Marty's Better #30
May 08, 2010 May 31, 2012 27 517
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Line Changes...Again
by Marty's Better #30 on May 20, 2012 1:06 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
CONFIRMED: JOSEFSON HAS BEEN TOLD HE WILL BE PLAYING MONDAY ACCORDING TO TG. I'd imagine Sykora will sit, since he practiced on the "5th line" today...
8 comments
If the Devils Finish 6th, it Would Be a Blessing in Disguise
by Marty's Better #30 on Mar 4, 2012 9:12 PM EST
on In Lou We Trust
New Jersey Devils Playoff Talk
My Thoughts on Zidlicky Trade (Article Perspective)
by Marty's Better #30 on Feb 25, 2012 1:14 PM EST
on In Lou We Trust
Article Perspective of Zidlicky trade.
Boudreau replaces Carlyle behind Ducks' bench
For all of you who wanted Boudreau as the head/assistant coach, you can now put that pipe dream to rest. I guess you're a hot commodity, after being the fastest to reach 200 wins. The real question here, though - does this put an end to the Bobby Ryan rumors?
Can Peter DeBoer Last More than Two Seasons?
by Marty's Better #30 on Nov 20, 2011 11:20 AM EST
on In Lou We Trust
Here's a piece I've recently written for nj.com. It can be found here.
Johnny Mac on Verus..First Public Appearence Since Firing??
by Marty's Better #30 on Nov 14, 2011 10:17 PM EST
on In Lou We Trust
Johnny Mac
Miller Out With Concussion; Lucic Set For Shanahan Meeting
Ryan Miller out with a concussion after last night's collision, run in with Milan Lucic. Lucic is scheduled for a hearing on Monday.
In Lou We Trust Fantasy League Team
by Marty's Better #30 on Sep 25, 2011 10:05 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Hey guys, just finished drafting my team in the 16 team In Lou We Trust League on Yahoo!. Here are some highlights..Too many Rangers selected, Adam Larsson went in the seventh round, Sykora was selected!, and thankfully no one selected Sean Avery.
Here's my team. Feel free to comment!
Modano to sign contract with Dallas; Retire as a Star
Mike Modano to sign one day contract with Dallas Stars, so he could retire with the franchise that drafted him first overall back in 1988.
Where is Steve Bernier
by Marty's Better #30 on Sep 14, 2011 4:52 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Where is Steve Bernier?
Devils Season Preview
by Marty's Better #30 on Sep 5, 2011 6:21 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
I wrote this article on a blog website. Thought I'd post it here as well. See what kind of reception I get.
Drury Announces Retirement after 12 NHL Seasons
Chris Drury announces retirement after servicing 12 seasons in the NHL.
Take him off the list of possible late free-agent signings.
Coyotes Trade Bryzgalov's rights to Flyers for Third Round Pick
Flyers acquire the rights to Bryzgalov for Matt Clackson, a third round pick in 2012, and future considerations.
If the indeed Flyers sign him, they can be even more dangerous then they currently are.
You've on the Clock. Who do the New Jersey Devils Select?
by Marty's Better #30 on Jun 6, 2011 12:46 AM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
As the Stanley Cup Finals dwindle down to an abrupt end, the hockey world turns their attention to the much anticipated NHL Entry Draft.
As you may or may not recall, I published a FanPost, which featured the top 4 picks in the NHL Entry Draft about a month ago. This can be found here, http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2011/4/19/2119544/could-we-draft-adam-larsson.
However with the end of the Memorial Cup and the NHL Scouting Combine, let's take a look at my final mock draft.
However unlike standard mock drafts, this mock draft contains an unusual twist. The top three picks are made, now the Devils are on the clock with the fourth overall pick. You've Lou Lamiorello. Who do you select? Do you go with the best player available or go by a positional need.
Leave your selection in the comment section, with an explanation of why you made that pick.
Could We Draft Adam Larsson?
by Marty's Better #30 on Apr 19, 2011 12:22 AM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
And with the Fourth Selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils Would Like to Select...
A Light at the End of the Tunnel?
by Marty's Better #30 on Nov 21, 2010 10:04 AM EST
on In Lou We Trust
Marty's Better #30
I've also recently posted this on Fire and Ice, where I use the name We Need Sam Gagner
Where Does Zubrus Fit?
by Marty's Better #30 on Oct 2, 2010 2:17 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Marty's Better #30
Matthew Halischuk: Lost Identity?
by Marty's Better #30 on Sep 20, 2010 11:07 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
NHL 11 Mystery
Welcome Back Jason Arnott
by Marty's Better #30 on Jun 19, 2010 3:20 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Arnott Returns
False Alarm For Now!
by Marty's Better #30 on Jun 8, 2010 3:14 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Marty's Better #30
Report: Therrien To Be Announced Devils Coach
by Marty's Better #30 on Jun 6, 2010 6:19 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Oh, Please Don't Be True!
