Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Three Reasons They'll Compete For A Playoff Spot

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Three Reasons They'll Compete For A Playoff Spot
- Todd.Cordell

Prepare yourself for the inevitable three reasons why they won't responses

Great read Todd. I actually think overall we have better offense than last year even with Kovy gone. I'd also add 1) guys like Larsson and Henrique may likely take that next step, especially Larsson, and 2) last year was a down year for a lot of guys (Zajac, Zidlicky, Salvador, Volchenkov) and if nothing else but probability at least a couple of those guys will have bounce back years.

Moose is the perfect backup for a team like the kings, rangers, bruins or any other team with a star goalie. It worked for a little when Marty was still in the top tier of goalies but his play has dropped off and when he got hurt moose couldn't carry the load for 5-10 games in a row. 2 to 3 in a row is the about the most you can expect to get quality play from moose. After that he will slow down and struggle as we witnessed last year.

Also I think will all be happy with the new score by committee approach then rely on one superstar to get it done. If he had bad game or wasn't on it's like the whole team (frank)ing folded. Now they can't wait for Kovy to take the lead and it's going to be on them. It will be interesting to see if the boys are up for the task but I believe they will be. Bottom line though if the offense can't find any chemistry together we will be screwed.

Good read Todd and I really cant see us being a bottom 5 so there is really no reason to think we wont be there fighting for a play off spot. Now to all fans of other teams that are going to come in here: none of us thinks the devils are a lock we all know we could just as easily miss the post season as make it. No on is going to thrash you if your opinion is we wont make it because that is a fair opinion but when you come in here before you have even seen the team play a single game and tell us that we are a bottom 5 team you are just crazy and havent watched devils hockey or really know what happened last season.

Also Todd if Cory gets 40 or more starts ill just say 40 as an example I can see him winning at least 28 of them. I really think he proves any doubters he might still have left wrong and imo he could be the 2nd best goalie in the east.

Good read Todd and I really cant see us being a bottom 5 so there is really no reason to think we wont be there fighting for a play off spot. Now to all fans of other teams that are going to come in here: none of us thinks the devils are a lock we all know we could just as easily miss the post season as make it. No on is going to thrash you if your opinion is we wont make it because that is a fair opinion but when you come in here before you have even seen the team play a single game and tell us that we are a bottom 5 team you are just crazy and havent watched devils hockey or really know what happened last season.

Also Todd if Cory gets 40 or more starts ill just say 40 as an example I can see him winning at least 28 of them. I really think he proves any doubters he might still have left wrong and imo he could be the 2nd best goalie in the east.
- blizzzard

Woah woah i wouldn't say that...There are two guys named Rask and Lundqvist who are absolutely better then him. Anderson ain't too shabby in Ottawa either and although Miller's been off for a little he's still very good too.

Woah woah i wouldn't say that...There are two guys named Rask and Lundqvist who are absolutely better then him. Anderson ain't too shabby in Ottawa either and although Miller's been off for a little he's still very good too.
- NickA

He could be LUndquist was the one I was reffering to being better then him for sure and the others are over thirty other then Rask. That said Rask could very well be better then him but a lot of people still wonder if its more the D in front of him but I think he is stellar and Anderson is a rock I kind of forgot about him and im not sure how but you get what i was saying

IMO I agree that Devils do have a chance to make the playoffs. I am not sure about Metro being toughest division in hockey on the other hand.

IMO there is only 1 lock for playoffs in Metro and that being the Pens. The remaining of the division have big question marks.

NYR - We do not know how AV will do there on his first season. A couple of players need to have a strong bounce back year as Nash will need help.

Caps- If the Caps have a good season, they will clinch a playoff berth in top 3. If the Caps have a average season, they will be out of the playoffs. IMO the Caps will not be a bubble team.

NYI - They would like to built off of last season success but won't be able to make it. This is a one-man show team. Contain Tavares, an everything else should fall in place.

Columbus: Another team building from last year. Unlike NYI, they could actually make it. This is a team that Devils may be fighting with.

Cans: No

Phil: They will be in the bubble but without a #1 goalie, they will be competitive but Devils should be the better team in the standings.

So IMO the Devils have a shot to clinch a spot in top 3 in the Metro this year. If the Devils fail to do so, I do not give them a chance fighting for the last 2 spot as the Atlantic division have 6 teams that could make it.

He could be LUndquist was the one I was reffering to being better then him for sure and the others are over thirty other then Rask. That said Rask could very well be better then him but a lot of people still wonder if its more the D in front of him but I think he is stellar and Anderson is a rock I kind of forgot about him and im not sure how but you get what i was saying
- blizzzard

Think the relationship between Rask and Boston's D is pretty mutual. They look a lot better cause he is there. But no doubt having Big Z taking half the passing lanes helps. I get what your saying Schneider's real good but still hasn't been a full time starter like Rask and Lundqvist.

IMO I agree that Devils do have a chance to make the playoffs. I am not sure about Metro being toughest division in hockey on the other hand.

IMO there is only 1 lock for playoffs in Metro and that being the Pens. The remaining of the division have big question marks.

NYR - We do not know how AV will do there on his first season. A couple of players need to have a strong bounce back year as Nash will need help.

Caps- If the Caps have a good season, they will clinch a playoff berth in top 3. If the Caps have a average season, they will be out of the playoffs. IMO the Caps will not be a bubble team.

NYI - They would like to built off of last season success but won't be able to make it. This is a one-man show team. Contain Tavares, an everything else should fall in place.

Columbus: Another team building from last year. Unlike NYI, they could actually make it. This is a team that Devils may be fighting with.

