Devils Management

• Devils Unintelligent at Home; Blanked by Capitals- The best way to describe the Devils effort on Friday night was uninspiring or rather unintelligent. That's how head coach Brent Sutter referred to his team during the postgame press conference. "At times we're not playing with any intelligence," Sutter said, paraphrasing from his entire speech. "The team (Devils) played one period with urgency."
• Devils Trade Janssen to Blues, Tonight's Game on FSNY 2-

  The Devils have traded enforcer Cam Janssen to the Blues for defenseman Bryce Salvador. Janssen was recently activated off the injury reserve after suffering a separated shoulder in the offseason. He had yet to see action this season. Jackman has 11 points and +12 in 56 games with St. Louis thus far. The move should help the Devils on the blue line where they were thin and in need of a veteran presence after losing Rafalski, Daneyko and both Scotts over the last few years.

• Devils Goal Horn- I have been to a bunch of Devils game this season. What's the deal with their goal horn? I know it used to sound something like the Hey song. Then that Olay song. Now, New Jersey Devils Goal Horn 2008, which is better than a song better suited for soccer than for hockey. But, it's nowhere near Gary Glitter's The Hey Song.  I understand that Glitter's imprisoned for illegal activities (check Wikipedia), but we should still play that song made famous during the Devils Stanley Cup run in the 1995 campaign.
• Devils Hire Brent Sutter as Head Coach- A new coach. A new era of Devils hockey.  Hopefully, that is the case with Mr. Brent Sutter, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the New York Islanders.  A cliché, yes, but the Devils and their loyal fans have not celebrated a complete playoff run since 2003 (my brother and father attended game seven that year of course). For diehard fans that is unacceptable business for Sweet Lou Lamoriello and his brilliant staff.  Especially, after dancing with Lord Stanley’s Cup three times in nine years. Sutter, do you really want this position?
• NHL Update: GM Meetings, Lidstrom's Knee, Peter Forsberg- Much has taken place lately in the NHL and I feel obligated to relay over what I think I know thus far. From implementing new rules to potentially decimating injuries, the league has been faced with all it can handle. Have Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, and Senior Executive VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell managed to overcome low scoring, poor television ratings (outside of the Winter Classic) to regain the professional sport’s fourth position behind NFL, MLB and NBA? Absolutely not. Yet, I am here today, hoping
• No. 4 Scott Stevens, Welcome to the Hall of Fame- Tonight, Scott Stevens, Al MacInnis, Ron Francis, Al MacInnis, Mark Messier will be inducted in hockey's Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.  They will be inducted as players and longtime NHL executive Jim Gregory will be enshrined as a builder.  It's 2:21 a.m. and I really want to sit here and write more on Stevens' enshrinement, but I'm exhausted from a long weekend.
  
• Devils Shoot Sabres Out of Newark-

  The Devils were clearly frustrated after they allowed the Sabres to to tie the game with 1:37 remaining in regulation, preventing goalie Martin Brodeur from earning yet another shutout. Instead of succumbing in the last 90 seconds plus overtime, they regrouped and captured the 2-1 shootout win.

• Will Real Devils Fan Please Show Up!-

  Despite a fancy new arena, the Devils are still struggling to capture large audiences.  Last night was a prime example. An announced attendance of 13,595 filled the Prudential Center doors. It's not the first time this season and historically the Devils were unable to fill merely 80 percent of their seats. Hopefully, it's the last time though as each upcoming game is critical to New Jersey's postseason chances.

  The Devils have celebrated their three Stanley Cup Trophies with a ticker-tape parade through New York City parking lot parade.

• Devils Broadcast History Timeline- Instead of sleeping last night, I worked hard to locate the New Jersey Devils broadcast information.  It wasn't easy.  I had to assassinate four dead monkeys and two live chickens to find all of this information.  Just kidding.  Only one chicken.  In all seriousness, this is the most accurate non-official timeline dating back to 1986.  Unfortunately, I am not sure who broadcasted Devils games on the radio and on television before the year of the NY Mets last World Series Win.
• Devils Broadcast Information vs. Buffalo-

  The New Jersey Devils welcome Buffalo to the Prudential Center tonight for a standard 7 o’clock start.  Tonight's contest will air on FSN-NY (HD) and as usual, on WFAN 660 AM.  The television pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m., a time when most people are still at w

• Atlantic Division: New Year's Eve Update- In early November, the New Jersey Devils faced their Atlantic Division opponents in nine consecutive games.  They went 4-1 against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but 0-3-1 against the New York Rangers and Islanders. 
• Devils Power Up in Practice-

  The New Jersey Devils completed the post-Christmas weekend at 1-1 yet remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.  Unlike earlier this season, where head coach Brent Sutter may have given his team a day off after playing two games in 48 hours, tis was not the case in this morning's practice. 

   
• NJ-FLA Wrap-Up-

  Penalties.  Tonight's theme was penalties, and lots of them.  Most of them were good, legitimate calls. Others were bogus. Calls that any hockey fan would have been upset with. The prime example, of course, was the penalty on David Clarkson in the 2nd period that resulted in a PPG for the Panthers.  Florida won 3-0.

• New Jersey Devils Captain- If Not Elias, Then Who?- Over a week ago, head coach Brent Sutter revealed that he is unsure if Patrik Elias will remain as team captain this upcoming season.  If Jamie Langenbrunner were to replace Elias, that plan might have to be delayed. He went for surgery on his injured groin and will be sidelined for up to two months.
  
