Where Are the Devils Headed?

A truly disappointing start for a team with so much talent. 3-8-1 is not how any team wants to start out. Are we doomed for the rest of the year? Should we just give up now? the answer is no. We look amazing on paper, but putting it together is the key. It was pretty obvious we would have a rough start with a new system and a ton of new players.

Our defense is injury plagued, our offense had not been clicking (until recently) and we have not been playing a solid 60 minute game. Here is a mini breakdown of our team:

Positives:
-A ton of shots on goal (LA-40, Pitt-31, Col-43)
-Marty has been solid for the most part
-Offense has been clicking recently
-Smoother passing
-Penalty kill is solid
-Rookies stepping it up (Pelley, Vasyunov, Josesfon).

Negatives:
-The Power play is absolutely awful, need to capitalize.
-Lots of rookie defensemen, taking time to adjust to one another
-Injuries (Salvador, Fraser, Volchenkov, Rolston, Salmela maybe now even Parise).
-Too much passing and not enough shooting at times
-Playing fancy, don't need to always get pretty goals
-Allow less breakaways and 2 on 1 rushes.

It seems odd to put Rolston as a priority on the IR, but he has shown he can still use that nasty slap shot of his and he is a monster on the PP. The Devils need to put the puck on net more, instead of setting up "razzle-dazzle" plays. Our defense is a big issue, considering all of our big names are currently injured. Fraser, although young, was another big loss because he knew the system well and put up impressive offensive numbers.

We will get back on the winning track, hopefully sooner than later. Ignore all the Kovalchuk hate. With Parise, Zajac, Kovy, Elias and Arnott, it is hard for them to know who to give the puck to. Once they figure that out, our offense will be unstoppable.

Lets Go Devils!!!!!

PL3 Put On Waivers

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond has been placed on waivers. PL3, mostly known for his tough guy style is not on waivers and it is unclear if he will head to free agency or if he will go down to Albany. In the Devils second game against the Rangers, PL3 got into a fight late in the third period and the NHL announced that he would be suspended for one game.

As reported by Tom Gulitti, Lamoriello said it had nothing to do with the fight:

It had to do with making a decision as far as whether we add another different type of forward and depending on the injuries. But I didn’t like what transpired at the end of the game in that situation.

Although I do love having PL3 as an enforcer, we also have Clarkson and Pelley. Clarkson also adds some offensive power. This will also leave room for possibly signing Adam Mair, who is still practicing with the team, but is not on the roster.