Why Ilya Kovalchuk Does Not Fit
by Marty's Better #30 on May 29, 2010 1:57 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Marty's Better #30
Could Patrick Marleau Be Our Guy?
by Marty's Better #30 on May 23, 2010 6:52 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
With the San Jose Sharks being knocked out of the playoffs, (Again), many questions are yet again being arisen about this team. What's wrong? Is it Nabokov, Thornton, Marleau, or a combination of all. I feel it is a combination of all, which leads me to believe that Doug Wilson, General Manager for the Sharks, will make some moves during the offseason.
It's been suspected that Nabokov may have just played his last game as a Shark, as he always seems to crumble come playoff time. A team that may go after him is the Flyers; if they make Salary Cap adjustments, but that is another subject for another time. My gut feeling is Nabokov is in a different jersey in 2010-2011. Then you take a glance at Thornton, and the first thing that comes into mind is, "Playoff Failure". But I just can't imagine WIlson trading him, for one reason; Thornton is one of the best playmakers in the game, and you don't trade a guy like that, though anyone can be traded, (See Wayne Gretzky).
Now we take a look at the main guy of this article, Patrick Marleau. Patrick has spent his lengthy career in San Jose, having no Playoff Success. He was the captain for a few years, but had the captaincy stripped away from him, as to relieve some pressure from the Canadian. And boy, did that work. He bounced back this year, and was terrific. Even in the playoffs, despite being knocked out, put up a good numbers, as he had 13 points in fourteen games. But baring all his past Post Season Troubles with the Sharks, they may let him him walk come July 1st. Is this our centre? I think it could be. Despite playing centre for most of his career, he was moved to the wing to play with Thornton and Heately this year. In adding that though, this guy is a natural centre, and will probably have little to no difficulty going back to his favored position. He is a leader by leading with his on ice play, and a change of teams can benefit him immensely.
Should We Really Keep Kovalchuk?
by Marty's Better #30 on May 18, 2010 10:19 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
Devil's Lines Next Year?
by Marty's Better #30 on May 17, 2010 12:34 AM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
I was recently pondering about our lines, after the signings of Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson.
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Tedenby-Josefson-Elias
Rolston-Henrique-Clarkson
Pelly-Mccamond-Zubrus
Martin-Hamhuis
Salvador-Greene
White-Fraser
Brodeur
Danis
I realize this team is young, but I also realize that it is fresher, younger, and more hungrier than ever. If having these lines means that we may not get home ice advantage in the playoffs, I am fine with that, because it hasn't been so effective to us in the past. As proclaimed day in day out, "Once you've in the Dance, Anything Can Happen."
We already know what the likes of ZZPops can do, so no need to explain my reasoning for that line.
The second line will be in much question from most of you. Lou has already stated he has a pretty good gut feeling that Tedenby and Josefson will be regulars on this team. Giving them second line duties is a whole load of responsibilities. But they do it with Elias, a leader who can groom the young swedes. And if it doesn't work out, we could just put Zubrus, Tedenby, and Elias on the second line, and put Josefson on fourth line or Minors.
The third line is very familiar from last year, but a new face will be added, and that is Adam Henrique. I know yet again, you will question me. I know that most of his amazing numbers came last year with the playing on the same line as future superstar, Taylor Hall. But from watching this kid, he is a very smart player, and good in both ends of the ice. He is also an above average playmaker and can hand Rolston a few goals.
The fourth line will be our energy line with Leblond and Pelly. But you add a guy like Zubrus. This line can be capable of going against another team's top line as Zubrus will dig and dig to get the puck to his linemates, and out of the zone.
Brodeur is obviously a given in net. But recently, Danis expressed his interest to stay with the Devils, while speaking with Rich Chere of NJ.com.
What The Devils Must Do In Offseason
by Marty's Better #30 on May 9, 2010 9:18 PM EDT
on In Lou We Trust
For any hockey team, having a long offseason is not the most enjoyable thing to go through. Unfortunately for us, we've gone through it basically every year since the last time we won the cup, seven years ago. Every offseason Lou makes those minor moves, but they never turn out the way he wants them to turn into in, a Stanley Cup Champion.
