GDT: Ottawa Senators at NJ Devils The Streak Ends Tonight! I CAN FEEL IT IN MY PLUMS

[Oneiro]

So what do you think it was, 6-4?

At any rate, the point stands, the Devils take numerous "Girlscout shots" per game (especially the defense) that the average Krispy-Kreme-eating HFBoards poster could stop.

The main reason why Fenwick and Corsi can eat it.

I think it's the hallmark of bad teams to level an ungodly amount of low quality scoring chances at NHL goaltenders.

 

[apice3*]

I would like you guys to list reasons why you don't like Vanderbeek besides the fact that you've run out of things to complain about.

 

[Bleedred]

I would like you guys to list reasons why you don't like Vanderbeek besides the fact that you've run out of things to complain about.

I don't have any personal issues with him, but I'm not sure he has the finances to keep this team competitive with what's went on. Hopefully the Zajac contract though means it will though.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Because 75% of all Devils shots are low-percentage (easy) shots from the outside.

This is what makes the boxscore look dominating, but in reality the shots are probably more like 8-6 in terms of quality.

We have some of the worst quality shots of any team I've seen all season. Most of the goalies we face could read the paper and check their phones while playing against us. The last 2 times we've been shutout, with the exception of a couple posts, have been too easy for the opposing goalies. Even when we do score 1 or 2 goals it doesn't look like the opposing goalie has to work too much. Reimer last week was probably an example of that.

 

[NJDevs26]

I would like you guys to list reasons why you don't like Vanderbeek besides the fact that you've run out of things to complain about.

I don't really get the distrust either other than the lack of money last year and how that may or may not have played into Parise/Semin/whatever moves Lou didn't make in the offseason.

People try to fit a narrative...if they don't like him because he's meddlesome, cite the Kovy thing. If they don't like him because he's 'not' meddlesome, it's because they want him to can Lou. It's amazing he's been accused of both and probably neither is true. If he was meddlesome with the Kovy thing, Lou wouldn't be here.

And I suspect any non-Lou GM would probably be feeling heat with two misses in three years, and the payroll issues until this year. It's possible JVB just doesn't like firing GM's like the merry-go-round of owners in Buffalo that's kept Darcy around all these years, but we won't know until the first non-Lou GM.

 

[Bleedred]

I'm not sure Vanderbeek has the finances to keep the team competitive. Not that we can control that.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

I would like you guys to list reasons why you don't like Vanderbeek besides the fact that you've run out of things to complain about.

I think some people feel he was one of the main reasons why Zach bolted. We didn't have enough cash to match Minnesota because of the debts and all that crap. I don't really personally believe that but some people do.

 

[Oneiro]

I don't think this team survives in the area if it doesn't spend comparably with the upper echelon of the league.

We're already squandering a decade's worth of momentum brought on by a young fanbase and a cup run.

 

[Bleedred]

I think if we ice a Florida bargain bin team that means he really doesn't have the finances. Especially considering he was spending to the cap or close to it since the salary cap was put in. Not that we'll spend quite as less as Florida, but if we're icing a low payroll it's safe to assume that he doesn't have the finances that he did.

 

[apice3*]

The way I see it, Hedberg, Salvador, and Volchenkov all sat today and we're bored of complaining about DeBoer and Lou.

Jeff Vanderbeek, the reason the Devils missed the playoffs this season.

We're already squandering a decade's worth of momentum brought on by a young fanbase and a cup run.

We've sold out all but 3 home games this year. What are you talking about?

 

[JackHughes86]

these refs were terrible tonight that craig anderson butt end was terrible

 

[Bleedred]

Tonight was the third non sell out apparently. Has to be a result of the losing streak.

I think it's worth questioning everything now cause I can't understand why the team is THIS bad. If we were in 9th or 10th all year fine, but slipping from 1st to 10th? Clarkson stopped scoring goals, and we lost Kovy. That's a big part of it. Does anyone think there's a cancer in the locker room? I'm just looking for answers. This team is very close to Maclean bad right now. Only the defense is actually existent.

We were 9-22-2 under Maclean. We've had 7 wins in like 29 games at this point.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

We've sold out all but 3 home games this year. What are you talking about?

Hes probably talking about next season. If the ship isn't steered back in the right direction next year then a lot of the people that opened their wallets for this season might not do that again. I think it's a bit premature to think people are just gonna abandon ship and jump on life rafts because of the suckage this year. If we stay in mediocrity then they might though.

 

[NJDevs26]

Hes probably talking about next season. If the ship isn't steered back in the right direction next year then a lot of the people that opened their wallets for this season might not do that again. I think it's a bit premature to think people are just gonna abandon ship and jump on life rafts because of the suckage this year. If we stay in mediocrity then they might though.

