Eyes on your own paper.
- PLindbergh31

The Devils didn't miss by much last year, and they have no need to placate a below average former superstar goalie, which means their good young goalie will be making 15-20 more starts. Plus, I doubt they go 0-12 in shootouts again.

The Isles still have questions on D, but they solidified themselves in goal and up front. Columbus should also be better.

I think if the Flyers make it, it's as a wildcard.
- Jsaquella

That same good young goalie who totally crapped the bed the other time he was handed the reins taking over for a former Vezina winner? The guy who's never had to handle a full season's worth of games? Call me crazy, but I'm far from sold on him.

That same good young goalie who totally crapped the bed the other time he was handed the reins taking over for a former Vezina winner? The guy who's never had to handle a full season's worth of games? Call me crazy, but I'm far from sold on him.
- jmatchett383

To be fair, though... Hank's the only goalie in the division without significant question marks -- maybe you could lump Bob in there.

If we're going by sheer talent and steadiness, you could do a lot worse than Schneider.

- Jsaquella

I think a huge wildcard with the Devils is Larsson. I know he's young, but he's been brutal thus far. I wonder if patience is wearing thin with him.

To be fair, though... Hank's the only goalie in the division without significant question marks -- maybe you could lump Bob in there.

If we're going by sheer talent and steadiness, you could do a lot worse than Schneider.
- Tomahawk

That's totally fine. But some people act like Schneider's going to step in and be the Devils' answer in goal. So far to date, he's done very well as a backup but was awful when he was named the #1.

That same good young goalie who totally crapped the bed the other time he was handed the reins taking over for a former Vezina winner? The guy who's never had to handle a full season's worth of games? Call me crazy, but I'm far from sold on him.
- jmatchett383

Not really sure when he crapped the bed.

Career worst GAA is 2.23 and career worst save % is .921, he struggled in the 2013 playoffs, but he's put up very good numbers in the playoffs outside of that 2 game stretch.

I hate to say it, but I think the Devils are going to be pretty good. They don't have to worry about playing a sub-par Brodeur anymore, Jagr showed no signs of slowing down. His season with the Devils last year was superior to his season with the Flyers. They added M-Cam to boost the offense. NJD finished 5 points out of a playoff spot last year, they went 0-12 in shootouts. I highly doubt that trend continues.
- PLindbergh31

Another Jokinen/Hemsky player. Puts up points, but is never there when you need him most. Very overrated.

Not really sure when he crapped the bed.

Career worst GAA is 2.23 and career worst save % is .921, he struggled in the 2013 playoffs, but he's put up very good numbers in the playoffs outside of that 2 game stretch.
- Jsaquella

He was handed the reins in 12-13 and was God-awful, so they named Luongo the #1 a few games in and Schneider went back to the backup role where he played well again.

Edit: They actually split, but still, he welted when given the starting role.

Another Jokinen/Hemsky player. Puts up points, but is never there when you need him most. Very overrated.
- jmatchett383

PPG playoff performer over his career.

I think the Devils improved, quite a bit, actually.

PPG playoff performer over his career.

I think the Devils improved, quite a bit, actually.
- Jsaquella

I don't care about his stats, they seem very empty to me.

Another Jokinen/Hemsky player. Puts up points, but is never there when you need him most. Very overrated.
- jmatchett383

He's played on a lot of bad teams. He's got 32 points in 32 playoff games.
26 goals in 63 games on a goal starved Calgary team playing in a brutal Western Conf. impresses the hell out of me.

He was handed the reins in 12-13 and was God-awful, so they named Luongo the #1 a few games in and Schneider went back to the backup role where he played well again.
- jmatchett383

Just think about it this way... he was good enough to steal a ton of starts away from two future HOF'ers. This is the first time in his career that he doesn't have to share his net... I wouldn't really bet against him doing pretty well.

He's played on a lot of bad teams. He's got 32 points in 32 playoff games.
26 goals in 63 games on a goal starved Calgary team playing in a brutal Western Conf. impresses the hell out of me.
- PLindbergh31

Wow, those numbers are right in line with what Zherdev put up on a terrible 07/08 Columbus team. What an acquisition!!!

That same good young goalie who totally crapped the bed the other time he was handed the reins taking over for a former Vezina winner? The guy who's never had to handle a full season's worth of games? Call me crazy, but I'm far from sold on him.
- jmatchett383

and to think of the glare of the burning spotlight and scrutiny from the millions of devils fans around the world...only going to make it harder for him.

