When will Lou get it together?

I am getting a stong sense that New Jersey is closing in on a deal for Kovalchuk. They are said to be one of the front runners. They would likely deal Paul Martin (UFA at end of season) a David Clarkson and Vladimir Zharkov and a 1st or 2nd rounder for THIS years draft. I am getting the sense that the Atlanta Thrashers want the Kovy replacement(s) as soon as possible. No more waiting for success…

Take a team like the Maple Leafs, not a contender, but they trade half there [sic] team away and make major improvements.

One win does not mean “major improvements”. Keep in mind several factors concerning the sweeping change:

• They are a team that is -45 in goal differential, and this change just removed 39% of their scoring output for the season thus far
• They haven’t made the playoffs since 03-04 in, arguably, the most intensely scrutinized hockey market in the world and their new GM is on a perennial hot seat, and he used this trade to dump some albatross contracts
• There isn’t a team anyone can name in the history of ever that made such sweeping changes that went on to win what matters most due to those changes, and even if they could, Toronto is so far in the crapper this season there’s only one way for the team to go at this point… and they still won’t make the playoffs

But Lou is Lou, will wait until the March deadline and trade a couple nobodys for a bigger nobody that will not fill the void!

You saw this in your crystal ball, did you?

hey Lou, Marty won’t be around forever, the time is now!

Are you suggesting that this team will only ever win with Brodeur? Or that Lou should mortgage the future just to hope to fit another Cup through the closing window of Marty’s career? Hogwash.

So, the Devils already missed out on the second coming of Scott Stevens in Phanuff [sic]

Wrong wrong wrong. Just because a guy lays big hits doesn’t mean he’s like Stevens in any capacity, except that they both are known to lay big hits. Phaneuf is an overpaid locker room cancer whose attitude and inconsistent play got him traded. Not at all like Stevens.

Dean McCamond is good, but he is not the answer when Elias comes back. Zajac for line 1 definitley, Zubrus for line 3, Niedermeyer for line 4.

Depth at Center is definitely a weakness of the team, but the return of Elias addresses certain satellite issues that make that weakness less of a weakness. The team could use a good 2nd line Center, but I find it odd that you’re willing to keep Niedermayer when you feel “You cannot match lines in todays NHL like you used, which makes players like Jay obsolete.” Niedermayer is precisely a checking Center.

Also, I disagree about the line matching. Every forward should be able to backcheck adequately, yes, but on the flip side, you want your scoring threat forwards in the offensive zone, not backchecking and puck chasing in the defensive end.

I think we can all agree that when Paul Martin comes back, Mottau is the odd man out.

We can hope, but our agreement bears little relevance on the decision.

Bottom line, the Devils need to acquire a big defenseman, another sniper, and a quality play making center.

Since it’s just that simple, who are the players on the market the Devils should acquire? Who should they trade to fit these players into the salary cap? Are these rental players or keepers?

A couple of things. There is a difference between Toronto’s circumstances and the Devils. Toronto COULDN"T wait any longer based upon their sub-par performance not only this year, but for several years now. Their hand has been forced. Who knows how well this trade will actually play out, anyway? Only time will tell.

The Devils are in a different boat. They have proven this year that their lineup is worthy of contention. Unlike Toronto, they have established a winning record and have done so without key players. The balance of this team will change when Clarkson, Elias and Martin return. Their hand is much stronger than Torontos, and the need to make a move immediately is not necessary.

Why does Lou wait? Because he isn’t willing to compromise the future of this team (youth) in exchange for overpaid veterans. This is how the Devils avoid complete rebuilding seasons. They instill youth into an established club and let them thrive under pressure. Players like Bergfors, Zharkov, Corrente, Eckford, Fraser…they are all high reward, low risk players. Their salaries are minimal at this point in their career. Yet they all have potential to contribute significantly to the team based on their professional performances. This is why Lou’s patience pays off.

He will be a pure joy to watch over the coming months. However, it would be a even bigger joy to watch him over the coming years in a Jersey Devils sweater.