it is always nice to get those veteran players in with one year deals to try and provide some depth and help you win games.
Yeah I don't like the whole "tanking" for the first overall pick. I simmed the first season, got the sixth pick and drafted a great player, but my plans are to compete and improve every year, while still drafting quality players, and climb up the ladder in the NHL.
Newark, NJ- As September 1st looms, every team sees to have all their moves done and over with and are preparing for the season. But for the New Jersey Devils, there was one more thing to be taken care of. The future of the goaltending after the Brodeur era. The Devils have had a competitive team for quite some time now, and a lot of the team's success can be credited to Martin Brodeur. But Lou Lamoriello knows that everything comes to an end eventually, and this year may be the sure Hall of Famer's last.
This knowledge lead Lou on a wild goose chase trying to find a young goaltender. He eventually found his trading partner with the Maple Leafs. Brian Burke was open to moving a goaltender after seeing the rise of Jonas Gustavsson last season, and as well he drafted Niklas Treutle this year, and signed a free agent goaltender Dylan Tait this offseason. All this combined to make James Reimer a feasible venture, and Lamoriello seized the opportunity to bring in Team Canada's World Championship Goalie.
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G Jeff Frazee 74 OVR B-/B-/C POT (unsigned, refused qualifying offer)
2012 Second Round Pick (NJ)
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G James Reimer 79 OVR B-/B/B- POT @ $0.595M
2012 Sixth Round Pick (TOR)
While Reimer may not be the best goaltender prospect out there, he is starting to gain reputation and is taking big leaps and bounds in his development. He is certainly the most NHL ready prospect, considering he could play this year if the spot was vacant. Lamoriello stated the plan is to have Auld backing up Brodeur, so that Reimer can have full starting responsibility in the American League and continue to grow. With a 38-25-0 record last season, a 2.35 GAA and a 93.2% Save Percentage (Playing in AHL), Reimer is showing he is a solid puck stopper and still has room to grow.
Standings: 5th in Eastern Conference, 3rd in Atlantic Division
The Devils hit the ground running in the 2011-2012 season. They started the season on a five game winning streak, before losing on the road to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since then they have rebounded nicely and are holding onto 5th place in the East, good for a playoff spot, but the season is young yet. Right now New Jersey is playing perhaps their most complete game since the '03 cup run.
The style of play thus far has been trap and wait, take advantage of turnovers and mistakes by the opponent. And thus far, this has been a deadly philosophy, as players like Kovalev, Kovalchuk, Parise and the lot make no mistake when converting an odd man rush. Not only are those three players dangerous offensive weapons, but it appears they are buying into the defensive system, and it is paying dividends for the Devils. Another shocking stat that has had a huge role for the devils is their powerplay, they are running at 40% right now. Next best is Tampa at 36.5%, so nearly 5% better are the Devils. This great powerplay has been run by Andy Greene, who is tied for second on the team with points (10). His PP quarterbacking skills have shone through for sure. TSN Reporters say this is one of the best powerplays they have seen in a few seasons, with Greene and Kovalchuk manning the point, Parise and Kovalev setting up on the wings, and Holmstrom playing center and creating traffic in front of the net. A very deadly set up that has been a difference maker in games for the Devils so far.
While we are talking about Kovalev, he is actually having a tremendous rebound season, as he actually leads the team with 11 points this year, and most of them coming on the powerplay. Kovalev's success can be credited to linemates Elias and Steckel sure, but he himself is also stepping up his play and making smart moves out on the ice. His magical hands have lit the lamp this season and if the Devils are going to continue this run, Kovalev is going to be a big part of it.
Goaltending has been rock solid as Brodeur has kept his GAA under 3 and his SV% over 90%. He doesn't seem to be showing signs of age as he is robbing snipers all around the league. Auld is expected to make an appearance sometime soon to try and give Brodeur a rest, but he has been playing well thus far.
Perhaps the ''Rebuild'' is shorter than Lamoriello and Co. came to expect, as long as the special teams and defensive scheme continue to click, this team looks primed to make a playoff run. But let's not count our chickens before they hatch, it is only the first month of hockey, and there is still alot of playing to go.
Standings: 8th in Eastern Conference, 4th in Atlantic Division
New Jersey Devils Stats - 2011-12
Skaters
GP
G
A
PTS
+/-
GW
PIM
SOG
SPCT
T. Zajac
26
8
23
31
2
0
4
I. Kovalchuk
26
15
15
30
5
1
2
Z. Parise
26
11
16
27
3
0
0
A. Greene
26
4
14
18
3
1
4
A. Kovalev
26
5
10
15
4
0
18
B. Salvador
26
3
11
14
1
1
43
P. Elias
26
4
10
14
2
0
6
D. Zubrus
26
6
8
14
2
1
6
C. White
26
1
11
12
0
0
26
D. Clarkson
26
6
6
12
5
0
51
T. Holmstrom
26
6
4
10
-8
0
15
H. Tallinder
26
2
6
8
0
0
6
V. Zharkov
25
2
5
7
-1
0
6
D. Steckel
26
3
4
7
-1
0
18
A. Volchenkov
26
1
2
3
3
0
12
P. Leblond
26
2
1
3
-6
0
55
A. Mair
26
2
1
3
-8
0
28
R. Davison
24
1
2
3
-6
0
51
R. Pelley
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
A. Salmela
2
0
0
0
-2
0
0
Goalies
GP
W
L
T
GAA
TOI
SV
SV%
SHO
M. Brodeur
24
12
12
0
3.10
1450
760
90.1%
2
A. Auld
2
1
1
0
3.86
140
87
89.7%
0
The Devils stumbled through November, hosting a sub .500 record and not looking so good in the process. All the things that made the Devils hot to start the year have taken a serious U-turn in this second month of hockey. For one, the once unstoppable powerplay has recently dipped from 40% conversion rate down to 23% over just 13 games. As well, secondary scoring is starting to fade as Kovalev and Holmstrom are falling back and showing signs of age. Kovalev especially has not showcased his offensive prowess and only shown that he has trouble keeping up with the game in its current state.
Not to mention that team leader Martin Brodeur's GAA has spiked upward and is now north of 3.00. While not every goal has been his fault - there has been a ton of defensive gaffes - he has still let in a lot of weak shots that maybe last season he would have been saving. He is not showing that dominant play that the Devils and the rest of the league expects from him.
When the Devils were winning we said not to count our chickens before they hatch, well likewise for a slump like this, teams can pull out and sometimes a rut like this can actually make a team stronger and better going forward. So all hope is not lost, especially since the top line has started to kick it into gear. Kovalchuk leads the team with 15 goals, Zajac leads with 31 points, and Parise is not far behind with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. These three seemed to be invisible during October, and many wondered if they would ever find their mojo, well it appears as though they have. If the top line continues to tear it up, it will be up to the rest of the team to help chip in.
While the defense has not been absolutely astonishing, it has been fairly solid to say the least. Andy Greene is truly beginning to come into his own, and Volchenkov is still flattening opposing forwards out like pancakes. The pairing of White and Salvador have been decent, but Rob Davison on the third pairing has been just a mess. He has only three points on the year, a -6 rating, and 51 PIMS. His ice time has been steadily decreasing and for good reason, he needs to pick it up.
Rumors of bringing in a number two centerman began to loom after Zubrus' play began to be mediocre, but Lamoriello was quick to shoot that down and insisted he is confident with the group he has going forward. The Devils have a tough schedule ahead, playing 14 games in the next 4 weeks, 10 of which are road games.
05-22-2011, 11:18 PM
