Season in Review: A Grade on Team Performance

With the eve of the playoffs approaching, I believe I started a thread like this last season that went over pretty well. So, out of the categories below how would you grade the Devils this season? We had a wacky run this year especially when Marty went down for a couple of months and we still managed to stay on top of the division and the conference all thanks to Clemmenson and can't forget Weekes.

With the Devils recent play, we can only hope that they carry a spark into the playoffs give us a deep run this year. They're more then due for one. :yo: Hopefully the win last night against the Sense gives them their confidence back to stick it to Carolina on Saturday and gives us the push we need to give us that rush for the playoffs.

Coaching
Offense
Defense
Goaltending

Individual Player Highlights (Your highlight thoughts on a specific players play this season, who you think had the best year...etc.)

Highlight Games: Any games you remember being a highlight in the year.

Individual Player Awards? (Add this if you'd like, which Devils deserve which NHL award? perhaps?)

Well, I think there is one really good thing this year...

We all learned that when the time comes, the team is more then any single player.

Quick notes:

Mike Mottau played so well this year I really hope he's a Devil for life at this point. David Clarkson has stopped falling as much, and fighting much smarter - I've enjoyed him a lot this year. Mike Rupp has had some stick handling plays that are amazing. Brian Gionta has become the smallest effective PK'er ever I think. Paul Martin has been 100% the anchor of this D. Langenbrunner has been a very effective captain.

Clemmer should get the Masterson or whatever trophy it is for preservation in hockey. Instead of becoming a backup again, he seized an opportunity to play and while the team bailed him out, he made some decent saves too. He has been amazing to the media and each and every fan who talks to him after games as well.

Sutter deserves the Jack Adams, even this little late season melt down. 50 wins for the first time in the organizations history even with Broduer being hurt, among all the other injuries and 'no-name' defense all in his second NHL season as coach.

Sutter deserves the Jack Adams, even this little late season melt down. 50 wins for the first time in the organizations history even with Broduer being hurt, among all the other injuries and 'no-name' defense all in his second NHL season as coach.

This late season melt down is second season in a row they are going to limp into the playoffs after losing vital conference positioning. Sutter has yet to win a playoff series as a head coach in the NHL. That bothers me.

There seems to be trend on this board over the last two years, when things are going well give Sutter credit; when things are going poorly, blame a "AHL defense", Gionta, Rolston, Holik, White or any other whipping boy of the moment.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, both offensively and defensively. Far more than even our own fans give credit for --

When I see the special teams breakdowns and the emotionless play, I'm looking at the coaching first and the veterans second.

This isn't new, this isn't just the last 10 games. This has been happening all year. There have been games where the Devils just don't show up throughout the entire year. Three 4-0 losses to Atlanta, Florida and the Islanders. A 3-0 loss to the Rangers, 6-1 loss to the Penguins and 4-1 to the Leafs. Those games span over January, February, March and April --

This team has simply not shown up to many times this season. It is alarming.

ZOMG!!!! Sutter hasn't won a playoff series in his one opportunity to do so! FIRES himz!!!!!!

This late season melt down is second season in a row they are going to limp into the playoffs after losing vital conference positioning. Sutter has yet to win a playoff series as a head coach in the NHL. That bothers me.

There seems to be trend on this board over the last two years, when things are going well give Sutter credit; when things are going poorly, blame a "AHL defense", Gionta, Rolston, Holik, White or any other whipping boy of the moment.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, both offensively and defensively. Far more than even our own fans give credit for --

When I see the special teams breakdowns and the emotionless play, I'm looking at the coaching first and the veterans second.

This isn't new, this isn't just the last 10 games. This has been happening all year. There have been games where the Devils just don't show up throughout the entire year. Three 4-0 losses to Atlanta, Florida and the Islanders. A 3-0 loss to the Rangers, 6-1 loss to the Penguins and 4-1 to the Leafs. Those games span over January, February, March and April --

This team has simply not shown up to many times this season. It is alarming.
What?! He's 0-1 in his career, and you're concerned because he's never won a playoff series? It's not like he's been to the playoffs a dozen times and never gotten out of the first round.

What?! He's 0-1 in his career, and you're concerned because he's never won a playoff series? It's not like he's been to the playoffs a dozen times and never gotten out of the first round.

They were embarrassed in the playoffs last year.

Langenbrunner: Amazing season and leadership

Rolston: Recovering from a high ankle sprain is super hard and lengthy. Non factor in my book

Holik: I am excited to see what he can do in the playoffs.

Clemmer: What else can u say. I hope he gets a good deal from another team in the off-season... he def Deserves it.

Pandolfo: Jesus man, I have a decent snap shot, how come you dont.

Gionta: Take steriods please. Better yet, HGH

This late season melt down is second season in a row they are going to limp into the playoffs after losing vital conference positioning. Sutter has yet to win a playoff series as a head coach in the NHL. That bothers me.

There seems to be trend on this board over the last two years, when things are going well give Sutter credit; when things are going poorly, blame a "AHL defense", Gionta, Rolston, Holik, White or any other whipping boy of the moment.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, both offensively and defensively. Far more than even our own fans give credit for --

When I see the special teams breakdowns and the emotionless play, I'm looking at the coaching first and the veterans second.