There's going to be a dropoff next year anyway. Seven games vs. the Rangers/Flyers/Pens in a 24-game schedule vs. eight regular season games (max) against them in a 44-game schedule ain't going to help the average, and the length will dilute some of the demand next year - as will all the games against random West teams. Throw in increased prices and next year may be a severe reality check for the Fan Experience team. I mean even this year's numbers are a bit phony considering all the $75 club games.

It does get exacerbated if this season is followed by another summer of relative inactivity - or worse, with all our impending FA's.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Tonight was the third non sell out apparently. Has to be a result of the losing streak.

I think it's worth questioning everything now cause I can't understand why the team is THIS bad. If we were in 9th or 10th all year fine, but slipping from 1st to 10th? Clarkson stopped scoring goals, and we lost Kovy. That's a big part of it. Does anyone think there's a cancer in the locker room? I'm just looking for answers. This team is very close to Maclean bad right now. Only the defense is actually existent.

We were 9-22-2 under Maclean. We've had 7 wins in like 29 games at this point.

I doubt it. Were just not that good. Were void of talent in a lot of areas. The first month was probably an anomaly, then the injuries happened, and now basically everyone's confidence has gone down the drain. This is pretty Maclean like I must say. Not identical but close. Tons of veterans not performing who have bad contracts. That was pretty similar to what happened in 2011.

 

[NJDevs26]

I doubt it. Were just not that good. Were void of talent in a lot of areas. The first month was probably an anomaly, then the injuries happened, and now basically everyone's confidence has gone down the drain. This is pretty Maclean like I must say. Not identical but close. Tons of veterans not performing who have bad contracts. That was pretty similar to what happened in 2011.

The only difference - and it's significant - is that that team was in full quit mode, losing 5-1 games on a regular basis, and didn't look like they had any system. This team hasn't gone in the tank yet, and is doing everything but scoring for the most part the last couple weeks. At least they know what their system is...with five men on the ice for the other team anyway. The PP is the unit where they really look MacLeanish, which is ironic cause that's the 'one' facet that wasn't struggling under JMac.

This is why the last seven games are important to me, even if they wind up being meaningless. People may want the pick, I want Pete to keep his job. If the team goes in the tank down the stretch it may give Lou an itchy trigger finger and I don't really want Pete going anywhere like just another disposable coach.

 

[Bleedred]

I doubt it. Were just not that good. Were void of talent in a lot of areas. The first month was probably an anomaly, then the injuries happened, and now basically everyone's confidence has gone down the drain. This is pretty Maclean like I must say. Not identical but close. Tons of veterans not performing who have bad contracts. That was pretty similar to what happened in 2011.

Maclean actually had a better forward roster though, and the defense was non existent. Now the defense is existent, but the offense isn't there. Couple that in with Zajac looking like John Madden in his twilight years, Loktionov having to replace Zajac more than anything, inconsistencies of Henrique, and the complete vanishing act of Ponikarovsky.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

The only difference - and it's significant - is that that team was in full quit mode, losing 5-1 games on a regular basis, and didn't look like they had any system. This team hasn't gone in the tank yet, and is doing everything but scoring for the most part the last couple weeks. At least they know what their system is...with five men on the ice for the other team anyway. The PP is the unit where they really look MacLeanish, which is ironic cause that's the 'one' facet that wasn't struggling under JMac.

This is why the last seven games are important to me, even if they wind up being meaningless. People may want the pick, I want Pete to keep his job. If the team goes in the tank down the stretch it may give Lou an itchy trigger finger and I don't really want Pete going anywhere like just another disposable coach.

Yea pretty much, there just losing in a different way than they did 2 years ago. I'm not gonna lie, I am getting pretty scared for Pete's job right now. If they drop a few more and break the franchise record losing streak then Lou might not be able to take it anymore. Really hope that doesn't happen because with the right player's Pete's system is extremely effective. Only a couple guy's have carried over the forecheck from last year to this year.

 

[Bleedred]

I think Lou is high as a kite on some heavy **** if he fires Pete. He's gotta know the roster wasn't good enough (Though it's not this bad either) I think Pete's system doesn't really work with the turds we have right now which isn't his fault. I still get this feeling in the back of my head that Lou wants another trapping coach, and Guy Boucher is now available....ugh.

What has caused guys like Zajac and Henrique to underachieve? And Poni who has been more invisble than Valeri Kamensky was in 01-02. Even Loktionov has dropped back down to earth, but when he's playing with space junk Poni can you blame him?

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Maclean actually had a better forward roster though, and the defense was non existent. Now the defense is existent, but the offense isn't there. Couple that in with Zajac looking like John Madden in his twilight years, Loktionov having to replace Zajac more than anything, inconsistencies of Henrique, and the complete vanishing act of Ponikarovsky.

Yea the only reason I say this season is similar is because you had veterans on that team that just blew chunks like what were seeing now. Arnott, Langenbrunner, Rolston, Volchenkov, Tallinder, and Marty wasn't even that great. This year: Zajac, Clarkson, Poni, Salvador, Volchenkov (LOL), Hedberg, and Elias who's been really inconsistent. Could throw Henrique in their as well but I'll give him a mulligan for this year.

