Vote on our new Devil Poll

Not long ago, the Devils were a laughingstock having won only 10 of their first 41 games. Now, they've won 18 of 22 (18-2-2) climbing within new NHL .500. They still trail the stumbling Rangers by 10 points for the final playoff spot with 19 games remaining. With Carolina defeating the Sabres in one of those dreaded three-point games, the Hurricanes passed the Rangers for seventh with 71 points while Buffalo climbed to 68. The Devils sit 12th and must still quantum leap the slumping Thrashers and sizzling Maple Leafs, who posted a 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers last night to reach 67.

Three of the competing clubs are in action later tonight with the Devils taking on the Penguins while the Rangers visit Ottawa and Carolina tries to cool off Chicago. New Jersey has extra games left, which could allow them to get even closer as the frantic race reaches its final month. They're the subject of our new poll. One we hope you'll vote on. On such an amazing run with the fitting slogan One Game At A Time, who's most responsible for the turnaround? Is it Jacques Lemaire or Ilya Kovalchuk? Perhaps it's Johan Hedberg or even Team MVP Dainius Zubrus. What about the resurgent Brian Rolston, who once again is performing under his favorite coach? Or perhaps it's overlooked rookie Mark Fayne, whose steady D and offensive contributions have made a difference. What about franchise all-time scoring leader Patrik Elias, who's been a model of consistency? Or just maybe it's former captain Jamie Langenbrunner, whose extinction coincided with this run from nowhere. :P

I wonder what our resident Jersey blogger Hasan thinks. Even if you dislike the Devils, you have to admit that this is unprecedented and deserves our attention. So, go vote or even comment below! We dare ya. ;)

Lundqvist BeDeviled

Throughout most of his career, Henrik Lundqvist has owned the Devils. However, that certainly wasn't the case last night with a rejuvenated Devil club coming into MSG and chasing him in a satisfying 3-2 win before a sparse crowd. The Devils have been playing much better hockey and continued their hot trend with an eighth win in 10 (8-1-1) to pull out of the cellar and into a tie with the Islanders.

Believe it or not, they trail the eighth Thrashers by 18 points with still plenty of time left. Given that Atlanta's struggled lately and the Hurricanes also lost again, anything's possible. In the mean time, New Jersey is just focused on playing the kind of hockey that's produced the turnaround. Sticking to Jacques Lemaire's strict one-four neutral zone trap, the sharper Devs jumped on the Rangers from the outset with Ilya Kovalchuk wiring one top shelf past Lundqvist's glove only 64 seconds in. A lot went wrong on the play with three Rangers caught deep leading to a seamless transition with No.1 star Dainius Zubrus dropping the puck for Kovalchuk, who surprised Lundqvist from the right circle for his 15th.

Sloppy play would be a theme all night as the Blueshirts failed to get the puck deep, often throwing errant passes right to Devil sticks into the teeth of a stingy trap that forced a bakery dozen of turnovers. Unable to break the defense, a flat Ranger team struggled to generate anything for the first half. In fact, before Ryan Callahan surprised Martin Brodeur with a similar shot high glove answering Brian Rolston's goal which made it 3-zip late in the second, the Rangers had two total chances. Both of which were missed nets with Brandon Dubinsky hitting the post with Brodeur dead to rights and Artem Anisimov missing wildly. As fate would have it, it would foreshadow a cruel ending unless you drink Kool Aid.

For a second consecutive game since the All-Star break, it was evident that Lundqvist was fighting the puck, letting out some juicy rebounds like the one Mike Rupp deposited Tuesday. This time, it was a routine Zubrus shot that squeezed through for an awful second goal following a close call at the other end. Zubrus' ninth from Henrik Tallinder had the Devils in total control. Bottling up the neutral zone, they pounced on every Ranger mistake. Neither team really forechecked, which probably explains a grand total of 19 shots midway through. David Clarkson tried to liven a dead atmosphere by pounding Sean Avery in a anticlimatic fight if you could call it that which lasted 30 seconds. Avery fell down after one punch and it was over. Something tells us those two aren't done. Nothing was settled.

