Atlantic Division Power Rankings: October 14th, 2007

Few Things have been as expected in the NHL this season and the Atlantic Division is no exception. The Islanders winning their first two against Buffalo was shocking, while the Flyers’ blowout win in Vancouver was equally awe filled. It’s easy to say that the Flyers got all they wanted and more in the free agent acquisition of Daniel Breire this offseason. He has led the team in goals and points thus far, instantly meshing with linemates Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble. The simple reason for the early success for Philadelphia is that everyone expected to score has been scoring. Breire, Gagne, Knuble, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards have all shown a scoring touch so far.

The best goaltender named Marty B so far? Not the one you think. If we go back to Philly for this one, we’ll see Martin Biron in net who has been a strong and confident net minder. Martin Brodeur? He finally got his first win Saturday after starting 0-3. His numbers haven’t been terrible, but the Devils until yesterday have given no offense and even less defense. The Devils have been miserable in the first two weeks, but it may just be a learning curve with coach Brent Sutter’s new up tempo system. Whether that’s the reason or not, New Jersey finds themselves in the basement of the first rankings of the year.

1. Philadelphia Flyers (3-1-0) Everyone is scoring, there are no goaltending issues, and they are winning. More bright skies in the future?

2. Pittsburgh Penguins(2-2-0) Crosby got off his goal snide Saturday with a pair against Toronto. If Fleury starts playing better this team will be scary.

3. New York Rangers(2-3-0) Where’s the offense? The defense is there as expected but their offense has been stagnant. It’s only a matter of time for the Blueshirts.

4. New York Islanders(3-3-0) The bad loss in Toronto stands out, but Dipietro was not in net, and they have been a pleasant surprise otherwise.

5. New Jersey Devils(2-3-0) This team is out of sync and are fortunate to have their two wins. The bright spots? Elias finally stood out Saturday, and they have yet to play a home game.

Devils Find Ways to Reload in Draft

NEWARK, NJ - Trying to think of the last time the Devils didn’t make the playoffs is like trying to think of the last time you made it through the Lincoln Tunnel to the city without coming to a stop. You’re pretty sure it happened a long time ago, but you can’t recall the details of it, and many people don’t believe that it happened at all. In fact, the Devils have only missed the playoffs once since 1989, and always seem like a preseason favorite to win it all. Let’s face it, without the likes of Martin Brodeur and Scott Stevens, the Devils probably don’t capture a single championship, but to be competitive year after year in a league filled with free agency, and up until 2005, a league without a salary cap, you must have a very crafty crew sailing the ship. That’s what Lou Lamoriello and company are all about in New Jersey.

The Devils’ organization never rebuilds, but it never has to, over a decade of solid drafting has made the team competitive without spending up to their eyeballs (For that example see Rangers). Sure, you may be thinking that many teams have drafted better players than the Devils have, and while this may be true, no team has ever done it with the late picks New Jersey seems to have after every winning season. Take a look at the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s hard to find someone that will tell you Pittsburgh hasn’t drafted well lately. Ryan Whitney, Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Jordan Staal might just be the greatest five year stretch of first round picks in NHL history. The average Penguin pick? 2.2. Any organization with a half a brain could pick just as well with two firsts, two seconds, and a fifth. The last time the Devils had a top 5 pick was in 1991! (And they didn’t waste it either, picking Scott Neidermayer). The point is that the Devils maintain a solid team even though they perpetually pick late in the draft.

Lamoriello has always had a keen eye for talent and a knack for building programs. It started in 1968 when Lou began coaching the Providence College hockey team. With regular success in scouting and winning as coach there, the school decided to make him the Athletic Director in 1982. A year later, he was named first commissioner of the perennial dominant Hockey East Conference. He was able to grow success out of the newly formed league by adding teams and building reputations of the programs already a member. Not to mention while AD at Providence, he hired Rick Pitino as men’s basketball coach, who lead the Friars to the Final Four and is now a highly regarded head man. In 1987, he decided it was time to test his prowess in the professional game, signing as GM of the Devils.

With his eye for talent, especially amongst young players, Lou was able to Bartholomae and Petrosky hard nosed when it came to contracts. Though the Devils lost big name players over the years (Kirk Muller, Bill Guerin, Scott Gomez), they have been able to recover in the draft where it seems that every year another top prospect in breaking into the NHL in a big way. In the mid 90’s the Devils drafted a core of able athletes who would end up leading the Devils climb to the top of the league by the end of the decade. Patrik Elias, Sheldon Souray, Petr Sykora, Jay Pandolfo and Brendan Morrison all were drafted in the late first or second round of the draft, a stellar draft group over a three year period. Another solid draft in 1998 picked up Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta, playing key roles in the run of three Finals in four years.

The talent of the organization is always coming from the inside, where players spend years in the minors and college after being drafted before they make a move with the big team. Lou and the organization have always believed in developing young players rather than rushing them onto the ice and getting their feet wet early which is something not many teams in this league seem to have the patience for. New Jersey can afford to delay the debuts of their prized picks as they always have a steady flow of players ready to do their part, not to mention that the system of play makes players very replaceable.

While many teams everywhere are searching for those high profile free agents every off season, trying to grab a guy to turn their franchise around, the Devils will politely offer modest deals with little results. Over the last two seasons, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac have immediately displayed success at hockey’s highest level, and with Niklas Bergfors on his way in, New Jersey looks reminiscent of the team in the early 1990’s building towards greatness. Though core members Gomez and Brian Rafalski have left in the off season, with a new young crop of stars in the making coming in, you can’t count the Devils out again.

