Lemaire to Coach Devils

by BReynolds on Jul 13, 2009 11:44 AM CDT Comment 5 comments

From NHL.com, the Devils are set to announce Jacques Lemaire as the new head coach for at least the next season. The announcement will come at 12:30 PM central time. While this matter is best left to our friends over at In Lou We Trust, or Wysh over at Puck Daddy, since Lemaire was ever so formerly the head coach here, I feel I can comment on the matter.

I have some advice for Devils fans everywhere. Buy a new pillow, and make sure you have plenty of caffiene on hand.

Following the storylines of the off-season, the Devils have made exactly zero moves to improve their team from last season. Devils blogs around the interwebs have made it clear that they are none to pleased about the lack of action, with one fan even saying that he was going to drink a shot of booze every hour until the Devils made a signing. Could be one really drunk guy in New Jersey.

While the Devils won the Atlantic Division (Thanks KiPA) last season, they did not make a playoff run. Instead, their intra-division rival went on to win the Stanley Cup. That has to sting, at least a bit. So, in a "He Who Shall No Longer be Mentioned" type move, Lou Lamarillo has brought in Jacques Lemaire to solve all the teams ills and take them deep into the playoffs.

I wish the best of luck to Mr. Lemaire, the Devils, and to Devils fans. As Russo says (hopefully jokingly)

I say Martin Skoula’s a Devil by week’s end.

Coupled with Lemaire running the ship, and a brand spanking new human pylon on the blue line, Devils fans have a ninth place finish to look forward to.

Enjoy. Let us know how it goes.

-Buddha

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I don't know.

I can’t be certain that JL on the bench with that Devil’s squad isn’t a playoff run waiting to happen. I don’t think they’re SC bound, but NJ does have a talent balance that is well-suited to JL’s system and game plan. Besides, JL’s Wild pretty much owned the East. Who knows? Short of a major overhaul in talent and style, JL as coach is the most likely move to make that team, as currently built, as strong as possible. Oh, and I am doing my best to pick up Brodeur as my fantasy hockey goalie.

by Krotz the Wall on Jul 13, 2009 12:18 PM CDT reply actions

JL will do fine in NJ

after all he did win a cup there. and in all likely hood this NJ team is better then that one. LJ did a good job here given the resourced our GM gave him. it was DR who traded for Skoula not JL. it was DR who traded for, wait for it, Chris Simon at the trade deadline for the “final piece” to a playoff push, not JL.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Jul 13, 2009 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

Those who want to see how JL does with the Devils

… don’t have to worry about watching the games in HD, outside of those broadcast on Versus, NBC, or the NHL Network. In what I suspect is the next move in the Dolans’ long standing feud with the NHL, midway through the 08-09 season they blocked access to MSG-HD for Center Ice subscribers. Of course, this really only affects DirecTV because they’ve been the only pay TV company able to negotiate carriage of the channel outside of CableVision. MSG and MSG+ are owned channels of CableVision, and CableVision is owned by the Dolans. So if you want to watch the NY Rangers (owned by the Dolans) in HD, you need to subscribe to CableVision (owned by the Dolans), or be a DirecTV customer in the NY area.

If you’re an ATT, Dish, or Verizon customer in NY — too bad

If you happen to be an Islanders, Devils, or Sabres fan then you get shafted as well as MSG has exclusive broadcast rights for those teams.

At least here with FSN we have a chance, no matter how slim, of seeing some Wild games in HD.

by SpaethCo on Jul 13, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions

Grrr.. why don't links work?

Dolan’s feud with the NHL: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2008/06/19/2008-06-19_nhl_wants_to_take_rangers_away_from_jame-1.html

Blocked access to Center Ice MSG-HD: http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/162294-nhl-ci-not-include-msg-hd-due-contract-disupte.html

Verizon petitions FCC over lack of access to MSG-HD: http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2009/verizon-petitions-fcc-to-rule.html

by SpaethCo on Jul 13, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions

How ironic...

He wins a Stanley Cup in NJ with some Minnesotan’s leading the way…He comes to MN,starts out right away by saying,Minnesotan’s can’t succeed in MN??? After doing nothing for 9 yrs in MN without Minnesotan’s,he returns to NJ where they were one of the best teams in the NHL during the regular season…And being led by Minnesotan’s…HA…I hope Martin,Parise,and Langenbrunner aren’t too comfy in NJ! lol But you have to respect Lemaire he did win 20 Cups in MTL 50 yrs ago!!! lol

****"The State of Hockey"****

by Xx Gophers Eat Badgers xX on Jul 14, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions