comfortable and playing much better. He' even playing better then Lucowich at the moment.

Really no love for the signing of Matvichuk for five years at a great price? Rafalski has played well? He turns over a puck alot, he's been putting some points, but he has been a defensive liability. His cross ice passes and clearouts are half *** and he's given it up to many times.

How about Abelin? You have to give him more credit than you do...
Well, Matvichuk was before the lockout. I'd give him props for signing Scott Stevens too, but that was a while back as well. ;)

Say what you want to about Rafy, but he has played the most minutes of all our defensemen (and players). He has 46 points to lead the Devils' D (including 26 on a rather poor PP unit). Without Rafy, we aren't anywhere near 3rd,5th or 6th place in the east. Rafy brings the puck up about as well as any defenseman in the league (definitely top 10), and though his shot isn't the hardest from the point, it is dead-on, balls accurate.

And just to clarify, I'm not saying Lou gets an "average" grade when compared with other coaches in the league. He should get props for what he has done. But you can't discount Mogilny, Malakhov and McGillis. Those contracts ate up a lot of money toward our cap, and unless Lou hides them again next year in the AHL and "semi-retirement," it could hurt us next year as well. I'll stick with D grade for those moves.

And just to clarify, I'm not saying Lou gets an "average" grade when compared with other coaches in the league. He should get props for what he has done. But you can't discount Mogilny, Malakhov and McGillis. Those contracts ate up a lot of money toward our cap, and unless Lou hides them again next year in the AHL and "semi-retirement," it could hurt us next year as well. I'll stick with D grade for those moves.Mogilny was a decent signing because he helped the team in October and November while Elias was ill. While December was not so great, his contribution towards the Devils being around .500 when Patty returned shouldn't be discounted. Where would the team be if it didn't have Mogilny's October-November production?

As for the money, Lou can buyout the contracts and spread it out over two seasons. The NHL adjusted its policy a week or so ago.

The Malakhov and McGillis signings certainly didn't workout, but something had to be done when Niedermayer split for the West Coast and Scott Stevens didn't look like he was going to camp.

Also, Lou's record as head coach is 30-14-4. That's not too bad. I think Lou Lamoriello should be considered for the Jack Adams Award. Are you going to give it to Reney because Jagr carried his team? Ruff might be a good choice, but Lou should be a finalist.

For a guy who was in "cap hell," Lou Lamoriello did splendid job. Does anyone remember the poster Spongebob coming here everyday and shaking his head at Lou? Who would Spongebob and other Kings fans rather have as their GM, Lou or Dave Taylor?

Trades/Signings: Ference is a waste as well.
I like the andy Greene signing and the S. GIonta Amateur shot. I also like locking up Zajac.

Without the Ference deal they wouldn't have had the spots open to sign these players. If you like those signings, you have to like the Ference deal.

Without the Ference deal they wouldn't have had the spots open to sign these players. If you like those signings, you have to like the Ference deal.

That is a very good point.

ference himself is useless, but it was addition of space by substraction.

[QUOTE=4check22]I give Lou a C+, and it isn't because he has been average in terms of other GMs/coaches. I'm giving him an average mark because where we are right now is right where I thought we'd be at the beginning of the year.

I've agreed with several of your posts in the past. However, let's forget about Lou's moves for now., but with the loss of Nieds and the Elias illness and Larry leaving, did you really expect this team to be closing in on 100pts., because I didn't. I hoped that we would make Playoffs, but with the type of teams we have beaten in the last couple of weeks and closing in on 100pts, this team sure has pleasantly surprised me.

Well, Matvichuk was before the lockout. I'd give him props for signing Scott Stevens too, but that was a while back as well. ;)

Say what you want to about Rafy, but he has played the most minutes of all our defensemen (and players). He has 46 points to lead the Devils' D (including 26 on a rather poor PP unit). Without Rafy, we aren't anywhere near 3rd,5th or 6th place in the east. Rafy brings the puck up about as well as any defenseman in the league (definitely top 10), and though his shot isn't the hardest from the point, it is dead-on, balls accurate.

