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Six games in to the 2013-14 NHL campaign, the New Jersey Devils have not yet won a hockey game. Not one.
The Devils have four one goal losses, and were in it until the end against Winnipeg on Sunday. Though ultimately they found a way to lose despite Cory Schneider's best efforts to prevent that.
Through six games the Devils have three points. They have allowed at least three goals in every game. They have allowed 21 goals overall. The team has a minus-10 goal differential. They're scoring at a 6% clip on the power play.
Add all that up and what do you have? A team that's just two points out of 3rd in their division, which would put them in a playoff spot. The Devils have tried and failed to win a hockey game six times in a row. Yet if they win their next one, they could very well be in a playoff position.
Pete DeBoer has taken a lot of heat for the Devils' struggles and he should hold some responsibility. That said, I think the Devils' early season struggles are more so because of a lack of proper player personnel than bad coaching.
I don't think DeBoer is to blame here and I think that firing him would be a mistake. Though for a general manager it's easier to replace a coach than several players.
Marek Zidlicky has been a turnover machine. Adam Larsson has blown coverages every game. Bryce Salvador has looked like a 3rd pairing defenseman in over his head playing top competition. Go through the entire Devils defense and I'd argue the only player who hasn't been bad is Andy Greene.
Can Lou Lamoriello replace five defenseman? No. Can he fire DeBoer and hire a new coach without any trouble? Yes. That worries me because DeBoer isn't at fault here.
The Devils have a couple good defenseman playing in Albany named Jon Merrill and Eric Gelinas. If the Devils wouldn't have to waive and give away a couple of players for nothing, I think they'd already be here. But they aren't.
New Jersey doesn't play again until Thursday when they take on the Ottawa Senators. They better be ready to compete, and win, or DeBoer might soon find himself looking for a new job.
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