I just reflected on what someone posted before PDB was fired and it kind of puts something into perspective.

The post was about the fact that that players will play to win no matter what the management gives them to work with. Same as coaches. Players and coaches don't tank.

A GM however, has a different role in decision making. The GM has to play the chess game of whether to tank to rebuild or not. Unless that particular GM is also head coach

That crafty old buzzard is staying behind the bench so he can be absolved from persecution for being old school and not tanking. What a character Lou is. Maybe I'm crazy but I think I am on to something.
- TRDevil

Omg...you cracked the code!!

If the Devils keep winning, than that would mean that they would want to chance at a playoff spot Right? Follow me. I know, it's difficult. If they think they are still in it, which LL has stated that's why Jagr trade talks are on hold. Then if they think they can win, they would think they might need to add at the TD instead of selling. So for the Devils to win, they would need to win at .790 clip the rest of the way to get to 95 points. They would need to win 18 at of their last 23 games. Is that possible, sure. It's it proabable, not really. The only thing the devils can do now by winning a few more games is play playoff spoiler prehaps. Won't help the prospect pool or their chance at getting a top 6 player under 30.
- tomburton99

We're nearing the trade deadline here. If Lou doesn't make any trades by the deadline, I will be very upset (I really don't think that's gonna happen). Let's just postpone the finish of this argument until the deadline is passed.

Until then, I will continue to be happy when the Devils win.

Your point is irrelevant. Of course I'd rather have a better chance at drafting McDavid. And of course I'd rather move up to 4th.

However, is it worth deliberately tanking? That's the question that needs to be answered.
- newjerseypaul

There's a difference between tanking, and getting assets for players who wont be here next year. You'd be dumb not to get draft picks for these guys.

There's a difference between tanking, and getting assets for players who wont be here next year. You'd be dumb not to get draft picks for these guys.
- Rangers_Suck01

Exactly. But once your trade guys like Ryder, Zidlicky and Jagr, younger guys take their place. Obviously you exepct to have a learning curve with the kids. It may result in more losses for the Devils this year, but the devils have enough veteran's signed through next year to make the transition on how to teach them to be a pro. Henrique and Schneider are now veteran's.

We're nearing the trade deadline here. If Lou doesn't make any trades by the deadline, I will be very upset (I really don't think that's gonna happen). Let's just postpone the finish of this argument until the deadline is passed.

Until then, I will continue to be happy when the Devils win.
- newjerseypaul

If Lou does not move Jagr and Zid at the deadline it will be an error in judgement. We all like seeing our team win. We all enjoy watching Cory play at the level he has and Larsson develop the way he has this year. That being said trading away players is not just for the tank, it also brings in assets. A few extra 2nd rounders could help greatly. Jagr and Zid will not be around when the Devils are competing again. The players are too proud to not play at the highest level they can. That being said you don't go all in on a playoff run this year and I sincerely hope we do not dive heavily into free agency this year. There are no players capable of turning around the franchise out there. You trade off assets that do not help the future (Jagr/Zid) and you play out the stretch. We will likely pick 7th or 8th which will give us a crack at a Strome/Barzal/Marner. If a trade for one of our D prospects comes along that would net a top 6 forward you consider it. I think two decades of success have spoiled us into thinking there's always an easy fix.

our first round drafting has been disappointing. That being said Lou doesn't often get to pick this high and the last two times he had a top 10 pick he brought in Larsson and Schneider. What you are watching right now is a Devils team beating other mediocre teams and back up goalies. Playing a desperate Boston team this week will likely bring a reality check.

There's a difference between tanking, and getting assets for players who wont be here next year. You'd be dumb not to get draft picks for these guys.
- Rangers_Suck01

This x100

If Lou does not move Jagr and Zid at the deadline it will be an error in judgement. We all like seeing our team win. We all enjoy watching Cory play at the level he has and Larsson develop the way he has this year. That being said trading away players is not just for the tank, it also brings in assets. A few extra 2nd rounders could help greatly. Jagr and Zid will not be around when the Devils are competing again. The players are too proud to not play at the highest level they can. That being said you don't go all in on a playoff run this year and I sincerely hope we do not dive heavily into free agency this year. There are no players capable of turning around the franchise out there. You trade off assets that do not help the future (Jagr/Zid) and you play out the stretch. We will likely pick 7th or 8th which will give us a crack at a Strome/Barzal/Marner. If a trade for one of our D prospects comes along that would net a top 6 forward you consider it. I think two decades of success have spoiled us into thinking there's always an easy fix.

our first round drafting has been disappointing. That being said Lou doesn't often get to pick this high and the last two times he had a top 10 pick he brought in Larsson and Schneider. What you are watching right now is a Devils team beating other mediocre teams and back up goalies. Playing a desperate Boston team this week will likely bring a reality check.
- smellmyfinger

I agree. Keep in mind Zid's contract gives him final say on whether he stays or goes though.

I agree. Keep in mind Zid's contract gives him final say on whether he stays or goes though.
- newjerseypaul

Yeah but the reality of Zids situation is Severson makes him expendable. Larsson and Severson will get the minutes on the right side next season. I think Zid will realize this and take the shot on a playoff run.

Yeah but the reality of Zids situation is Severson makes him expendable. Larsson and Severson will get the minutes on the right side next season. I think Zid will realize this and take the shot on a playoff run.
- smellmyfinger

Santini is at most 2 years away as well. I would 39 year old Zidlicky would like one more playoff run.

Yeah but the reality of Zids situation is Severson makes him expendable. Larsson and Severson will get the minutes on the right side next season. I think Zid will realize this and take the shot on a playoff run.
- smellmyfinger

I hope so. People have said he doesn't want to be away from his family, hope that doesn't prevent it either.

Exactly. But once your trade guys like Ryder, Zidlicky and Jagr, younger guys take their place. Obviously you exepct to have a learning curve with the kids. It may result in more losses for the Devils this year, but the devils have enough veteran's signed through next year to make the transition on how to teach them to be a pro. Henrique and Schneider are now veteran's.
- tomburton99

Agreed, like someone stated before, about 75% of the forwards on the team now wont be here in 2-3 years time. When this team can contend again guys like Larsson, Merrill, Severson, and Rico will be leading the charge with Schneider between the pipes. Someone is going to have to lead this team, and the guy i look at is Henrique, he's 25 now and will be 27-28 when we start to contend again, turn this guy into a captain ASAP. He plays the most like Parise on this team and guys will want to work just as hard as him, look how well that turned out for us in the spring of '12. They will be leaned on heavily in our down years to teach our young guys like Q, Santini, Bouch, Black, and hopefully whoever we draft in June. Winning games now is great, but doesn't benefit us in years time. Getting a guy like Strome/Rantanen etc, compared to drafting 10-14 is necessary for this team.

Is there any chance that we will be statistically eliminated by the trade deadline?

I'm not sure how Tootoo gets hated on like this but Travis Zajac gets a pass. Tootoo doesn't have any PP points, but Zajac has 2 in the past 20 games.

Is there any chance that we will be statistically eliminated by the trade deadline?
- TRDevil

No, we aren't Buffalo

I'm not sure how Tootoo gets hated on like this but Travis Zajac gets a pass. Tootoo doesn't have any PP points, but Zajac has 2 in the past 20 games.
- twitchingwalrus

Zajac has taken his share of lumps. Also I don't think anyone is hating on Tootoo, he has played better than any of us imagined he would. What's being questioned is the minutes that Lou and company are playing certain players.

Some of these posts got me like

My thing is LOU thinks he has learned everything or at the very least learned everything he thinks he needs to know. Just because he says something doesn't mean it's right there seems to be 29 other gms wondering what the hell he is doing and I'm sure at least a hand full of them have won championships and are respected minds. So why is it his approach is the right one and everyone else's isn't he is oblivious to the way other franchises have had success and only recognizes his as the only way to achieve said success. I don't find it odd at all the amount of people who believe the game has passed LOU but there are still a few left who swear the guy can't do wrong.

I'm not sure how Tootoo gets hated on like this but Travis Zajac gets a pass. Tootoo doesn't have any PP points, but Zajac has 2 in the past 20 games.
- twitchingwalrus

So did you get kicked out of the season ticket holder event the other night?

So did you get kicked out of the season ticket holder event the other night?
- shvingter88

1 - Devils have a 0% chance of "winning" the draft lottery regardless of whether they're 5th overall or 9th. The NHL has an evaluation process and does it behind closed doors. If they had nothing to hide, they'd hide nothing. Since they hide it and don't air it, it's not a lottery.

2 - Pittsburgh's tanking got them Malkin and it also got them that accursed goaltender, Fleury. What if the tanking teams ended up with them in a position to draft a curse?

3 - Tootoo is playing because Lou is putting together a team of attrition, which is why he signed Clowe to such a ridiculous contract. If you can't win by skill, then you win by attrition. Ryder is the opposite of attrition, that's why he's getting benched. The way he's putting together his line-up makes perfect sense, even if it doesn't project well on the shot attempt charts. Tootoo is also playing because he doesn't play a resigned game... chances are, Lou's putting the guys on the ice who WANT to play. He's probably also making sure Jagr isn't getting hurt, cuz he's going to be gone for sure.

4 - I think something good happens for us at the draft this year. I just have a good feeling. But that's not going to make a good argument, so wait and see :D

So did you get kicked out of the season ticket holder event the other night?
- shvingter88

what a Richard this guy is

1 - Devils have a 0% chance of "winning" the draft lottery regardless of whether they're 5th overall or 9th. The NHL has an evaluation process and does it behind closed doors. If they had nothing to hide, they'd hide nothing. Since they hide it and don't air it, it's not a lottery.

2 - Pittsburgh's tanking got them Malkin and it also got them that accursed goaltender, Fleury. What if the tanking teams ended up with them in a position to draft a curse?

3 - Tootoo is playing because Lou is putting together a team of attrition, which is why he signed Clowe to such a ridiculous contract. If you can't win by skill, then you win by attrition. Ryder is the opposite of attrition, that's why he's getting benched. The way he's putting together his line-up makes perfect sense, even if it doesn't project well on the shot attempt charts. Tootoo is also playing because he doesn't play a resigned game... chances are, Lou's putting the guys on the ice who WANT to play. He's probably also making sure Jagr isn't getting hurt, cuz he's going to be gone for sure.

4 - I think something good happens for us at the draft this year. I just have a good feeling. But that's not going to make a good argument, so wait and see :D
- archromat

They air the lottery every year on TSN. Only one they didn't air was 04/05.

What are you idiots talking about? Everyone here seems to hate on certain players day in and day out. Tootoo may not be the best player, but he plays his ass off compared to other guys on the team. I also agree with todd that if players are to be traded that the should see more ice time to raise their stats. and what a joke that is. everyone on here is so wrapped up in stats that they don't even both trying to enjoy a hockey game. Players will come and go. deal with what the team is for now. if you don't like it, go be a rangers fan and shut up.

What are you idiots talking about? Everyone here seems to hate on certain players day in and day out. Tootoo may not be the best player, but he plays his ass off compared to other guys on the team. I also agree with todd that if players are to be traded that the should see more ice time to raise their stats. and what a joke that is. everyone on here is so wrapped up in stats that they don't even both trying to enjoy a hockey game. Players will come and go. deal with what the team is for now. if you don't like it, go be a rangers fan and shut up.
- DevilDogDez

It's not bad, we aren't obsessed with Corsi or fenwick. We also like most of the team that is ice, minus glass. I personally not a fan of Dan Boyle.

Tootoo is terrible and if you think otherwise you're stupid.