Clowe replaces Clarkson fine and I think Jagr, Brunner and Ryder can collectively replace Kovy.
- rmdevil313

Clowe does not compare to Clarkson. In fact clowe really isn't that good. Not bashing but one of the worst signings of the offseason

I get what your saying but I simply don't think that approach works. It's like assuming the Caps would be better if they dealt Ovie and got two guys who combined for more goals. You still do not have that dynamic presence once Ovie is gone on the TOP LINE. Jagr skates like he's in mud. Kovy is an elite talent who has been replaced by a guy who was comparable 15 years ago. Again, is the team deeper? Sure..are they so drastically better that they just passed the Flyers, Rangers and Isles? nah. Not all three.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Except we are replacing him with 3 players who all scored more goals than him last year and 2 who had more points. Again, not saying any of them are better than kovy.

Clowe does not compare to Clarkson. In fact clowe really isn't that good. Not bashing but one of the worst signings of the offseason
- Cptmjl

One of clarksons best seasons- .5 points a game.
Clowes worst- .48 I really don't see how he doesn't unless you assume he's either going to be hurt for most of the season or shooting at 2% for the whole season.

Except we are replacing him with 3 players who all scored more goals than him last year and 2 who had more points. Again, not saying any of them are better than kovy.
- rmdevil313

I see you guys doing better than most on here are saying but I think you'll be battling for a spot and we might be there with you? I don't see the flyers finishing in the playoffs.

Why exactly did the Devils need to replace Kovy down to every detail of who/what he is? Ultimately, you win/lose games due to scoring goals and stopping them from going in. Looking at the stats, arguing that the Devils somehow didn't add production, balance, and an elite goalie is ridiculous.

Obviously, time will tell. But going by what's on paper (which is all we have to go by for any team right now), I like our chances.

Remember two things about the Devils:

1. Fewest shots allowed per game in the league last year.

2. Schneider's .927? save percentage.

The Devils defense this year is going to frustrate the hell out of opposition... now that they have some semblance of offense in Brunner and Jagr, teams with this kind of D do not finish 6th or 7th, sorry :D

Except we are replacing him with 3 players who all scored more goals than him last year and 2 who had more points. Again, not saying any of them are better than kovy.
- rmdevil313

Again, if the Caps replace Ovie with two guys who combine for more goals, does that make them an improved team? I think that's highly debatable. There are very few talents like Kovy and when he's on the ice, his dominance over an opposing line can change a game far more than the combination of two mid tier players. That's my only point. Getting three guys who scored more goals than one guy, despite the fact that all of them are mediocre doesn't mean the team is better after it replaced an elite forward.


Xxkeaner17xX

I see you guys doing better than most on here are saying but I think you'll be battling for a spot and we might be there with you? I don't see the flyers finishing in the playoffs.
- Cptmjl

If I had to pick now I don't think I'd have the devils in the playoffs. But I certainly think there is a chance.

They also scored the 3rd least goals in the league averaging 2.29 GpG while also being one of the worst 5x5 teams in goals for/against in the league. I'm not saying they're a lottery team but I see very little reason to believe their additions will leapfrog them past the Rangers, Islanders and Flyers.
I guess that's why they play the games...

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Kovy went down for a good amount of season and we had noone who could come up and bring any offense, this year we have improved good offensive depth who are good possession players that will help team more than 1 player

also moose had trouble last season givinh up some bad goals which shouldn't have gone in which shouldn't br a problem with Cory


mods I accidentally pressed ! Please ignore that

One of clarksons best seasons- .5 points a game.
Clowes worst- .48 I really don't see how he doesn't unless you assume he's either going to be hurt for most of the season or shooting at 2% for the whole season.
- rmdevil313

Clarkson brings more to the table. I honestly think neither will live up to their contracts but if I had a choice it'd be Clarkson all day long.

They also scored the 3rd least goals in the league averaging 2.29 GpG while also being one of the worst 5x5 teams in goals for/against in the league. I'm not saying they're a lottery team but I see very little reason to believe their additions will leapfrog them past the Rangers, Islanders and Flyers.
I guess that's why they play the games...

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Kovy went down for a good amount of season and we had noone who could come up and bring any offense, this year we have improved good offensive depth who are good possession players that will help team more than 1 player

also moose had trouble last season givinh up some bad goals which shouldn't have gone in which shouldn't br a problem with Cory


mods I accidentally pressed ! Please ignore that

gaborik is going to score 30 goals for columbus. if bob plays anything like he did last season, they could be dangerous.

and another olympic year where at least 8 or so rangers are going to play oveseas...dammit

Again, if the Caps replace Ovie with two guys who combine for more goals, does that make them an improved team? I think that's highly debatable. There are very few talents like Kovy and when he's on the ice, his dominance over an opposing line can change a game far more than the combination of two mid tier players. That's my only point. Getting three guys who scored more goals than one guy, despite the fact that all of them are mediocre doesn't mean the team is better after it replaced an elite forward.


Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

But its not like the team just fell apart when Kovy was hurt, we just couldn't finish and our PP suffered. These players help both those problems.