 

[NJDevs26]

I think Lou is high as a kite on some heavy **** if he fires Pete. He's gotta know the roster wasn't good enough (Though it's not this bad either) I think Pete's system doesn't really work with the turds we have right now which isn't his fault. I still get this feeling in the back of my head that Lou wants another trapping coach, and Guy Boucher is now available....ugh.

What has caused guys like Zajac and Henrique to underachieve? And Poni who has been more invisble than Valeri Kamensky was in 01-02. Even Loktionov has dropped back down to earth, but when he's playing with space junk Poni can you blame him?

If they finish the season losing fourteen or fifteen out of sixteen, would you really put it past Lou? He fired Larry off of two Finals apperances, and two other coaches while they were in first place. I don't want Pete to become another disposable Kleenex coach but Devil coaches have been fired for far less results-wise.

All that's saving Pete right now is the team's compete level and hopefully a realization by Lou in his inner, quiet moment that HE didn't do enough to keep the team competitive. If the compete level dissapears down the stretch (and it would be understandable if it did at this point), then all that's left is hoping for the latter.

 

[Bleedred]

Yea the only reason I say this season is similar is because you had veterans on that team that just blew chunks like what were seeing now. Arnott, Langenbrunner, Rolston, Volchenkov, Tallinder, and Marty wasn't even that great. This year: Zajac, Clarkson, Poni, Salvador, Volchenkov (LOL), Hedberg, and Elias who's been really inconsistent. Could throw Henrique in their as well but I'll give him a mulligan for this year.

Maclean didn't really have any system. When I read that crap from Marty about how there was no strategy, and they're just told to go out there and skate then I knew Maclean was a jackass. Marty was good early that season too. He probably wouldn't have approved of the stats jockeys around here, but he was respectable until he got injured by keeping games close. Then he fell off a cliff with the rest of them, and lost confidence and eventually told Terreri that the team would be better off starting Moose. He was also getting beat to the glove every game back then that season. Even when Lemaire came back, and the team was playing better he was getting abused on his glove hand, but in the last two years it's really come back.

I can see Marty finishing the season poorly, and just not caring anymore which is what he looked like late in Maclean, and even into when Jacques first came back.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Tonight was the third non sell out apparently. Has to be a result of the losing streak.

I think it's worth questioning everything now cause I can't understand why the team is THIS bad. If we were in 9th or 10th all year fine, but slipping from 1st to 10th? Clarkson stopped scoring goals, and we lost Kovy. That's a big part of it. Does anyone think there's a cancer in the locker room? I'm just looking for answers. This team is very close to Maclean bad right now. Only the defense is actually existent.

We were 9-22-2 under Maclean. We've had 7 wins in like 29 games at this point.

I don't think there is a cancer though maybe a lack of focused fire if that makes sense. Pete is really easy going it seems, not a jelly jar kind of guy which is fine, in fact all the coaches seem that way (even Stevens...when Larry didn't seem that way). Then look at our captain. More easy going. Where is the guy to fire up the bench, yell and be like "we are better then this" Zach was that guy and so is Kovy. Zach as C and Kovy wearing the A worked. I think Kovy with the C and Henriqe with the A might of been a better idea this year.

I already went in length what I think happened here. Short answer. Short season, regression, injuries, horrendous luck, and finally the team mind ****ing and clarktarding themselves until they forgot how to win. The whole thing turned into a vicious cycle that they never over came or adapted too. In a full season they most likely overcome it but you have to be more adaptable in a short one and we weren't. We took our lumps very poorly and let it effect our play.

Look at the recent play. Instead of guys clamoring to step up to fill the void Kovy left, they all shied away from it. Forced passes, passes to the point. They stopped playing smart team hockey.

Important point is these guys can play smart hockey. Why blowing it up or calling them an AHL roster is stupid and not true.

 

[Bleedred]

Hopefully we'll be better next year though, and give Marty and Lou a chance to go out with one more cup. Just weed out deadweight like Poni, and the Kremlin Kone. Try to get rid of Tallinder, but if not then fine. He's been pretty solid, but I just think we can use that money towards a forward or even re signing Zidlicky. Hopefully Patty doesn't wanna leave, but for the first time I can really see him wanting to go out with another cup somewhere else. Shaw can take a hike too. Let Barr run the PP. If anything this shows we don't need to waste our time paying somebody to run a ****** power play when we can save money and have one of the other coaches a run the same ****** power play.

I kinda like Sullivan (Other than his defense on the power play) but I'm sure we'll hear the ''We've decided to give a younger player a chance'' spiel again. Let's just hope that younger player isn't Tedenby because his time is up here.

 

[Devils86]

So 9 straight losses. Somewhere out there John MacLean is smiling.

At least the concourses and concession lines were less crowded tonight. And it'll only get roomier the last few games.

This is an AHL team compared to the one Jmac ruined