Things have to change

I don't start many threads and I understand I'll probably be killed for this. Things have to change with this organization. You will have to take my word for it, I have never once complained about the defensive system we play. When we had Stevens and Nieder I used to marvel at how beautiful we made the system work, it was like a well oiled machine.
Even the past few years since they were gone with Gomer and Gio and Elias we still showed some offensive creativity and scoring punch. I was at the game last night and have been at 4 this year and the thing that is sad is that attendance hasn't been bad and the people desperately want to cheer but our offensive attack is pathetic. It's like 1984 retro devils! There is very little forecheck and a rush up the ice where we connect on 2-3 passes? are you kidding me???? In 2000 and 01 our offense was way underated with the A-line as we could really create. Even with Gomer the past few years rushing the puck and creating we had something. Now I will admit I was not in favor of giving Gomer that kind of contract so i don't have a problem with letting him go I was really hoping that Zajac would take more steps forward and we'd pick up the slack elsewhere. The sad fact about or system is that Our D just isn't good enough any more. I have been encouraged with the progress of Oduya and Martin this year. I mean look at the last 2 minutes of reg. and much of OT last night- we were pinned in our zone. Marty is our saving grace. The guy may be the best ever. A mortal goalie would have given up 4-5 last night. He won't be here forever though. I love this team and have been a fan and been going to games for over 20 years. I will love them forever and tune in every night and bleed Devil blood. This rant isn't about marketing or selling tickets, it's about winning. I love Lou and we owe him everything for all the great hockey he has brought us. honestly I know i'm barking at the moon because it's not like he's suddenly going to get into a bidding war for a guy like Hossa and frankly even if he did why if you are a top scorer and the money was close would you come here instead of Montreal or Ottawa or Pitt? he probably has to make a deal or 2 in the off season.
I understand we have had a pretty good season record wise(mainly because of our success in OT and shootouts) and with what he has to work with Sutter has done a great job. But do you guys honestly see us going on a big playoff run with this group? Hey i'd be the happiest person in the world if I'm wrong. Like I said i know I'll probably get killed but I wanted to vent any way. Go Devils!

The hope is, for me at least, that this year really was Lou taking a step back to replenish our assets and create some cap space. I guess we will know this summer if we actually go out and get a few needed pieces. Having the cap space and flexibility that we have right now is only great if you plan to use it.

The hope is, for me at least, that this year really was Lou taking a step back to replenish our assets and create some cap space. I guess we will know this summer if we actually go out and get a few needed pieces. Having the cap space and flexibility that we have right now is only great if you plan to use it.

And we have a winner.

After loosing two of our prized players to free agency last summer and only just being relinquised from salary cap, we havent exactly done uber bad.

Things will be resolved this summer.

And we have a winner.

After loosing two of our prized players to free agency last summer and only just being relinquised from salary cap, we havent exactly done uber bad.

Things will be resolved this summer.

come on we had cap space to do things at the deadline. What makes you think when the whole league is competing with you for a UFA you will get him?

come on we had cap space to do things at the deadline. What makes you think when the whole league is competing with you for a UFA you will get him?

I meant to say salary cap hell.

Anyway, do you think trading high end picks and the likes of Zajac and Corrente at the deadline for Marian Hossa would really help this team in the long run??

Lou made a great move at the deadline, that was not doing anything at all (bar the scrub for NHL defenseman move!).

Chillax buddy, you will be praising Lou when Marty is hoisting the cup over his head in 2009.

come on we had cap space to do things at the deadline. What makes you think when the whole league is competing with you for a UFA you will get him?

Adding peices at the deadline would have meant making a trade. I don't think we're in a position right now to be trading assets. We need to add players without giving up anything more than cap space and that means waiting until this summer.

Also, there certainly won't be 30 teams bidding for players. It seems like more than1/3 of the league is already having trouble keeping up with the cap while teams like Dallas, NYR, Philly and Detroit already have there money tied up in other players. I don't think there will be as many bidders on the UFA market this year as there have been in the past.

come on we had cap space to do things at the deadline. What makes you think when the whole league is competing with you for a UFA you will get him?

Well look at it this way: Trade Zajac, Halischuk and Corrente for Hossa, or you keep those 3 assets and add Hoss next season when the cap goes up? At least this way you didn't trade 3 assets for the 1st, or 2nd round of the playoffs. Keep those three, get your prize UFA and go.

Well look at it this way: Trade Zajac, Halischuk and Corrente for Hossa, or you keep those 3 assets and add Hoss next season when the cap goes up? At least this way you didn't trade 3 assets for the 1st, or 2nd round of the playoffs. Keep those three, get your prize UFA and go.