If I had to pick now I don't think I'd have the devils in the playoffs. But I certainly think there is a chance.
- rmdevil313

I don't disagree with that at all, which has been my point all along. Bottom line: I believe you are improved overall, but I don't think it's drastic enough to leapfrog you to 2nd in the division.

Xxkeaner17xX

But its not like the team just fell apart when Kovy was hurt, we just couldn't finish and our PP suffered. These players help both those problems.
- rmdevil313

I don't disagree, but there's something to be said for having a game breaker on the ice. Sure overall through the course of a game depth is huge, but if you're in a close game (as most NHL games are now) and you have a minute to go and a faceoff in the offensive zone, you're now sending out a 42 year old Jagr rather than Kovy...to me that's a big deal. You gain in many areas with your additons but you also lose in a couple of high impact areas. By the time you subtract the losses from the gains, the overall imrpovement isn't enough to turn you into the second best in the Metro IMO.

Xxkeaner17xX

There's still time. Or do you not make your own decisions.
- Dr3aMWeav3r

Yeah I totally can see how you think that. What a well thought out response.

whatever happened with jagr leaving camp early? i didn't follow it any further.

Again, if the Caps replace Ovie with two guys who combine for more goals, does that make them an improved team? I think that's highly debatable. There are very few talents like Kovy and when he's on the ice, his dominance over an opposing line can change a game far more than the combination of two mid tier players. That's my only point. Getting three guys who scored more goals than one guy, despite the fact that all of them are mediocre doesn't mean the team is better after it replaced an elite forward.


Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

What you're missing is that Ovechkin is good, Kovy sucks. The guy scored 3 even strength goals last season. The guy had been getting double shifted with the 4th line for 3 years regularly and never once scored a goal. He can't do anything without other players around him. I've watched Kovy play every game for the Devils. He was good in the second half of his first full season, other than that he sucks. Patrik Elias (nicest player and best hockey IQ ever) regularly bashes on Kovy to the media (in code of course). I trust Elias to know that the guy is awful.

What you're missing is that Ovechkin is good, Kovy sucks. The guy scored 3 even strength goals last season. The guy had been getting double shifted with the 4th line for 3 years regularly and never once scored a goal. He can't do anything without other players around him. I've watched Kovy play every game for the Devils. He was good in the second half of his first full season, other than that he sucks. Patrik Elias (nicest player and best hockey IQ ever) regularly bashes on Kovy to the media (in code of course). I trust Elias to know that the guy is awful.
- poopers

whatever happened with jagr leaving camp early? i didn't follow it any further.
- Why So Serious

He had ann issue with like his hip/lower back they were saying from his flying over from Czech.. No idea why that would happen but thats what he was saying. He's been practicing so i think thats a solid.

What you're missing is that Ovechkin is good, Kovy sucks. The guy scored 3 even strength goals last season. The guy had been getting double shifted with the 4th line for 3 years regularly and never once scored a goal. He can't do anything without other players around him. I've watched Kovy play every game for the Devils. He was good in the second half of his first full season, other than that he sucks. Patrik Elias (nicest player and best hockey IQ ever) regularly bashes on Kovy to the media (in code of course). I trust Elias to know that the guy is awful.
- poopers

Although I will give him credit for his PK ability. He was great at that.

He had ann issue with like his hip/lower back they were saying from his flying over from Czech.. No idea why that would happen but thats what he was saying. He's been practicing so i think thats a solid.
- K-dizzle

Might have something to do with the fact that he is in his 40's

What you're missing is that Ovechkin is good, Kovy sucks. The guy scored 3 even strength goals last season. The guy had been getting double shifted with the 4th line for 3 years regularly and never once scored a goal. He can't do anything without other players around him. I've watched Kovy play every game for the Devils. He was good in the second half of his first full season, other than that he sucks. Patrik Elias (nicest player and best hockey IQ ever) regularly bashes on Kovy to the media (in code of course). I trust Elias to know that the guy is awful.
- poopers

He has a down year and he sucks... Ovechkin had his first good year in what 3 years?

"built to play in the Southeast"? what does that mean? that they suck?

What you're missing is that Ovechkin is good, Kovy sucks. The guy scored 3 even strength goals last season. The guy had been getting double shifted with the 4th line for 3 years regularly and never once scored a goal. He can't do anything without other players around him. I've watched Kovy play every game for the Devils. He was good in the second half of his first full season, other than that he sucks. Patrik Elias (nicest player and best hockey IQ ever) regularly bashes on Kovy to the media (in code of course). I trust Elias to know that the guy is awful.
- poopers

I'd gladly take Kovy on our team. The guy abandoned a shoot first mentality to conform with the Devils defense first approach and became a dependable two way forward. Ovie couldn't do that and got his coach fired as a result.
Elias, best hockey IQ ever? RRRRREEEEAAAAACH.
I'll be very interested in hearing the feedback on Jagr when a team scores against you on an odd man rush, at which point Jagr should just be leaving the offensive zone. They'd be better served to tie a rope around another playes waist so they could two him back into the defensive zone.


XxKeaner17xX