Are the New Jersey Devils Gearing Up for a Deadline Day Splash?
The New Jersey Devils are heating up and there is no denying they are a confident bunch. But just how good can this team be with a tweak or two?
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie the Devils feel they are close to competing for the clubs fourth Stanley Cup title. Fellow Devils blogger at Hockeybuzz.com, Todd Cordell touched on this in his blog yesterday…
“- In a recent insider video for TSN and TSN.ca, Bob McKenzie said to keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils heading into next week’s deadline. He noted that they feel the Eastern Conference is wide open and that they are in a good position to make a run at it. McKenzie didn’t really speculate on many names but did say that the Devils may be interested in Oilers forward Ales Hemsky.”
If the Devils and GM Lou Lamoriello truly feel they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run than they must pull out all the stops come deadline day. There are too many question marks in this teams future to have it any other way.
If you are one of those that likes the current New Jersey roster and feel they should stand pat than you have already forgotten how bad the defense has been at times and you have blocked how bad the team have been with a lead in the third period. Neither of those are in the Stanley Cup Contender’s Cook Book.
- A few things that have to be considered…How many years does legendary goalie Martin Brodeur have left. All indications are that he still wants to play beyond this season but at what level? Plus with his recent injury history how long can he keep up the rigors of an NHL season at his age?
- Is Zach Parise coming back? The Devils own’t be trading him but they do risk the chance of him leaving after the season. If playing for a winning team is truly his top priority than wouldn’t be the captain of a Stanley Cup winning team be the perfect “fix it?”
- How long can this team survive in New Jersey under the current ownership situation? They must have a long playoff run to generate additional revenue. Missing the playoffs last season plus previous postseason flops will have long lasting financial repercussions. Time to recoup some if that lost cash.
Keep in mind it wasn’t until Lamoriello made a bold trade in 2002 to acquire Jamie Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk for Jason Arnott, Randy Mckay and a first-round pick that the Devils became contenders. I can also think of a couple other acquisitions that paid dividends during the Devils previous Stanley Cup runs. (Broten, Mogilny)
It’s time for the Devils to go big or go home. They must bring in another defenseman. There are several names being bandied about - notably Marek Zidlicky and Andy Sutton. Whether either would the right fit or not is still a question mark but both would be an upgrade for sure. Zidlicky specifically would give the Devils another threat on the power play and one more piece to the puzzle.
I also think another scoring option – such as Hemsky – would instantly prove that New Jersey is truly playing for keeps and feel they have what it takes to compete in the Eastern conference right NOW.
After what I’ve seen over the course of the last 20-plus games form New Jersey, I doubt there are many other Eastern Conference foes hoping to draw the Devils in the first-round. Don’t be surprised if the Devils end up being the darlings at the deadline.
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I think you’re concerns speak to 2012/13. Lou should want to makes moves to secure a cup run now in 2011/12 (League approval pending). Both Marty and Zach’s situations should evoke a need to potentially see them off in style by building the club now and then dealing with contracts and retirements in July. A deep run for the cup can only help financial woes as well. Hawks had it right in 2010 by loading up and knowing they’d have to shed off that salary come the off season. I think it rallies a group of guys in the dressing room as well having a now or never (perhaps years later anyway) mentality.