Unthinkable
02-13-2004, 10:54 PM
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/nj23.html (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/nj23.html)
February 13, 2004
In defense of moves By Raymond Galis
TheFourthPeriod.com
<table width="674"> <tbody><tr><td width="370"> Devils GM/President Lou Lamoriello will soon host a press conference announcing the team’s intention of moving to a much-needed, brand new arena in Newark, New Jersey for the 2007 season. As soon as that press conference is over, Lamoriello should be looking to make a few more moves to improve his ailing defense for the current season.
The Devils defense had initially risen to the challenge of playing without one of the leagues best defensemen by going 8-5-1 in their first 14 games. In particular, rookies David Hale and Paul Martin (under the guidance of defensive coach Jacques Laperriere) had been playing with confidence and proved they could handle the added responsibilities and playing time.
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</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> But the team took another huge blow on February 3rd, when Hale sprained his knee in a win over Ottawa. Since the injury, the New Jersey defense has been particularly guilty of performing at un-Devil like standards allowing 11 goals (including 5 on the powerplay) in losing their last three games.
Without Stevens, Hale and the retired Ken Daneyko opposition players are having field day creating screens and frustrating Marty Brodeur. In the past three games Todd Bertuzzi, Bobby Holik and in particular Keith Primeau all helped their teams to get an early lead on the low scoring Devils by providing a strong physical presence and obstructing the view and space of Marty Brodeur. Colin White has been the only defensemen to be able to handle the task.
Burns needs to shore up the pairings if the Devils wish to succeed without Hale (day-to-day) and Stevens. The normal pairing usually balance out: one physical defensive player is usually paired with an offensive threat. The Devils haven’t had that luxury of late.
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February 13, 2004
In defense of moves By Raymond Galis
TheFourthPeriod.com
<table width="674"> <tbody><tr><td width="370"> Devils GM/President Lou Lamoriello will soon host a press conference announcing the team’s intention of moving to a much-needed, brand new arena in Newark, New Jersey for the 2007 season. As soon as that press conference is over, Lamoriello should be looking to make a few more moves to improve his ailing defense for the current season.
The Devils defense had initially risen to the challenge of playing without one of the leagues best defensemen by going 8-5-1 in their first 14 games. In particular, rookies David Hale and Paul Martin (under the guidance of defensive coach Jacques Laperriere) had been playing with confidence and proved they could handle the added responsibilities and playing time.
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</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> But the team took another huge blow on February 3rd, when Hale sprained his knee in a win over Ottawa. Since the injury, the New Jersey defense has been particularly guilty of performing at un-Devil like standards allowing 11 goals (including 5 on the powerplay) in losing their last three games.
Without Stevens, Hale and the retired Ken Daneyko opposition players are having field day creating screens and frustrating Marty Brodeur. In the past three games Todd Bertuzzi, Bobby Holik and in particular Keith Primeau all helped their teams to get an early lead on the low scoring Devils by providing a strong physical presence and obstructing the view and space of Marty Brodeur. Colin White has been the only defensemen to be able to handle the task.
Burns needs to shore up the pairings if the Devils wish to succeed without Hale (day-to-day) and Stevens. The normal pairing usually balance out: one physical defensive player is usually paired with an offensive threat. The Devils haven’t had that luxury of late.
.
.
.