Todd Cordell: Devils top Sabres, snap long home losing streak

Todd Cordell: Devils top Sabres, snap long home losing streak
- Todd.Cordell

Really like Blandisi's game last night. There's a clear difference in him this year compared to last. He's still flying around the ice but he's not nearly as reckless and isn't getting into getting into a scrum every chance he gets. Oh, and he's not diving!

Solid effort all around last night. I really like what Noesen brings to the table, but I said the same about DSP last year. Let's hope it continues.

Noesen has left me happily surprised. Hopefully he can stay healthy and continue to grow. I've noticed him making small play after small play when in trouble. Seems really poised on the boards when breaking out of our own zone which is massive considering our D just usually throws it up there and hopes for the best.

He's clearly better than that other 1st rounder named Stefan

While I like seeing my team win, I take exception with Todd that the win was "much-needed." Much needed in what sense?

Noesen has left me happily surprised. Hopefully he can stay healthy and continue to grow. I've noticed him making small play after small play when in trouble. Seems really poised on the boards when breaking out of our own zone which is massive considering our D just usually throws it up there and hopes for the best.

He's clearly better than that other 1st rounder named Stefan

I like is game but my prediction that he will show us something this year, get a 3 year deal, fall off the face of the earth is looking good. I hope it doesn't happen that way, but it's new team syndrome. New player always plays good after being picked up by another team. Here's to hoping I am wrong

I like is game but my prediction that he will show us something this year, get a 3 year deal, fall off the face of the earth is looking good. I hope it doesn't happen that way, but it's new team syndrome. New player always plays good after being picked up by another team. Here's to hoping I am wrong
- Velcro300

I mean this is alittle different than a DSP. Noesen was a first round pick that just simply couldnt stay healthy and when i mean that i mean two uncommon injuries. If he stays healthy and stays as a solid 3rd line winger im 100% happy with that. Considering we gave up nothing for a potential first round talent(who quite simply has just been unlucky with injuries) who could possibly find his game and rhythm could be a 2nd line rw that we need.

While I like seeing my team win, I take exception with Todd that the win was "much-needed." Much needed in what sense?
- ElvisLemieux

Right? It's not like the Devils are making the playoffs. And if by some miracle they did, they'd just be destroyed by Washington.

It's all about draft position right now.

Right? It's not like the Devils are making the playoffs. And if by some miracle they did, they'd just be destroyed by Washington.

It's all about draft position right now.
- CaptCrankypants

So what's the other option? Tanking? Didn't we just kill the Sabres yesterday for encouraging that only a few years ago?

Much needed in the sense of not going into the break with an 8 game losing streak at home. I agree that New Jersey probably won't make the playoffs but winning is still important, especially for some of the younger kids on this roster, don't want that losing atmosphere.. I for one hope the Devils continue to play well and stay in the race for as long as possible. I'm tired of watching non-competitive hockey in March. They can sell off guys at the deadline like PAP and still remain competitive till the end. Then re-tool in the off season and continue to trend in the right direction.

The Devils have now had lengthy winning and losing streaks at home this year.

During the winning streak at home (8-0-1, I believe) early in the season, they were getting killed on the road.

Now this past losing streak at home, was during a span of good/decent showings on the road.

Either way it averages out to mediocrity, but if they can just lose a few games rather than going on streaks, they might be able to pull ahead and into the mix a little more.

I know this is totally counter productive to rebuilding, particularly if we get close but miss (which would be tragic) but what if they actually can do it? They have proven they can beat pretty much all the teams around them. Some of you, from convo yesterday with the Buffalo fan think lowly of 'tanking', while others see no benefit from trying to get in and getting our ass handed to us early. We are along for the ride as spectators either way, I just wonder what we are in for.

Much needed in the sense of not going into the break with an 8 game losing streak at home. I agree that New Jersey probably won't make the playoffs but winning is still important, especially for some of the younger kids on this roster, don't want that losing atmosphere.. I for one hope the Devils continue to play well and stay in the race for as long as possible. I'm tired of watching non-competitive hockey in March. They can sell off guys at the deadline like PAP and still remain competitive till the end. Then re-tool in the off season and continue to trend in the right direction.
- Youwont_noballs

Totally agree. I think too many people think of this as a video game. It's important to avoid having that losing mentality and creating a negative environment while trying to develop the younger prospects.

