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.

What a relief! Seriously, I just heard on the radio, Q104.3FM Ian O'Malley talking about his admission. This is a New York rock station talking about an NFL player. This country takes superstars and either loves or hates them. There is no middle ground. Every person who watches television, listens to the radio, or utilizes sports websites will be forced to see something related to Michael Vick.

Can't we focus on something positive for a change? I feel like the last time our newspapers focused on something other than War in Iraq, Taliban, Mr. "I'm Sorry" Vick, or President Bush... was 1980 when the United States upset Russia in the hockey part of the Olympic Winter Games.

I understand news and sports vast coverage of Vick and his criminal enterprise, which we will not get into, as I obviously think that he deserves prison time, but I do not understand why a rock station's DJ needs to speak of news. This country has too many outlets for news today. If I go anywhere, turn on the tv, or do anything anymore, it's news up my ass.

Miracle on Ice, Lake Placid, New York.... Anyone see the movie Miracle? I sure have several times, always raises my spirits. That and Rutgers (my current university) Football upsetting Louisville last year definitely help overcome negativity in the news, especially when I am on vacation in the summer time. The weather is great and I need to hear about dog fighting. Why can't NBC or ABC talk about positive events in the news?

Maybe, NBC can talk about hockey and how it is the only major sport this summer not to suffer a major heart attack. MLB has Barry Bonds, who I will congratulate on his record-breaking home run, the NBA has the referee scandal. Did anyone catch David Stern's press conference? That man looked like someone ripped out his heart. Vick, you should have taken lessons from him in terms of wooing the press. Instead of denying, admit your guilt, and suffer the consequences. The NFL's new commissioner Roger Goodell is trigger happy with suspensions. From Vick's indefinite suspension, which, to me means never to return under my reign to suspending at least three others for at least the first eight games of the regular season.

What has happened to the NHL? Maybe, and I am surely not suggesting commit a crime to generate popularity... but even when a few NHL players were caught this summer with underage drinking, nobody really cared. Look, they tried, got caught by the police, and the world cared more about Paris Hilton's DUI instead. What can you do?

1. Will the fans show up? According to ESPN, the NHL league average was 16,486. The NBA finished with a record high 17,757 for the third consecutive season, according to The NBA. The New Jersey Devils clocked in at 14,176… in the bottom five of the league, not great news for a team owner who has just spent countless hours building and moving the team from the swamp (Meadowlands) to the city (downtown Newark). By the way, it also cost over $375 million. No worries of course.

2. Can the Devils of New Jersey return to Stanley Cup form? As seen in 2002-2003, 1999-2000, or even 1994-1995… This year is definitely more of a rebuilding one since losing key players to free agency, but the team concept is still there and will have to prove itself come opening night in October.

3. Will new Head Coach Brent Sutter remain past this season? This is definitely one of the major issues floating around this off season. Rumor has it that Sutter is a keeper. I sure hope so.

4. Can The Devils replace the key losses suffered during free agency? Gomez and Rafalski were definitely talented players leaving gaps in their offensive and defensive combinations.

5. Will the New Jersey Devils finally adjust to the current style of play? Commissioner Gary Bettman eliminated the defensive neutral zone trap used by the Devils in their three Stanley Cup Trophy seasons. Thanks a lot Bettman. You are a superb representative of the NHL. Ratings are at all-time high. Right? Haha. The Stanley Cup finals broke records for futility in network television. Fans are attending games, no doubt, but you fail to attract the TV contracts signed by the MLB, NBA, and NFL. Either way, the Devils have yet to win a trophy since 2002-2003. Fans are impatient, are the players?

The Devils have yet to finish fourth in their
division in a very long time. If you search the record books, the last time they
missed the playoffs was the 1995-96 season. That year the Devils finished sixth
out of eight teams in their division. Historically, the divisions were split
into the Northeast and Atlantic at the time. Today, there are three divisions
in each (east and west) conference. Since that season, they have placed at
least third, a remarkable streak. Since the 1990-91 campaign, the Devils have

From the various strengths and weaknesses within the Devils organization, I believe that scoring, winning faceoffs, and coaching are the keys to their success this upcoming season. Within scoring, I am also including scoring on the power play since they finished in the bottom of the league in that category. How is a team supposed to win a Stanley Cup by finishing practically dead last in home scoring in the entire National Hockey League? Even with a strong defensive strategy that has lasted the Devils until now, I don’t care. You need to score goals to win games, as simple as that sounds. If you want to keep the scoring low, which is considered difficult with the new rules in play, good luck, but ultimately you have to put the puck in the net.

