2009 NHL season thread- Part II

[Sport]

Anyone else find it astounding that without Martin Brodeur, and with the massive amounts of injuries early in the year, that the Devils head into the break leading the Patrick Division?

Crazyness.

Just crazyness.

Whats more surprising is that there are two Devils in the top 10 in scoring - Parise (55: 28G, 27A) and Elias (54: 20G, 34A) - and that being Brodeur's understudy for so long, Clemmensen has really shown what he's capable of when given the opportunity.

Plus their stout defense and trap system apparently still works

Edit: A worthy 700th post.

dare I say, it hasn't been Brodeur all along?

[BB61]

dare I say, it hasn't been Brodeur all along?

He's definitely been a giant piece of it.

[jkrdevil]

Anyone else find it astounding that without Martin Brodeur, and with the massive amounts of injuries early in the year, that the Devils head into the break leading the Patrick Division?

Crazyness.

Just crazyness.

Whats more surprising is that there are two Devils in the top 10 in scoring - Parise (55: 28G, 27A) and Elias (54: 20G, 34A) - and that being Brodeur's understudy for so long, Clemmensen has really shown what he's capable of when given the opportunity.

Plus their stout defense and trap system apparently still works

Edit: A worthy 700th post.

dare I say, it hasn't been Brodeur all along?

No they just actually have the capability of scoring goals this year unlike the last couple. In the 10 games the Brodeur played this the Devils won 3 games where they scored 2 goals or less. In the 37 games since Brodeur's injury they have only won 2 games where they scored 2 goals or less. Brodeur had 2 shutouts before he got injured and the Devils have yet to pitch one since. Look Clemmensen and Weekes have been good but they haven't been stealing games like Bordeur did the last couple of years. They just aren't losing games for the Devils, which is all that is being asked of them.

When Brodeur comes back this team should be a force, especially if they pick up a defensemen at the deadline. Not only will they still have deep offense but they will basically add a goaltender that can still games when the offense has a off night. The Devils are cup contenders.

BTW, Brodeur has been cleared to skate and hopefully he should be back by March 1st.

Also the Devils don't trap anymore. If you watch them they are hard on the puck on the forecheck and once they get it it's hard to get it back because there is constantly 2 or 3 guys waiting to pounce on a loose puck. This is the deepest Devils foward lines since they went to back to back Finals in 2000 and 2001. They have a legitimate scorer on every line. They have two guys in the top 10 of scoring in Elias and Parise, the latter is currently 3rd in goals scored just a couple behind Ovechkin. They have a guy who has been a consistent 30 goal scorer the last couple of years on the 3rd line in Rolston and now they have a guy with 600+ goals on the 4th line in Shanahan. Not only that but they are big down the middle with Zubrus, Zajac, Madden, and Holik. The problem since they won the Cup in 2003 was that they were too small and got pushed around too much in the playoffs. Like I said before get Marty back and add a puck moving defensemen and this is a team that can win the Cup this year.

[JQK]

this is a team that can win the Cup this year.

I sure do hope so. I don't want another early exit.

I think with Brodeur coming back, and damn well rested, and the way we can score now, i have to agree with ya, jkr.

We're gonna be tough to stop.

[BrySmalls]

Speaking of playoffs, since we're at the midway point here's what the Quarterfinals look like:

EAST:

1) Boston vs. 8) Carolina

2) Washington vs. 7) Buffalo

3) New Jersey vs. 6) Philadelphia

4) Montreal vs. New York Rangers

Still in contention: Florida & Pittsburgh

WEST:

1) San Jose vs. 8) Anaheim

2) Detroit vs. 7) Vancouver

3) Calgary vs. 6) Edmonton

4) Chicago vs. 5) Phoenix

Still in contention: Minnesota, Columbus, & Dallas

It'll be interesting to see where teams stack at the Trade Deadline and of course once the playoffs begin. Maybe there will be a floundering team that makes a playoff push, like Washington last year.

[NEW.ERA]

Speaking of playoffs, since we're at the midway point here's what the Quarterfinals look like:

EAST:

1) Boston vs. 8) Carolina

2) Washington vs. 7) Buffalo

3) New Jersey vs. 6) Philadelphia

4) Montreal vs. New York Rangers

Still in contention: Florida & Pittsburgh

WEST:

1) San Jose vs. 8) Anaheim

2) Detroit vs. 7) Vancouver

3) Calgary vs. 6) Edmonton

4) Chicago vs. 5) Phoenix

Still in contention: Minnesota, Columbus, & Dallas

It'll be interesting to see where teams stack at the Trade Deadline and of course once the playoffs begin. Maybe there will be a floundering team that makes a playoff push, like Washington last year.

I hope that the Battle of Alberta will still be in place come April, That would be a battle every night

[FiddySicks]

Canucks lose in a heart breaker to the Sharks last night. I'm one of the few Canuck fans who still has confidence in this team, and last night was a good reason why I still believe this team can do some damage. They played the best team in the league hard and had toughness and Luongo looked great.

And a question to Shark fans. Last night watching the game the crowd was full and loud, and you could tell that it was a great hockey city. Then TSN shows a news paper box with a pic on Owen Nolan who hasn't been a Shark for 5 years. So I'm wondering how can that happen in what seems like such a good hockey city?

Maybe that was TSN's bad? I dunno. But the thing is, even after Nolan being gone for years, he's still loved in SJ.

[Still MIGHTY]

Let's see Carlyle pulls Gigure for the second time in two weeks, they are losing again (to the Islanders this time), they take stupid penalties.... which brings this question: How long until Carlyle gets fired? It's two years from the Cup and they still are an inconsistent, undisciplined team. The weak link of the team is and has always been the coaching. They won the Cup because of Giguere and despite the lack of discipline and discipline should be instilled in a team by the coach. Carlyle no longer has the protection of Burke and I expect soon to see Carlyle replaced. This team is way too talented to be this inconsistent and undisciplined. So when do you expect to see him fired? This weekend?

Honestly, I give Carlyle another week at best.

Horrible personnel management. He hasn't adjusted his gameplan to the changes in the league. The continued playing up/down to their opponents. Undisciplined. It is absolutely ridiculous.

Last night for example, Outshoot the Islanders (worst team in the league on then a 8 game losing streak) 40-14 on a goaltender that hadnt won an NHL game in 3 years (Danis had a career 0-5-1 record) and you end up losing 2-1?

That was also the 3rd or 4th time this year Carlyle has pulled Jiggy early. The first couple times was to just jumpstart the team. THe last two have been his staunch opposition to giving up shortside goals. The second goal, yes I blame on Jiggy, it was a long shot and beat him short side. First one was a PP goal that I couldnt put on him. So I can only assume he did it to get the team going. Didnt work so well.

He keeps tryingto mix it up to get this team working. COnstantly making new lines. THere will be 6 or 7 different line combos for the same line on a given night. He's been switching up defensive partners. Power Play units...

Granted there's been some injuries. there's 2 rookies starting on defence now (each paired with either Scott Niedemayer or Pronger). Teemu's been out (he'll be back after the All Star Break). But still he's misusing talent.

Brendan Morrison continues to get first line minutes when he's being outperformed by Rookies Bobby Ryan (outscoring Morrison in only about 30 games played) and Andrew Ebbett (who is closing in on Morrison's numbers I beleive in only about 20 games played maybe). Both the rookeis are on a 4th line usually accompanied by George Parros or lately a big bodied rookie from the minors Troy Bodie.

He has many options in front of him to be succesfull but he cant put the right ones together. HE has just been terrible in every aspect of the coaching position. We've gone from strong playoff contender and supposed to challend San Jose for the division this year (not anymore), to holding on to 8th place trying to force our way into the playoffs themselves and in 3rd place behind friggin Phoenix. It's ridiculous.

At the most I give Carlyle another week or so (2 or 3 games). Then I'd say he's out if they dont turn it around quickly (which looks doubtful)

He's on the chopping block as far as I'm concerned

[ferrousoxide66]

any timetable on Kessel's return?

[maz]

I mean... I thought the Pens were the best team of the everever?

Who said that?

[RyanMcD29]

Looking at those playoff matchups, there's not one bad matchup out of all of them. Lots of good rivalries and storylines going on with them

[crashcarson15]

Looking at those playoff matchups, there's not one bad matchup out of all of them. Lots of good rivalries and storylines going on with them

And just imagine if the Blue Jackets replaced the Canucks, it would be Wings/Jackets to add to the list of rivalries.

