Is it time for Lou to get his walking papers

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

Hi there.


There's a reason why this thread isn't getting much action. It's because Pete will go before Lou does(if ever).

Well that's the scoop of the day right there.

What's the first thing a Gm does when he feels the heat... fire his head coach. It's no coincidence that we rotated multiple coachs only to have the same mediocre PP for god knows how long and now that we actually have someone who can play the point and shoot lazers from the blueline, our PP is much better now.

Who would've tought player personnel was the key to improving a god awfull PP

 

[glenwo2]

Well that's the scoop of the day right there.

What's the first thing a Gm does when he feels the heat... fire his head coach. It's no coincidence that we rotated multiple coachs only to have the same mediocre PP for god knows how long and now that we actually have someone who can play the point and shoot lazers from the blueline, our PP is much better now.

Who would've tought player personnel was the key to improving a god awfull PP

Well aren't we getting a bit ornery here...?


And anyway, that's how it usually works. I doubt anything happens the rest of this year but I bet you that if the team does not do much next season, you better believe that the Owners' full attention will be on Lou(and not in a good way).

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

Well aren't we getting a bit ornery here...?


And anyway, that's how it usually works. I doubt anything happens the rest of this year but I bet you that if the team does not do much next season, you better believe that the Owners' full attention will be on Lou(and not in a good way).

Lou isn't getting fired anytime soon and we all know why, so we can all agree there but should he still be running this show... I don't think so.

Having new owners is giving Lou some extra time to "work his magic" but without a 1st this summer + the potential lost of Schneider to free agency next year... if both those things happen, I don't see how he can still keep his job.

Regardless of his track record, if it comes down to that, he'll probably give himself the axe.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

If you'd rather be a fan of a team like the Sharks, Ducks, etc. that's entertaining in the regular season then folds in the playoffs, I'm not sure what to say.

This is kind of what the devils have been like the entire post-lockout actually, with excepetion of the recent cup run.

 

[glenwo2]

Lou isn't getting fired anytime soon and we all know why, so we can all agree there but should he still be running this show... I don't think so.

Having new owners is giving Lou some extra time to "work his magic" but without a 1st this summer + the potential lost of Schneider to free agency next year... if both those things happen, I don't see how he can still keep his job.

Regardless of his track record, if it comes down to that, he'll probably give himself the axe.

That is a possibility but I just don't see Lou doing that.

He doesn't seem like a man who will just up and quit when the going gets tough. I think the only way he leaves is if the owners give him the boot.

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

These threads are starting to sound ridiculous. When we were 0-7 that was one thing, but we are 1 point out of the 6th playoff seed (3rd in the division). We are one short hot streak from leading the division. You guys are giving up too early on a team that is short on the bench, bruised, battered and playing with low confidence. They are still playing rather well though everything is against them. Soon enough they will catch fire and we will be happy with the result.

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of hockey left to go. We have a legit shot at winning the division.

 

[R8Devs]

I don't want Lou gone either but I don't think we have a legit shot at winning the division.

 

[Loyal Lou]

These threads are starting to sound ridiculous. When we were 0-7 that was one thing, but we are 1 point out of the 6th playoff seed (3rd in the division). We are one short hot streak from leading the division. You guys are giving up too early on a team that is short on the bench, bruised, battered and playing with low confidence. They are still playing rather well though everything is against them. Soon enough they will catch fire and we will be happy with the result.

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of hockey left to go. We have a legit shot at winning the division.

The Devils can only get 6th because the rest of the division is mediocre at best. Realistically they have a better chance of getting 6th than getting a wild card spot. (god I hate this realignment) But yes there is plenty of hockey left to play but I am willing to say right now MA Fleury will have to have quite a meltdown for the Devils to have a shot at a division title.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

These threads are starting to sound ridiculous. When we were 0-7 that was one thing, but we are 1 point out of the 6th playoff seed (3rd in the division). We are one short hot streak from leading the division. You guys are giving up too early on a team that is short on the bench, bruised, battered and playing with low confidence. They are still playing rather well though everything is against them. Soon enough they will catch fire and we will be happy with the result.

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of hockey left to go. We have a legit shot at winning the division.

Well our fans have always wanted to be like an original 6 team... now we're acting like the Maple Leafs.

 

[NC107*]

Lou needs to step up and take charge and get Pete head screwed on right.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

These threads are starting to sound ridiculous. When we were 0-7 that was one thing, but we are 1 point out of the 6th playoff seed (3rd in the division). We are one short hot streak from leading the division. You guys are giving up too early on a team that is short on the bench, bruised, battered and playing with low confidence. They are still playing rather well though everything is against them. Soon enough they will catch fire and we will be happy with the result.

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of hockey left to go. We have a legit shot at winning the division.

This thread was pretty bad the moment it was brought up. I know there are a lot of guys anti-Lou for various reasons, but the idea that he would ever be fired (especially by new ownership) is not plausible. Lou will never be fired.

When you start talking about his accomplishments and the other ancillary factors he's had to deal with that are beyond his control, the idea that he should be fired gets even more and more ridiculous.

 

[Camille the Eel]

When you start talking about his accomplishments and the other ancillary factors he's had to deal with that are beyond his control, the idea that he should be fired gets even more and more ridiculous.

Absolutely. The thing is the game is always changing and Lou has changed with it. The challenge now is that the good teams are very big, fast and skilled. L.A.; Anaheim; San Jose - look how Winnepeg has rebuilt. Will Lou slowly make over the Devils roster in that image. That means fewer little fast guys; fewer Giontas and yes even Loktionovs. More people cut on the Corey Perry mold.

The best news is how the defense is developing. Finally a host of young, big, strong, skilled guys on the back line, and the teams offense - such as it is - is running through them too right now. Good offense starting at the point. Good structure.

Doesn't Scott Stevens deserve a lot of credit as an assistant coach?

Don't you have to praise Lou for the coaching stability of sticking with Deboer while this develops.

The current season is turning out better than you might have feared.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Absolutely. The thing is the game is always changing and Lou has changed with it. The challenge now is that the good teams are very big, fast and skilled. L.A.; Anaheim; San Jose - look how Winnepeg has rebuilt. Will Lou slowly make over the Devils roster in that image. That means fewer little fast guys; fewer Giontas and yes even Loktionovs. More people cut on the Corey Perry mold.

The best news is how the defense is developing. Finally a host of young, big, strong, skilled guys on the back line, and the teams offense - such as it is - is running through them too right now. Good offense starting at the point. Good structure.

Doesn't Scott Stevens deserve a lot of credit as an assistant coach?

Don't you have to praise Lou for the coaching stability of sticking with Deboer while this develops.

The current season is turning out better than you might have feared.

That's why we are fans. Some are more even-keeled than other but we all are prone to fanatical responses to wins, losses, and performance. That's why we aren't paid millions to exercise patience and perspective.

But even with all my fanatical impulses firing Lou has never crossed my mind. Because it just doesn't make any sense.

And I think that's a great point on Stevens. So many were so quick to fire the guy but I am really happy Lou stuck with him because those kids need him.

 

[Oneiro]

I do not think you can honestly say that Lou has changed with the game.

I present to you the five-six years prior to this when everyone and their mother was screaming about lacking a puckmoving defenseman. Or having defensemen actually join in on the offense.

We are glacially slow to adapt.

It's taken a young prospect, who is comfortable making quick plays from his own zone and not just chipping it off the glass every time he feels pressure, to show the rest of the D how the modern game is played.

And currently, Jagr is teaching us that maybe playmaking (not just chip and chase, rinse and repeat) is a worthwhile approach after all. A fact that 29 other teams know. And no, Jagr-esque players do not grow on trees but that also doesn't mean you don't make an attempt to instill at least a modicum of playmaking skill in our draft picks. You could write a book on the offensive ineptitude of our homegrown guys and call it "From Zajac to Zharkov".

My biggest problem with Lou and the organization is that Devils haven't built two-way players. We've built one-way players, just going the other way.

Till then we are wishing and hoping we hit upon gold in the draft, a la Parise, Gelinas or Boucher.

 

[NJ CUP*]

no one said hes getting fired this year.

its pretty obvious he wont. i dont think he will get fired next year either.

IMO i dont think he should be calling the shots after all the questionable moves made. its really not that unrealistic of a request. the guy is in his 70s. problem with lou and conte is that they are held without question in their abilities. sure i know when they miss the playoffs lou will say " its on me its my fault we missed the playoffs" ok great the first time you said it 2 years ago. its getting a little tiring.

yes i know the team can still make the playoffs but lets get serious is this team going to advance past the 1st round? if so i would wager ANYTHING they don't make it past the 2nd round. the only good from making the playoffs is that the team will save face for not giving up the pick 2 years ago. i guess that will be our "stanley cup" for this year? making the playoffs?

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

The Devils can only get 6th because the rest of the division is mediocre at best. Realistically they have a better chance of getting 6th than getting a wild card spot. (god I hate this realignment) But yes there is plenty of hockey left to play but I am willing to say right now MA Fleury will have to have quite a meltdown for the Devils to have a shot at a division title.

To be honest, its starting to even out now. I wouldn't be surprised if Wild card were up for grabs too. We are 10 points behind the division/conference lead, with some luck and a hot streak, we can get that. Thats what I like about this new format, its like the wild wild west all season long.

This thread was pretty bad the moment it was brought up. I know there are a lot of guys anti-Lou for various reasons, but the idea that he would ever be fired (especially by new ownership) is not plausible. Lou will never be fired.

When you start talking about his accomplishments and the other ancillary factors he's had to deal with that are beyond his control, the idea that he should be fired gets even more and more ridiculous.

I don't think any GM would recover from losing 2 impact players like Kovy and Parise and then a role player like Clarkson within 12 months. Lou has done a great job keeping this sinking ship afloat.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Funniest part is everyone wanted to give Lou GM of the year after the off-season was over.

 

[Marv4Life]

Funniest part is everyone wanted to give Lou GM of the year after the off-season was over.

Not everyone, especially with that Clowe contract along with losing Kovy.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Not everyone, especially with that Clowe contract along with losing Kovy.

Guess you're right. I remember a general feeling of jubilation and excitement though. Of "oh man Lou's still got it!" all around. Well, maybe save abo.

 

[SeidoN]

Not everyone, especially with that Clowe contract along with losing Kovy.

how does Lou stop us losing Kovy?

 

[Marv4Life]

how does Lou stop us losing Kovy?

If he knew that there was a chance he would bolt then he could have traded him. Or if not at least get do something to try to somewhat replace his production(kinda did with Jagr I guess).

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

If he knew that there was a chance he would bolt then he could have traded him. Or if not at least get do something to try to somewhat replace his production(kinda did with Jagr I guess).

Trading a guy who was leaving would have ruined all of Lou's credibility around the league. Period.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If he knew that there was a chance he would bolt then he could have traded him. Or if not at least get do something to try to somewhat replace his production(kinda did with Jagr I guess).

no one would've taken that contract. plus trading a guy you know is leaving makes him look like an ******* to the other GMs

you should know Lou doesnt work that way.

 

[NC107*]

I am the one that started this thread. Lou is President and GM he has his finger into everything because he is a control freak. That being said he lost Parise and didn't replace him or his goal/assist replacement, he lost Sykora and didn't replace him or his goal/assist production, he lost Clarkson and replaced him with Clowe with a contract that was just awful, too much money and too long. I stated this the day he signed him and said that Clowe wouldn't and couldn't replace Clarkson production. Lou knew that Zajac and Henrique production was down. Lou knew for 7 or 8 months that Kovy was leaving and it wouldn't surprise me that Lou was happy about that and help him leave because of his contract and Jeff Vanderbeek financial position and problems. Lou signed a bunch of players really not knowing who would work out. He signed Schneider to add to the winning but then goes along with playing Marty who is on a losing cycle. He didn't have a plan to make up for the lost goals and assists other than he kept his finger crossed hoping some of his cheap selections would out outdoing themselves and produce. So Lou needs to take ownership and have a plan for a possible failure of his original thinking but it appears he doesn't have one other than to put Janssen on the ice and play Marty out of loyalty. Every plan needs a backup and the Devils need one desperately. Lou can't take action against DeBoer because he provided the mess with the offense players. Jagr worked out but everything other than Schneider has been a bust. Should Lou be fired, of course not, retired and before he retires get him some help to right the ship today before they lose all their paying fans, yes.

 

[billingtons ghost]

If he knew that there was a chance he would bolt then he could have traded him. Or if not at least get do something to try to somewhat replace his production(kinda did with Jagr I guess).

I don't think that happens in real life.

Could you imagine the phone call?

Hey Sather, how would you like our best player? Why? uhh... umm.. there's a slight chance he might bolt to the KHL.