And just to clarify, I'm not saying Lou gets an "average" grade when compared with other coaches in the league. He should get props for what he has done. But you can't discount Mogilny, Malakhov and McGillis. Those contracts ate up a lot of money toward our cap, and unless Lou hides them again next year in the AHL and "semi-retirement," it could hurt us next year as well. I'll stick with D grade for those moves.


Without Rafy we aren't near where we are? More like without Marty/Gomez/Gionta/Positional Defense/Least penalize hockey...That's funny that you would give all credit to Rafy for our turnaround and our winning ways. Let's not forget about all of his cough ups in the breakouts, he not as fluid as you make him out to be. Rafy at the healm is one of the reason we have had a pi** poor PP. His shot from the has gotten alot of goals on the PP. :shakehead Keep drinking that Rafalski Jesus Juice.
BTW points are overrated unless you play fantasy hockey were they have value. In a fantasy hockey world, the defensive sacrifices that talented players like Brylin, Madden and company aren't acknowledged. Meanwhile, that's how the Devils win games.

Our defense had played very well, with Marty at the healm we are top three/four defenses in our conference. The team has played positional defense exceptionally well. The fact is we are without our best Defensemen and playing as a unit very well.

Rafy at the healm is one of the reason we have had a pi** poor PP. His shot from the has gotten alot of goals on the PP. :shakehead Keep drinking that Rafalski Jesus Juice. I don't know for how long you have been watching the Devils, but this power play is hell of a lot better than the one in 2003 when Scott Niedermayer was on 1st Unit power play.

Go learn something about the team before you post your vitrol! Here are the Devils power play goals as a percentage of goals scored over the last five seasons,SESON GF PPG % from PP
2000-01 295 71 24.1%
2001-02 205 44 21.5%
2002-03 216 36 16.7%
2003-04 213 51 23.9%
2005-06 233 77 33.0%

The power play this year has produce, thanks in part to Brian Rafalski's puck-moving ability. There was a time when the Deils could hardly score an even strength goal. Therefore, your rather crude discription of this year's Devils power play production is entirely unfounded.

I don't know for how long you have been watching the Devils, but this power play is hell of a lot better than the one in 2003 when Scott Niedermayer was on 1st Unit power play.

Go learn something about the team before you post your vitrol! Here are the Devils power play goals as a percentage of goals scored over the last five seasons,SESON GF PPG % from PP
2000-01 295 71 24.1%
2001-02 205 44 21.5%
2002-03 216 36 16.7%
2003-04 213 51 23.9%
2005-06 233 77 33.0%

The power play this year has produce, thanks in part to Brian Rafalski's puck-moving ability. There was a time when the Deils could hardly score an even strength goal. Therefore, your rather crude discription of this year's Devils power play production is entirely unfounded.


Pumpkin,

I've been watching the Devils since 1988, I would of watched more but I didn't live in the Devils media market when I was 12. Forgive me elistist, I also go to 10/games a year and watch every game. So I guess your analysis is the be all end all because you want to state that Rafalski is the reason our PP is so strong.

If you watch every game, you will also note the cough ups and piss poor outlet passes he makes in every game.
How many goals does have playing the point? Explain that one to me. Does Rafalski have 10-15 goals on leading the PP. The PP if you don't remember the dry run when we were at 7-8% efficeny was with him at the healm. The PP has clicked when we've had 4 offensive players on the ice. Again, I'll state what I've written previously, when they're on the winning streaks, everybody looks good. I'll stand by my original statement, I've said here and other places, we need a big shot from the point. Rafalski has 3 THREE goals on the PP, so I guess he's the reason our PP is alot better.

Our PP is alot better thanks to Gio's increased goal production. Half of his goals have been on the PP. How many goals does Gio have on the PP. 26 goals more than last season on 20 more chances, that sounds about right with Gio having 23 goals on the PP is the reason why our PP is better as of late and the reason why we can win.