I agree, we didn't have the assets to make a big trade, But Ruttu sure would have looked in Devils jersey right about now. That being said, it's our defense that worries me more then anything else at the moment. Heck, we even scored more goals than the Ducks have 203 to 198. Anway, Lou needs to have a very good off-season or he's just wasting Marty's final 3/4 years.

Why the hell are you telling us? Send a letter to Lou if you feel so strongly about it. What can we fans do about it? I don't understand the constant complaining about our team on this board. Its a fan board, we cheer for our team and fantasize about new players. Quit complaining and enjoy the team.

Free agancy should bring more skilled players to NJ.
But we have what we have now and hopefully can grind out a long playoff run.

come on we had cap space to do things at the deadline. What makes you think when the whole league is competing with you for a UFA you will get him?

He tried to get Hossa - but got outbid... the other defenseman you would want also went for twice their value. Lou will not overpay - fact.

He tried to get Hossa - but got outbid... the other defenseman you would want also went for twice their value. Lou will not overpay - fact.

I understand Pitt played a king's ransom for Hossa. We couldn't top that offer. There were other guys out there who knows who was available but maybe a guy like Marleau who has been on fire since the deadline or Jokinen. Again they might not have been available bu these are the types of players that we need to bring in with trades. We will not out bid the likes of Det.,NYR Col etc... for the elite UFA's. Listen I trust Lou we'll be fine. An For Moondragn I'm sorry for questioning anything about the Devils on this board. I forgot it's not for intelligent discussion that this thread has brought about. Rarara GO DEVILS!!!! Get me my pompoms!

An For Moondragn I'm sorry for questioning anything about the Devils on this board. I forgot it's not for intelligent discussion that this thread has brought about. Rarara GO DEVILS!!!! Get me my pompoms!

Thats right! Drink the koolaid and cheer your little heart out. Wave those pompoms. Rest that brain!!

I understand Pitt played a king's ransom for Hossa. We couldn't top that offer. There were other guys out there who knows who was available but maybe a guy like Marleau who has been on fire since the deadline or Jokinen. Again they might not have been available bu these are the types of players that we need to bring in with trades. We will not out bid the likes of Det.,NYR Col etc... for the elite UFA's. Listen I trust Lou we'll be fine. An For Moondragn I'm sorry for questioning anything about the Devils on this board. I forgot it's not for intelligent discussion that this thread has brought about. Rarara GO DEVILS!!!! Get me my pompoms!

We as fans have no idea if Marleau or Jokinen were available.. We can only go by speculation around the league..

Who knows what goes on behind closed doors.. Maybe Lou did make an offer for a big name guy but it didn't leak out b/c that's not his style..

This organizations philosophy has helped create one of the more successful franchises in the NHL over the years

I think the era of Stevens, Neids, Dano, A-Line, etc really spoiled us.. Ask the likes of the Panthers & Thrashers how they like their organizations philosophy

The hope is, for me at least, that this year really was Lou taking a step back to replenish our assets and create some cap space. I guess we will know this summer if we actually go out and get a few needed pieces. Having the cap space and flexibility that we have right now is only great if you plan to use it.

Exactly. Britdevil I agree with you too.

Lou didn't mortgage the future, which I like, and saved enough cap space to give us alot of options this summer.

first and foremost...the likelihood of us signing a guy like Hossa as a UFA is slim to none. Or really any player of that "caliber" for that matter. Regardless of whether or not we like it...the stats are what guys like this look at. We have a stagnant offense and predominantly defensive system where goals are rarities. No goal scorer in his right mind is going to look at this team and say "Hey, I can go there and lead the league in (insert point accumulating statistics) and maybe win a cup, too."

Most of our key assets over the years have either come in drafts or trades and we have pretty much never signed a UFA that was that kind of caliber offensively, so I doubt it's going to start now.

Lou is set in his ways, he will continue to try and put the team together like a puzzle without needing to spend tons of cash to try and buy a championship. Most of these players in UFA are being signed long-term, NTC/NMC's, for a lot of bank.

Who has Lou really given these long term contracts to over the years? Not many people...Patty was definitely an exception to the rule because he was brought through this system and Lou takes care of "his" guys. Other than that, he hasn't really done it (I was too young to know Nieds or Steven's situations so maybe they did, I dunno).

We're not going to make a splash in UFA for probably anything much, so I wouldn't get your hopes up if you think we're gonna truly go after Hossa and get him.

Unless Lou takes him out for some louaid and a steak and somehow convinces him that his career will be better here...he'll end up elsewhere. Beyond there, who is there really out there? Most guys are getting re-signed.

Well, it looks like Lankow is about to resign with the Flames, so there goes another ufa center off the board, although he wasn't my first choice.

Call me crazy and I like the kid and expect a rebound year from him next season, but we need scoring so I would consider trading Zajac and our first for the number one pick. Not sure that's enough, but I would take a chance that Stamkos is ready to play in the NHL. I hear he plays well defensively too. Sign Hossa or Rolston and Jason Smith and our lines would look something like the following:

Rolston - Elias - Gio
Parise - Stamkos - Jamie

or

Parise - Elias - Hossa
Jamie - Stamkos - Gio

Oduya - Martin
White - Mottau/Corrente
Smith - Greene/Vishy/Fraser

Well, it looks like Lankow is about to resign with the Flames, so there goes another ufa center off the board, although he wasn't my first choice.

Call me crazy and I like the kid and expect a rebound year from him next season, but we need scoring so I would consider trading Zajac and our first for the number one pick. Not sure that's enough, but I would take a chance that Stamkos is ready to play in the NHL. I hear he plays well defensively too. Sign Hossa or Rolston and Jason Smith and our lines would look something like the following:

Rolston - Elias - Gio
Parise - Stamkos - Jamie

or

Parise - Elias - Hossa
Jamie - Stamkos - Gio

Oduya - Martin
White - Mottau/Corrente
Smith - Greene/Vishy/Fraser

It's nice to dream, isn't it?

Zajac and our first for Stamkos?

Franchise talent Stamkos??

:amazed:

Lou is set in his ways, he will continue to try and put the team together like a puzzle without needing to spend tons of cash to try and buy a championship. Most of these players in UFA are being signed long-term, NTC/NMC's, for a lot of bank.


Who has Lou really given these long term contracts to over the years? Not many people...Patty was definitely an exception to the rule because he was brought through this system and Lou takes care of "his" guys. Other than that, he hasn't really done it (I was too young to know Nieds or Steven's situations so maybe they did, I dunno).

Lou may have to change his ways if he wants to stay competitive. If Lou believes he has a window to win with Marty, time is running out.

Zajac and our first for Stamkos?

Franchise talent Stamkos??

:amazed:

Hey, if that's not enough, I'll include Clarkson and try and replace him by signing Malone.

Lou may have to change his ways if he wants to stay competitive. If Lou believes he has a window to win with Marty, time is running out.

you don't teach old dogs new tricks, and after that fiasco right after the lockout...you're not going to see him shell out much cash in UFA. That was uncharacteristic of him to begin with, and in the end we got screwed. I highly doubt he takes that chance again.

It's nice to dream, isn't it?

Forget Hossa, but why can't Lou sign Rolston, if Minny doesn't or a player like Liles or for that matter Jason Smith, who isn't a major player anymore.

And our First, plus Zajac has value. Maybe not enough for the number one pick, but it ain't chicken feed either. I like posted, throw in Clarkson too.

you don't teach old dogs new tricks, and after that fiasco right after the lockout...you're not going to see him shell out much cash in UFA. That was uncharacteristic of him to begin with, and in the end we got screwed. I highly doubt he takes that chance again.

Looked who he signed and looked who he lost. If that's the best he can do, then maybe he should retire.

Hey, if that's not enough, I'll include Clarkson and try and replace him by signing Malone.

I would love it to happen, but if a GM were to trade Stamkos for Zajac and Clarkson and late 1st he would more than likely be fired before the trade went through.

I wouldnt worry about the offseason yet, Lou Lamoriello knows what he is doing.

I would love it to happen, but if a GM were to trade Stamkos for Zajac and Clarkson and late 1st he would more than likely be fired before the trade went through.

I wouldnt worry about the offseason yet, Lou Lamoriello knows what he is doing.


It's a deep draft and Zajac is only a second year player who was also drafted in the first. If we were talking last year's Zajac, you guys would be singing a different tune.

I see Rutherford making great trades, I see LA trade for Jack Johnson and Rangers signing two major UFA's in the same season under a cap. So, are you all telling me that Lou Lamoriello is incapable of doing something similar?

The hope is, for me at least, that this year really was Lou taking a step back to replenish our assets and create some cap space. I guess we will know this summer if we actually go out and get a few needed pieces. Having the cap space and flexibility that we have right now is only great if you plan to use it.

what he said.

I see Rutherford making great trades, I see LA trade for Jack Johnson and Rangers signing two major UFA's in the same season under a cap. So, are you all telling me that Lou Lamoriellso is incapable of doing something similar?

No im saying wait it out.

We have stiffs coming off the books (matvichuk et al), few players to re-sign and plenty of cap space to play with. Also a boat load of draft picks.

Your talking about something that hasnt even happened yet, lets get this thread going again in September to see if Lou dropped the ball or not.

I see Rutherford making great trades, I see LA trade for Jack Johnson and Rangers signing two major UFA's in the same season under a cap. So, are you all telling me that Lou Lamoriellso is incapable of doing something similar?

He's incapable of turning a very late first round draft pick (which results in busts much more often than stars) and players who are just as likely to be career 4th liners as they are 2nd liners (Zajac, Clarkson) into the first overall pick of the draft.

He's incapable of turning a very late first round draft pick (which results in busts much more often than stars) and players who are just as likely to be career 4th liners as they are 2nd liners (Zajac, Clarkson) into the first overall pick of the draft.

I don't think it's impossible under the right circumstances. If Tampa gets the first pick, my dream dies, but if it's LA, Lombardi could be enticed.

And to up the ante, I'll say our first, Zajac and Bergfors and before we call him a bust, he did play with two bad shoulders this season.

We should lock this thread until we are eliminated from the playoffs. Seriously, don´t take it personally, I do appreaciate this thread, but right now, we should just try to focus on the good things and be optimistic. We don´t have an all star caliber team, yet we led the Division for more than half the season and might finish 4th in a very tight Conference. On a good day, this team can skate with anybody and beat anybody just as easily. We have gaps, and we have to address them, but I really suggest we do this when our season is officially over. after, of course, we have been swept by the Rangers in the reg season, but have swept them again, when it matters most :-)

first and foremost...the likelihood of us signing a guy like Hossa as a UFA is slim to none. Or really any player of that "caliber" for that matter. Regardless of whether or not we like it...the stats are what guys like this look at. We have a stagnant offense and predominantly defensive system where goals are rarities. No goal scorer in his right mind is going to look at this team and say "Hey, I can go there and lead the league in (insert point accumulating statistics) and maybe win a cup, too."

Most of our key assets over the years have either come in drafts or trades and we have pretty much never signed a UFA that was that kind of caliber offensively, so I doubt it's going to start now.

Lou is set in his ways, he will continue to try and put the team together like a puzzle without needing to spend tons of cash to try and buy a championship. Most of these players in UFA are being signed long-term, NTC/NMC's, for a lot of bank.

Who has Lou really given these long term contracts to over the years? Not many people...Patty was definitely an exception to the rule because he was brought through this system and Lou takes care of "his" guys. Other than that, he hasn't really done it (I was too young to know Nieds or Steven's situations so maybe they did, I dunno).

We're not going to make a splash in UFA for probably anything much, so I wouldn't get your hopes up if you think we're gonna truly go after Hossa and get him.

Unless Lou takes him out for some louaid and a steak and somehow convinces him that his career will be better here...he'll end up elsewhere. Beyond there, who is there really out there? Most guys are getting re-signed.

Then why bother clearing up as much cap room as we have? We all know what Lou's history is but this is only the 3rd year into the cap system and it's the first offseason where a lot of the big spenders have their cap space tied up. It's also different because before last year, teams didn't really worry about having contracts in place for their RFAs prior to July 1st. Kevin Lowe did us a huge favor because now GMs have to worry about having their young players poached. We are one of the few teams that has spending money and doesn't have any significant RFAs to worry about. Because of this, I don't think there are going to be a lot of other clubs competing for the high end UFAs this year.

I've never been a big fan of signing over-priced free agents but I really think this year is different. I may be setting myself up for disappointment, but I think all signs (clearing cap space, letting Gomez and Raffy, not trading any assets at the deadline) point to the fact that Lou and Brent plan to retool this summer. They're not stupid and I think it's pretty obvious that were not winning a cup before Marty retires without adding some significant talent through free agency. This 15 year run has left us with very few tradeable assets.

Who has the cap space and the owner willing to spend for UFAs this year. I'm sure there are a few more but us and Vancouver are the only 2 I can think of off the top of my head.

We should lock this thread until we are eliminated from the playoffs. Seriously, don´t take it personally, I do appreaciate this thread, but right now, we should just try to focus on the good things and be optimistic. We don´t have an all star caliber team, yet we led the Division for more than half the season and might finish 4th in a very tight Conference. On a good day, this team can skate with anybody and beat anybody just as easily. We have gaps, and we have to address them, but I really suggest we do this when our season is officially over. after, of course, we have been swept by the Rangers in the reg season, but have swept them again, when it matters most :-)

You're being awfully pessimistic about someone's pessimism... The optimist in me finds that promising.