Building a Team in the New NHL....

So, I guess the Sabres aren't the model after all for the new NHL. It looks like the right way is to have a big physical team with a great defense, timely scoring, excellent goaltending and a superb shutdown line. Sounds a lot like the old Devils to me when they had Stevens, Nieds and Danno as well as Holik & Randy.

Funny, listening to the Versus crew go on about how great last night's game was and how awesome Anaheim played. Not to take anything away from the Ducks team that did play a fantastic game, but I thought the whole 2nd period was played in the neutral zone. Just wondering if it was the Devils instead of the Ducks, would they be receiving the same praise? And I would rather have the Devils restructer their team like the Ducks. Big, with a mean streak that constantly takes the body, plays excellent defense, but yet forechecks like mad. Kind of sounds like our Devils about 6 years ago. The Devils have done well drafting smaller forwards. However, they haven't been very successful in drafting the bigger more physical forward that can play in today's NHL. They need to do better job in that area.

Anaheim and Ottawa both have characteristics of the old Devils teams.

So, I guess the Sabres aren't the model after all for the new NHL. It looks like the right way is to have a big physical team with a great defense, timely scoring, excellent goaltending and a superb shutdown line. Sounds a lot like the old Devils to me when they had Stevens, Nieds and Danno as well as Holik & Randy.

Funny, listening to the Versus crew go on about how great last night's game was and how awesome Anaheim played. Not to take anything away from the Ducks team that did play a fantastic game, but I thought the whole 2nd period was played in the neutral zone. Just wondering if it was the Devils instead of the Ducks, would they be receiving the same praise? And I would rather have the Devils restructer their team like the Ducks. Big, with a mean streak that constantly takes the body, plays excellent defense, but yet forechecks like mad. Kind of sounds like our Devils about 6 years ago. The Devils have done well drafting smaller forwards. However, they haven't been very successful in drafting the bigger more physical forward that can play in today's NHL. They need to do better job in that area.


I don't think that the issue is that bigger, more physical forwards are necessary in the "new NHL" because of the different style of the game. The new style actually suits the Giontas, Crosbys, and Brieres better. I just think that ANY team that has an abundance of these forwards but no power forwards will struggle in the long run.

Anaheim and Ottawa both have characteristics of the old Devils teams.


Very true.

the old championship winning teams.....Lou should be taken notes...lol

So, I guess the Sabres aren't the model after all for the new NHL. It looks like the right way is to have a big physical team with a great defense, timely scoring, excellent goaltending and a superb shutdown line. Sounds a lot like the old Devils to me when they had Stevens, Nieds and Danno as well as Holik & Randy.

Funny, listening to the Versus crew go on about how great last night's game was and how awesome Anaheim played. Not to take anything away from the Ducks team that did play a fantastic game, but I thought the whole 2nd period was played in the neutral zone. Just wondering if it was the Devils instead of the Ducks, would they be receiving the same praise? And I would rather have the Devils restructer their team like the Ducks. Big, with a mean streak that constantly takes the body, plays excellent defense, but yet forechecks like mad. Kind of sounds like our Devils about 6 years ago. The Devils have done well drafting smaller forwards. However, they haven't been very successful in drafting the bigger more physical forward that can play in today's NHL. They need to do better job in that area.

I think there are multiple ways of constructing a team that can win in the "New NHL". The Sabres could very easily have won with their line-up this year, they just didn't play their best hockey at the right time of the year.

Also good luck trying to build a team with 2 of the 3 best defenseman in the league and a top 5 goalie.

There is going to be far less separation among the top teams, and it's more and more going to come down to : health, playing great at the right time, and a getting a bit lucky at the right time.

I think there are multiple ways of constructing a team that can win in the "New NHL". The Sabres could very easily have won with their line-up this year, they just didn't play their best hockey at the right time of the year.

Also good luck trying to build a team with 2 of the 3 best defenseman in the league and a top 5 goalie.

There is going to be far less separation among the top teams, and it's more and more going to come down to : health, playing great at the right time, and a getting a bit lucky at the right time.

I agree whole heartedly here. Our '03 team was far from our best of the 3 cup teams, but the stars were alligned. It's very much about how hot the team is overall, especially goaltenders. There were times during the year the Ducks sucked, the Sens sucked etc. They put it together whne it was needed.
I also think although the gionta's, & parise are going to put points up, lou needs to find a little size to make room.
Arnott would've been a great aquisition for us. I like the idea of zubrus, but he's doesn't have near gomers playmaking skills.

I agree whole heartedly here. Our '03 team was far from our best of the 3 cup teams, but the stars were alligned. It's very much about how hot the team is overall, especially goaltenders. There were times during the year the Ducks sucked, the Sens sucked etc. They put it together whne it was needed.
I also think although the gionta's, & parise are going to put points up, lou needs to find a little size to make room.
Arnott would've been a great aquisition for us. I like the idea of zubrus, but he's doesn't have near gomers playmaking skills.

Agreed. It now looks as though th eDucks will go on to win the Cup, and if they don't get very lucky with Neidermayer's shot late in game 5 against detoit deflecting off Lidstrom and over hasek, they are likely done.

Now you have to take advantage of the breaks you get, but you need a bit of luck to advance as well.