Todd Cordell: G28 New Jersey Devils @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Facing An Old Friend

Leafs 4 Devils 2

Let's go Devils. A loss to these clowns would be an embarrassment!

I've gotta give kudos to the Devils for posting a somewhat respectable record this season. That lineup is absolutely terrible. Just completely horrific. It's early, and I'm sure you guys will settle into the bottom of the standings eventually, but for now....bravo. Seriously

A game we should win, which means another frustrating loss.

Let's go Devils. A loss to these clowns would be an embarrassment!
- Crushers68

Oh totally! The Devils roster is faaaaar more superior than the Leafs!

Oh totally! The Devils roster is faaaaar more superior than the Leafs!
- ShayneCorsi

To be fair Zajac, Tlusty and Ruutu are all out with injuries.

I've gotta give kudos to the Devils for posting a somewhat respectable record this season. That lineup is absolutely terrible. Just completely horrific. It's early, and I'm sure you guys will settle into the bottom of the standings eventually, but for now....bravo. Seriously
- AxlRose91

Terrible/horrific is a little harsh, you could say that's true about last year's lineup. Yes they do seriously lack secondary scoring, but even if the top line cools, they still have the goaltending to steal games. At this rate I don't see them being lower than 12th in the conference which isn't good but they won't be in a great lottery situation.

To be fair Zajac, Tlusty and Ruutu are all out with injuries.
- Todd.Cordell

Thought Zajac was on the Leafs?

Never met a devil I didn't like.

Terrible/horrific is a little harsh, you could say that's true about last year's lineup. Yes they do seriously lack secondary scoring, but even if the top line cools, they still have the goaltending to steal games. At this rate I don't see them being lower than 12th in the conference which isn't good but they won't be in a great lottery situation.
- 104shutout30

Schneider is incredible, for sure. I'd put him near the top five in the NHL (easily top ten). But I don't think he can do it on his own. This team lacks.....well, everything other than goaltending. 12th or 13th in the conference sounds about right

Schneider is fantastic. But all he's doing is hurting the draft position. Give me the Leafs future anyday of the week over the Devils.

Schneider is fantastic. But all he's doing is hurting the draft position. Give me the Leafs future anyday of the week over the Devils.
- RogerRoeper

With Cammalleri, Henrique, Palmieri, Larsson, Greene and Severson they have some pretty good pieces. The big problem is that scoring beyond the top 2 lines has been non existent and neither Merrill nor Gelinas has done much to justify a roster spot. Probably need one or two consistent scorers and another top 4 defenseman before they can truly contend.

With Cammalleri, Henrique, Palmieri, Larsson, Greene and Severson they have some pretty good pieces. The big problem is that scoring beyond the top 2 lines has been non existent and neither Merrill nor Gelinas has done much to justify a roster spot. Probably need one or two consistent scorers and another top 4 defenseman before they can truly contend.
- smellmyfinger

Cammelari is an aging piece who will never score like this gain.

Schneider is incredible, for sure. I'd put him near the top five in the NHL (easily top ten). But I don't think he can do it on his own. This team lacks.....well, everything other than goaltending. 12th or 13th in the conference sounds about right
- AxlRose91

I would absolutely put him in the top 5 forget anything outside of that IMO.

2-1 OT leafs

Cammelari is an aging piece who will never score like this gain.
- RogerRoeper

Actually he's scoring .40 goals per game, just ahead of his career rate of .36, Cammys problem hasn't been scoring it's been staying healthy, which admittedly isn't going to get better with age.

Lol you guys still might move bozak, Kadri, jvr, lupul and maybe phaneuf you won't be better then us this year next or the year after and unless time just doesn't move for us then we will also be adding key players via trade or free agency. You leaf fans don't even know how much longer you will be in tear down mode let alone start to make noise.

Lol you guys still might move bozak, Kadri, jvr, lupul and maybe phaneuf you won't be better then us this year next or the year after and unless time just doesn't move for us then we will also be adding key players via trade or free agency. You leaf fans don't even know how much longer you will be in tear down mode let alone start to make noise.
- blizzzard

They'll add Nylander and Marner next season. And yes, they will be a big player for Stamkos who still has not signed in Tampa and is being asked to play the wing. They also will be in the running for the #1 overall pick.