Devils, you forced Martin Brodeur to play phenomenally throughout the playoffs, a difficult yet fitting task for such a player. Then again, the scoring was pitiful, forcing Brodeur into a difficult situation night after night against two of the top scoring teams in the east. Hats off to Ottawa as they finally made it to the finals and the same to Tampa for putting a strong fight before losing in six games.

The first key to this upcoming season is scoring, running the gamut from even strength to power plays and even short handed goals. Not surprisingly, the Devils clocked in at 27 categorically, yes 27 out of 30 teams in the regular season team scoring. If you think this past season was a flaw, maybe some players did not have such good seasons, guess again. Let me remind you of the Devils scoring ranks since 2000-2001 when they led the league in scoring that year. The following season they were 20th, then 14 for two seasons, 22 for a season, and then despicably, 27. Gary Bettman, my most hated Commissioner in any sport today, changed the rules to increase scoring and popularity among fans across the country. Ottawa led the way with a 3.63 goals per game this past year while Detroit scored 3.8 gpg two seasons ago, which was the highest total since the Devils in 00-01 with a 3.6gpg. The Devils however cannot find a way to solve their inability to score goals, especially with a paltry 216. New coach on the horizon? Brent Sutter?

Anaheim won the Stanley Cup this past season. They finished in the top ten in scoring while the East representative Ottawa finished number one as I mentioned earlier. I am definitely willing to say that a top ten scoring team will not necessarily win the Cup every year. I do believe that a combination of timely scoring and hard-hitting defense are keys. But the last time a team won the Cup while finishing 27th out of 30 teams, you will be searching a long time before realizing that the answer is never.

Without going into as much detail with power play and shorthanded goals for and against, I just would like to remind fans that the Devils went from the top ten in the first half in power play scoring to bottom half in the second half of the season. They were also in the top ten for shorthanded goals allowed, while only scoring four all season. Anyone remember John Madden when he had six in one season. That’s right- he did it years ago. Guys, giving up short handed goals is unacceptable, and maybe they can capitalize this year on their SH opportunities.

Faceoffs, winning more than fifty percent of them. I cannot forget how many key faceoffs there were in playoff games that the Devils were unable to win. The numbers speak for themselves. They were up against solid Senator and Lightning teams, who have several league leaders. But, the Devils have more experience in the playoffs, making it 17 out of the last 19 seasons, telling me that they should be able to win more than 50 percent of the face offs. However, the Devils were dead last in the regular season total FO won indicating that winning them in the post season was a long shot at best. Maybe, Lou was not such an idiot for the coaching change at the end of the season, even if he did not lead them to the promise land.

Brent Sutter, it is your turn in the rotation. Your responsibilities lie in the off season and in between games, strategizing, agonizing, and watching videos over and over again. I do not sit in your office every day watching over your shoulder, but coming to the Devils organization is definitely a major task in sports. In one of my previous blogs, I discussed the difficulty of lasting in New Jersey (I never reasoned that the Devils lack of hometown was the cause of many head coach vacancies). But, based on the lack of scoring and rather inconsistent play the last couple of seasons, the Devils have yet to win a Cup since 02-03. Sutter, you are our man, at least you are Lou’s man. Lou seems to know his coaches very well even if he was forced to fire a couple and watch others leave for Minnesota or Boston. From what I have been reading, you are the best thing that came to the Devils since Brodeur, just kidding of course. Seriously, the numbers speak for themselves and Elias’ team leading 69 points was only seven better than the top defenseman Lidstrom’s 62. Sutter, take care of business, settle the offensive struggles, get these guys to play Devils hockey, and your contract will surely take care of itself.

1) Season Preview- overall scope of the upcoming season
2) Three Keys to Success- what the Devils will need to achieve to dance with the Stanley Cup in June 2008
3) Top Five New Jersey Devils Players in Franchise History (since 1982).

Kevin Weekes, Welcome to New Jersey, the Garden State.  It is time to give the Devils organization some credit, not a lot, but enough for signing a reliable backup to Martin Brodeur in the offseason.

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, 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.

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?

You played your entire career with the the successful Devils- now you’re playing with the Rangers- you are a disgrace, and for what, a few million dollars more than offered by other teams.

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.