I decided that I would do something a little different.  As oppose to throwing out a bunch of opinions, both unbiased and honest, I want to take a look at this team and come up with some things they could use and do better.  Let’s face it, it has been a good year thus far, but something is missing.  Things are not consistently going well.

Yes, the Devils will make the playoffs, win a series and play well.  But, all things equal, are they really a Stanley Cup contender?  I don’t think they are….yet.  I think they can be, but need a few things. 

–Find an identity.  Yes, they are Martin Brodeurs team, but ever since Scott Stevens retired and Scott Neidermayer signed with the Ducks, no forward or defenseman has stepped up and been the face of the team.  I know Jamie Langenbrunner is the captain, and a good one at that but when you think of the Devils, do you think ”Jamie Langenbrunner?” Not really.  You don’t think “Patrik Elias,” and you don’t think “Zach Parise.”  Well, not yet anyways.   The solution?  I think he is on trade block in Los Angeles.

–Get Kevin Weekes in the net.  I know Marty is a workhorse.  But the reason they signed Weekes was to have a backup goalie they could trust.  This guy is a former starting goalie who lead a team to the Stanley Cup Finals (If you recall, he beat the Devils in that run).  The last thing the Devils need is a worn out goaltender come playoff time.  If they are going to go deep in the playoffs, Brodeur needs to be fresh.  He won’t be at this pace.

–Not fire the coach a week before the end of the season.  Or just hang on to the coach.  Robbie Ftorek, Larry Robinson, Kevin Constantine, Claude Julien.  Enough said.

–Beat the Islanders for the sanity of their fans.  See Greg’s blog two or three below or listen to episode 10 of Devilscast, right here on Devilcast.com

–Try to unload Dainus Zubrus.  You don’t have to be a hockey guru to say to yourself “What? 6 years?”  The guy has 25 points, including 8 goals and was expected to have some kind of impact on the scoresheet.  I know it’s early in his Devil career, but get what you can for this 3rd line forward getting 1st line money.

You may or may not agree with any or all of these.  But if the Devils do a few of these, I think the team will be twice as good when it matters.  Till next time, be well.

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