Continuing to have the better of the play, the Devils took full advantage of a lazy Mats Zuccarello pass into no-man's land. After the first-year Norwegian came hard on the backcheck, he simply threw the puck to a blind spot which Patrik Elias was only too glad to dish across for an open Rolston who buried his seventh past Lundqvist- effectively ending his night. The Devils had scored three on a guy they usually struggle just to get to one. Three goals on 12 shots and Martin Biron was in. Right away, he was tested and made an outstanding stop. Though he only faced six shots, at least half were clutch giving his team a chance at another comeback.

Following a timeout in which a furious John Tortorella peppered his team including during a TV break, Anisimov and Callahan hooked up on a nice play, getting one back 81 seconds later. A streaking Anisimov backed up the D before dropping to a cutting Callahan whose slapshot went inside the crossbar past Brodeur's glove. A similar goal to Kovalchuk's but from a sharper angle. Neither goalie could've been pleased on either even if they were rockets. Callahan's second goal in two games since returning gave his team life. They pressured the last few minutes but still trailed 3-1 after two.

The Devils ran into penalty trouble early in the final stanza with Zubrus (goalie interference) and Anton Volchenkov (delay of game) in the box 45 seconds apart. Eventually, even our putrid power play had to score. Thanks to returnee Vinny Prospal, they did with Mr.Suntan centering one off Tallinder's stick for his first of the season. Nice to see him get rewarded in his first game back. Prosp was better than expected taking a team high five shots in 16:33 while nearly setting up Marian Gaborik in the first and narrowly missing a goal earlier. His creativity down low was evident and can only boost our offense. Who knows? Maybe it will rub off on the PP.

Speaking of Gaborik who got a secondary helper on the goal with Zuccarello also assisting, he was invisible. When Kovalchuk who isn't exactly known for defense takes him off the puck and goes the other way, that's pathetic. Maybe it's time for Gabby to play with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust. Find me one good reason why Zuccarello or Wojtek Wolski should play on the fourth line with Avery and Chris Drury. That's how down I am on Gabby. Start earning your paycheck.

So, with Prospal scoring early to make it one goal, I had to stay just to see our miserable power play fail twice. I needed to catch the local 1 train back to South Ferry for the 10 PM boat. So, when our late man-advantage was about to go empty, I took off for Penn Station hoping I'd make it. As fate had it, I ran into a Devil fan who told me we hit the post with a second left before the train came. Of course, it got to the Ferry terminal with a minute to spare. By the time I and a few others raced upstairs, it was too late. So, I had to settle for the 10:30 boat and didn't get back till after 11. :P

Yeah, I was mad. LOL...but the ferry ride back was nice and there were several fans also on it. If only there'd been some actual noise in the building. I've never seen such a late arriving crowd for a Battle Of Hudson. I don't know if it's the icy weather and all the snow, but it wasn't close to a sellout. There was no energy in the place. It looks like I'm going to go to my first Rangers-Devils game at The Rock when the rematch takes place two weeks from now on February 18. I have a Devil buddy going, another friend who hates hockey but just wants to torment me and two other Ranger fans. So, it should be quite interesting. If anyone else wants to meet up from the njdevs, let me know.


BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Patrik Elias, NJD (assist, +3 with great overall play)
2nd Star-Brian Rolston, NJD (GWG-7th of season)
1st Star-Dainius Zubrus, NJD (9th of season, assist)

Devils waive Rolston

The Devils finally made a move today, waiving veteran forward Brian Rolston. The 37 year-old Rolston who returned to New Jersey three years ago, has two years, $5.062 million remaining on his contract. In 15 games this season which was hampered by a sports hernia, the '95 Cup winner has two goals and two assists for four points.

Regardless if he clears waivers or retires, Rolston's salary will count against the Devils cap because he's over 35. TSN's Bob McKenzie who broke the story on Twitter, also notes that he can be put on re-entry waivers which might give a better chance of someone claiming him. They'd be on the hook for half the salary/cap hit.

