Hard to stay optimistic about these New Jersey Devils

Added by Macaulay Scott Renner on December 4, 2011.

I’ve had it. Really.  I’ve had it with the Devils and there non-chalant lackluster play.  I have had it with Martin Brodeur and his cocky unorthodox style of goaltending thinking that just because he is the all-time leading goaltender he can just play any way he wants.

Every time Brodeur gets scored on look at where he is in the net, look at how he flops around and is so discombobulated that its ridiculous.  I admit that a few of you commented on this site that Brodeur is still top notch and the best in the game, but honestly, he is done.  Done.  Right now if I was Lamoriello I would trade him to a team where I could get the best amount of young talent while you still can.

Sure Marty will always be a Devil and he will have his number retired and all that jazz, but his time as a top goaltender has past.   Keep Moose Hedberg and bring in the next goalie that they are grooming and move on.  I am sick of listening to Chico Resch and half hearted excuses about the goalie and the team.

I watch night in and night out and it amazes me, the goals they are giving up in the first period.  The effort they have been giving is so sad.  In the first period in the past two games they have given up three goals, twice!  The Devils don’t back check, they aren’t playing safe defense in their own zone and the offense has been almost none existent.

There are very few bright spots to even cheer about.

Parise, Henrique, and possibly Elias have been the few positives that I see on the ice.  Larsson looks like he is playing open hockey sometimes and if Kovie falls down one more time and gives the puck away, I am gonna shoot myself.

This team is going backwards and fast.  If this ship is not righted, they are going to find themselves in the basement once again looking up and they are going to be shining up their golf clubs come February.  Coach Deboer has done nothing positive in my eyes and isn’t much different from Maclean except for the fact that he has a few more wins.  Big Deal.

Where is the fear of playing poorly?  Where is the discipline that a Mike Keenan could instill in a team?  Non-existent.  All I hear is excuses from Chico or stories of how team meetings are taking place where they are addressing the issues without a thing being done.

This current road trip is terrible and there hasn’t been a positive to take out of it all.  The team is struggling and something needs to be done.  Right now, if I was Zach Parise, I would be counting the days until I could get traded to another team that was either a cup contender or one that was far away from Jersey.  That’s what is going to happen folks.  Parise is a goner if things don’t change.  I know. I have been playing hockey for 32 years and forgot more than most people will ever know.  If you don’t like it, tough.  That’s reality.

This team is going downhill fast.  Sure they have a chance to change, but it has to happen right now. Bad penalties, horrible goaltending by Brodeur, poor defense, poor offense and no discipline.  This team looked like it had found its way but all of a sudden it has done a 180 and is headed to the basement.  Don’t get me wrong, I am still trying to be optimistic and want to cheer for them but its getting harder and harder every night.  They make me sick at times.

This month is a make or break for the Devils.  I don’t know what’s going to happen or where they will be come 2012 but if they keep playing like they are, they will be in last place and their captain will be packing his bags for a destination unknown.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you and don’t say I am wrong.  Just sit back and watch these next few weeks to see how this team responds to adversity.  I am not too confident in their chances.  I don’t have much faith.  Sorry, but it’s the truth.