OK, I am.....

Angry, confused, disappointed, embarrassed, confused, loyal, confused,...

As the "Devils Advocate" I am usually defending my team through thick and thin. This time, after last year's playoff meltdown and debacle, I am well.... confused.

Enough talk about line swapping... enough with how Boucher was great (yes, he played well and kept the team in every game) but Brodeur was also good - not stellar. Did not help he had no goal support.

Something has to change and for Free Agents to want to stay, a drastic change needs to happen! I am speaking to Mr. Kovalchuk.

So instead of ranting, I will share with you my initial plan for the Devils if I were GM today. Not a laundry list because Devils fans have a loooong list for sure, but some points to consider immediately.

#1 (not most important but first decision) Thank you Coach Lemaire but we need to move into a different direction. This may, or may not be a popular suggestion but needed.
I believe Lemaire lost the dressing room a bit, juggled lines all too much, and did not lead or motivate players enough. At this level it is less about coaching and more about psychology and he was not able to make a difference in my opinion.
When i see our Power Play a few steps behind and slow, when I see Paul Martin come up the rush looking like a deer in headlights, to me that is too much uncertainty.
Not Devil-like I thought Kovalchuk did the best trying to do it all by himself, he actually penetrated the zone!
Uncle Lou has already been on record as supporting Lemaire back next year. But this is what I would do.
Former Flyers coach John Stevens is available. No pun intended.

#2 and most important - Mr. Kovalchuk, we want to build this team to win now around you! We want you to be a leader so tell us what it would take financially and with the team.
I would be willing to change a lot to keep Kovy in town. He showed a lot of passion, which this Devils team lacked big time, he did show some leadership and was a few good saves away from being a game breaker.

This decision will change how I would address the rest of the team including potential UFAs and open market signing.

If Kovy stays, I would reconsider resigning Paul Martin. I am sure we can find a similar Dman for a tad under Martin's asking price, which i am curious to hear.

Zubrus was one of the Devil's best forwards in the playoffs. That is scary.
We need to give Zach parise and Travis Zajac reasons to stay in New Jersey Long term.

So to make it short - Make every effort to resign Kovalchuk and plan the rest of the strategy around that. If not Kovy, a free agent splash.

#3 - Make sure our top 3 prospects gets in the lineup. Mattias Tedenby, Jacob Josefson and Matt Corrente need to be in this lineup so that we could free up some cash for other purposes.

#4 - Make a big, bigger, committment to Free Agency. With Marty coming into the twilight years of his career and still able to be an above average goalie a "win now" attitude still should have a few more years.

#5 - Dig deeper into the Jamie Langenbrunner mystery. Was he really hurt physically? Or was he emotionally hurt? That is the question. Something is up for sure.

#6 - Can we unload Rolston? Not so sure about that but maybe we could sneak him into a package come draft day. Same goes for Colin White, no sense in repeating.


Well, this is my personal plan and will ask everyone for their opinions.
I am well aware of many, MANY, people around the Devils organization who are in utter shock. We all had high hopes for this team. Lets make a big change.

Let me throw a monkey wrench in here;
Does Lou Lamoriello fire himself??!!
His son Chris, who is also in the Devils organization, could be a good runner-up for the job.

I still stand by my word... In Lou We (still) Trust!

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate

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