Jelly Jars are the New Garbage Cans; Lamoriello Goes on Post-Game Tirade

The Newark Star-Ledger's Steve Politi reports of a tirade Devils GM Lou Lamoriello had directed at the coaching staff after Game 4, emphasized when the longtime Devils head-man tossed a jelly jar from the post-game spread at the wall.

You've got to think that either something has to change, or the coaches, not the players, will suffer the consequences.

about 2 years ago Steve Lepore 32 comments 0 recs |

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Surely some people were woken up by this

Namely Kovalchuk, Clarkson, Niedermayer, McAmmond, Mottau, and Martin (guess what all of them have in common)

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Apr 21, 2010 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

I’m not certain…but I feel that if the Devils are another one-and-done, it’s time to yank JL…

by Marty 4 Prez on Apr 21, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

The only ones I really want back here next year are Martin and Clarkson. Maybe their unimpressive playoffs will help us get them cheaper.

by C.J. Richey on Apr 21, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Let the kids play. That’s what I say.

You're Next!

by thatguy011071 on Apr 22, 2010 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions

they are all free agents? not sure if I’d make martin a must to resign, espesially after not playing the whole year, he would have to sign for something very meager. Id make a respectable offer to Kovy in case he really likes things in Jersey and has the mind to stay (another X factor is NY/NJ has largest Russian population by far in the country). But the only “fun” thing that will come if we are out in the first round is to see what Lou does in the off season because this story indicates that he will likely look to reconstitute the team entirely and bring it in a new direction. My view stands: marty, elias, parise, and zajac are the only CORE that should be kept, everyone can be moved and many should be moved to change the chemistry of the team.

by max16s on Apr 21, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

But what will a coaching change realistically accomplish? In the 5 playoffs between the last Cup and this season, they’ve gone out meekly in the first round twice (‘04 and ’08), gone out meekly in the second round twice (’06 and ‘07), and fell apart in the last 90 seconds last year. There have been multiple coaches in that span, yet the results haven’t been significantly different. It seems like there’s something else going on here.

But if there is a coaching change, maybe they need to bring in someone to kick tail and take names, someone out of the Ken Hitchcock mold…

by HockeyWeasel on Apr 21, 2010 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Well, two of those coaching changes were forced. Pat Burns had to step down due to cancer and Brent Sutter quit out his contract in the summer of 2009.

But I agree. I don’t think a new coach is going to make the Devils fix their character issues.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Apr 21, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

thats why there needs to be a massive overhaul in the players on the ice. I hope we only have half of the starters that were on this team on next years squad at most. as for Sutter, I know he quit, but I think Lou already had in mind to fire him somewhere during the season if things werent going perfectly. sutter may have been a smart hockey guy, but he was so depressing behind the bench and in press conferences. does anyone remember those press conferences after a loss in the playoffs?? he would have his head down and his hand pressed against his head like he had a blistering headache or just woke up with a hang over lol. it was actually hilarious.

by max16s on Apr 21, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope we only have half of the starters that were on this team on next years squad at most.

You’re hopes have been dashed. Devils have 15 players up on the NJ roster under contract for next year.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Apr 21, 2010 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Calling for a massive overhaul may be a little bit of an overreaction.

by elesias on Apr 21, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info John, when this is all said and done (and we still hope it wont be for a long while) I know you post the players on the roster and what year we have them signed through. I have lost track of each players contract as the years go by. For example I thought we only had Rolston through this year but someone mentioned we have him locked in for two more years. Anyway, looks like we are going to have trouble making this a different team for next year with all these contracts holding us back. Do we need a year when we let the youth play and put our playoff streak up for grabs? I dont know, as your elesias, I kind of disagree. For three years we have had the same core, all (excepting parise and zajac) now aging and past their prime.

by max16s on Apr 21, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a good site for contract info.

by elesias on Apr 21, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

excellent, thanks.

by max16s on Apr 21, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

But these are all things we can discuss AFTER the playoffs have ended for NJ. Rather, these are things I’m only going to go into depth AFTER the playoffs.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Apr 21, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Yesss, its so hard not to speculate with this story about Lou’s outrage, but if we can somehow play our best game tomorrow (which we havent yet played) we can put the pressure back philly to win at home. This is still possible. I hope the crowd at the game tomorrow is very enthused and doesnt boo the lackluster performance in philly but just looks forward and supports the team.

by max16s on Apr 21, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Look Out For Lou!

ITs about time. Im glad the man is fianlly getting pissed. He felt he had a fourth cup coming, then why not get this angry after game 3? Why wait for game 4? Lou I stand by the pharse this site is named after. “In you we trust” Get this team Pumped!

by Devilman3030 on Apr 21, 2010 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

Truth be told, Game 3 was, well, close. Game 4 was a failure after all of the public words of “We need to be desperate;” “the game will say a lot about who we are;” etc.

Had Game 4 gone, well, the opposite of what it was, then no problem. No need to break some jam.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Apr 21, 2010 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand that game 4 was a greater faulure than game 3. However, it seem to me he should have been getting in every ones face after game 3. I say better off putting the fear of god in them early then when its do or die

by Devilman3030 on Apr 22, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m still half expecting him to be in suit and tie behind the bench tonight? Is that allowed is he names himself like “Special We can’t Crap the Bed Again Assistant to the Assistant Coach?”

by Murdoc on Apr 22, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow

At first, I’m glad someone in the Devil’s organization is getting pissed off like we are here.

Looking at it again, wow. I’m without words.

Just, wow.

Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

When there's a WILL there's a WAY

by Willgfass on Apr 21, 2010 11:58 PM EDT reply actions

No matter what happens, having a mastermind like Lou is something I wish we had.
I have been jealous of him and his remarkable talents for years.
Always wishing my team had him, adjusting, and making the correct amount of moves year after year after year.
Every preseason talking-heads and “experts” overlook his moves and underestimate the devils, and every year you guys prove them all wrong.
No matter what happens next, you, the fans can feel more secure that the same mistakes wont happen again next season.
New mistakes might occur, and your boys might fall short of the goal,… but they are not the same mistakes!!
This observation comes from a very passionate fan of a team that repeats its mistakes over and over each and every off season.

by Prometheus74 on Apr 22, 2010 12:32 AM EDT reply actions

The single most important one question I want and need to know...

What kind of jelly was it? (Maybe it was jam? or preserves? couldn’t be marmalade, right?)

Anyway, this is good news. This stood out the most in the article:

Lamoriello had built this team with a fourth Stanley Cup championship in mind, not an unthinkable third straight exit in the first round.

I’m glad the coaches got this. Either they failed to acknowledge certain adjustments are did not push the importance of these to the team. This will certainly fall down the stream to players though. Go get ’em boys…or else

by Matthew Ventolo on Apr 22, 2010 1:09 AM EDT reply actions

At least someone on the team is angry. Go Lou.

You're Next!

by thatguy011071 on Apr 22, 2010 5:45 AM EDT reply actions

In Goo We Trust??

Could this be symbolic of Larry’s trash can? I doubt it. You have a man who has done all in his power to make this team a contender for the championship year after year- and this year he brings in the most offensive weapon the league has seen in the past ten years.
I hope this ‘visit’ from Lou is what the team needed. Its past the time to wake up. Its do or die. When he is not pleased with results he has always made it clear to those responsible. Every time Lou’s done this in the past his message has gotten through to team – lets hope it sinks in real quickly for A Win Tonight. A Win on Sunday. A Win on Tuesday. – Each Win: One at a Time – Right Jamie?

by Leather Face on Apr 22, 2010 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

it would be truly symbolic if...

… the smashed jelly was orange marmalade.

About Jamie, step up cappy. Shame on you–getting pissed about being given a day off, before the playoffs, then the playoffs come and you are invisible. Captain America, where have you gone?

Don't mess with the Devils, buddy. We're number one, we beat anybody! We're the Devils! The Devils!! Aaaaaa!!

by Devil_Hard_Core on Apr 22, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Don't forget to look in the mirror, too, Lou

I don’t agree with the statement above, at least not recently. Lou has left this team with a mediocre defense for several years now, and done very little to address that.
We fail in the playoffs every year because our blueliners are simply not good enough to get key stops and win a series. Lou has to take the blame for the shortcomings of the roster. He’s had years to fix this problem.

That being said, I am glad he showed some fire and hope these players respond. I only hope it’s not too late.

by You're Next on Apr 22, 2010 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry! forgot to include the comment…which was that Lou has done everything in his power to make the team a championship contender.

by You're Next on Apr 22, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree to an extent

Holding on to Neidermayer and Rafalski probably would have advanced us past the quarterfinals in previous cup runs. Each have put up equivalent or higher numbers in points than their work and years in New Jersey. Lets face it, that could’ve been a tandem doing the same work 3 and 4 did in their championship contributions. I would love to still have them on this team. As we all know Lou has a “whats best for the team” mentality in his decision makings. Referring to the sending of Sykora to Anaheim that year, so that line did not become the sole focus of the team.

Rafalski didn’t appreciate NJ. He didn’t like playing in front of a weak home crowd. Made all sense for his move to Detroit being a native of Michigan.

Neidermayer on the other hand, well he enjoyed playing on a winning team – if the price was right. Lets not forget his hold out episode in 1998.

I agree with the need for a solid blue liner – we haven’t had one since the departure of these two. Lou makes his decisions for reasons. Always causes me to wonder but there are reasons behind them.

Lets just be glad we don’t have Wade Redden.

by Leather Face on Apr 22, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

You really think that?

Really?

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Apr 22, 2010 11:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Isn’t this the 5th Jennings won by Brodeur? And he’s the first guy to tell you that the credit belongs to the skill of his D and the team’s commitment ot defensive hockey.

Having an unheralded defense, or one that lacks the national attention certainly does not mean it’s mediocre.

I doubt there’s another team in this league that could lose their premier D-man for 50 games and still win the division. The fact there were guys in the system that could step into his role for so long, and do it so well and share the load that he left is testament to the depth and skill of the Devil’s D and management’s dedication to defense-first hockey.

by Murdoc on Apr 22, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Lack of Scoring?

Sure, blame the defense and Lou for that matter.

When you have players like Parise, Kovalchuk, Elias, Rolston, Zajac, Zubrus, Langenbrunner…You should be putting up 3 goals/game. Like Murdoc said, the Jennings trophy (and Marty’s Vezina nomination), is a team effort. Lou has done everything in his power to put the best group of guys he can on the ice, especially this season. Sorry, sir/madam, but you are insane.

by Matthew Ventolo on Apr 22, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Should be 3 goals a game and actually doing so is a different story.

IMOP what they have been lacking is that 2nd line threat. I thought they had it with Kovalchuk and maybe they do and its just been poor luck right now.

The last game they stunk it up but overall I think it looks worse then what it has been. It could easily be 3 to 1 Devils. The flyers have not dominated.

by NJDOhio on Apr 22, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions