Devils Mid-Season Review

Well, what can I say? Things have been going fairly well in Devil Land, as they’re currently enjoying one of, if not their best season in franchise history. Having played a little more half the season already, the Devils sit atop the conference and have a solid lead on the division with a 31-11-1 record. On paper, the Devils had a suspect team going into the season, which, along with an old face from the past returning behind the bench, led many to believe the time that’s been anticipated for almost five years finally arrived, the year the Devils finally collapse. Even I had my doubts and after dropping the first two games, the predictive outcomes appeared to be spot on. I still find it hard to believe the Devils only lost nine times in regulation after dropping their first two games. With lots of upside and another half season to play, the Devils have rightfully been one of the biggest surprises this year as they’ve defied the predictions against them and continue doing business as usual.

Offense
After a relatively slow start to the season, where chemistry and consistency were two big question marks in the first ten to fifteen games, the offense appears to have continued where they left off from last year. The Devils are currently tenth in averaged goals per game at 2.81 and fourteenth in goals scored with 126. Fronting the offense are the usual suspects. Zach Parise, who despite a few inconsistent streaks, leads the team with forty-six points. After fully recovering from surgery, Patrik Elias has reestablished himself as a reliable force offensively and for the team as a whole, who’ve gone 22-7 since his return. In twenty-nine games, Elias has ten goals and twenty-six points after “adjusting” himself in his first four games back. Travis Zajac, Brian Rolston, David Clarkson (when healthy), and captain Jamie Langenbrunner, whose on pace for another career year have been stellar assets, as is rookie Niclas Bergfors, whose currently fourth on the team with thirteen goals and twenty-seven points. Bergfors also has a team leading eight power play goals.

It seems the Devils have been getting contributions from all four lines as I discussed in a past write up. Late acquirements Dean McAmmond and Rob Niedermayer have played above expectations. While fulfilling their respective roles, the fact they’re appearing on the score sheet and establishing productive chemistry amongst their team mates is a convenient bonus. After an off-season of changes, the offense has a modest combination of new faces, youth, and veterans all of which have showed their capabilities on the ice and score sheet. The fact the Devils are currently fifth in power play ranks and eleventh in penalty killing provided further evidence Lemaire and his team are doing something right up front. When Jacques Lemaire was hired, his effects on the team and system he’d install made him yet another question mark going into the season. Reputed as a severely defensive minded coach, even I feared he would reintroduce “boring” trap hockey into the Devils play that would lead to a decrease in offensive productivity and a lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games. It seems Lemaire stayed true to his word from when he was first hired. While it isn’t necessarily the trap hockey critics and rival observers wanted Lemaire to enforce (but say it is anyway), Lemaire’s instilled a system that promotes defensive responsibility, while letting the team’s offensive icons such as Parise and Elias do their thing. Overall, it appears the offense is working out well and continues to be an integral part in the Devil’s curent regular season success. Also keep in mind the Devils have yet to be shutout this year.

Defense
The Devil’s blue line has remained virtually unchanged for about three seasons in that it hasn’t improved, worsened, but has been giving the same result in the regular season. Obviously, the big story on defense is the rise of Andy Greene, whose offensive presence on the blue line has been a huge convenience with the long term absence of Paul Martin and the disappearance of Johnny Oduya’s offensive mentality. I wouldn’t put Greene up there with Rafalski and Niedermayer just yet, but it’s unfair to say his play isn’t worthy of mention. Having said that, it still remains uncertain if Greene simply needed an opportunity to reach this level of play or if this is simply a fluke. Consistency is the key and it’ll put Greene on a period of authenticity probation that’ll stretch well into next year. For now, let’s hope Greene doesn’t change much and continues to step up.

Another player I’ve been fairly impressed with is Mark Fraser. While Lemaire restricts his ice time, the 23-year old Ottawa native looks promising. He’s got size, uses his body, and will occasionally drop the gloves. He’s definitely got the makeup of a “Devils-type” player and has a lot of upside featured in his play. Then there’s Colin White and Mike Mottau. Like it or not, it appears Mottau is here to stay at least for the remainder of the season. He’s an established veteran of the team and does a serviceable job for the most part. My view on White and Mottau is bittersweet in that one or both of them will make a phenomenal play or have a solid game, but counter it with a bonehead play or costly move. It’s evident they’ve been involved in orchestrating big parts in some of the more unpleasant goals given up or games played by the team this year, and both are prone to being caught out of position on occasion. Overall, both are solid defenders and fulfil their roles for the most part. I always say being a defensive defenseman is the hardest position in the league because for every good thing people realize you do, there are three mistakes that are twice as exposed. An upside about the defense this year is it’s chance of improvement when Paul Martin returns to the lineup. A strong return from Martin, along with the continual play of Andy Greene can give the Devil’s blue line an offensive element they’ve lacked since the Days of Niedermayer and Rafalski.

Goaltending
As expected, it’s been Marty, Marty, and more Marty with a sprinkle of Danis here and there. Brodeur’s started in twenty-three consecutive games, during which Danis relieved him twice. Nonetheless, Brodeur’s continued to do his thing. He’s set new records, made spectacular saves, and kept the Devils in games they deservingly should have lost. The bottom line is Brodeur’s continuing to be the backbone of the team and is currently making the most of his annual workload. Some fans are concerned Brodeur is poised for another burnout episode at season’s end, while others are insisting he’s a workhorse that can play as much as he wants. While history has repeated itself in Devil Land around playoff time, the future is written in stone and time will only tell what will become of Brodeur as the season rages on.

I give Yann Danis all the credit in the world. We haven’t seen much of him, but he’s done some stellar netminding whenever he’s been called upon. Save a shaky game against Dallas, where he gave up three goals in the first period, Danis has been exceptional and is probably the best backup Marty’s ever had. Shamefully, I’m sure things won’t be any different in the second half of the season as far as the goaltending situation goes. Nonetheless, if Brodeur ever falls to injury or fatigue, Lemaire, the team, and fans should be confident that they’ve got a solid follow up always at hand.

I tried to delay the posting of my mid-season review for the Devils around the time Team USA named its captains. Having said that, my congratulations go out to Jamie Langenbrunner for being named captain of the USA squad and to Zach Parise being awarded one of four A’s that’ll be rotated during games (the three other A’s were given to Brian Rafalski, Ryan Suter, and Dustin Brown). It’s all the more honorable Langenbrunner was named captain on the thirtieth anniversary of the year the infamous Miracle on Ice took place. While the competition will be tough this year, history has shown miracles have happened before, and frequently repeats itself. Here’s to a solid second half of the season for the Devils and a solid run at the gold for Team USA.