The Peter DeBoer thread

[Andre Palot]

He got really, really lucky. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round teams were perfect opponents for his system. Then we faced LA and we got system'ed. He is totally unwilling to change anything. The most stubborn person since Lou.

Lucky? We were one goal away from being out in the first round...again.

We weren't THAT lucky. The Rangers series took us to six games and the only series we really cruised past was Philly. Not sure how we got "really lucky." That's a bit of a stretch IMO.

 

[Wingman77]

We've become a lot less aggressive in terms of pressure on our PK since we had the record setting year - it can't be expected to have another year like that, however it is noticeably more lax with less pressure

A common theme these past 5 games has been also a lack of going for the puck in the middle of the ice, it is likely more of a chemistry thing, but many times two players are near a puck and are somewhat hesitant in going for it, almost waiting for the other and that has led to a lot of passes just to pass it

Guys like Henrique and Zajac slowly carrying and stick handling the puck over the offensive blue line are head scratchers as well, they're just giving the defense more time to read and react

Players have not been fantastic to DeBoer's defense which given the amount of new forwards is somewhat understandable, but the failure to make lineup changes that are glaringly obvious is not acceptable after losing 5 in a row

If it's broke.....well you fix it

 

[Buckingham Claude*]

The only reason you can blame Deboer is for starting Harrold and Volchenkov every game.

Gionta over Josephson is getting old too.

Zidlicky is here to stay boys, whether you like it or not. You better start admiring his positive moments and run to the fridge for a beer when he creates a turnover or allows an opponent to roam around our zone like it is his living room.

That in itself might be enough but for some strange reason I believe Yoda has something to say about them as well.

But whoever it is that makes the decision to play these scrubs is a very stubborn man. He wants to prove to you that these guys can do it, and once he wins a game they should be welcomed with open arms.

Newsflash: This team will be .500 or below until we unload VOL-HA-ZID-GIO.

Even if we are close n winning these games, doesn't mean we should win them all. You win 50% of close games, so we are a .500 team.

Deboer should play Gelinas or Merrill. Who knows, maybe Urbom was a bust, but the Devils management has given away lots of defenseman that have gone on to be great players... Jason Smith is a classic example.

I want to see kids. I know what we have with journeyman Harrold and ECHL Volchenkov. I know the end result will be disappointing know matter how many games they string along.

 

[glenwo2]

I posted this in the post game thread but it probably makes more sense here...

My thoughts on this topic have changed I think. I thought we would struggle early on due to lack of chemistry with so much forward turnover and what not. But I haven't really seen that. If anything, the new guys have done a nice job of coming on board and contributing immediately.

What I do see is a lot of guys with no focus in the defensive zone staring at the puck without any regard for defensive assignment. Constant bad decisions through the neutral zone. No poise to close out games. And a coach who refuses to play the best possible players we have at our disposal.

And each of these issues were evident going back to the previous 35 games. This coaching staff seemingly has no answers for fixing any of these issues, which I would now consider long-term definitive trends.

On top of that, consider this. The d-men we are currently playing are literally the exact same we had 2 years ago. Two freaking years ago. Now take into consideration that at the time they were already on the older side, so now those same d-men are two years older. And that their success at the time was more a product of the system rather than raw talent. Now take into consideration that we have a promising group of young d prospects. Why on Earth are we now, two years later, still icing the exact same group of defensemen who are now two years older and slower? Not only that, but one of the few young solid ones that were a part of that group is not playing most nights. I mean it's borderline criminal. Nothing has been done for the last two years to accommodate a youth movement on the backend even though we have the prospects. That is partially on Pete for not playing them now that he has the opportunity, but it's more on Lou. Why did we bring back Sal for three years (and make him captain, another dumb move by Pete)? Why did we not buy out Volch this offseason? Why did we sign Harrold to a one way deal?

This team needs a fresh start from a management standpoint. I liked Pete for most of his time here but he (and his staff it seems) has no answers for a team that has failed to play Devils hockey for 40+ games now. I absolutely admire Lou and everything he has done but his decisions when it comes to contracts and team building have become inconsistent and outdated. I don't think Lou should be fired, but to be honest I would be somewhat relieved if he retired at the end of this season.

Of course this is all contingent on the idea that we replace them with top notch people. Here's hoping because this organization needs to a breath of fresh air.

I read this the first time.

I still don't agree the second time either.

Pete is the problem here more than Lou.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Stevens for HC.

Do it now.

absolutely not.

the problems with the defense are mostly his fault.

 

[Claudi27]

I'll sign a paper saying we get 2 points out of 6 on a long ass road trip any day of the week, this is a team going through a lot of changes, everything needs to settle down and a lot of experimenting is still left to do, not easy when you are on the road.

We'll be alright and pushing for a playoff spot, better than what hockey experts predicted us to be.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

So you fire him and move up 2 spots in the east maybe from 14th to 12th? Does it really matter? This is largely a talent issue.

again, no it isn't. the D has NEVER looked like this before and the offense is fine.

 

[njdevil26]

Can they have one game where they ask the fans to set the lineup? lol

Henrique-Zajac-Ryder
Zubrus-Elias-Jagr
Clowe-Loktionov-Brunner
Olesz-Josefson-Bernier

Greene-Larsson
Gelinas-Salvador
Zidlicky-Fayne

Schneider. DO IT.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Insanity to not make any changes.

