By: Eric Seldin

Eric Seldin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:51:04 +0000

This is surprising, but not unexpected. Having been a Devils’ fan for years, this is the first time that I truly felt that there was a little quit in the players .. not all .. but some. I think some got a little antsy about the constant line changes, and the somewhat mindless and uncalled for tinkering that Jacques loved to to. However, it has proven to be successful in the past, and was probably assumed it would be successful now (at least to get them deep in the tournament). I am not positive this was solely Jacques’ decision! All indications immediately after the game 5 loss was that he was going to return. Sutter played with fire with his personality. Lemaire had the matches in his hand, but never lit them. I sense Lou is now going to go with someone who has the matches .. knows how to light them .. and has a can of lighter fluid in this back pocket to ignite this team when it needs it. That is what was missing, especially in the playoffs! During the year we saw the symptoms: 1) failure to clear the puck off the boards, 2) Giving up goals late in the periods and games, 3) failure to get big bodies in the shooting lanes to create some havoc in front of the oppositions’s net, 4) a passive penalty kill that allowed to much possession time, 5) no right hand shooting d-man that is so much more important than people realize, and 6) way, way, way too many shots “wide of the net!” I expect Marty (certainly not his fault) back in the net, but his time reduced by about 15% next year; turn over 50% of the defense, but Martin will stay! Expect Salvadore to be gone; the offense is OK, but we need a stud in center .. and 4th line players who can make a difference .. and bang some bodies .. but still can play the game! Eventually, this wore on the top 6-8 forwards … they can’t do it all! Just put the darn puck in the net!

Comments on: Reaction to Jacques Lemaire's retirement

By: Eric Seldin