For Rolston, this could be the end of the line for a gritty Team USA star who played in two Olympics ('02, '06) including the memorable silver at Salt Lake, falling to familiar face Martin Brodeur and Team Canada. In his second stint with the Devils, Rolston totaled 37 goals and 36 helpers for 73 points over 159 games. That included 16 power play goals and six game-winners. Unfortunately, he was a disappointment after huge success with Minnesota. But as so happens with many aging vets, their play levels off, which is why the deal never made any sense to begin with.

In what's become a trying season with New Jersey sitting 29th with just eight wins and 18 points in 29 games trailing eighth by 18, the finger has to be pointed at President/GM Lou Lamoriello, who for all his success erred in handing out too many contracts like Rolston's with many including no-movement clauses. Something which has been a theme in Hasan's posts. Henrik Tallinder has been an epic fail thus far, posting a minus-16 rating. But he's far from alone with megastar Ilya Kovalchuk stuck on five goals and 14 points with a minus-18. Leading scorer Patrik Elias has only lit the lamp six times and top center Travis Zajac (3-10-13) hasn't been the same since Zach Parise went down.

There haven't been many bright spots. Swedish rookie Mattias Tedenby has shown flashes but has cooled off. Anton Volchenkov has been steady since returning from a broken nose. Jason Arnott leads the club with nine goals but is hardly the same player who scored the most memorable goal in franchise history 10 years ago. Dainius Zubrus (4-8-12) tries but the harsh reality is that his salary ($3.4 M) is hardly a bargain. Captain Jamie Langenbrunner's struggles are well documented. What can Lamoriello do? Surely, he couldn't have predicted Andy Greene stuck on a club worst minus-19 or Kovalchuk firing blanks.

What does it mean for Parise, who turns restricted this summer a year away from potentially leaving the only place he's known? It remains to be seen if such a poor season will impact what Zach Attack does. He's their most important player. The Devils can't afford to lose him.

Waiving Rolston starts the process for a prideful GM who never gives up. Most definitely, the Devils are better off getting younger moving forward. The playoffs seem like a pipe dream. Uncommon around these parts since '95-96. For now, all the Devs can do is continue to play hard under first-year coach John MacLean. Their next chance to snap a five-game skid is tomorrow at home versus the Coyotes. The Preds visit Friday and then New Jersey goes to Atlanta to face one of those teams they're chasing. It's like chasing a dream.

Kovalchuk D-Day: Re-signs with Devils For 17 Years

Well, after 16 days of chaos, it looks like Ilya Kovalchuk has finally come to a decision. That is if you can take his American agent Jay Grossman at his word via this tweet:

Jay_Grossman: Ilya Kovalchuk will make his decision today (for sure, this time!).

Personally, I don't care either way. As long as the Rangers aren't involved, we're good. The electrifying Russian sniper is expected to choose LA over New Jersey. Whatever. If the Devils do finish runner-up, we should be hearing from our resident Kool Aid blogger. What if he chooses them after all this drama? Wouldn't that have made these couple of weeks a waste? If he really wanted to be a Devil, he would've just re-signed already.

It would still be nice to get a conclusion so we can get on with the rest of the summer. Just don't hold your breath.


UPDATE: Based on a tweet from the New Jersey Devils, it looks like Kovalchuk is returning.

NHLDevils: HE'S BACK: Ilya Kovalchuk signs with the Devils. Press conference scheduled for Tuesday at the Rock.  

Simply amazing. Honestly, he and his agent teased everyone. Especially the Kings. Leaking the announcement irks me. I wanted to find out from the man himself. But the Devils ruined it. Guess they just couldn't wait to rub it in everyone's faces. Nothing like good PR. Did we just say that about a Lou Lams run franchise? The Devs have changed. Thank Jeff Vanderbeek.

What this does ensure is the Devils must start cutting payroll. Likely candidates are Brian Rolston, Bryce Salvador and Dainius Zubrus. Let the firesale commence.


UPDATE II: Per reliable Puck Daddy Russian reporter Dmitry Chesnokov, it looks like Kovalchuk's deal is for 17 years...

dchesnokov Kovalchuk's mother tells Pavel Lysenkov of Sovetsky Sport that Kovalchuk's deal with #NJD is for 17 years.

Wow. That is insanity. Nobody can ever talk about the Devils being fiscally responsible after this. They just committed 17 years to Kovalchuk, who by the end of the contract, would be 44. I thought these kinda deals were done but apparently not. Even the great Lou has lost it. Anything to justify the means I guess. He does make their club stronger at least on paper. Whether it finally translates to New Jersey going deep in the playoffs remains to be seen. Also up in for debate is how this megasigning affects Zach Parise, who turns restricted next summer. There could be a lot more changes coming to Newark over the next year.

The press conference is tomorrow live at The Prudential Center at 1 ET.


UPDATE III: Per Chesnokov, it looks like the deal is 17 years for over $100 million. Yikes. What lockout?!?!?!?!?! Guess there's gonna be another one. I am mystified.

dchesnokov The 17 years, $100m+ for Kovalchuk is what I stand by.

It should be interesting to see the particulars. I don't know anymore. I now think 2004-05 was a total farce.

Lemaire all class till end

So much for Jacques Lemaire still wanting to coach. A few days removed from the first round disappointment to the Flyers after a great season, the soon to be 65 year-old Hall Of Famer abruptly retired earlier today. Maybe the passion was really gone despite indications he still enjoyed being behind the bench.

The two-time Jack Adams winner ('94, '03) who guided the New Jersey Devils to their first Stanley Cup finishes with a 588-441-124-60 career record. Over 16 seasons with Montreal, the Devils and expansion Wild, Lemaire did outstanding work getting his teams to buy into his defensive oriented system. While he did win Lord Stanley in 1995, perhaps his best job came in St. Paul when he took the '02-03 Wild to the Conference Finals before losing to the Mighty Ducks. In the franchise's first postseason, they came back to upset both Colorado and Vancouver, each time rallying from 3-1 deficits.

Built around Marian Gaborik, the sum was greater than the parts with the quirky gum chewing affable coach getting them to buy in. Under Lemaire, journeymen such as Sergei Zholtok, Wes Walz, Richard Park, Jim Dowd, Jason Marshall, Antti Laaksonen and Darby Hendrickson shined while turning Willie Mitchell and Nick Schultz into shutdown defenders- earning them millions. He also revived Dwayne Roloson's career effectively teaming him with nephew Manny Fernandez. Would Rollie have gone onto the success with Edmonton nearly winning a Cup post-lockout? Probably not. Instead, the 40 year-old undrafted netminder remains in the league doing stellar work for the Islanders. Blueliner Filip Kuba also developed well morphing into a solid puckmoving D who contributes offensively.

A little over a decade later, Lemaire returned to the team he helped turn into a powerhouse. Re-teaming with Devil architect Lou Lamoriello, he looked to duplicate early success where familiar franchise piece Martin Brodeur was still in Jersey shattering goalie records. Former pupil Patrik Elias had become the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Even if his early days with Jacques weren't that great. There also was favorite Devil/Wild student Brian Rolston welcoming him back. Scott Stevens, John MacLean and Ken Daneyko were still in the organization and there was familiar friendly broadcast tandem Doc Emrick and Chico Resch. Plus Larry Robinson. It's how Lou operates, opting to run his organization like a tight knit family where you're always welcomed back.

For much of 2009-10, it almost worked. Despite injuries to Elias, Paul Martin, David Clarkson and Dainius Zubrus, Lemaire had a team some figured would take a step back atop the Atlantic getting standout performances from Andy Greene, Colin White, Bryce Salvador, Rob Niedermayer and Dean McAmmond. His best players also did their part with Brodeur, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and Jamie Langenbrunner instrumental in a tremendous first half that saw them win 30 of 48 games before things turned.

