Where do you think new jersey devils will stand in there confrence.?

Question

Where do you think new jersey devils will stand in there confrence.?

Answer 1

im thinking in the top 5 with the addition with rolston

Answer 2

Well right now the Atlantic division is completely up for grabs...you can't say that Pittsburgh is going to dominate again because there are a lot of question marks in the air.  You can't say that Philly or the Rangers will take the division either because no one team is looking extremely dominant.  Out of the 4 contenders in the Atlantic I see Philly and the Devils being best off.  I don't think Pittsburgh is going to fall too far back so they will be right there with Philly and NJ.  Honestly though (not just cause I'm an NJ fan) I think the Rangers are going to struggle through most of the year....HOWEVER if Naslund and Zheredev can play to the best of their ability then it will be a different story.  I just don't think Avery is replacable at for them because he was such an impact player.....

So for the division I see it as a race between NJ, Philly and Pens with NJ edging them out....I say this because if we didn't slump in our last 10 games NJ would have taken the conference last year....add Rolston and Holik to the mix (along with one more player, come on LOU) and I think we will have out scoring touch.  Our defense while shaky last year performed rather well and if we can add a player ortwo to that mix then we will be really well off.

And of course we have MARTY....always have a shot at the cup with him in net.  

I think the winner of the Northeast will take the conference and the winner of the Atlantic edging out Washington or Tampa by 5-10 points like this year.  Expect NJ as #2 or if they dont win the division then #4 (#3 by points in the conference).....

GO DEVILS!

P.S. its funny that the Ranger fan says beside Rolston, Elias and maybe Gio we have no scoring....well.....

#1 we had enough goals to beat them out in the division last year

#2 you're forgetting about Langenbrunner, Zubrus, Madden and Zajac who can all put up 20 goals

#3 if your limiting OUR goal scorers to a select few then whos your's? Gomez....assist artist, Drury....maybe if you need a goal in the last minute but disappears for long periods of time...Jagr....o wait....Avery....oops....Verdict isn't out yet on Zherdev or Naslund....Bottom line I wouldn't talk about our goal scoring until you prove your team can do it consistently throughout the season as well

#4..anyone and i mean ANYONE that puts us as low as 7th in the conference (or 14 as Eklund on Hockeybuzz.com did for last year) is using wishful thinking as their crystal ball.....how many times are you going to say the devils are going to suck and then take it back halfway through the season when we remain an elite team in the league......you don't have to like that we are good, but stop trying to predict we are going to fail.....take the odds on this one....top 4 of the conference!

Answer 3

Dr. Venkman must have a PhD in Correctology.  The Devils are completely carried by Brodeur year after year.  The guy is getting up there in age, and while he remains one of the most solid goalies in the NHL, you just can't know for sure how the Devils will finish.  NJ has proved to be a very good team over the years and will probably continue that trend.  If Philly continues to improve like last year they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention the Devils play in the same division as the Pens, he defending EC champs who lost a few pieces, but probably won't end up that much worse, and the flippity-floppity Rangers who will probably manage a 70-point season next year.

The Devils backup goalie is Kevin Weekes, sub-500 win% and 3 GAA in his career.  If Marty plays less than 70 games this year due to health, the Devils will be in a very rough spot.  By my estimate, Brodie will continue to be healthy and the Devils will take that division and 2nd place in the East.

Answer 4

Probably #2 by clinching the Atlantic.  The Devils were 4th last season, and the season was pretty rough because we had so many new players and a new coach with a new style.  So this year everybody's gotten to know how the other players play, Brent Sutter's style, and will overall have better team work.  With the addition of Rolston and Holik who have already played with many of the Devils on the team before, are a good veteran presence to help the younger players like Zajac and Parise, and know Devils hockey, the Devils should do a lot better this season.

Answer 5

They will fall somewhere in he top three and win their division. Being fourth last year---they can only get better with Rolston and Hollik.

Answer 6

winning the conference is not out of their reach, marty will need more rest if they want to make a run in the playoffs, and if they play well against the new york area teams(they won 3 of 16 last year not including playoffs) they will only improve those chances.  i think it will be the devils and the penguins fighting for the division, and maybe even the conference.  If guys like gionta, zubrus and zajac (who all had bad seasons) get going, they will be tough to stop, and rolston will only help.  Rolston is one of the best aquisitions in this years FA pool because the devils desprately need offense and a player who can run the point on the power play,

Answer 7

They will certainly be in the playoffs again.

Answer 8

I don't think they'll do as well... last year, everyone overachieved a LOT.  I'd be surprised if they can do it again, and besides Rolston, Parise, and kinda Gionta, they still don't have anyone who can put the puck in the back of the net.

They might get one of the lower playoff spots though... maybe 7th?

EDIT:  njdevil, since when does my analysis about the devils have anything to do with the rangers?  the question didn't ask me to compare the two teams.  Yes, the Rangers have problems scoring goals, too, but you're insane if you think that's not one of the devils problems.  

Last year, the devils scored 206 goals... 2nd worst in the east.  Do you really think they've done anything to change that?  The only goal scorer they signed was Rolston!  And, everyone on your team overachieved last year... do you really think they will give a repeat performance?  My friend is a huge devils fan, and even he was saying that last year's team was the worst devils team he had ever seen.

I've seen your answers about the Rangers, and they were pretty good.  You can analyze a team, even if you're not a fan.  I'm doing the same thing... the devils had definite holes last year and I don't think they did anything to patch those up.  I don't think you do either, honestly.  (And I wouldn't talk about last year's performance if I were you, lest I have to bring up the playoffs... which prove my point.)

And come on... your defense is Brookbank, Motteau, Andy Greene, Jonny Oduya, Salvador... there is no way that you think they will hold down the fort next year.  I just won't believe you.

I would definitely take that bet... the devils will not finish fourth or higher next year.

EDIT:  plus, only 4 of the devils broke 20 goals last year.  Parise, Gionta, Madden, and Elias.  (3 of them had 20-22).  Zajac had 14, Langenbrunner had 13, Zubrus had 13.  (and Zajac and Zubrus played in all 82 games!).... you seem to be overestimating your players' abilities.

Answer 9

at the bottom

Answer 10

First in their division if Brodeur stays healthy

Last if he gets hurt

No other team counts on one player more than the DEVS

Answer 11

I think that their division will be a fight til the end, but i predict the Pens will win their division, and the Devils will finish 4th.  I also predict another quick exit unless both the coach and Brodeur realize he needs to not start as many games this year...he looked worn out during the Ranger's series.

Answer 12

in the top 4 again