Todd Cordell: NHL Gameday Preview: New Jersey Devils @ Vancouver Canucks - Game 4

Well Todd, Isn't this a little awkward? I kind of wish you were blogging for both teams still.

To be honest, I thought the Devils looked good last night... For the most part. That Ryder goal was a beauty!

A goalie fight would make the world stop spinning.

My D pairings for tonight:

Greene-Fayne

Sal-Zids

Harrold-Lars

I know two righties on 3rd paring. I would also be OK with Volchie in place of Harrold.

Why doesn't Deboer add some fresh legs to the lineup? He's quick to juggle lines, but he needs to give outside players like Josefson and Fayne a shot. CBGB ain't what it used to be, and the defensive pairings are flawed.

Just saw on a site giving odds on which coach will be fired next.....

Bob Hartley (Flames) -- 2/1
Kirk Muller (Hurricanes) -- 5/2
Mike Yeo (Wild) -- 7/2
Claude Noel (Jets) -- 4/1
Kevin Dineen (Panthers) -- 13/2
Peter DeBoer (Devils) -- 13/2

interesting

NJ needs to unload Volchenkov. Somehow. Even if they eat some of the salary. We know Sal isnt going anywhere because he's the "Captain", and Lou has some defiant hard-on for Zidlicky so those guys probably won't be moved. But, they need a spark. Something to show them horrid play isn't tolerable. Because I think that's the message these vets are getting by not being benched. Bring up Gelinas or Merrill. DO IT!!

NJ needs to unload Volchenkov. Somehow. Even if they eat some of the salary. We know Sal isnt going anywhere because he's the "Captain", and Lou has some defiant hard-on for Zidlicky so those guys probably won't be moved. But, they need a spark. Something to show them horrid play isn't tolerable. Because I think that's the message these vets are getting by not being benched. Bring up Gelinas or Merrill. DO IT!!
- FLdevilsFAN

The only way that Volchenkov or Salvador get "moved" or "benched" is if DeBoer gets fired and replaced by a "outside" coach who has no connections with these current players. Then he can come in and start to evaluate the current roster and make the necessary changes like stripping the "C" from Sal and getting rid of Volchenkov and breaking up the CBGB line and pushing Jagr down the line-up and getting some of our "younger" players in the line-up etc etc

The only way that Volchenkov or Salvador get "moved" or "benched" is if DeBoer gets fired and replaced by a "outside" coach who has no connections with these current players. Then he can come in and start to evaluate the current roster and make the necessary changes like stripping the "C" from Sal and getting rid of Volchenkov and breaking up the CBGB line and pushing Jagr down the line-up and getting some of our "younger" players in the line-up etc etc
- Gambi99

Too much logic in that statement. This is the New Jersey Devils and Lou Lamoriello.

Just saw on a site giving odds on which coach will be fired next.....

Bob Hartley (Flames) -- 2/1
Kirk Muller (Hurricanes) -- 5/2
Mike Yeo (Wild) -- 7/2
Claude Noel (Jets) -- 4/1
Kevin Dineen (Panthers) -- 13/2
Peter DeBoer (Devils) -- 13/2

interesting
- Gambi99

Hartley and Dineen aren't getting canned. Those teams know they suck. Yeo is definite possibility due to the amount of gigantic contracts Leipold has had to sign off for.

My D pairings for tonight:

Greene-Fayne

Sal-Zids

Harrold-Lars

I know two righties on 3rd paring. I would also be OK with Volchie in place of Harrold.
- ChuckNJ

I know A-train takes a lot of flack because he is slow (really slow), but he has had a better season so far than Harrold and Larsson. He did also save a goal yesterday, as good as scoring one.

NJ needs to unload Volchenkov. Somehow. Even if they eat some of the salary. We know Sal isnt going anywhere because he's the "Captain", and Lou has some defiant hard-on for Zidlicky so those guys probably won't be moved. But, they need a spark. Something to show them horrid play isn't tolerable. Because I think that's the message these vets are getting by not being benched. Bring up Gelinas or Merrill. DO IT!!
- FLdevilsFAN

I can see one of Sal or A-train getting annemsty bought out after the season. I'd prefer A-train for sure since he has more years left.