Ironically as Hasan's alluded to plenty, inconsistencies showed once the club got healthier. Perhaps Jacques worked better with less talent because of his Wild experience. The constant line shuffling didn't help. Even Ilya Kovalchuk, who gave it everything, never seemed to fit in. You wonder why Lemaire went away from ZZ Popp or Triple Z's (Zubrus-Zajac-Zach) but part of it was to help Kovalchuk, who didn't have much chemistry with Elias. One combo he didn't try was Kovalchuk-Zajac-Parise, instead opting to stick Zach on the second line. Might such a dynamic line have changed the outcome or was it doomed once Langenbrunner tuned out?

Breaking up Paul Martin and Martin Skoula for the slow and slower pair of Skoula and Salvador was a debacle. By sticking Martin with Greene, it hurt the rest of the D. There also was the odd continued dressing of Pierre Luc Letourneau-Leblond, who barely saw the ice. Might Lemaire have been better off using PK extraordinaire Jay Pandolfo? Especially in Games 4-5. Special teams hurt them all series. So, wouldn't it have made sense to insert the vet who's been through the wars with the team a la Dano in Game Seven vs Anaheim SCF '03? Experience matters. Pando could've provided a lift.

Whatever the real reason (likely PR), Lemaire will no longer coach the Devils. Looks like this really is it.
"It's a game I have been in a long time," he said. "I really have a thing for it and I still do. There is no doubt if I had the energy I would keep going because I love it.'

"It's not the team, it is not the result or the lack of result we had in the playoffs. It's not that at all. It's the end of the line. I'll be 65. It's just time."

But how could there not be a correlation? You know it had to kill Lemaire that it ended so miserably with him taking the team to task with the "playoff hockey" reference. He did go a little soft in his second Devil stint, opting not to throw players under the bus. Perhaps the fire was out. After that bizarre question about whether coaching was still where he wanted to go (talk about disrespect), he handled it with class. The man is too nice and definitely takes losses hard. Our Buffalo contingent can vouch for that referencing the bitter end to '95-96 when he interned for the Devils.

But why such a quick change? He could've taken more time. One thing about the Devs. Not everything is always what it seems. Only two men know the truth. Lou and Jacques. Regardless, congratulations to Lemaire on an outstanding career that totals 11 Cup rings dating back to the Canadien dynasty. He'll at least remain within the Devil organization in some capacity. Who wouldn't want a man with his knowledge and personality? All class till the end.

Devils embarrass Hudson rival

Devil domination. One team showed for tonight's latest installment of the Battle Of Hudson. Even if it wasn't exactly an A performance from Jacques Lemaire's guys, it was plenty good enough to embarrass the Rangers 6-3 at an energized Prudential Center.

Both clubs entered reeling but only one answered the bell. That would be the better team who's headed to another postseason, improving to 81 points that still trail the Penguins by five for tops in the Atlantic.Even without winning regularly the past month-plus, New Jersey's 14 points clear of the passionless opponent they beat down- responding to a team meeting following the Calgary/Edmonton debacles. Oddly enough, it was the Devils' first home game since 2/12 stretching the Olympic Break. Back home off a disappointing 1-2 road trip, they had to be better. Apparently, John Tortorella never got that message across to his club.

Three times, the Newark hosts went ahead of what was supposed to be a desperate Ranger team trying to stay afloat in the playoff race. Playoffs?!?!?!?!?! Amazingly, the trademark Marty vs Henrik goalie match turned into a goal-fest. Especially for two of the lowest scoring Eastern teams who won't be confused with the Caps or Pens. Rob Niedermayer got it started, steering home a Brian Rolston rebound. Before you blinked, Vinny Prospal finished off a sweet Marian Gaborik dish tying it 57 ticks later. Late in the period, the Devils responded when Bryce Salvador's shot deflected off Olli Jokinen's skate past Henrik Lundqvist, giving them a 2-1 lead into the locker room.

The Blueshirts didn't go away with Erik Christensen converting his sixth 5:01 into the second making it a pair of two's. Following a near Devil miss, Brandon Dubinsky came the other way and then dished to Christensen, who abused Patrik Elias before whistling one high stick side on a flustered Martin Brodeur, who waved his arms at his D. Imagine Lundqvist doing that. Just once, we'd like to see it.