This isn't new, this isn't just the last 10 games. This has been happening all year. There have been games where the Devils just don't show up throughout the entire year. Three 4-0 losses to Atlanta, Florida and the Islanders. A 3-0 loss to the Rangers, 6-1 loss to the Penguins and 4-1 to the Leafs. Those games span over January, February, March and April --

This team has simply not shown up to many times this season. It is alarming.
:facepalm:

This late season melt down is second season in a row they are going to limp into the playoffs after losing vital conference positioning. Sutter has yet to win a playoff series as a head coach in the NHL. That bothers me.

There seems to be trend on this board over the last two years, when things are going well give Sutter credit; when things are going poorly, blame a "AHL defense", Gionta, Rolston, Holik, White or any other whipping boy of the moment.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, both offensively and defensively. Far more than even our own fans give credit for --

When I see the special teams breakdowns and the emotionless play, I'm looking at the coaching first and the veterans second.

This isn't new, this isn't just the last 10 games. This has been happening all year. There have been games where the Devils just don't show up throughout the entire year. Three 4-0 losses to Atlanta, Florida and the Islanders. A 3-0 loss to the Rangers, 6-1 loss to the Penguins and 4-1 to the Leafs. Those games span over January, February, March and April --

This team has simply not shown up to many times this season. It is alarming.

The Red Wings got beat 8-0 by Nashville, 8-2 by Columbus and 6-3 by Phoenix and those games span over January, February and March. I guess they shouldn't bother showing up to the playoffs. Get rid of Nick Lidstrom as Captain because he's clearly let the team down and fire Mike Babcock while you're at it.

We were totally awesome this season. That is all.

More to the point of this thread....

Parise: Most of us figured Parise would lead the team in scoring again, but I'd have thought you were insane if you told me he'd be in the top five in the league at season's end. 44 goals, 49 assists, 30 points on the power play. A heck of a season from the kid, hope he can do that ten more times or so.

This late season melt down is second season in a row they are going to limp into the playoffs after losing vital conference positioning. Sutter has yet to win a playoff series as a head coach in the NHL. That bothers me.

There seems to be trend on this board over the last two years, when things are going well give Sutter credit; when things are going poorly, blame a "AHL defense", Gionta, Rolston, Holik, White or any other whipping boy of the moment.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, both offensively and defensively. Far more than even our own fans give credit for --

When I see the special teams breakdowns and the emotionless play, I'm looking at the coaching first and the veterans second.

This isn't new, this isn't just the last 10 games. This has been happening all year. There have been games where the Devils just don't show up throughout the entire year. Three 4-0 losses to Atlanta, Florida and the Islanders. A 3-0 loss to the Rangers, 6-1 loss to the Penguins and 4-1 to the Leafs. Those games span over January, February, March and April --

This team has simply not shown up to many times this season. It is alarming.

Can you show me threads/posts that give Sutter more credit than the players?
And can you give me another coach you'd want that would have a better playoff record than Sutter at this point.

I don't think any coach was winning a round with that group last season.

The Red Wings got beat 8-0 by Nashville, 8-2 by Columbus and 6-3 by Phoenix and those games span over January, February and March. I guess they shouldn't bother showing up to the playoffs. Get rid of Nick Lidstrom as Captain because he's clearly let the team down and fire Mike Babcock while you're at it.

Awesome post.

Well, I think there is one really good thing this year...

We all learned that when the time comes, the team is more then any single player.

Quick notes:

Mike Mottau played so well this year I really hope he's a Devil for life at this point. David Clarkson has stopped falling as much, and fighting much smarter - I've enjoyed him a lot this year. Mike Rupp has had some stick handling plays that are amazing. Brian Gionta has become the smallest effective PK'er ever I think. Paul Martin has been 100% the anchor of this D. Langenbrunner has been a very effective captain.

Clemmer should get the Masterson or whatever trophy it is for preservation in hockey. Instead of becoming a backup again, he seized an opportunity to play and while the team bailed him out, he made some decent saves too. He has been amazing to the media and each and every fan who talks to him after games as well.

Sutter deserves the Jack Adams, even this little late season melt down. 50 wins for the first time in the organizations history even with Broduer being hurt, among all the other injuries and 'no-name' defense all in his second NHL season as coach.

Hellz Yes.

They were embarrassed in the playoffs last year.

That team woulda been embarrassed last year with Bowman as the coach. It wouldn't have mattered.

Coaching A-
Offense B-(I'm being nice)
Defense B-
Goaltending: B

Mottau should win the most improved player award.

Coaching: A
Offense: A-
Defense: B- before deadline, C after deadline
Goaltending: B+
Special Teams: D

Pretty much everyone except Pandolfo, Holik, Oduya and Salvador exceeded my expectations this year. Coaching I'm still on the fence. Two straight late season collapses and a horrible penalty kill.

Great Improvement:
Parise
Zajac
Langenbrunner
Elias
Mottau
White
Clarkson

Meh:
Holik(Don't really care, my judgement of him is really during the playoffs)
Pandolfo
Madden
Salvador
Greene