[Back Of The Net]

Originally Posted by Backstrom Backer

Hell No, I would have thought the Caps were much improved. Right now they are in the cellar of the division.

I thought they'd be much better as well, but it is still early. Last year they played well the first 2 months and than collapsed, maybe the opposite this year?

[canadiancreed]

Ottawaa is exactly what I expected them to be, and still doing those random games where they seem to have left their talent somewhere else (last nights game against the leafs is a textbook example)

Montreal? Huge surprise! I've been a fan for a very long time and I didn't expect them to be above 7th much less the best non-division leading teams in the league. Definitely sweetness.

[Bless_D_Mess]

Originally Posted by halifas

Then I guess it musthave been only when he was playing the Devils. But he was brought in partially for his shot from the blueline for the powerplay.

Rachunek is a decent puck handler. Kind of a poor man's Zubov. But I don't remember him with a good point shot either.

Most Ranger fans weren't heartbroken to see him go. It's funny to see the difference in the reaction to Rachunek going to the devils and the Ranger's signing Gomez.

[MadDevil]

Considering the changes the Devils went through in the offseason, I thought there would be a transition period early on, and that they might struggle a bit. I figured going into the season that they'd hang around .500 the first 20-30 games until things started to come together. They're 8-10-2 and through 20 games, so it's not far off. I thought they'd have a couple more wins, but that's about it.

Pros:

*Zach Parise - he's been the Devils MVP so far this season. Leads the team in scoring, his energy and work ethic are amazing.
*Jay Pandolfo/John Madden - who would have thought these two would lead the Devils in goal scoring? They scored a combined 25 goals last year, they already have 13 so far this year.
*Jamie Langenbrunner - he's only been back for 2 games and he's already given the team a shot in the arm.
*Marty Brodeur - his record is deceiving, mostly because the Devils don't usually give him much goal support. He's looked much more like the old Marty lately.
*Paul Martin - considering the role he's being asked to play, I think he's done a good job playing #1 minutes. Unfortunately he's missed the last couple games with injury.

Cons:

*The offense - to say they've been inconsistent would be putting it lightly. Interesting stat brought up against the Flyers, the Devils are 8-0-1 when scoring 3+ goals, and 0-10-1 when scoring 2 goals or less.
*Patrik Elias - he's looked much better lately, but still wildly inconsistent for being the team's highest paid player. Hopefully this recent stretch of good play is a sign of him turning the corner and getting back his old form.
*Brian Gionta - like Elias he's looked good at times, but still needs to score some more goals.
*Special teams - 29th in the league on the PP, and 27th on the PK. The latter is very un-Devil-like, and it needs to change the rest of the season.

As for the new additions to the team, I think they've all been pretty solid so far. Zubrus is starting to find his scoring touch, Rachunek is moving the puck well (although he still makes too many mistakes), Vishnevski has been okay, Asham has been great, and Weekes has given the Devils some solid backup goaltending with Marty getting off to the worst start of his career. None of them have looked utterly horrible, which is an upgrade over some of the Devils more recent UFA moves.

I don't really know what to say about the rest of the season. If the offense can find some consistency, and guys like Elias and Gionta get going, I think the Devils can still easily make the playoffs. The defense, which right now is probably about AHL caliber, is a big question mark. Greene has played very admirably for a second year player who has basically become the Devils #1 defenseman with Martin out. But you can only ask so much from guys like Greene, Rachunek, Vishnevski, Oduya, Mottau, and Brookbank...and yes that is currently the Devils defense.

This whole season is a transition season, so my expectations of the Devils have changed. I realize what Lou is trying to do by bringing in a guy like Sutter to change things up, and I know that kind of change isn't going to come quickly or easily. Basically I look at this as a "feeling out" process for Sutter and the players. It's Sutter's first year coaching in the NHL, and he's being asked to change up a system that has brought a lot of success to an organization that expects to win. And the players are being asked to buy into a new system. There are going to be ups and downs along the way, so I wouln't be surprised by the Devils winning the division, fighting to make the playoffs, or missing them entirely.

[J0e Th0rnton]

Another thing I almost forgot. If Josh Gorges doesn't score at least 20 NHL points in a single season by the end of this season, Flyerfan2 has to wear a Joe Thornton Avatar for 3 months

So far, its progressing as I expected

[Chris_1968]

Originally Posted by J0e Th0rnton

Another thing I almost forgot. If Josh Gorges doesn't score at least 20 NHL points in a single season by the end of this season, Flyerfan2 has to wear a Joe Thornton Avatar for 3 months

So far, its progressing as I expected

Thats not so bad. A sharks avatar be better.

[Æn7ropy]

Guess I'll make an assesment like you guys :P

alright let's see.

Team; Le Club de Hockey Canadien

aka; Les Canadiens, Le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, La Sainte-Flanelle, Le Tricolore, Les Glorieux, Les Habitants and Le Grand Club.

Alright let's start by the classic overall Dimensions

Offense; Spread out efficiently. When the first doesn't score the second will and the 3 and 4th might even step in and surprise the oppositions.

DefenseDon't ever question the Hab's scouts be it for draft or trade. I remember everyone dissing Hamerlik (even though no one ever really seen him play as he played out west) and the habs for signing him for so long. I love him he's such a defensively responsible player. And then you have the monster flower teddy bear Komisarek that is just amazing in every aspects. Then of course you have probly one of the best D-men out of Russia and Briseboi's successful come back. Bouillon Streit and Georges fill out the remaining spots very well.

In the net In '05 everyone was in awe of Theodore and were pissed at Gainey for drafting Price, before that so many people were steaming for teh Garon trade. We ended up with Huet an hidden jewel that earned the number one spot and is the best partner for Price's development. It's only up for now. And we have Halak in the AHL who could go for a neat-O trade.

Alright I'll cover some Key players now

Kovalev; on pace for a season of over 40 goals, much to the dislike of some french separatists in Kuebec that is dead set on trading half the roster for Lecavalier, AK27 is playing with passion heart and.. teamwork, at times his teammates aren't ready for the pass. And I'm happy it's not because of a Contract year thing, guess he's playing for the crest.

Koivu; No matter how much french canadien media hates him he is loved by all fans and teammates and will be considered one of the great habs. He was accused by French media (that barely speaks english while saku speaks nearly 4) of notspeaking french but Saku replied he does to his wife in bed with a wink or to children because it's easier with them then the media.

Grit; While not the biggest team the habs are part of the small NHL revolution of where every player will step up against opposition, even saku. They never give up and answer well to disaster (game against buffalo) and comes back with a dominant win the next day.

Coaching; while the coaching crew is rather inexperienced they do make mistakes but never the same one twice and learning fast and care about the team.


Bottom line is they're an awesome team to be a fan of this year

[LightningGal]

As much as I would like to say no, that the Lightning should have a better record, I can't. They are exactly where they should be based on their players. .

[Æn7ropy]

Originally Posted by LightningGal

As much as I would like to say no, that the Lightning should have a better record, I can't. They are exactly where they should be based on their players. .

By players you mean defense and goalies right? hehe

I think TB up front is good, maybe could work on the plumbers (3rd and 4th liners)

They just need some good scouting and in 2 or 3 years I can easily see them contending for conference finals.

[J0e Th0rnton]

The new point system throws everything out of whack. All the teams are running within points of each other in both conferences except for the bottom feeders.

I miss the old "tie"