Comments for Swamp Gas at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Sat, 25 May 2013 20:51:44 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10614 gerbernomics - right on both trivia questions! My point is that the Devils have been a top team over the last seasons and haven't finished with less than 46 wins over that time. They haven't simply been competing for a playoff spot, they've been in the mix as contenders - it's a shock to see them as low as they are and I wouldn't be surprised if they make a run at a playoff spot, but it's most definitely a long shot. The problem with a no name defense is that if you employ too many "unskilled" (for lack of a better term) defensemen, then all they end up doing is chipping the puck out. Offensive defensemen are highly sought after due to their ability to jump start the offense with a sharp outlet pass or skate it out themselves. Defensive defensemen just worry about their half of centre ice. How does this affect the goaltender you ask? He ends up playing in too many one goal games thanks to the team's lack of offensive prowess. That was the true value in Rafalski, his ability to get the puck up ice. The same was true(ish) for Paul Martin, although I wasn't a big fan of his from a fantasy perspective, I realize that he is a valuable NHL defenseman. Mike Mottau (drafted 7th Rd, 182 overall) didn't play regularly in the NHL until he was 29. Colin White hasn't been the same since he got hit in the eye with a puck (2007) and plays with permanently blurred vision in one eye. Johnny Oduya (drafted 7th Rd, 221 overall) was 25 when he first played in the NHL. Andy Greene was signed as a FA in '06. Bryce Salvador (6th Rd, 138 overall) came over in a trade when he was 31, his career high was 16 points. My point with these guys is that they were not highly thought of in the hockey community before NJ got a hold of them (low draft position, FA signing, etc). Yes the Devils have a team defence concept that helps their goaltender (as do many other teams - Mtl, Columbus, Nsh, etc), but the reality is that as a result of a lack of offensive talent on the back end, the team plays many close games where every save is big, putting more pressure on the goaltender. The numbers back up Martin Brodeur as being one of the best goaltenders in the history of the game. The fact that statisticians have to "create" new subjective stats in an attempt to debunk the legend. I'm very confident that if you ask the players, not the media who vote for the Vezina, they would tell you Marty Brodeur is full value for his accolades. All the statistics/trophies we use as indicators for measuring successful goaltenders, Brodeur comes out on top. As an aside, I've always thought Ken Dryden was way overrated due to his playing behind three HHOF'ers (Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe) for much of his short career. Brodeur HAD a sweet set up playing behind Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer, but as good as Rafalski and Martin are, they are no HOF'ers. Since the two Scott's departure, Brodeur has won the Vezina as the leagues best goaltender more than any other goaltender. Just sayin'. - Russ Miller Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:16:03 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10612 I think the devils did the right thing this offseason in bringing in some defensive help, but I think they still lack a true puck carrying, outlet pass guy back there. Until they find one its going to be a long season - paul Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:14:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10611 I still feel Brodeur is over-rated. I had him on my fantasy teams a few times and he sucked !! - Cold Squad Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:40:55 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10610 remember hearing some announcers in a recent game talking about the Devils getting to the playoffs - something about how no team that has fallen 13 points out of 8th has ever made it to the playoffs in NHL history, so ya I'm thinkin' [b][/b]THEY ARE DONE[b][/b] Lou's gotta trade off some of those veteran old dead legs to a contender around the trade deadline this year. The cupboard is already pretty bare, and NJ needs some more young talent in the system. I'd recommend they tank this year too, but I think they lost their 1st round pick this year didn't they? - Man not Puck Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:32:50 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10605 The Devils are a long-shot to make the playoffs this season. Their divisional record so far? 1-7-0 with a lone SO win vs. the Flyers in which they gave up a point to Philly. They've got the turn that record around against arguably a VERY tough division: Flyers x6 Pens x4 Rangers x6 Islanders x7 I'd call the Islanders games "gimmes" but they've already been shutout by the Isles once this year. How do they only play the Pens 6 times versus 8 times versus each other divisional opponent? Jer - Jeremy Wark Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:47:07 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10603 I also think NJ is ready to turn the corner, though it will be a few more games till we really know. Their roster is solid enough, their young d-men are getting better every month, we still don't know if MacLean is a good or bad NHL coach, and if Kovy can get it going (the career averages are encouraging) and Brodeur steal a few, they could actually get on a roll. Terrific point about Kovalchuk's salary in the context of other big names. And it IS just a 30-game sample, after all. I do have to disagree with some of the analysis.... The top-four d-man grid leads us nowhere. Just naming names doesn't mean those guys are bad (or good) defensively. But Rafalski, Martin, and White (the 3 most common names) are highly regarded on defense, or so I thought. Sure, they're not big fantasy names.. what's that got to do with actual defensive efficiency? Any Corsi numbers, or GVT, or hell, even relative plus-minus to go on? (I'm too lazy to actually look this up right now) Combined with a Lemaire system, NJ's team defense might have been well above-average for the last decade-plus. Equating Vezina trophies with "best goalie" is a lot like trying to correlate Cy Young awards with "best pitcher." Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they don't, but it's almost always based on most wins and your team making the playoffs. No question that looking only at shot quality against is way too narrow, but wins? GAA? Aren't those almost entirely team-dependent? NJ could easily wind up with a near-miss for the 8th spot, which would still be an accomplishment considering their start. I'm sort of hoping they continue to suck so they have a shot at Couturier, who would immediately become a very useful player on my farm :) (not the Islanders, please God...) - Finnbar Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:13:28 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10598 This is ridiculous. The first horrendous 30 games for the Devil's paints a much larger picture than their last decent win. It was one game...the Islanders when every now and then too. - Face Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:37:35 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3322-swamp-gas#comment-10594 Q1: Chris Nilan, 10 Q2: Randy Holt, 67 And honestly, I don't see the Devils making it this year to the playoffs... - gerbernomics Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:37:41 +0100