I remember last year when I was speaking to Rangers fans before our series with them. They didn't understand why I though the Devils were going to win. I told them they had the two worst teams in the East take their team to 7 games. They wanted nothing of it. Last time I checked i was right. (I know Florida took us to 7 too, but they were the 3 seed!) I am much less afraid of the Rangers this year, because that system of hockey will not work for a full playoffs. Torts really needs to go, but as a Devils fan I want him so badly to stay.
I absolutely agree with you.
I admit last season that I was slightly nervous going into the ECF, but that was mostly a result of it being a late playoff round, the fact that anything can happen in a short series, and I just dreaded the thought of losing to the Rags that late in the postseason. When I thought about it rationally, though? I realized I actually felt more confident against the Rags than I might have against Washington.
Even last season, they were lacking in depth: their bottom 6 wasn't impressive, and they basically rode 3 defensemen to death, and STILL had to rely on Queen Serta having a Vezina-winning season. If not for Pads McGee, the Devils likely take that series in 5 with significantly less drama.
That said, the Rangers still made it that far in part because they developed young talent at various positions and tried to craft their style of play around them. So how does Sather parlay that into something grander? He trades what little depth he has for Nash.
Nash is dangerous, but the Rangers simply weren't in a position to be trading for him and then banking on a great season.