The Leafs will be in same spot after the draft Buffalo was in this past summer. They will have the consensus #1 prospect pool in the entire NHL. (Currently ESPN has them as the #2 prospect pool before their minimum of 12 picks next June).

With Cammalleri, Henrique, Palmieri, Larsson, Greene and Severson they have some pretty good pieces. The big problem is that scoring beyond the top 2 lines has been non existent and neither Merrill nor Gelinas has done much to justify a roster spot. Probably need one or two consistent scorers and another top 4 defenseman before they can truly contend.
- smellmyfinger

I can't believe you've listed those players as evidence that the Devils are nearly ready to contend. Cammalleri is two years from retirement. Palmeiri and Henrique are nice 2/3 line guys. Larsson, Greene, and Severson are semi-decent players

All somewhat useful guys, but the Devils are nowhere near contending for anything. This needs to be totally blown up so that you can build up your prospect pool. If you're lucky, Cammalleri will net you a 3rd round pick during this process

And if you're really lucky, Schneider will still be around and playing at a high level 5-6 years from now when you're potentially ready to be competitive again

I can't believe you've listed those players as evidence that the Devils are nearly ready to contend. Cammalleri is two years from retirement. Palmeiri and Henrique are nice 2/3 line guys. Larsson, Greene, and Severson are semi-decent players

All somewhat useful guys, but the Devils are nowhere near contending for anything. This needs to be totally blown up so that you can build up your prospect pool. If you're lucky, Cammalleri will net you a 3rd round pick during this process

And if you're really lucky, Schneider will still be around and playing at a high level 5-6 years from now when you're potentially ready to be competitive again
- AxlRose91

I'll stick with what I said. Add two scorers and a top 4 defenseman and this team contends. They are a borderline playoff team right now without those things.

I'll stick with what I said. Add two scorers and a top 4 defenseman and this team contends. They are a borderline playoff team right now without those things.
- smellmyfinger

The problem is you can't count on Cammelari ever playing like this again. Both in performance and staying healthy. I'd be shocked to see him doing this next season.

The problem is you can't count on Cammelari ever playing like this again. Both in performance and staying healthy. I'd be shocked to see him doing this next season.
- RogerRoeper

He is 33, not 38.

I can't believe you've listed those players as evidence that the Devils are nearly ready to contend. Cammalleri is two years from retirement. Palmeiri and Henrique are nice 2/3 line guys. Larsson, Greene, and Severson are semi-decent players

All somewhat useful guys, but the Devils are nowhere near contending for anything. This needs to be totally blown up so that you can build up your prospect pool. If you're lucky, Cammalleri will net you a 3rd round pick during this process

And if you're really lucky, Schneider will still be around and playing at a high level 5-6 years from now when you're potentially ready to be competitive again
- AxlRose91

I'm sorry but if you think that you are an absolute idiot. Larsson has logged top pairing minutes since the 3/4 mark of last season and is a rising star and I am pretty sure with all his ice time he is still getting like no power play time yet where as I imagine Reilly has a few points on the pp ( im not comparing the two btw but I would love to see some hard stats comparing the two )

The problem is you can't count on Cammelari ever playing like this again. Both in performance and staying healthy. I'd be shocked to see him doing this next season.
- RogerRoeper

Perhaps but I don't think the drop off will be that much more significant, who knows though. I believe Henrique is the player he is showing this season. Last season he had wrist surgery and wasn't right and still lead the team in points. Is he a legit number one center? no but I think he can play top line easily and I think he is closer to a 70pt player then he is a 50 so we will see plus ive mentioned we like the upside of Lars and Severson plus we have Santini who is very highly regarded and likely would of captain u.s.a had he not just missed the tournament with injury. The future isn't as bleak as it was last year and even if you still want to rag on cory for being 29 we do have a guy by the name of Blackwood who looks promising at the moment. Blake Speers is another guy who could be something nice same with Blandisi. We might have struck some luck in these none flashy picks here so you don't hear about them, Boucher looking good in albany.