Lou Lamoriello recently announced that the Devils would retain Pete DeBoer's services as head coach for the 2014-15 campaign.
I didn't get to write anything about it at the time, but I've carried his water for a couple years now, and thought Lamoriello was smart to bring DeBoer back.
While, like every coach, DeBoer has his faults, he's a good coach with a good system that's suited perfectly for the Devils.
DeBoer's teams in New Jersey have had increasingly good underlying numbers each year, which is encouraging for the future. With a little more talent and finishing ability, this team could be real good.
DeBoer's low event style really helps New Jersey make up for a lack of talent compared to most top teams, and it shows up in the possession, and scoring chance numbers.
There's a false narrative out there that many are running with, which is since the Devils don't score much and missed the playoffs, it's easy to say they're being outplayed, their system sucks, or they're not getting chances.
The reality is they outplay their opponent more often than not, outshoot them more often than not, and as a result they're among the top teams in the NHL when it comes to getting the bulk of the scoring chances.
For clarification, those are the shot attempt (ie. Corsi or possession) numbers for the Devils each year under DeBoer, as well as the scoring chance numbers. The percentages indicate the amount of shot attempts or scoring chances the Devils average in comparison to the numbers their opponents recorded.
Here's how the Devils' scoring chance numbers stack up compared to all playoff teams this season. They're in there with pretty elite company.
Despite a lack in high-end talent, especially compared to 2011-12 when the Devils made it to the Stanley Cup Final, DeBoer has done an excellent job getting the most out of his talent, and his underlying numbers have been improving each year.
If Lamoriello is able to add some scoring punch this off-season and he can fit into the system, the Devils will undoubtedly be a playoff team. Their underlying numbers indicate with some help they would be among the top teams in the league.
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Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com