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What the Hell?!?!

October 24, 2010, 5:15 PM ET [ Comments]
Roger Mussa
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
What the Hell?!?

What the hell is going on with the New Jersey Devils? The entire NHL and the Devils fans are wondering what has happened to their club.

I do not recall a lowest point in Devils history, but hey… it can only get better. Because it can’t get any worse!

After reading Eklund’s blog today with his thoughts and theory I find much makes sense.

This Devils team is going through a culture clash!
This is not the Mr. McMullen Devils team that handed over full control to Uncle Lou and said “Do as you see fit, as long as you stay within the budget.”
This is a new New Jersey Devils team. Mr. Vanderbeek is Primetime and wants to win, pack the building and have stars. Uncle Lou still calls the shots when it comes to personnel, or does he?

Yes there has been mounting injuries. Yes there has been many rookies trying to make a name for themselves and play NHL caliber hockey sooner than we expected. Yes there has been has been coaching instability. Yes there has been a larger than life signing.

Again, this is not the old New Jersey Devils.

Yesterday’s scratch of Kovalchuk has left us all wondering… What the hell?

Coach MacLean has said it was entirely his decision. Perhaps, but one thin I will say – Uncle Lou still has a say.

Is tonight’s tilt against cross river rival Rangers a tilting point? Absolutely!

After being humiliated by the Sabres last night having Kovalchuk in the lineup should be a boost but this team needs to play 60 minute hockey. They may need to play boring hockey and steady up the defense. They need to play Devils hockey!

Coach MacLean is pulling all punches, juggling lines, being mysterious with the media, making players work extra hard at practice, being hard on them but does he have control of the team? Is he the psychologist an NHL coach should be?
I would say the next 10 games could very well determine the fate of Coach MacLean weather we get healthy bodies back or not.

Uncle Lou is also seeing what we have and who we could live without. As soon as healthy players get back and Salvador, Rolston, Volchenkov could lace them up we will see dominoes fall and a new Devils team emerge.

It starts tonight. As much as the Devils need a win, it is more about how they play and who plays a complete game. The TEAM needs to step up and play as hard as Mr. Kovalchuk I, too, do not think he is the problem.
What will we see tonight? Only time will tell.

Let’s go Devils!

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate
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