Devils Offseason Grade

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/allan_muir/08/15/atlantic.division.report/index.html

I always respect what this guy has to say he does a good job. Didn't berate the Devils like most "hockey analysts" do when they talk about the losses of Gomez and Rafalski.

We should have nothing short of an A. Gomez was already a goner and Lou went a different direction with Rafalski. This offseason was amazing in regards to what Lou did and did NOT DO. Getting Sutter and not signing Souray are my favorites if this offseason. He did not throw out any huge contracts unlike a past offseason I'd like to forget. Signing Parise and Martin to very reasonable contracts is gravy.

I agree, Lou did a wonderful job this season. Not only was it financially sound, but if we do end up with a mess, we're not going to suffer too much next season. Plus with the great 2008 and 2009 Drafts coming up, screwing up may not be a bad idea.

We should have nothing short of an A. Gomez was already a goner and Lou went a different direction with Rafalski. This offseason was amazing in regards to what Lou did and did NOT DO. Getting Sutter and not signing Souray are my favorites if this offseason. He did not throw out any huge contracts unlike a past offseason I'd like to forget. Signing Parise and Martin to very reasonable contracts is gravy.

Nevertheless, he did mention we had one of the best offseasons in the NHL.

i thought Oduya re-signed?

Yes, but calling Gomez both "gritty" and "abrasive" (in the Rags report card immediately below ours) calls into question his judgment...

So the Flyers and Rags spend ridiculous amounts of money and just get A's?

So the Flyers and Rags spend ridiculous amounts of money and just get A's?

Just like in high school, the pretty girls get the A's.

At least someone isn't overly praising the Pens for signing two has beens.

Just like in high school, the pretty girls get the A's.

Yeah I really didn't pay much attention to his grades on the Flyers and Rangers because everyones GaGa over these BIG free agent signings (Btw, Gomez and Drury are getting paid like All-stars and I don't believe they've ever been an All-star).

But I really like what he said in regards to the Devils offseason. I think he gave us a B because of the unknown commodities that we picked up on defense (Rachunek, Vishnevski) because we all know that they are question marks. He seemed like he's one of the few that gets it when it comes to what the Devils want to do: not to make a panic move.

I thought a B was fair. Close to a B+. :handclap:

We should have nothing short of an A. Gomez was already a goner and Lou went a different direction with Rafalski. This offseason was amazing in regards to what Lou did and did NOT DO. Getting Sutter and not signing Souray are my favorites if this offseason. He did not throw out any huge contracts unlike a past offseason I'd like to forget. Signing Parise and Martin to very reasonable contracts is gravy.

I agree with what you said, but the only deal I'm unhappy with is the 3 year deal to Vishnevski at $1.8 millier per. I don't understand where and when he earned that kind of money. IMO Lukowich is a better D-man and signed for less with Tampa. Vishnevski is only 27, I know, and there's a lot of room for improvement, but I do think that Lou spent too much money on him.

At least someone isn't overly praising the Pens for signing two has beens.

Say what you want about Sykora, but signing Darryl Sydor is never wrong in my book. One of the smartest d-men in the league and a proven winner. He will only help the young blueliners on that team. Too bad we didn't get him....

Yeah I really didn't pay much attention to his grades on the Flyers and Rangers because everyones GaGa over these BIG free agent signings (Btw, Gomez and Drury are getting paid like All-stars and I don't believe they've ever been an All-star).

But I really like what he said in regards to the Devils offseason. I think he gave us a B because of the unknown commodities that we picked up on defense (Rachunek, Vishnevski) because we all know that they are question marks. He seemed like he's one of the few that gets it when it comes to what the Devils want to do: not to make a panic move.
Scott Gomez played in the 2000 game.

So the Flyers and Rags spend ridiculous amounts of money and just get A's?

Yup…seems like he looked at personnel moves w/o really taking the cap into consideration.

