Did the Devils Sell Their Soul? - Page 4

viventi · 02-08-2010, 11:52 PM

Kovalchuk has been a complete non factor for them so far. I was at the game tonight and barely noticed him at all. Maybe only realized he was making a play once or twice.

**DUNSEL** · 02-09-2010, 12:04 AM

Hey, he's on a 41 assist pace!

Rangers 93-94 · 02-09-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cousin

TFP still has them looking for a center

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/njd100205.html

DRURY!

He fits their mold too perfectly.

RichieNextel305 · 02-09-2010, 07:20 AM

I can see what Peetie is getting at, and its too early to tell, IMO.

The Devils have always played in a system where, really, there are no stars. Anyone in their top-9, for the most part, can stop you. Sure, they've had their good players, like Parise, and Gionta during his one good year, that you have to have your top defensive players out against.

But, they've never really had a show-stopper like Kovalchuk. Theres 2 sides to the coin with how it may work out. Over time, he may get used to the environment, especially after grabbing his 1st goal, go crazy down the stretch, and put New Jersey on his back. Or, he may buckle under pressure, not get used to the system, and somewhat fade. You never know.

I will say this. Kovalchuk is a franchise player in the sense that hes one of the best in hockey. However, there is something about him where I don't think he can ever be the only threat a team has if it wants to succeed. Theres something about him where I don't think, like an Ovechkin, he can be the key cog in a winning formula. I think he'd need some help in order to win. Thats not a knock, though it sounds like one. Everyone here knows I'm a big Kovy fan. But, I don't see him as the kind of guy who can carry a team alone, even as talented as he is, simply because I'm not used to it; he hasn't done it yet.

Jersey can provide it for him, with their secondary scoring and defensive system. Its just a matter of how he adjusts to it. If he can, he'll be fine. If not, Kovalchuk and the Devils may struggle down the stretch. We'll find out. Theres plenty of hockey left.

This is 1994 · 02-09-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichieNextel305

I can see what Peetie is getting at, and its too early to tell, IMO.

The Devils have always played in a system where, really, there are no stars. Anyone in their top-9, for the most part, can stop you. Sure, they've had their good players, like Parise, and Gionta during his one good year, that you have to have your top defensive players out against.

But, they've never really had a show-stopper like Kovalchuk. Theres 2 sides to the coin with how it may work out. Over time, he may get used to the environment, especially after grabbing his 1st goal, go crazy down the stretch, and put New Jersey on his back. Or, he may buckle under pressure, not get used to the system, and somewhat fade. You never know.

I will say this. Kovalchuk is a franchise player in the sense that hes one of the best in hockey. However, there is something about him where I don't think he can ever be the only threat a team has if it wants to succeed. Theres something about him where I don't think, like an Ovechkin, he can be the key cog in a winning formula. I think he'd need some help in order to win. Thats not a knock, though it sounds like one. Everyone here knows I'm a big Kovy fan. But, I don't see him as the kind of guy who can carry a team alone, even as talented as he is, simply because I'm not used to it; he hasn't done it yet.

Jersey can provide it for him, with their secondary scoring and defensive system. Its just a matter of how he adjusts to it. If he can, he'll be fine. If not, Kovalchuk and the Devils may struggle down the stretch. We'll find out. Theres plenty of hockey left.

This is exactly what I was saying last week as well when the rumor mills were hot. A guy like Ovechkin or Crosby almost immedietely changes the course of your franchise, guys like them are that good and that influential and they help change everyone around them. A guy like Kovalchuk as talented as he is and as skilled as he is does not automatically change the course of your franchise. Yes you may be improved, he adds another intrical element but he doesn't neccesarily part the seas and send you from nobody to contender, other things around him have to happen.

klions99 · 02-09-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by This is 1994

This is exactly what I was saying last week as well when the rumor mills were hot. A guy like Ovechkin or Crosby almost immedietely changes the course of your franchise, guys like them are that good and that influential and they help change everyone around them. A guy like Kovalchuk as talented as he is and as skilled as he is does not automatically change the course of your franchise. Yes you may be improved, he adds another intrical element but he doesn't neccesarily part the seas and send you from nobody to contender, other things around him have to happen.

he might even hurt the Devils if that is possible? Kovulchuk seems like a bit of a baby and the Devils are all about this professionalism and when I saw Kovulchuk get mixed up with Avery the other night and sent off for 4 minutes, I began thinking this probably is unnerving Lou Lamorello to some extent.

Peetie27 · 02-09-2010, 09:16 AM

Another loss last night, Kovy was a no-show...

klions99 · 02-09-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peetie27

Another loss last night, Kovy was a no-show...

hehehe.

**Siddious** · 02-09-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangers 93-94

DRURY!

He fits their mold too perfectly.

if it ended up some how happening he would score like 50 goals in 20 games.

**DUNSEL** · 02-09-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siddious

if it ended up some how happening he would score like 50 goals in 20 games.

He couldn't score that many in games plus practices plus warmups..

02-08-2010, 11:52 PM	#31
viventi oh, word? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: D Jerz. Posts: 16,696	Kovalchuk has been a complete non factor for them so far. I was at the game tonight and barely noticed him at all. Maybe only realized he was making a play once or twice. __________________

02-09-2010, 12:04 AM	#32
DUNSEL The Teflun Dun Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Leaning on the ban button Posts: 64,541	Hey, he's on a 41 assist pace! __________________ HEAVE HO!!!! THREE TO GO!!! I would like to announce the new head of our complaint department, Helen Waite, so if you have any complaints about the forum, go to Helen Waite Glen Sather is Mack Sennett reincarnate Joined NYR forum: 11/8/2001 10:14:53 PM 25,413 posts

02-09-2010, 09:16 AM	#37
Peetie27 Mo' Betta. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: BK. Posts: 32,062	Another loss last night, Kovy was a no-show... __________________

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02-09-2010, 07:20 AM	#34
RichieNextel305 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8,613	I can see what Peetie is getting at, and its too early to tell, IMO. The Devils have always played in a system where, really, there are no stars. Anyone in their top-9, for the most part, can stop you. Sure, they've had their good players, like Parise, and Gionta during his one good year, that you have to have your top defensive players out against. But, they've never really had a show-stopper like Kovalchuk. Theres 2 sides to the coin with how it may work out. Over time, he may get used to the environment, especially after grabbing his 1st goal, go crazy down the stretch, and put New Jersey on his back. Or, he may buckle under pressure, not get used to the system, and somewhat fade. You never know. I will say this. Kovalchuk is a franchise player in the sense that hes one of the best in hockey. However, there is something about him where I don't think he can ever be the only threat a team has if it wants to succeed. Theres something about him where I don't think, like an Ovechkin, he can be the key cog in a winning formula. I think he'd need some help in order to win. Thats not a knock, though it sounds like one. Everyone here knows I'm a big Kovy fan. But, I don't see him as the kind of guy who can carry a team alone, even as talented as he is, simply because I'm not used to it; he hasn't done it yet. Jersey can provide it for him, with their secondary scoring and defensive system. Its just a matter of how he adjusts to it. If he can, he'll be fine. If not, Kovalchuk and the Devils may struggle down the stretch. We'll find out. Theres plenty of hockey left.