I think this week's post should've been titled "Devils Downs" because the team was pretty terrible this week.
Biggest Gains: Johan Hedberg
He did what he had to do in Friday's game: stop pucks. He got his 2nd shutout of the season that night, and bailed out the team and it's sloppy defensive play.
Biggest Losses: Adam Oates
Please, fire this man. Some of the team's problems can be blamed on the lackadaisical 3rd periods and the team sitting on leads, but the power play has been downright atrocious. The team's giving up shorthanded goals left and right and the power play can barely produce. Plus it's not like there's no one available for the team to hire as an assistant. Noted power play expert Guy Carbonneau doesn't have a coaching job. However, Bruce Boudreau was fired yesterday, he could make an excellent replacement for Oates, although seeing as he's still under contract with the Capitals, the Devils will have to ask for permission. If the Devils do land Boudreau, that would be a huge addition to the coaching staff and a massive upgrade over Oates.
If the team wants to be a playoff team, Oates has to go.
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Martin Brodeur |
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Hey, apparently Martin Brodeur's 39 or something. I could've sworn he was 29. He's making highlight reel saves left and right, but unfortunately the team isn't showing up |
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Johan Hedberg |
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See: Biggest Gains |
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Defense |
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Again, not so great on the defensive side of the puck, but his lack of offensive production in November (2 points in last 10 GP) is pretty alarming. |
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Might play if Andy Greene isn't playing tomorrow vs the Avalanche |
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Andy Greene |
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Did not practise Monday, although his defensive play has been pretty suspect too. |
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Hasn't been playing excellent defense, but is currently on a 5 game point streak (1 G, 4 A). Needs to be smarter with the puck. |
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Hasn't been noticeably bad, but could consider cutting down on the penalties |
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Hasn't been noticeably bad or noticeably good. |
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Recalled for the Northwestern road trip. Could potentially see some ice time if DeBoer chooses to bench a defenseman for terrible play (which I hope he does) |
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Has provided decent defense for the team this week. Somehow continues to not get significant ice time. His presence was definitely missed last Monday. |
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Forwards |
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Is traveling with the team, could play Wednesday. Boulton is a significant upgrade from Sestito or Janssen because he has some hockey skills |
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Really, I can't blame Carter for his lack of production. Considering he had ice time with Sestito that did hurt his production |
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A lot of the same applies to Clarkson as it does to Carter. Those two can't carry a line with a plug on it. |
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For the first time this season Elias has been held off the scoresheet in back to back games. |
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Finally scored a goal after going several games without one. Continues to be doing a decent job of centering the top line. |
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I'll give him props for continuing to get ice time despite bringing nothing positive to the table. |
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Still out until February, no new updates. The Center depth on the team (Zajac, Elias, Henrique, Carter, even Mills) does suggest he's more likely to move to the wing. |
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He's showing emotion, and called out the refs for being complete and utter trash. It does make up somewhat for a terrible turnover which ended up costing the Devils a game. |
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Brad Mills |
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Was scratched Saturday and might have been because he's dealing with bumps and bruises. |
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He got jobbed out of a goal. |
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Scratched in the last 3 games. |
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I've seen dead batteries provide more energy than Sestito. |
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Scored the game winner on Friday. Continues to provide cheap offense. |
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Looks awesome at times, then looks Meh at times. Plus he's getting demoted to the 4th line in favour of a plug, that's not great. |
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Skating but will not join the team on the road trip. |
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Scored a goal on Wednesday which was one of the team's four regulation goals this week. Tied for 2nd on the team with 7 goals |
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