Ever since the Devils have entered the NHL, we have never had that big name player that would constantly fill the seats, except for the likes of Marty Brodeur. At the deadline, Lou gave us a treat, acquiring a Russian Super Star in Kovalchuk. Sadly though, the only good it did was get us an extra few sellouts; not the Cup we were going after. Personally, if I am Lou, I let him walk. Obviously, you would love to keep the guy, but with our current salary cap situation, signing him this offseason could prevent us from resigning our Franchise player, Zach Parise next year. You also have to think, we have Mattias Tedenby in the works, playing with grown men in Sweden. Not implying that he will have such a major impact that Ilya has had, but he can be darn good, judging by the scout's impressions of him. In addition, with a couple ridiculous contracts handed out, (Rolston) we have to be cautious where we spend our money. Also, with the extra money that we got rid of during the Ilya trade, (Oduya's 4 million) we could try and go after a shut down/Offensive minded defender and a nice center. Let me ask you, what would you rather do, fill in two ridiculously big holes that need to be filled, or supply a hole that is already filled.
When we first acquired Jamie Langenbrunner almost nine years ago, we didn't have an idea of how how good he would turn out. Let me be the first to tell you, he has been pretty darn good, especially when playing a pivotal role when capturing our third Stanley Cup. But due to the fact since being named captain during the 2007-2008 season, we have not advanced through the first round, each way you look at it, the captain has got to face partial blame for not rallying the troops during the playoffs. We all hear the rumors that Thomas Kaberle will get traded, but I truly think this is the year Burke will be at his best trying to trade Kaberle. Now the reason I brought up Langenbrunner earlier in this paragraph is because Burke absolutely loves Jamie and the way he plays his gritty, powerfoward game, which makes Jamie a great trading chip to Toronto. Though Burke loves Jamie and has utmost respect for him, we would probably have to put in another player in this trade to make this happen. This is where I feel Patrick Davis comes into place. I loved the kid when he came up here earlier in the season, but in reality he is a third line/fourth line NHL guy. We already have Clarkson as our third line energy guy for years to come, and Matthew Hallischuk who could, this time around, take the fourth line role for the whole season. I feel this would be a huge win-win for each team, as we get that offensive Defender we have already lacked and they get Jamie, a guy they love.
Then, we would let Martin walk. Seeing that he would probably be demanding 4.5 to 5 million, he just isn't worth it. Also, when he suffered his injury this season, I felt doubts as to how it would effect his play later after this season. I feel investing that much money into Martin could be a risk, therefore I decide to let him go. In addition, we would have already acquired Kaberle, and Greene can continue to step up his game.
Considering we would have let Kovalchuk and Martin walk, traded Jamie and Davis, acquired Kaberle, and hopefully if Pandolfo recovers quickly in time to buy him out, and giving raises to all that deserve it, we would have about 6-7 million in cap space. This is also considering we let Mccamond, Niedermeyer, Skoula, and Mattau go. Entering this offseason, we had two holes to filled, but we filled one with Kaberle. Now we have to resign a center. With the Canadiens in major Salary Cap Problems, signing Thomas Plekanec will be tough, when he will be demanding 4.5 million to 5 million. From watching him on numerous occasions this year, he is the perfect Devil. He plays both aspects of the game quite well, and can put the puck in the net when it matters. Include the fact that he played with Patty Elias in the Olympics, they are bound to have chemistry. All in all, that would leave us with about 4 million dollars in cap space.
Now the coach. I concur with most of you that it's John MacLean. He is young enough to relate to the players and can implement more offense in to our game. Plus, he led Lowell to the playoffs for the first time in their history. Trust me, that was no fluke. Add to the fact, when all of our Lowell Players came up, each and everyone of them raved about him. It's his time.
If We Could pull of these moves, our lines could be:
Parise ('C')-Zajac-Palmieri---We already know about the chemistry Zajac and Parise have. Then you add a young guy like Palmieri. Considering the fact that Jamie and Nick play the similar type of game, these three will have chemistry.
Elias('A')-Plekanec-Rolston---Finally, our second line has a very decent center. Plekanec and Elias always think pass first. Now it only is a matter if Brian will finish and put up numbers we all thought he would when he came back here two years ago.
Zubrus-Sestito-Clarkson--- I loved the way Tim played when he came up earlier in the season. He brought tremendous energy to our team. We already know and love what Clarkson brings to the table.
Leblond-Pelly-Hallischuk---Play them when we need a jump. They are young, hungry, and will throw the body around.
Kaberle-Greene
White('A) -Corrente
Fraser-Salvador
Marty Brodeur
Yann Danis
Average Age: 25---Lou said he wanted to get younger, well there you go.
This is my first article on this site. Hope you enjoy!
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