Pumpkin,

I've been watching the Devils since 1988, I would of watched more but I didn't live in the Devils media market when I was 12. Forgive me elistist, I also go to 10/games a year and watch every game. So I guess your analysis is the be all end all because you want to state that Rafalski is the reason our PP is so strong.

If you watch every game, you will also note the cough ups and piss poor outlet passes he makes in every game.
How many goals does have playing the point? Explain that one to me. Does Rafalski have 10-15 goals on leading the PP. The PP if you don't remember the dry run when we were at 7-8% efficeny was with him at the healm. The PP has clicked when we've had 4 offensive players on the ice. Again, I'll state what I've written previously, when they're on the winning streaks, everybody looks good. I'll stand by my original statement, I've said here and other places, we need a big shot from the point. Rafalski has 3 THREE goals on the PP, so I guess he's the reason our PP is alot better.

Our PP is alot better thanks to Gio's increased goal production. Half of his goals have been on the PP. How many goals does Gio have on the PP. 26 goals more than last season on 20 more chances, that sounds about right with Gio having 23 goals on the PP is the reason why our PP is better as of late and the reason why we can win.
You forgot to mention his 23 PP assists. An assist is as good as a goal because it means a goal was scored.

So now we have Rafalski, 26 PP points on 77 PP goals scored. He's been involved on over 1/3 of the PP goals scored. Gionta has been involved on 33, and much of that has been from Rafalski's help. Put the puck to the net, and Gio picks up the rebound.

You forgot to mention his 23 PP assists. An assist is as good as a goal because it means a goal was scored.

So now we have Rafalski, 26 PP points on 77 PP goals scored. He's been involved on over 1/3 of the PP goals scored. Gionta has been involved on 33, and much of that has been from Rafalski's help. Put the puck to the net, and Gio picks up the rebound.

Players like Rafalski/Nieds and this guy below have benefitted greatly from the new rules.

Here are Lubomir's numbers.
Year GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% GWG GTG SHG SHA PPG PPA
Year to date: 2005-06 78 17 50 67 +6 46 150 11.33 3 0 0 0 10 31
On Pace: 80 17 51 68 +6 47 153 11.33 3 0 0 0 10


Let's not forget Paul Martins numbers on the team as well:


Year to date: 2005-06 78 5 32 37 +2 32 96 5.21 0 0 0 0 3 17
On Pace: 80 5 33 38 +2 33 98 5.21 0 0 0 0 3 17

Here is a guy numbers who hasn't been on our team since he's retired, him and Rafalski have the same amount of goals on the PP.

Year GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% GWG GTG SHG SHA PPG PPA
Year to date: 2005-06 29 4 5 9 -9 26 43 9.30 0 0 0 0 3 2
On Pace: 29 4 5 9 -9 26 43 9.30 0 0 0 0 3 2

Here are Scott's numbers:

Current Status: On roster
Year GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% GWG GTG SHG SHA PPG PPA
Year to date: 2005-06 80 13 49 62 +11 86 179 7.26 3 0 0 2 9 26
On Pace: 82 13 50 63 +11 88 183 7.26 3 0 0 2 9 27


My point is, our PP QB has to have more than 3 goals on the PP to be consider a great PPQB.

My point is, our PP QB has to have more than 3 goals on the PP to be consider a great PPQB.

That is just simply not true. I find it strange how you made a point I agree with about how stats do not determine how valuable a player is to their team as they do towards earning points and placement in Fantasy leagues, and then you keep emphasizing that Rafalski only having 3 goals on the PP. means he is not a productive enough goal scorer on the PP.

I guarantee to you that Gionta would not have 23 PP goals if not for Rafalski and his ability to carry the puck into the the attack zone. Rafalski was sloppy with his passing earlier in the year, but he is not now. His 25 minutes of icetime a game is directly related to how essential is to this teams success. he is a great two way player and he is one of the best transition artists in the game. Maybe not creating transition like Stevens and Nieds but actually carrying the puck into the attack zone. Tell me another defenseman we have that would be a better PP catalyst or QB then Rafalski. Yes, his goals are down this year both even strength and on the PP but a lot of that is because the Devils go with 4 forwards and 1 d-man on the PP. Do you want Gionta to take over Rafalski's roll? A lot of responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of Raffy this year and he has been great.

I personally think (and I created a post about this before the season started) that he is one of the top 3 or 4 defenseman in the Conference.

I really do not think a booming shot is as essential from the point as is the ability to keep the puck in play and for the scoring threats to skate in and put the puck in the net with all the open ice. The bottom line is, Rafalski is solid on the PP and is definetely our best all around defenseman even though others have been solid.

That is just simply not true. I find it strange how you made a point I agree with about how stats do not determine how valuable a player is to their team as they do towards earning points and placement in Fantasy leagues, and then you keep emphasizing that Rafalski only having 3 goals on the PP. means he is not a productive enough goal scorer on the PP.

I guarantee to you that Gionta would not have 23 PP goals if not for Rafalski and his ability to carry the puck into the the attack zone. Rafalski was sloppy with his passing earlier in the year, but he is not now. His 25 minutes of icetime a game is directly related to how essential is to this teams success. he is a great two way player and he is one of the best transition artists in the game. Maybe not creating transition like Stevens and Nieds but actually carrying the puck into the attack zone. Tell me another defenseman we have that would be a better PP catalyst or QB then Rafalski. Yes, his goals are down this year both even strength and on the PP but a lot of that is because the Devils go with 4 forwards and 1 d-man on the PP. Do you want Gionta to take over Rafalski's roll? A lot of responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of Raffy this year and he has been great.

I personally think (and I created a post about this before the season started) that he is one of the top 3 or 4 defenseman in the Conference.

I really do not think a booming shot is as essential from the point as is the ability to keep the puck in play and for the scoring threats to skate in and put the puck in the net with all the open ice. The bottom line is, Rafalski is solid on the PP and is definetely our best all around defenseman even though others have been solid.

My point three PP goals was in response to someone stating that Rafalski was the reason we are benefitting from a strong PP. They brought up stats and our PP%, I was just showing his numbers compared to Martin and Nieds since they believe that the PP success this years hinges solely on Rafalski's shoulders. I was just point out Gionta offensive surge this year is probably more important to the PP than Rafalski will ever be.

I do stand behind my points theory. Pando, Brylin and Madden don't put points as frequently but help take away from the opposing team. Rafalski still coughs up the puck ala the Canes game as well other opportune times. Rafalski is our "elite" offensive defensemen and his job is to bring the puck up ice.

A booming shot is very needed on this team from the point of a Dman. That would help convert even more PP into goals.

everyone was killing klee...but he had to adjust, and now he is playing excellent positional defence...

lou pulled some bone head moves...but as mentioned in other posts, he recognized the problems, admitted the mistakes, then took decisive action.


grade A :clap:

Here's my grade for Lou:

i'd give him an A-. Sure the offseason aquisitions were damn right terrible but he definately redeemed himself. he made some good moves before the trade deadline and now we have like 8 or 9 capable Defensemen. Klee and lukowich definately helped because of injuries of white and matvichuk. and look at us now.

I don't know for how long you have been watching the Devils, but this power play is hell of a lot better than the one in 2003 when Scott Niedermayer was on 1st Unit power play.

Go learn something about the team before you post your vitrol! Here are the Devils power play goals as a percentage of goals scored over the last five seasons,SESON GF PPG % from PP
2000-01 295 71 24.1%
2001-02 205 44 21.5%
2002-03 216 36 16.7%
2003-04 213 51 23.9%
2005-06 233 77 33.0%

The power play this year has produce, thanks in part to Brian Rafalski's puck-moving ability. There was a time when the Deils could hardly score an even strength goal. Therefore, your rather crude discription of this year's Devils power play production is entirely unfounded.
Year PP Opportunities PP% League Rank
05-06 429 18.0 18
03-04 312 16.3 15
02-03 303 11.8 30
01-02 261 16.8 09

This is a better way to compare PPs. It is a little better but it hasn't kept pace with how much better the PP is league wide (plus more 5 on 3s can inflate PP statistics).
The reason our PP goals have been so much higher of a percentage of our total goals is the number of opportunities we've had this season...over 100 more than any other. If you don't score more PP goals, you've got a problem. It isn't because Brian Rafalski is drawing 100 more penalties this year either, so I wouldn't give him credit. His puck carrying ability is overrated and I'd give Scott Gomez more credit for that on the PP. He's an adequate passer on the PP shifting the puck from Elias/Gomez to Langenbrunner (and picking up primary or secondary assists in the process) when needed. His shot has been overrated as well, in prior years he's been smarter about when to take it but more often than not it's labeled for a defenseman's shinpads than the area between the pipes.

Our success is also primarily due to the fact that Gionta is able to park himself in front of the net and battle for deflections and rebounds...remember he didn't have any PP goals last year and has 24? I think this year. Everything's all rosy now but remember earlier in the year when the PP was something like 4 for 104? I don't care who you are, if your team has a PP at under a 4% clip and you're on the ice, you are not a good PP QB.

I don't even consider him the QB, that distinction would go to Elias or Gomez, whoever has the puck on the halfboards. They can thread a pass through the seam while Rafalski just tries to set up one timers to Elias/Gomez and Langenbrunner. Rafalski is decent, he's our best option for a defenseman on the PP, but he isn't elite by any stretch of the imagination.

Lou Blew It. Buccigross and Goldstein said as much earlier in the season. /sarcasm.

Here is a great article on Lou Lamoriello by Rich Chere in the Sunday Star-Ledger, "LOU (http://www.nj.com/devils/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1145163454149560.xml&coll=1)."

Here is an excerpt,

What fans and TV viewers see is a well-dressed, smiling figure behind the bench who does a lot of back-patting while assistants John MacLean and Jacques Laperriere seem to handle the personnel decisions.

But that is not really the case. Lamoriello does most of his coaching behind closed doors, before and after games. He is, according to his players, a combination of Bobby Knight and Andy Griffith's Aunt Bea.

"He doesn't talk much on the bench," left winger Patrik Elias said. "And he's pretty positive. But then he'll tell you privately, unless he needs to get the team going. Then he tells you in front of everybody. For the most part, he just makes sure we're in the game and focused."

Lou's grade is the same as the entire team.....

It was the best of time and it was the worst of times. Thank goodess the Best of times is coming at the time.

1. Started out incrediblly rocky
2. Mistakes were identified
3. Mistakes were rectified
4. Organization went back to its philosophical roots
5. Team came together and gelled
6. Back to excelllence.

From August until late December the team was in complete disarray. The organization was in panic mode

From January to now its been the Devils we all know and love.

I would be inclined to give an F for the begining but considering the circumstances of all the losses the Devil had to contend with I'll give them D+ (68%) . The Second half of the season has been nothing less than an A+ (100%) effort in coaching, aquiring the extra needed pieces, and the teams performances.

That = 84% or a solid B.

Lou Blew It. Buccigross and Goldstein said as much earlier in the season. /sarcasm.

Remember that :biglaugh:

The Devil should trade Brodeur and start over :biglaugh:

Ohhh How the Mighty have stayed Mighty :thumbu:

Remember that :biglaugh:

The Devil should trade Brodeur and start over :biglaugh:

Ohhh How the Mighty have stayed Mighty :thumbu:

yea and get Kessel! :biglaugh:

At school, you don't get graded for effort or how much you studied...

You get graded for results...

Let's see the damage the Devs make in the playoffs...

I'll give him an A+ after the Cup Parade...

See you guys there!

I LOVE PLAYOFF TIME

k

Here's my grade for Lou:

You'll shoot your eye out kid!

Islander fan coming in as i watch almost all dev's games i gave him a B i'd give em the b+ if they had it though