I know A-train takes a lot of flack because he is slow (really slow), but he has had a better season so far than Harrold and Larsson. He did also save a goal yesterday, as good as scoring one.
- Rseen

He was also directly responsible for the 4th goal. He completely drifted away from the slot right towards Harrold. Harrold was doing his job. Volchenkov had no business drifting over.

Just saw on a site giving odds on which coach will be fired next.....

Bob Hartley (Flames) -- 2/1
Kirk Muller (Hurricanes) -- 5/2
Mike Yeo (Wild) -- 7/2
Claude Noel (Jets) -- 4/1
Kevin Dineen (Panthers) -- 13/2
Peter DeBoer (Devils) -- 13/2

interesting
- Gambi99

I like the odds on Noel and Yeo.


What site is that from?

He was also directly responsible for the 4th goal. He completely drifted away from the slot right towards Harrold. Harrold was doing his job. Volchenkov had no business drifting over.
- blacksheep1

Well Loktionov didn't help either. Seemed like was caught standing and watching.

I know A-train takes a lot of flack because he is slow (really slow), but he has had a better season so far than Harrold and Larsson. He did also save a goal yesterday, as good as scoring one.
- Rseen

I know he takes alot of heat and he is for the most part good on the PK (ignore the 1st goal last goal.) but I would not sit Harrold or Lars.

Harrold is one of the few D-man that can skate the puck out of the D-zone and keep pucks in at the point in the Offensive zone.

Strictly based on play, Lars should not be in the lineup. However he needs to get experience and therefore needs to be in the lineup.

I can see one of Sal or A-train getting annemsty bought out after the season. I'd prefer A-train for sure since he has more years left.
- Rseen

Have to think with new owners now on board that the amnesty options will be used next summer. Volchenkov is obvious, but I wouldn't mind Zubrus either. Outside of some puck possession behind the night the guy is invisible every night. It drives me crazy how someone can be so big and play so small. Gionta is half his size and plays twice as hard. At his age I don't see why we hold on to him for two more years.

Also, for as much grief as we give some of the older d-men I'm pretty sure Larsson has looked god awful so far. He is always getting knocked around and his passes are always in skates or behind players. I'm not saying the others are better, but in all honesty other than Greene every d-man has been below average.

Bottom line is that the Devils need to get younger and faster. Edmonton clearly had more legs and I suppose you could blame travel, etc. but the bottom line is they were flying by our d-men. We have no speed on the back-end, and outside of Brunner and Loktionov our forwards aren't very quick. Puck possession numbers are great but once the opposition gets in transition the Devils have gotten burned in each game so far.

Fayne and Olesz are in tonight for Devils. Larsson and Carter coming out.

Well Loktionov didn't help either. Seemed like was caught standing and watching.
- jersey1414

Agreed, Hall can't be that open. Lokti needs to cover the front of the net. Lokti did have a decent game otherwise.

Need some defense! These breakdowns have to stop immediately. Also do we even practice the shootout? No one ever scores a (frank)ing goal doesn't even matter if Marty/Cory makes saves if no one can bury the puck.

We are gonna poop the bed so hard this season, and wont have a damn pick. But it's ok, at least we have Stefan (frank)ing Matteau.

We are gonna poop the bed so hard this season, and wont have a damn pick. But it's ok, at least we have Stefan (frank)ing Matteau.
- Twist

Calm down sir. It's still only 3 games in we can turn it around.....i hope.

Fayne and Olesz are in tonight for Devils. Larsson and Carter coming out.
- Twist

that is dumb. Harrold played like dog poop last night. Just ruin what little confidence Larsson already has, solid move coach.

We win tonight and Larsson will continue to sit just watch.

that is dumb. Harrold played like dog poop last night. Just ruin what little confidence Larsson already has, solid move coach.

We win tonight and Larsson will continue to sit just watch.
- K-dizzle

Agreed talk about ruining a top pick....