Lamoriello focused on Ottawa and Detroit, not changes or personnel moves

Those fans frustrated with the Devils play this season and expecting Lou to make drastic changes will have to wait at least until after the Detroit game on Saturday night. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told reporters today that the Devils will use the same line-up that played against Pittsburgh on Monday in Ottawa on Friday night. He also did not give John MacLean a vote of confidence, but the fact that he is still the coach seems to be an indication that he somehow did. Basically, no trades or coaching changes will be made until at least the Detroit game. Lamoriello is focused on Ottawa and Detroit.

Many Devils players were prepared to be traded before the season started, but injuries gave the Devils some salary cap relief. However, the salary cap mess has also been a distraction on the ice. Should the Devils lose the next two games, who knows what will happen? Lou Lamoriello was mum on any possible changes, but he has taken full responsibility for the teams play this year thus far, which is predictable Lou. He still believes the 8-17-2 record is the player's fault, but in my opinion they just do not have the right coach. If they are playing not to lose, something has to change.

The Christmas trade freeze takes effect on Midnight of next Sunday, December 19 and runs through midnight December 27th. This means that no team would be allowed to make any moves in that period. So, many fans should expect Lou to shake-up things in some manner. While, Lou calls MacLean's job security pure speculation, many believe that a change will come behind the bench even if the team does get on some kind of roll this season. The BOG meetings in Florida definitely saved MacLean's job since Lou did not have time to evaluate things more thoroughly. Another thing on MacLean's side is the number of coaches the Devils had since the lockout, so maybe he is here for the long haul.

------

Here is an update on some injured players:

-Anssi Salmela (Cleared to play, should go to Albany on conditioning soon, will likely return in early January)

-Bryce Salvador (Light workouts, no timetable, seems as if he will be out til February or trade deadline)

-Jacob Josefson (Got cast off, now working out off ice, should be back in early January)

-Zach Parise (out til February)

-Matt Taormina (light skating, no timetable for return)