[Billy B]

If I could pick a team for the Blackhawks to play the first round, it would be the Coyotes. They're 4-0 against them (one shootout win) and the scoring for the season series is 20-4. I'm not saying it would be an automatic win, especially with how fired up Gretzky was in the last game, but it would be a good matchup for the Hawks.

[habsfan1]

Crosby will miss the ASG for a 2nd consecutive time.

[Brass]

Looking at those playoff matchups, there's not one bad matchup out of all of them. Lots of good rivalries and storylines going on with them

And just imagine if the Blue Jackets replaced the Canucks, it would be Wings/Jackets to add to the list of rivalries.

Is that really a rivalry? Or is it something that Jackets fans think is there, but Wings fans just brush it away?

[BrySmalls]

Looking at those playoff matchups, there's not one bad matchup out of all of them. Lots of good rivalries and storylines going on with them

And just imagine if the Blue Jackets replaced the Canucks, it would be Wings/Jackets to add to the list of rivalries.

Is that really a rivalry? Or is it something that Jackets fans think is there, but Wings fans just brush it away?

Well im not a Blue Jackets fan, but that sounds similar to the Wings-Predators playoff matches of the past.

[crashcarson15]

Looking at those playoff matchups, there's not one bad matchup out of all of them. Lots of good rivalries and storylines going on with them

And just imagine if the Blue Jackets replaced the Canucks, it would be Wings/Jackets to add to the list of rivalries.

Is that really a rivalry? Or is it something that Jackets fans think is there, but Wings fans just brush it away?

Well im not a Blue Jackets fan, but that sounds similar to the Wings-Predators playoff matches of the past.

Let me rephrase that, I hate the Wings, and I don't think I'm alone as a Jacket fan. That said, it would at least be a division game (which are all really rivalries in my mind).

[HedleyLamarr]

It'll be interesting to see where teams stack at the Trade Deadline and of course once the playoffs begin. Maybe there will be a floundering team that makes a playoff push, like Washington last year.

It'll be interesting to see what the Thrashers do at the deadline, as they'll clearly be sellers.

Schneider seems to be a lock to be moved, as he'll have no real value to the team in the future. Kozlov could be a possibility to be moved, and he has another year left on his current contract, and might go to a team that's young and looking to make a playoff push the next couple of years (a team like Chicago, Phoenix, etc.). And it would not suprise me one bit if the Thrashers traded Kari Lehtonen.....the head coach has a ton of confidence in Ondrej Pavalec, the goalie-in-waiting with the Chicago Wolves who's ready.

[NEW.ERA]

I thought this is useful site to predict your NHL's teams odds on making the playoffs

http://www.playoffstatus.com/nhl/nhl.html

[Still MIGHTY]

NHL TESTS NET PROTOTYPE AT MAPLE LEAFS' PRACTICE

The NHL tested a prototype for a new net in Toronto at a Maple Leafs practice this week.

Unlike the radically shaped larger goals that were designed several years ago, the new test model relies on differently shaped goalposts to promote scoring. The frame of the goal remains sized at six feet by four feet, but the familiar round posts are oval-shaped instead. The long, flatter side of the oval is on the inside of the frame. The theory is that the flat surface will allow pucks to bounce in off of them, rather than hit the outside of a round post and bounce out.

"Pucks were supposed to be bouncing in more than they were bouncing out and I don't know - I kind of found it the other way around," said Leafs' forward John Mitchell. "It all depends on the angle that you shoot it on. The posts and the crossbar all funnel in towards the net but you have to be kind of shooting straight on from the net in order for it to work."

NHL vice-president of hockey operations Mike Murphy observed and videotaped the nets in action, and plans to present his findings to league executives in time.

"This is being looked at to give offence an advantage," Murphy told the Globe and Mail. "Maybe it's just the crossbar that makes a difference. We'll see."

The idea was first suggested by Anaheim Ducks goaltending coach François Allaire five years ago

New Nets? - TSN

It's an interesting concept for sure.

Personally, I like the idea. Its not changing the dynamic of the net size or palyers or the game. Just the angle of the post.

I think its a good idea to at least try out