 

[glenwo2]

To be honest, I really don't think Harris and whatever his name is are THAT emotionally invested in the on ice product that they would start putting pressure on Lou. Not after they said "In Lou We Trust" 450 times during that interview with Deb.

Then again....Josh *was* smashed at that time.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I find it amusing how you guys all of sudden got onto the same page as me from two years ago regarding Deboer. A timely Finals run bought him some time but it looks like the dream is going to end.

I was the original "DeBoer is not a solid coach" guy on this board, and that is a title I will not give up to any usurper!

 

[NJDevs26]

Ftorek was an utter failure as an NHL head coach, I really don't understand why people want him. We're not trying to win with Albany, we're trying to win with New Jersey.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Usually when a fanbase is complaining about their coach and want him fired it's not really justified and the issues aren't all the coaches fault. That is not the case with the Devils. Pete is not working out. Horrendous personnel decisions, he's not motivating them, he's stunting the growth of young players...Just awful across the board. Get Guy Boucher already.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

again, 11 wins (2 in the SO) in the past 41 games. thats half a season

that is unacceptable.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

again, 11 wins (2 in the SO) in the past 41 games. thats half a season

that is unacceptable.

I do agree with this point. 100%. It's very hard to ignore this. Very hard. I wonder if Lou is aware of the extent of our futility.

 

[NJDevs26]

Two in the shootout AND two of the nine regulation wins came in garbagetime the last week of last year after we were eliminated. So really the 11 gets a lot less impressive through that prism.

 

[Tundra]

He got really, really lucky. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round teams were perfect opponents for his system. Then we faced LA and we got system'ed. He is totally unwilling to change anything. The most stubborn person since Lou.

There was nothing wrong with his system. The team was simply too beaten up by the time it reached the finals. Kovalchuk, Clarkson and Fayne were injured. And yet the devils still played competitive.

 

[jkrdevil]

There is nothing wrong with his offensive zone system. His defensive zone system is bad though. I would say it goes too far as far for agressive puck pursuit and leads to guys being out of position. Looking back when Pete first came in that first camp there was talk about how agressive on the ouck he wanted them to play in their own zone.

They need someone who can marry they way they play in offensive zone, with a better defensive zone system (one positionally more in control). The ironic thing is a guy i think could have done that was available this summer, but now he is in Vancouver.

 

[StvBroDan]

We've become a lot less aggressive in terms of pressure on our PK since we had the record setting year - it can't be expected to have another year like that, however it is noticeably more lax with less pressure

A common theme these past 5 games has been also a lack of going for the puck in the middle of the ice, it is likely more of a chemistry thing, but many times two players are near a puck and are somewhat hesitant in going for it, almost waiting for the other and that has led to a lot of passes just to pass it

Guys like Henrique and Zajac slowly carrying and stick handling the puck over the offensive blue line are head scratchers as well, they're just giving the defense more time to read and react

Players have not been fantastic to DeBoer's defense which given the amount of new forwards is somewhat understandable, but the failure to make lineup changes that are glaringly obvious is not acceptable after losing 5 in a row

If it's broke.....well you fix it[/ QUOTE]

Good Post and on the money Wing

 

[DevilsJunkie]

From the little I've been able to watch this season, I see 3 issues.

First and foremost is the lack of quickness on the blueline. This lack of quickness means gaps are larger, or if the gaps are tightened up, then the D gets beaten with speed. It also means more puck battles are lost since opposing forwards get to the puck first.

Second, the large rate of turnover among the forwards is causing a lot of issues in the defensive end. I still can't wrap my head around that T. Hall goal in Edmonton. Nearly every player on the ice for that goal had their head up their keister.

Third, the goaltending hasn't been what is needed. A lot of the "sins" of the skaters can be covered up by key saves at the right time. The Schneids and Brodeur have played relatively well. But, in this situation, relatively well isn't good enough. We need 'em to bail out the rest of the team. Hopefully, later in the season the skaters can bail out a sub-par performance from the men in pads. It's what good teams do.

The first 2 can definitely be laid at the feet of management and DeBoer. However, after 5 games (disregarding last season for now), I'm not ready to call for the coach's head. Having said that, I want to see a major roster shakeup for game 6 or, at the very least, game 7 if game 6 doesn't produce the desired result.

If game 8 comes and these issues still persist and no changes come from Pete or Lou...then I'll join the angry bandwagon.

 

[Chessarmy]

Another loss and Lou has to remove him. Then have 3 off days before the next game.

Lou should also waive Volxhenkov and look for a trading partner for Sal. Caps traded their captain a few years ago.

Thank god you're not the GM. Trading away one of the team's most reliable defenseman for no reason is probably not the greatest idea.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Merrill will be up before Gelinas. Book it.

 

[daveskirtun]

 

[Devils Trap]

JJ Benched, Gio still at C................

Fayne still sitting

FFS Deboer

 

[Uli Hiemer]

JJ Benched, Gio still at C................

Fayne still sitting

FFS Deboer

I want him gone.

Lou needs to get rid of Gionta because DeBoer can't help but use him. Fayne should just ask to be traded.