With the game hanging in the balance, a Zach Parise crosscheck 53 seconds later gave the guests a great opportunity to cease control of the match. Instead, they got nothing done. Shortly after, an undisciplined Wade Redden tug on Parise put the home club on the power play. Judging by the look on Redden's face, you'd thought he was innocent. But the $6.5 million Tinman was guilty and paid the price when the aforementioned Parise banged home his Devil best 31st from Dainius Zubrus and Travis Zajac. Once again, the Rangers came back quickly with Brandon Prust steered home a Jody Shelley rebound 37 seconds later. Ser---iou---sly. It's pretty sad when the grinders were our best players. But hey. The Devil trio of Brian Rolston, Niedermayer and David Clarkson dominated all night- combining for two goals, three assists and a plus-seven. That's what happens when your team should be sponsored by Hostess.

With the game knotted a third time, the Devils bounced back thanks to a great shift from captain Jamie Langenbrunner, who neatly deflected home Mike Mottau's shot pass for his 16th at 13:06. On the play, somehow the Ranger fourth line got caught out against the Devil second with both Langenbrunner and an otherwise invisible Ilya Kovalchuk controlling the puck. Eventually, it came to Andy Greene who moved it to an isolated Mottau. With nobody pressuring, he had enough time to find Langenbrunner for a nice redirection goal. Both Mike Del Zotto and Dan Girardi got victimized.

Rolston delivered the backbreaker just 2:13 later. In one of the worst periods they've played, Ryan Callahan made a huge error overpassing to no one. Instead of firing from the right circle on Brodeur which would've been the smart play, his turnover led directly to a 3-on-1 against. Clarkson worked the puck to Niedermayer, who then slipped it to Rolston, whose wrister deflected off Girardi's stick past Lundqvist.

A pumped up Rolston celebrated his 18th congratulated by pleased teammates while a dejected Lundqvist was given the hook for the first time in 29 career starts versus a team he usually owns. Not tonight. Even if the puck went off Girardi, he still should've had it. Granted. The bounces went against him. But that doesn't excuse it nor does it explain Tortorella's decision to put in Alex Auld, humiliating his fuming goalie while both Doc Emrick and Chico Resch were left baffled. In a game your team is supposed to be desperate for, wouldn't it be better to keep Henrik in? Can you imagine what his teammates thought?

With Lundqvist's night done after permitting five goals on 17 shots, Auld came in and did a decent job turning aside nine of 10 the rest of the way. Too little, too late. When the second ended, so did my desire to watch, opting for sushi. If you caught my brief rant in the prior post, you know why. Not much was missed with Zajac putting the finishing touches on a Devl statement with a new career high 21st goal that made it 6-3 with 3:39 left. Zubrus and Parise added helpers.

Afterwards, Tortorella cited his team's inconsistency all season. What about yours? The man is so full of it. All he is is hot air and the balloon's about to burst. The way his players don't play demonstrate that. The look on the franchise's most important player tells you everything. This was supposed to be a team that attacked yet in the first of what amounted to a crucial game, they held back. It's called the trap. He promised a better fourth line...All he ever does is ream players never taking any blame when they lose. As that dreadful character who Heath Ledger's Joker character ticked off, "E-N-O-U-G-H from the Clown!"


Aside from that, remember when Sean Avery labeled Clarkson a "career minor leaguer." Care to retract that statement? I didn't notice Avery the first 40 and doubt it was any different in garbage time. Garbage. A good word to accurately describe the Rangers, who left their own fans furious including a close buddy from our section who messaged me with:

"I actually wasted money for that."

The fat lady's warming up.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mike Mottau, NJD (2 assists, +3 in 22:46)
2nd Star-Jamie Langenbrunner, NJD (16th of season-GW, assist, 4 SOG, +2 in 17:22)
1st Star-Rolston-Niedermayer-Clarkson, NJD (2-3-5, 7 SOG, 5 hits, 2 takeaways, +7 rating)