• Sutter- Having Fun Yet?-

  Brent, you definitely have your work cut out this upcoming season. Not only are you the new head coach of the New Jersey Devils, but you have the honor to start the season on a nine game road trip spanning three weeks. Not the fun kind.

• Brent Sutter- Continued...-

  Brent, you definitely have your work cut out this upcoming season. Not only are you the new head coach of the New Jersey Devils, but you have the honor to start the season on a nine game road trip spanning three weeks. Not the fun kind.

• Off Season Transactions- With less than three months until opening night, the New Jersey Devils resigned their top scorer from last season Zach Parise( 31 goals). Son of JP, a former Minnesota North Stars Captain, Zach excelled in many facets this past season.  At 4 years and 12.5 million dollars, the restricted free agent was a steal compared to the massive overpaid contracts.
  
• Cheap Seats? Not in New York-

  I knew that the prices would rise as soon as construction workers finished installation of the locker rooms at the Prudential Center.  Did I expect them to double in price?

• Devils Hockey Only for the Wealthy?- The New Jersey Devils are a successful and friendly organization... to the wealthy people that is... just read their new (legitimate) policy... it's actually fairly well-written, creative, and truthful.... unfortunately to the rest of us poor people...
  
• Prudential Center... Appealing Arena, Average Ice- NEWARK -- Patrik Elias skates into the neutral zone, but trips when he chases after a loose puck.  Martin Brodeur attempts to play the puck behind his net, but it jumps over the blade of his stick.
  
• Devils looking at Schneider?- Since former Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer announced that he will return to the Anaheim Ducks this season, all I've been able to think about is whether New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello would be able to get something out of this situation to help the Devils.
  
• NJ Devils Support High School Hockey-

  I would like to vent about the New Jersey Devils’ 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, but Jeremy wrote a great blog about the loss.  I need not dwell on the Devils’ awful second period (two shots taken).  Instead, I would like to focus on

• Tonight We Honor The True Devils Captain- Tonight, the Devils will be honoring Hall-of-Fame inductee Scott Stevens, the true Devils captain.  For those of you who may have forgotten, here's a quick list of some of his accomplishments:
  
  •     3-time Stanley Cup Champion  
  •     14-time NHL All-Star (13 played)
  • Simplicity and Success over Wealth and Misery- Yes, Jamie Langenbrunner was officially named team captain before Wednesday's game against Boston.  In New Jersey Devils fashion, there was no press conference or major announcement made, nothing fancy.
    
    Maybe, that's the way the Devils like to play as well, modest.
    
  • Friday Night's Guest... Barry Melrose?-

    On a night dedicated to recent Hall of Fame inductee No. 4 Scott Stevens, ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose will be among the fans in attendance, as first reported by Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record.
    

  • New Jersey Devils 2007-2008 Promotional Schedule- The Devils promotional schedule includes 13 promotional games, including an opening night limited edition print schedule. Then ranging from calendar night to food drive, the Devils will be offering free pucks on Friday Nov.
  • Prudential Center's Soft Ice- When a professional hockey team moves to a $375 million state-of-the-art arena, the ice is included in the deal. Right? Through the New Jersey Devils' first 10 games at the new Prudential Center, I was starting to think that they were playing at the former Continental Airlines Arena.  Players were falling, tripping, slipping, and the ice was not looking as the best surface in the NHL.
  • New Jersey Devils Reduce Ticket Prices... Again- The Devils left Continental Airlines Arena with one thing on their minds: maintain their home dominance at the Prudential Center.  In the midst of a seven-game win streak, the Devils are playing terrific hockey.  However, the Rock, which holds 17,625 for hockey, has only sold out once, the open
  • Tonight's Devils Game... Second of Nine Straight vs. Division Rivals- Atlantic Division- Some important games tonight in the NHL NJ Devils take on Penguins in the Prudential Center where they are 2-1 in the new $375 million complex... and the fans are "where in the world" are they... I hope that they fill the arena to the max or at least to a rather full capacity tonight...
  • Devils Daily: Larry Robinson Got What He Earned-

    You're searching through resumes, trying to find the best candidate for the position.  Finally, you get your hands on a person with six Stanley Cups, two Norris Trophies handed to the league's best defenseman, and a Conn Smythe awarded to the league's most dominant playoff leader... I think you found Larry Robinson's profile if I'm not mistaken...
    

  • Training Camp Cuts- I hate training camp roster cuts, but they are part of the process. They determine who is good enough to make the team come Oct. 4th, NHL opening night for the New Jersey Devils. Unfortunately, there are players, who worked hard throughout the summer, who will be left off the roster. Yes, I do feel bad for them.
  • Continental Airlines Arena- No Longer- The NJSEA is looking at various companies to replace the naming rights to former Continental Airlines Arena, CAA. AN EARLIER POST of mine back at the end of August details the Devils move from the Meadowlands to the Prudential Center.
  • NJSEA- Stop Bashing the Rock Please- That's right George R. Zoffinger, President and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, NJSEA. Take some responsibility for a change. A difficult yet possible solution to your problem.
  • Devils Hire New Radio Color Commentator- Sherry Ross- History was made in Newark, N.J. when Sherry Ross was officially hired as the New Jersey Devils new radio color commentator. Ross will be the first woman to broadcast a male professional sports team. Congrats to her. The Canadian Press reports this.
  • Say Goodbye to Richard Matvichuk- The New Jersey Devils officially said adios to thirty-four-year-old defenseman Richard Matvichuk.  Well, they placed him on waivers and there is a very small window that he will return to the team sometime in the near future.  I am still bewildered by GM Lou