Brodeur: The Best

This is an article I wrote over two years ago about Martin Brodeur. I figure since I have no entries right now I'd throw this one in to give me something.

Martin Brodeur is the best goaltender in the NHL. There, I've said it, and I believe it. Yes I am a Devils fan, and yes I may be a bit biased, but if anyone were to know the true value of such a player, it is a hard core Devils fan like myself. Ok, so I guess many of you already believe Brodeur is the best goalie in the league, but I want to let everyone know why he is, and why he should be considered an elite of all time. Marty has been the most valuable player on the New Jersey roster the past 10 years. He has put up consistent stats year after year yet still failed to get any recognition until after Patrick Roy retired. So this thread is dedicated to Martin Brodeur, and how he has affected the game of hockey over the past decade.

1993-1994. The Devils were a perenial good team who failed in the playoffs. In fact, before that season, the Devils had lost in the first round of the playoffs for four consecutive years. That season Marty stepped in for Chris Terreri, and brought them within one wrap around of a Finals appearence. He won the Calder Trophy, and bought some hope to a uncompetitive team. The following season, the Devils' organization was at a crossroads; without a spark in the franchise, the Devils would be moving the following season (most thought to Nashville). That season the Devils infamous 'trap' was used, and the Devils won the Stanley Cup in which they swept the heavily favored Red Wings. Brodeur was instrumental on that defensive minded team. Without him, there might not be a New Jersey hockey team anymore.

Throughout the late 1990's, Brodeur was an unrecognized elite NHL goalie. He lead the league in GAA a few times (1.88 and 1.89) and would've had a few more Vezinas if it were'nt for Hasek's amazing play. Brodeur also had many wins. Many many wins. His consistency and lack of injuries during this time has put him in position to have the ability to retire as the all time win leader. That brings up another topic, when was the last time you heard about Brodeur fighting through an injury? Never, That's when. Broduer has had as many major injuries as Patrick Ewing has championships. Maybe a slight strain, but nothing that put him out of action for an extended period of time. This guy is a machine.

I could go on about his three Stanley Cups, two Vezina trophies, four Jennings trophies, his Calder trophy, eight All Star game appearences, 403 career wins, 84 playoff wins, 75 shutouts, 20 playoff shutouts, his Canadian gold medal, his world hockey championship, his playoff goal, his passing ability, and his down right goaltending skill, but I would probably end up rambling.

But enough about his awards and statistics, what really amazes me about this guy is his personality. NHL goalies are perhaps the weirdest group of athletes you will ever know. Some need to be center attention, while others stay isolated from the media the best they can. Crazy can even be an adjective to describe a few. Patrick Roy and Ed Belfor will never be accused of having the most "sane" personality in hockey. Marty is completely different though. You could have a great conversation with him the morning of a game, and not even talk about hockey. He is as laid back as they come off the ice, and as focused as ever on the ice. I am sure he would not refuse an interview, even if his team lost. Do you remember the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals? Brodeur gave up the worst goal I have ever witnessed in my life. The Ducks went to dump in the puck to the side of the net, and when Brodeur went to handle it, the puck hit part of his stick, bounced through his legs, and into the goal. I am sure you remember it now. After the game, he was asked how he felt about the goal. Generally, there are two kinds of responses someone would expect. "Well the puck took a bad bounce, and my stick slipped out of my hand, and it found its way in." Also, "It was my fault and I take responsibility for the goal, end of story." Which quote did Brodeur give? Neither. Here was the summery of his quote: "Those kind of things happen in hockey. Sure it happened at a bad time but it's not something that will ruin a series for us." He even had a chuckle about it. Martin Brodeur was human, yet he just took it in stride, and never let it linger in his mind. The Devils did win the cup that series.

I could still go on about the amazing career Marty has had through age 33, but I also realize he faces some criticism, and I would like to address some of what is said about him.
"He has a low save percentage." - First of all, Brodeur does not have a low save percentage. 91%-92% is great for any goalie, and that is where his career average falls. (He has had a couple higher and lower for a season). You can point out though that there are some goalies who have save percentages in the upper 92%. The explanation is simple. The Devils have always been a great defensive team, and have usually been a league leader in least shots allowed on goal. Brodeur does not see that as many shots during a game then most goalies, and when he sees one, it must be a good one if it beat the Devils defense. So essentially, Brodeur sees a small quantity of shots, but with most of those being high quality chances. And lets face it, he can't stop them all. With those factors in mind, his save percentage will never lead the league, and it does not fairly represent his ability as compared with other goalies.
"Hes been lucky to play with a good defensive team." - In a sense, yes, he has played on a good defensive team. But his ability has allowed his defense to play fearlessly, because if they screw up, Brodeur is there to save them. Additionally, you can make the arguement that the Devils allow few goals purely because Brodeur is in net.

Overall, I just wanted to let everyone know about the Martin Brodeur Devils fans have come to love. We love him for his skill, his personality, and his ability to come up with that huge clutch save. For years Brodeur was overlooked, and I believe that only with Roy's retirement came the due respect for Brodeur that we have for him today. So does anyone have any opinions about this? I did not even compare Roy and Brodeur in this article. I just mentioned that they are comparable. So I would like to know if they are comparable in everyone's opinion, and if Brodeur is one of the best of all time. I'll probably post something later about how he compares directly with Roy and other greats.