Just think about it this way... he was good enough to steal a ton of starts away from two future HOF'ers. This is the first time in his career that he doesn't have to share his net... I wouldn't really bet against him doing pretty well.
- Tomahawk

We shall see. I am not sold on him, the same way I'm not sold on Bernier. These young guys who perform well at lower levels and as NHL backups get talked up so highly, but I'd prefer to see them actually carry the load and do well before they're hailed as the second coming.

and to think of the glare of the burning spotlight and scrutiny from the millions of devils fans around the world...only going to make it harder for him.
- hammarby31

So you're saying that Luongo should have been awful from the get-go in Vancouver since he came there from Florida?

Wow, those numbers are right in line with what Zherdev put up on a terrible 07/08 Columbus team. What an acquisition!!!
- jmatchett383

what is this i dont even

We shall see. I am not sold on him, the same way I'm not sold on Bernier. These young guys who perform well at lower levels and as NHL backups get talked up so highly, but I'd prefer to see them actually carry the load and do well before they're hailed as the second coming.
- jmatchett383

Are you sold on Mason?

Food for thought.

I know Lecavalier is 34 years old but there are plenty of players that can produce well into their late 30's

1999-2000 80 gp 25g 42a 67p -25
2000-2001 68 gp 23g 28a 51p -26
2001-2002 76 gp 20g 17a 37p -18

2011-2012 64 gp 22g 27a 49p -2
2012-2013 39 gp 10g 22a 32p -5
2013-2014 69 gp 20g 17a 37p -16

I say give the guy a chance. He has proven his whole career to be a performer. He had a rough year....
- GOA88

It isn't just a matter of giving him second line playing time as secondary scoring that would positively compliment his offense but being on the number one power play unit as well. Injuries aside, I don't feel Lecavalier was used to the best of his abilty last season. I understand we've been using the same successful PP unit for three season but just last season our PP was just in the middle of the pack. Great the road, junk at home. Adjustments were never made. Keep in mind, Timonen would get sat for rest at times and Streit would have to sub. I don't think it hurts to PP to try things when the offense has gone cold.

He was handed the reins in 12-13 and was God-awful, so they named Luongo the #1 a few games in and Schneider went back to the backup role where he played well again.

Edit: They actually split, but still, he welted when given the starting role.
- jmatchett383

Actually, looking at the game log, he didn't wilt. He had some bad games mixed with some good ones, and then was very good down the stretch that season. His overall numbers were markedly better than Luongo, while playing more games.

what is this i dont even
- BulliesPhan87

He's just quoting the numbers "M-Cam" put up on a bad Flames team. They're very similar to the numbers that a young Zherdev put up on a bad CBJ team. That said, I wouldn't consider Zherdev to be a great pickup just because he put up some hollow numbers.

Injuries aside, I don't feel Lecavalier was used to the best of his abilty last season.
- SuperSchennBros

The conundrum is... what's best for Lecavalier might not be what's best for the team.

I'm not sold on Pitt being at the top next season. A lot of pieces were moved around. I'd flop Rangers to 1
- Streit2ThePoint

Perhaps, but I actually think they improved their D. Losing Orpik is a plus and I like Erhoff more than Niskanen. If Letang is healthy, their D is solid and they still have a pretty good one, two punch with Crosby and Malkin.

Now I have no confidence in them when it comes to Fleury and the playoffs, but they will have a good regular season.

I think the Rags will miss Stralman, he played very well with Staal. Boyle will add offense on the back end, but is quickly becoming a liability defensively.

I also think that they are going to miss B. Boyle and Pouliot, those guys played very well for them last year.

He's just quoting the numbers "M-Cam" put up on a bad Flames team. They're very similar to the numbers that a young Zherdev put up on a bad CBJ team. That said, I wouldn't consider Zherdev to be a great pickup just because he put up some hollow numbers.
- jmatchett383

Difference is, Cammalleri has also put up good numbers in the playoffs and for playoff teams. I'm not saying he's great, but he's still a pretty good player.

He's just quoting the numbers "M-Cam" put up on a bad Flames team. They're very similar to the numbers that a young Zherdev put up on a bad CBJ team. That said, I wouldn't consider Zherdev to be a great pickup just because he put up some hollow numbers.
- jmatchett383

my mistake, I thought you were throwing Zherdev out there in regards to Schneider

that said, you sure do refer to Zherdev a lot