So what's the other option? Tanking? Didn't we just kill the Sabres yesterday for encouraging that only a few years ago?
- jersey1414

I don't know, I didn't read the comments yesterday.

I'm not against tanking. It works. Also they don't need to tank, they just need the defense to play more like they did in December.

So what's the other option? Tanking? Didn't we just kill the Sabres yesterday for encouraging that only a few years ago?
- jersey1414

ehh it was more along the lines of being not successful for so long and how there tanking surmounted to nothing. Idk if we were debating tanking, i viewed it as us giving them a hard time for tanking for so long over there history to just end up not every winning anything lol. I think tanking is a part of the game and its important. look at toronto. there the ideal team to look at when you wanna see what tanking can get you. they only had 2 years where they really tanked and both players are calder finalists...they have 3 guys that could be calder finalists and there prospect pool is so deep. They have a potential 10+ year dynasty being built there. Then theres buffalo who on paper and off season trades have the much better team yet still suck lol.

Totally agree. I think too many people think of this as a video game. It's important to avoid having that losing mentality and creating a negative environment while trying to develop the younger prospects.
- jersey1414

totally agree.

The Devils have now had lengthy winning and losing streaks at home this year.

During the winning streak at home (8-0-1, I believe) early in the season, they were getting killed on the road.

Now this past losing streak at home, was during a span of good/decent showings on the road.

Either way it averages out to mediocrity, but if they can just lose a few games rather than going on streaks, they might be able to pull ahead and into the mix a little more.

I know this is totally counter productive to rebuilding, particularly if we get close but miss (which would be tragic) but what if they actually can do it? They have proven they can beat pretty much all the teams around them. Some of you, from convo yesterday with the Buffalo fan think lowly of 'tanking', while others see no benefit from trying to get in and getting our ass handed to us early. We are along for the ride as spectators either way, I just wonder what we are in for.
- TRDevil

Tanking for a good draft position may not help as much as everyone thinks. Eichel, McDavid, Mathews are different situations thought. But getting into the playoffs and losing in the first round is fine. It shows the team is competitive and influences FA's to consider NJ as a potential destination. Many teams are realistic in when they get into the playoffs; they know they wont reach the cup. But its the morale of the squad and staff that helps keep the organization in the mix of success. Look at Toronto, Arizona and Edmonton. They have the best draft position for decades and still can't be competitive till now. NJ isn't rebuilding for 10+ years like those teams. This helps the organization develop their prospects and gives them the motivation that next year they can be better and they will be a part of a winning organization. I think of Duchene, McKinnon, Landeskog in Colorado. Amazing talent with a poop team that fell off the face of the earth after being so competitive and will be years till they do become relevant. The Devils have not fell off the face of the earth, yet. I rather the team be mediocre than be the Oilers or Arizona.

ehh it was more along the lines of being not successful for so long and how there tanking surmounted to nothing. Idk if we were debating tanking, i viewed it as us giving them a hard time for tanking for so long over there history to just end up not every winning anything lol. I think tanking is a part of the game and its important. look at toronto. there the ideal team to look at when you wanna see what tanking can get you. they only had 2 years where they really tanked and both players are calder finalists...they have 3 guys that could be calder finalists and there prospect pool is so deep. They have a potential 10+ year dynasty being built there. Then theres buffalo who on paper and off season trades have the much better team yet still suck lol.
- Krazykid

There's several reasons it's tough to compare the Devils to toronto. The most obvious is Matthews, who simply doesn't come around often and it's unfair to think that type of talent is available each year. But I don't think you're suggesting that.

Maybe I don't know their prospect pool as much, but Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Rielly are a good core. You're right. But don't discount the coach either. Babcock is way better than Bylsma, who I consider to be insanely overrated.

Another huge difference is the market. Toronto sucked year after year but they still had good crowds and despite their record fans returned the next year. The Devils don't have that luxury. Heck, even when we're good we don't draw huge crowds. So consistently losing, and being at the bottom of the league, would kill the fan base and finances for ownership. And NJ already has a tough time attracting UFAs, so if we become a bottom dweller then we REALLY have to overpay guys to come here, which is a killer in the cap era.

So, I don't know, in my opinion it's a trickle down effect. All of which hurts more than it might help.

There's several reasons it's tough to compare the Devils to toronto. The most obvious is Matthews, who simply doesn't come around often and it's unfair to think that type of talent is available each year. But I don't think you're suggesting that.

Maybe I don't know their prospect pool as much, but Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Rielly are a good core. You're right. But don't discount the coach either. Babcock is way better than Bylsma, who I consider to be insanely overrated.

Another huge difference is the market. Toronto sucked year after year but they still had good crowds and despite their record fans returned the next year. The Devils don't have that luxury. Heck, even when we're good we don't draw huge crowds. So consistently losing, and being at the bottom of the league, would kill the fan base and finances for ownership. And NJ already has a tough time attracting UFAs, so if we become a bottom dweller then we REALLY have to overpay guys to come here, which is a killer in the cap era.

So, I don't know, in my opinion it's a trickle down effect. All of which hurts more than it might help.
- jersey1414

Thank you someone who finally thinks the same way as me people just think ohh we should tank and we will get an amazing player that will lead us into the playoffs but that is not the case what if they don't pan out what if their plagued with injuries , what if they take 2-3 years to devolope? Too many what ifs to just throw away a season for the possibility of having a little better of a player but the biggest what if is what if the franchise tanks causing the franchise to struggle financially and end up being relocated

So what's the other option? Tanking? Didn't we just kill the Sabres yesterday for encouraging that only a few years ago?
- jersey1414

Meh. The Islanders shared points with Toronto and have 3 games in hand. They'd need to leap frog Boston and Florida (who just got their team back). Plus, they'd need to play better than Philly from here on out too. Oh yeah, and Carolina has a bunch of games in hand too.

The other option is at least losing to teams in your division, if not tanking completely. Kirk Muller or Mario Lemieux? Who'd you rather have?

Blandisi sent to Albany with Stollery.

Blandisi sent to Albany with Stollery.
- jjtoepfer

It's just for the break. No issue

Dear Devils fans,

I apologize for interrupting your tanking thoughts!
For people criticizing the Sabres for tanking, go watch the game we played against the Sharks tonight.
Let me know what you guys think!?
P.S: Your brand of hockey still is boring as hell, and honestly, very outdated!
Happy Tanking suckers!

Right? It's not like the Devils are making the playoffs. And if by some miracle they did, they'd just be destroyed by Washington.

It's all about draft position right now.
- CaptCrankypants

Honestly, there are plenty of great draft picks in the 10-15/20 range. Pettersson, Popugayov, Hague, Valimaki, Yamamoto.

Dear Devils fans,

I apologize for interrupting your tanking thoughts!
For people criticizing the Sabres for tanking, go watch the game we played against the Sharks tonight.
Let me know what you guys think!?
P.S: Your brand of hockey still is boring as hell, and honestly, very outdated!
Happy Tanking suckers!
- Sabresfan88

Oh you mean the game with no defense?

Dear Devils fans,

I apologize for interrupting your tanking thoughts!
For people criticizing the Sabres for tanking, go watch the game we played against the Sharks tonight.
Let me know what you guys think!?
P.S: Your brand of hockey still is boring as hell, and honestly, very outdated!
Happy Tanking suckers!
- Sabresfan88

I don't have a problem with tanking and I wasn't part of your little (female dog)fest the other day. That said, your team still sucks and with teams like Toronto and Edmonton rising quickly you'll probably still never win anything. Also...

https://en.wikipedia.org/..._of_Stanley_Cup_champions

If you have trouble finding your team on that list they're near the very bottom, right above Florida, Washington, Ottawa and San Jose.

Dear Devils fans,

I apologize for interrupting your tanking thoughts!
For people criticizing the Sabres for tanking, go watch the game we played against the Sharks tonight.
Let me know what you guys think!?
P.S: Your brand of hockey still is boring as hell, and honestly, very outdated!
Happy Tanking suckers!
- Sabresfan88

Thanks for the insight. I didn't realize winning in OT was more exciting then getting outplayed most of the night and losing.

Also, you may want to ask yourself how our outdated brand of hockey resulted in sweeping your team. Seems you guys are playing the game wrong. And frankly playing a style that has brought you little success isn't very smart. I know, in the future it'll all be different....