Cans: No

Phil: They will be in the bubble but without a #1 goalie, they will be in the bubble but Devils should be better

So IMO the Devils have a shot to clinch a spot in top 3 in the Metro this year. If the Devils fail to do so, I do not give them a chance fighting for the last 2 spot as the Atlantic division have 6 teams that could make it.
- Tripple_B9

I actually think CBJ makes it they have a lot of really hard working guys in umburger and foligno they added a scorer in Gaborik and overall I think they are a better team then last year with lots of young guys looking to improve off of last year the big question mark is on BOB though but i say they get in. Phillys goaltending worries me and this season will show if the year they had Jagr was them overachieving or if they are for real and the same can be said in a lighter sense about the devils having missed the play offs 2 out of the last 3 years. I dont think the canes will be good but I would argue they have the players to be good I just dont have much faith in it happening and despite the coaching change i still expect Lundquist to get the rangers into the play offs regardless of how the rest of the team plays

Think the relationship between Rask and Boston's D is pretty mutual. They look a lot better cause he is there. But no doubt having Big Z taking half the passing lanes helps. I get what your saying Schneider's real good but still hasn't been a full time starter like Rask and Lundqvist.
- NickA

I agree with that but this season could be that season is basically what i was saying and Miller could get moved to the west at some point this season shortening the list of good goalies. I think one of the greatest things we have going for us is we are a big team and can make it hard to play against and wear guys down. we might not have the most talented team but we have guys that can make it hell. I think if EDM had that they would be a contender for sure but they are to skilled and soft and when a team plays them I am sure they dont feel like its hard even if they get outscored 5-4

I actually think CBJ makes it they have a lot of really hard working guys in umburger and foligno they added a scorer in Gaborik and overall I think they are a better team then last year with lots of young guys looking to improve off of last year the big question mark is on BOB though but i say they get in. Phillys goaltending worries me and this season will show if the year they had Jagr was them overachieving or if they are for real and the same can be said in a lighter sense about the devils having missed the play offs 2 out of the last 3 years. I dont think the canes will be good but I would argue they have the players to be good I just dont have much faith in it happening and despite the coaching change i still expect Lundquist to get the rangers into the play offs regardless of how the rest of the team plays
- blizzzard

Hi Blizzard, hope all is well.

Well if Pens, CBJ and NYR makes the top 3 in Metro, who is top 3 in Atlantic in your opinion? Just so I have an idea who the Devils would be fighting with for 7th-8th spot.

Forgot to put the habs on that lust of top possession teams but I'm with you. I think the devils can squeeze into the playoffs. Great struxture, and I really like the coaching staff.

I personally think the Kovalchuk loss will not be as bad as some make it. Remember when the Sabres lost Pat Lafontaine for the year early in the season and everyone thought their season was over. Wrong, the team pulled together and scored by committee and became a better team and had a great year. Kovy to me was pretty much a one man team and if Clowe can stay healthy and Ryder shows up there is plenty to be excited about. Of course Jagr must make the pp go and Henrique, Zajac and Larsson need to have step it up as well.

I think the Devils make the post season. The main reason being Schnieider.

My biggest concern, goal scoring. Lacking in the pure goal scorers.

No puck luck?!?!?

IMO I agree that Devils do have a chance to make the playoffs. I am not sure about Metro being toughest division in hockey on the other hand.

IMO there is only 1 lock for playoffs in Metro and that being the Pens. The remaining of the division have big question marks.

NYR - We do not know how AV will do there on his first season. A couple of players need to have a strong bounce back year as Nash will need help.

Caps- If the Caps have a good season, they will clinch a playoff berth in top 3. If the Caps have a average season, they will be out of the playoffs. IMO the Caps will not be a bubble team.

NYI - They would like to built off of last season success but won't be able to make it. This is a one-man show team. Contain Tavares, an everything else should fall in place.

Columbus: Another team building from last year. Unlike NYI, they could actually make it. This is a team that Devils may be fighting with.

Cans:

Phil: They will be in the bubble but without a #1 goalie, they will be competitive but Devils should be the better team in the standings.

So IMO the Devils have a shot to clinch a spot in top 3 in the Metro this year. If the Devils fail to do so, I do not give them a chance fighting for the last 2 spot as the Atlantic division have 6 teams that could make it.
- Tripple_B9

You're on crack
Also the isles probably have a greater chance to do top 3 in their division compared to the Habs, who will step back for sure

Isles all depend on goal tending and if Kyle Okposo shows up

Devils are going to heavily rely on goal tending for I see them being a bottom 10 team in goals scored

Canes with ward will be good, playoff bound

Pen- lock

Rangers- probably 2-3 in metro

Caps are stepping back, Ovi has no drive

CBJ, can Bobrovsky repeat ? They have goal scoring issues too

Philli, bad D and goalie questions, very similar to Isles

You're on crack
Also the isles probably have a greater chance to do top 3 in their division compared to the Habs, who will step back for sure
- Danformo

He thinks the Metro is one of the worst divisions in the east. That should tell you how reliable is opinion is...

He thinks the Metro is one of the worst divisions in the east. That should tell you how reliable is opinion is...
- mighty13duck

It just may be the second worst division in the East.

The blog was a good read but it completely avoided any talk about NJ's defensemen.

You'd think the team was made up of 2 goalies and a bunch of forwards.

If Larsson isn't ready to take a big step this year Lamoriello might regret going after all those forwards this summer and not bringing in a defenseman.

It just may be the second worst division in the East.
- MannySilvers

Next to Atlantic?

You're on crack
Also the isles probably have a greater chance to do top 3 in their division compared to the Habs, who will step back for sure
- Danformo

How about you elaborate your view instead of throwing unnecessary comments!

He thinks the Metro is one of the worst divisions in the east. That should tell you how reliable is opinion is...
- mighty13duck

I think Atlantic and Pacific will be tougher division.