This is Zach Parise's seventh year with the Devils and he has made it known many times that he wants to win the Stanley Cup. The question now is, will it be with the New Jersey Devils? Well, right now it is tough to say, but many analysts expect Parise to test the free agent market when noon hits on July 1st. For once, there will be a large number of suitors making an all out pitch for his services especially because there is not much talent afterwards. Zach Parise cannot legally sign a contract extension with the Devils until January 1st of 2012 at the earliest, but they can agree to one before then, but Lou Lamoriello has a closed door policy on negotiating contracts during the season, so it will be interesting if that policy will apply to Parise.
One reason Parise might leave the Devils is all due to the uncertain future of the organization on the ice particularly in goal. This year could potentially be the last for Marty Brodeur's storied career and the Devils do not currently have a goaltender that could be his full time successor, so they could be aggressive for one in the summer. But, Parise has made it known he wants to stay with Devils as well as the team has said they want him here long-term. However, if the Devils do not make the playoffs or make a long playoff run this year, it might just spell the end of Parise in a Devils uniform.
As mentioned above, Parise will have many suitors, likely the same teams that tried to sign current Devils teammate Ilya Kovalchuk a year ago in 2010. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings are likely to make the biggest push for his services after failing to sign Brad Richards this past summer. Parise is represented by the same agents which represent Richards. Plus Leafs GM Brian Burke knows Parise well, since he played for his 2010 US Olympic team. Other teams likely to make a play for Parise will be the NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and basically every other team in some capacity. But, my guess is that he ends up staying with Devils, but it will be a very tough process.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Devils use 3 goal second to get past Lightning, Power Play showing some positive signs
A 3 goal outburst in the 2nd period plus 1 in the third was all the Devils needed to squeak out a victory in Tampa 4-2. The Devils got goals from Dainius Zubrus, Patrik Elias, David Clarkson and Ryan Carter sealed it in the 3rd. Martin St. Louis and Ryan Shannon scored for the Lightning. The victory improves the Devils record on the road trip to 3-1 as it will conclude Monday in Florida.
Shots were 24-23 Devils, but Brodeur was outstanding again in goal. The Devils power play had some life today going 2-8, but it still have a very long way to go. However, the penalty kill continues to be stellar as it is now ranked first in the NHL. Zubrus's goal was almost short-handed with a 1 second differential. Anyway, another good effort by Devils as they now are 10-7-1.
Shots were 24-23 Devils, but Brodeur was outstanding again in goal. The Devils power play had some life today going 2-8, but it still have a very long way to go. However, the penalty kill continues to be stellar as it is now ranked first in the NHL. Zubrus's goal was almost short-handed with a 1 second differential. Anyway, another good effort by Devils as they now are 10-7-1.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Kovalchuk's return sparks Devils in 5-3 win in Buffalo
After playing the night before, you would think the Devils would play flat, but they did quite the opposite scoring 5 goals in a 5-3 win in Buffalo. Most of all, the Devils special teams came through in a big way. Zach Parise scored short-handed and Ilya Kovalchuk scored on the struggling Devils power play and Patrik Elias, Mark Fayne, and David Clarkson added the other goals. Tyler Myers scored twice and Jordan Leopold added the other for Buffalo.
Martin Brodeur made 29 saves on 32 Buffalo shots, while Jhonas Enroth had 14 in 19 Devils shots. Overall, it was another great road effort by the Devils as they will go home, practice before heading to Florida to face both the Lightning and Panthers. For the first time since Spring of 2010, the Devils occupy a playoff spot in the East.
Martin Brodeur made 29 saves on 32 Buffalo shots, while Jhonas Enroth had 14 in 19 Devils shots. Overall, it was another great road effort by the Devils as they will go home, practice before heading to Florida to face both the Lightning and Panthers. For the first time since Spring of 2010, the Devils occupy a playoff spot in the East.
Monday, November 14, 2011
How to Fix Devils struggling power play?
Back in 2002-2003, the New Jersey Devils had the worst ranked Power Play in the National Hockey League and the best Penalty Killing Unit and managed to win the Stanley Cup. However, this time around, power play success means everything in this league. In 02-03, the center red ice line was still in effect, which allowed for a neutral zone trap and prevented breakout passes or setup on the power play. But ever since that year, the Devils power play has had little success and it all points to one thing, no mobility on defense for a successful power play.
Lou Lamoriello's unwillingness to get the Devils some mobility on defense has cost the team dearly. After the losses of Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski and Paul Martin on defense, the Devils power play has been anemic to say the least. It does have good setups and rushes, but it does not have any good finishers. Brian Rolston, Ilya Kovalchuk are all forwards and usually struggle on defense if they have odd man rushes against Short-Handed. The Devils power play cost them dearly in 2009 against Carolina, particularly in Game 7, when they had a 4 minute one to extend a 3-2 lead to a 4-2 lead and we all know what happened.
Adam Larsson will be a great Power Play leader some day, but I feel Lou Lamoriello needs to get 1 or 2 more mobile defensemen to help. Mobile and Puck moving D-Men are critical to a successful Power Play.
Lou Lamoriello's unwillingness to get the Devils some mobility on defense has cost the team dearly. After the losses of Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski and Paul Martin on defense, the Devils power play has been anemic to say the least. It does have good setups and rushes, but it does not have any good finishers. Brian Rolston, Ilya Kovalchuk are all forwards and usually struggle on defense if they have odd man rushes against Short-Handed. The Devils power play cost them dearly in 2009 against Carolina, particularly in Game 7, when they had a 4 minute one to extend a 3-2 lead to a 4-2 lead and we all know what happened.
Adam Larsson will be a great Power Play leader some day, but I feel Lou Lamoriello needs to get 1 or 2 more mobile defensemen to help. Mobile and Puck moving D-Men are critical to a successful Power Play.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Devils rally twice for shootout victory over Flyers in Philly, Kovalchuk hurt
After being down 2-0 midway through the 2nd, it appeared the Devils were headed for another defeat, but the top line finally showed up as Zach Parise and Adam Henrique got goals to tie the game at 2. It was Henrique's first NHL goal, although he scored in the preseason. However, Maxime Talbot broke the tie on a penalty shot goal, but the Devils never gave up and David Clarkson has suddenly become Mr. Clutch for the Devils tying the game at 3. Zac Rinaldo and Claude Giroux had the other Flyers goals.
The Devils and Flyers failed to score in overtime and Zach Parise and Patrik Elias scored shootout goals, while Danny Briere scored a controversial shootout goal against the Devils, but that was not enough as the Devils won 4-3. Shots were 39-23 Devils as both goalies were sharp in Johan Hedberg and Sergei Bobrovsky. Both teams played yesterday.
However, this victory was costly for the Devils. Andy Greene missed the game with a lower body injury, but he took warm ups, so he should be ok. Ilya Kovalchuk left in the end of the game after what appears to be a groin injury in the early analysis and the reports are that he is day-to-day. He is unlikely to play Saturday against Winnipeg it seems, but they will see tomorrow. Nevertheless, great win for the Devils.
The Devils and Flyers failed to score in overtime and Zach Parise and Patrik Elias scored shootout goals, while Danny Briere scored a controversial shootout goal against the Devils, but that was not enough as the Devils won 4-3. Shots were 39-23 Devils as both goalies were sharp in Johan Hedberg and Sergei Bobrovsky. Both teams played yesterday.
However, this victory was costly for the Devils. Andy Greene missed the game with a lower body injury, but he took warm ups, so he should be ok. Ilya Kovalchuk left in the end of the game after what appears to be a groin injury in the early analysis and the reports are that he is day-to-day. He is unlikely to play Saturday against Winnipeg it seems, but they will see tomorrow. Nevertheless, great win for the Devils.
Devils likely to stay the course until Zajac returns, despite offensive woes
The Devils are off to a 4-5-1 start unlike last year when they were 2-7-1 in their first 10 games, but the same offensive woes continue. But with injuries to Zajac and Josefson, the center position has been very depleted thus far. Josefson is expected to be out until at least February or even March after surgery to repair a broken clavicle. Zajac is expected back in 4-6 weeks, but that could also be too optimistic.
Lamoriello said after the injury to Josefson, he will look into making a trade for a veteran center, but also said he will give every opportunity to stay the course. However, the Devils are 1-4 since Josefson went down. As of now, the only known center on the trade market is former Devils center Scott Gomez, who is injured for the Canadiens, but expected back very soon. However, he is earning a hefty $7.1 million dollar cap hit and has 2 years left on his deal and the asking price for him could be huge in Montreal.
The Devils did claim Ryan Carter for 4th line duty, but he is still assimilating himself into the Devils scheme. Centers who are on the free agent market of note are John Madden and Mike Comrie. Comrie is reportedly still being bothered by hip injury and does get hurt a lot, but he does have some skill which could help the Devils if he is healthy. Madden is more of a defensive forward. So, with not much out there for the Devils to look at, Lamoriello is likely to rely on Henrique until Zajac returns. We might see some call-ups from Albany like Zharkov for offensive upside. But, expect the Devils to stay the course, but they have to stay a bit above .500 mark until Zajac returns.
Lamoriello said after the injury to Josefson, he will look into making a trade for a veteran center, but also said he will give every opportunity to stay the course. However, the Devils are 1-4 since Josefson went down. As of now, the only known center on the trade market is former Devils center Scott Gomez, who is injured for the Canadiens, but expected back very soon. However, he is earning a hefty $7.1 million dollar cap hit and has 2 years left on his deal and the asking price for him could be huge in Montreal.
The Devils did claim Ryan Carter for 4th line duty, but he is still assimilating himself into the Devils scheme. Centers who are on the free agent market of note are John Madden and Mike Comrie. Comrie is reportedly still being bothered by hip injury and does get hurt a lot, but he does have some skill which could help the Devils if he is healthy. Madden is more of a defensive forward. So, with not much out there for the Devils to look at, Lamoriello is likely to rely on Henrique until Zajac returns. We might see some call-ups from Albany like Zharkov for offensive upside. But, expect the Devils to stay the course, but they have to stay a bit above .500 mark until Zajac returns.
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