Basically, there was no way the Devils would have been able to get an ‘A’. The team already spent up to the cap last year without any dead weight and guys like Parise and Martin were due raises this year. The only two big contracts coming off the books were for star players that were surely going to be due raises. If just resigned Gomez and Rafalski, we’d still have gotten a ‘B’ since we wouldn’t have improved our team. Same as if we brought in Briere and Schneider to replace those guys – would’ve still been seen as a wash. Meanwhile, the Rags and Flyers were further under the cap vs. last year so they could increase their payroll by a larger amount this year to help improve enough to get that ‘A’. So all things considered, a ‘B’ is about as good as we could’ve done this offseason (outside of a blockbuster trade that would’ve improved our team this season at the expense of future draft picks or prospects).

Yes, but calling Gomez both "gritty" and "abrasive" (in the Rags report card immediately below ours) calls into question his judgment...

haha. I was just about to comment on that. It isn't the first place I've seen it written that the Rangers acquired two "great two-way" or "gritty" centers. I guess people just assume that Gomez is like that because he played on the Devils. :dunno:

So the Flyers and Rags spend ridiculous amounts of money and just get A's?

I actually think the Flyers did as good a job as they could after a terrible season. They did more than just spend a ton of money - they also revamped the team completely. On paper, they do look like they improved tremendously, both now and in the future. Of course, all the big signings are a huge gamble, and they very well could crash and burn. I'd put them at 50/50 to make the playoffs now, which is a hell of a lot better than last year. They did overpay for some players though, so I wouldn't give them an A. Maybe an A-

The Rangers though, apparently get an A for signing a career 70 point center and a "two-way" player who has never even scored 70 points to Thornton-like money.

I agree with what you said, but the only deal I'm unhappy with is the 3 year deal to Vishnevski at $1.8 millier per. I don't understand where and when he earned that kind of money. IMO Lukowich is a better D-man and signed for less with Tampa. Vishnevski is only 27, I know, and there's a lot of room for improvement, but I do think that Lou spent too much money on him.

Its a bit of a gamble, but Vishnevski is a big tough guy. Lukowich was a defensive defenseman... but not the toughest. I'll miss him, a lot. He was only getting better. Still, Vish has got enough potential to be something special

i think that is a fair rating as they could f done some more things obviosly, as they say "there is always room for improvement". But screwing up fo rthe 08 or 09 drafts wouldnt be bad, this would be a perfect couple seasons for new jersey to "rebuild" i think. Although they wont be because we have brodeur!

I agree with a lot of what you guys are saying, although what i do think would have made this off season even better is if we had gotten a proven goal scorer or point producer. The only thing i'm really concerned about this coming season is this teams ability to score goals. Winning tight, defensive, games are fine by me, but to have some breathing room in some games would be pretty nice too...

I agree with a lot of what you guys are saying, although what i do think would have made this off season even better is if we had gotten a proven goal scorer or point producer. The only thing i'm really concerned about this coming season is this teams ability to score goals. Winning tight, defensive, games are fine by me, but to have some breathing room in some games would be pretty nice too...

Even a Yanic Perrault type would have been nice, just a LITTLE more goal scoring potential

The Rangers though, apparently get an A for signing a career 70 point center and a "two-way" player who has never even scored 70 points to Thornton-like money.

These are the facts, and you spell them out well. Unfortunately, if you go and preach this in the NYR board, you'll get a fair share of dodgy rationale, such as "Gomez played in a defensive system," "Drury brings leadership," etc to justify the heinous contracts they both received.

C at best Gomer was no loss when Zubie will take his place. Raffie was a loss cause we didn't get anything in return. We also have no done anything in our D but get a lot more question marks. Wish we would've gotten Hannan or another 1-2 Dman.

A big Go F yourself for Gomer. You lying, miserable, sack of s**t. I hope your career takes off as much as Holik's did.

So the Flyers and Rags spend ridiculous amounts of money and just get A's?

The Flyers turned their team from the worst team in the league to a possible playoff contender if chemistry works out. They deserve an A.

I think all the grades are fair except the Islanders should get a C-. They lost all they had and only got garbage in return.

C at best Gomer was no loss when Zubie will take his place. Raffie was a loss cause we didn't get anything in return. We also have no done anything in our D but get a lot more question marks. Wish we would've gotten Hannan or another 1-2 Dman.

A big Go F yourself for Gomer. You lying, miserable, sack of s**t. I hope your career takes off as much as Holik's did.

Looks like you finally got something to relate to with Boston (Damon).