NHLTALK202

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Filed under: New Jersey Devils

Now that former Devils and Wild coach Jacques Lemaire has retired, the New Jersey Devils find themselves looking for a new coach.

In the last 2 seasons the Devils coaches have been Brent Sutter and Jacques Lemaire who both coach a defensive game. Both coaches had great regular seasons and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Also, Jacques Lemaire missed the playoffs before he came to New Jersey. As for Brent Sutter he missed the playoffs the year after the Devils fired him.

Don’t get me wrong defense is important but should it really be the main focus for NHL teams? To see if defense is really the way to go lets look at the remaining teams in the playoffs.

Chicago is a team that is offensive minded but takes pride in defense as well.

San Jose is a team that is offensive minded for the most part, but has a great 4th line to shutdown their opponents top line.

Philadelphia is a offensive minded team who have a great 4th line to shutdown their opponents top line.

Boston is a very physical and defensive minded team who scores timely goals and is very good at defending a lead.

Montreal is a small offensive minded team that leans on Hal Gill and Josh Gorges and Jaroslav Halak to keep them in games.

So as you can see, only one team remaining in the playoffs is a defense first minded team but they are a more physical team then the New Jersey Devils.

Here are my top three picks as to who should become the next coach for the New Jersey Devils:

1. Craig Mactavish

Pros:

A lot of experience, lets offensive players have a leash

2. John MacLean

Pros:

Good motivator, knows the system and players well

3. Guy Carbonneau

Pros:

A lot of experience, offensive minded, knows how to win

In my mind any of these coaches would be good options to take over as the next Devils coach and think a little less defense a little more offense.

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Filed under: Front Office, New Jersey Devils tagged Craig Mactavish, Guy Carbonneau, John Maclean

Their are many defenseman who I expect to break out next season, but these select few I expect to make the biggest jump from this season.

Erik Karlsson – Karlsson  had a terrible start to the season for the Ottawa Senators and found himself in the minors because of it. However, when he was down there he immensely improved his game on both sides of the ice but his offense is what stands out the most. He ended up the season with 26 points in 60 games but he scored most of his points near the end of the season. In the final 10 games of the season Karlsson went on an offensive rampage tallying 12 points (4G, 8A). Expect Karlsson to be in the 45-50 point range next season.

Carl Gunnarsson – Gunnarsson started the season with the Toronto Marlies but with all the injuries to the Maple Leafs blue line he found himself playing with the big club. He struggled offensively at the start of the season but as the season went on Gunnarsson started to settle in and start putting up points. When the Leafs traded for Dion Phaneuf I figured that would be the end of his stint with the Maple Leafs but surprisingly in the last 20 games of the regular season Gunnarsson played more then every defenseman aside from Phaneuf…..yea that’s right he played more then Kaberle. Gunnarsson ended the season with 4 points in his final 7 games and has showed a lot of improvement in his offensive game. Expect Gunnarson to be around the 35-40 point mark next year.

PK Subban – PK started and really finished his season with the Hamilton Bulldogs. PK had 53 points in 77 games with the Bulldogs and turned into the offensive machine that he can be. PK only played 2 games with the Montreal Canadiens during the regular season and had a point in each of his games. In the playoffs PK is averaging over 20 minutes a night and has 4 points in 9 games which is pretty impresive for a 20 year old rookie playing in his 1st playoffs. It is already set in stone that PK will be the Canadiens next season as he is not only a fan favourite but a lethal offensive weapon from the point. Expect PK to be around the 40-45 point range next season.

I would love to hear your thoughts so feel free to comment.

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Filed under: NHL, Prospects

With game 7 of the Canadiens, Penguins series set to go tonight, I am going to tell you my 3 x-factors that must step up for the Canadiens to win.

1. Hal Gill, he has been given the lovely task of trying to shutdown Sidney Crosby and the Penguins top line, though it hasn’t been easy he has done a fantastic job. Their is still work to be done. Hal Gill has held the Penguins captain to just 3 points in 5 games, all assists. When Hal was out of the lineup last game Sid the kid broke out and had a 2 point night with a goal and an assist, though the Canadiens still won that game you can’t expect to win when your opponents best player is at the top of his game. Hal Gill is expected to return to the lineup tonight after being stepped on by Penguins forward Chris Kunitz in game 5.

2. Jaroslav Halak, though Jaroslav Halak has been outstanding all series long the Canadiens still find themselves deadlocked through 6 games. Jaroslav Halak will have to be on the top of his game once again for the Canadiens to have a chance of winning this game.

3. Mike Cammalleri, Mike has been absolutely outstanding all series like his teammates Jaroslav Halak and Hal Gill but he knows the job is not done. Mike has been the offensive weapon the Canadiens expected him to be when they signed him this series as he has 6 goals in 6 games however, if Mike does not get on the score sheet tonight you can expect the Canadiens to be golfing in the next couple of days. Though it is not impossible for the Canadiens to win without him getting on the score sheet, it is very unlikely as he is the Canadiens best offensive player.

Now like you, all I can do is wait and see what happens, but chances are if these 3 players don’t have good games tonight the Canadiens will lose.

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Filed under: NHL, Playoffs

In no order I am going to take a look at the New Jersey Devils top 3 prospects.

LW Mattias Tedenby – Mattias Tedenby’s game is all about speed and skill. Mattias has represented Sweden in the World Juniors a couple of times and came up with a few highlight reel plays. Mattias is not your typical New Jersey Devil as he is mostly only offensive minded and has been questioned because of his limited defensive ability and small size but that is nothing the Devils coaching staff can’t fix. When Mattias becomes a member of the Devils he will probably play in the top 2 lines and see some powerplay time.

Plays like: Daniel Briere

Career potential: 1st line sniper

Draft info: 24th overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft

C Jacob Josefson – Jacob Josefson is a very strong 2-way centre who will contribute on both ends of the ice. Jacob is another Swedish player with a ton of talent and is expected to play with the Devils this upcoming season or next year. Jacob is the model New Jersey Devil as he will chip in offensively and play a very strong defensive game. When Jacob becomes a member of the Devils he will likely play in the top 2 lines and will see time on both the powerplay and PK.

Plays like: Pavel Datsyuk

Career potential: 1st line 2-way forward

Draft info: 20th overall in the 2009 NHL entry draft

C Adam Henrique – Adam has emerged as one of the best players in the OHL after he was drafted in the 3rd round just a few years ago. Adam was recently named OHL playoff MVP for the Windsor Spitfires as he had 20 goals and 5 assists in 19 games. Adam is a typical New Jersey Devil, he is average in size but plays with an edge to his game, he can shut down your top line, get under their skin and put the puck in the net. When Adam makes the jump from junior to the NHL (many expect this year) Adam will probably be the team’s 3rd line centre and will play the PK as well as limited time on the powerplay.

Plays like: Jordan Staal

Career potential: shutdown centre with offensive upside

Draft info: 82nd overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft

This should let you know what to expect in the future from these fine young hockey players.

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Filed under: New Jersey Devils, Prospects tagged Adam Henrique, Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby