There is still no excuse for Fitz for last years goalie debacle. That being said he has made good off season moves. I can live without the top six addition. We will be leaps and bounds better with the goalie and defensive additions. 1 goal wins baby!!!
@Gruckle30 I wholeheartedly agree about the goalie situation last year. It is my single biggest knock on Fitz. We are much improved and I am looking forward to a big year! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
@robertlamkin6464 There will never be another line like THE CRASH LINE ever again. However, I hope our 4th line this season can bring shades of what the Crashers did. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
Wow, man, totally honored! Watched the video with the Mrs. earlier, (whom I’ve turned into a Devils fan,) and was blown away - thank you! I was thankfully not super aware of the Devils during the “Mickey Mouse” years, (too young.) My first live game ever was against Devils vs (Hartford) Whalers, lol. Grew up in the areas of JC where a lot of Sopranos was shot, and nothing captured being from Jersey in that area at that time, like Sopranos didespecially in the first 2 seasons. And there’s even a Sykora jersey in one episode if I remember correctly! James Gandolfini from what I hear was a super nice guy, I think Michael Imperioli even said he’d (Gandolfini) randomly payoff people’s debts anonymously, but didn’t publicize it, (but I wouldn’t quote that until there’s a source other than my memory!) Glad I watched the video on the TV b/c didn’t see the autograph when I responded on IG earlier. Sorry I’m so verbose, keep making great videos! LGD!
@ED-op7wk Tell the Mrs. I apologize! I realized over time there are probably many wives/girlfriends of people who watch me that are like "you're watching this idiot AGAIN?!?" LMAO. I grew up in Essex County, and the Sopranos were always filming all over. What an era! Gandolfini was the man. Thanks for watching and for your awesome comment! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
I have a ton to say about this one, but I'll pass most of it (pet peeve of mine to have lengthy comments). I usually agree with what you say, but hear me out. I've been a fan for as long as 94 as well. Seen just about every game since then. Was at the 2001 scf (best games I've ever been to). I remember the Stevens hits on Kariya, Lindros, the Avery scumbag, Domi crap, "You're next", etc. So I have total respect for our glory day fans. I also have followed just about everything NHL for about 3/4 of that time. So i do understand the magnitude of the greatness. However, i do believe the game is organic. It naturally discourages against perennial sucess, part of what makes it that much more special. So comparing the 2 times is apples and oranges, imo. Ultimately, the goal is to win. PERIOD. We all can share that. It's good to demand excellence, but important to remember, realistically, almost no one gets that nowadays.
@josephinline2395 The salary cap makes it challenging; however you can look around the league and see teams that have been pretty damn competitive for stretches. There is no reason we can't be one of those teams. I mean we won 3 draft lotteries in the past 7 years, and had another #4 pick in there as well. *4* top 4 picks in a 7 year stretch is INSANE! ABSOLUTELY INSANE! If this can't be parlayed into success then we are officially doomed. So many teams have done more with far less. That is the reality of the situation.
@runninwiththedevils Salary cap makes it challenging, but competitive at the same time. Part of the issue there is giving players other reasons to come to NJ other than money. Success has not been there recently, taxes suck, and other outside hockey influences (ex: playing in hometown or cities) play roles. Just always seems to make NJ at a disadvantage, but not saying it is impossible to happen. Extreme case feels like the movie Moneyball. Draft picks can help, but no guarantee, the Oilers know this despite last seasons sucess (Yakupov is one example). We benefited from great players, but also a team culture that leveraged the game and forced us to have success. That is what we need back to be dynasty worthy again.
Ace, there is one more group. When I grew up in New Jersey everyone who loved hockey loved the Rangers. If you didn't love the Rangers, you were an outcast that loved the Islanders (think Yankees, Mets) If you said you loved the Flyers, we knew you were from South Jersey. Started watching the Devils in 1982. I was with 300 die hard fans watching a game during a blizzard Jan 22 of 87 I saw John MacLean score against Chicago to put us in our first playoff in 1988. I jumped for joy when the league called the St Louis Blues RFA meddlers and awarded NJ Scott Stevens. I watched Dave Andrechuck do his Hall of Fame business in front of our opponents net. I cheered for Dougie Gilmour in the red and black. Some really exciting times, but when it all came together in 1994 it was a work of art 12 years in the making. This third group loved every second of the 94-03 run, but we knew the price of admission. 12 long years of waiting and hoping from 82-94. I think this third group might have a more tempered expectation. Greatness is like lightning. It is not simply created in Free Agency or acquired through the draft. There is a luck element to it and a desire element. Luck like St Louis trying to give us Cujo, and us saying NO WAY we want STEVENS, and the League siding with NJ. Desire that can only form in a pit in the bottom of your stomach while an announcer screams "MATTTEAU, MATTEAU, MATTEAU"! That burning desire from 94 Conference Final lasted 9 years to 2003. So if we are really looking at a great team this year forward, and I pray we are....I will be looking for moments that make my heart flutter. Moments that make me jump from my seat. Moments that make me burn with rage...and Moments that make me ill. These are young kids. They don't know what it is to burn with desire. Take these kids, give them an insatiable desire formed with pain and heart break, sprinkle in a little luck along the way, and we may just see Lord Stanley smile at New Jersey once more. I did not bash Lou (in Lou we Trusted) and I will not bash Fitz. Fitz is our guy. He is the one in the seat. He is human and he is trying to get it done. He has much to do with the success and the failures, but not everything. These guys need to burn with desire, get a little luck along the way, and want it like nothing they have ever wanted before. "ZOMG, WHY DIDNT YOU BUY *insert name of overpriced forward here*" Just sounds like a Rangers fan to me. New Jersey Hockey is have a plan, be patient, and stay the course.
@matthewwarnke170 WHOAAAAA! You are a member of the 334 Club?!? LEGENDARY STUFF. Great post. I wish I was around to celebrate the Johnny Mac goal vs. Panger and the Hawks to finally get into the playoffs. I wish these kids had another playoff run this season to help ignite that fire. Hopefully Fitz makes the right moves going forward to put us in the best position to win. CUP #4 COMING SOON! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
@@runninwiththedevils One thing that certainly makes me nervous... We just saw the best player on earth hang his head in utter heartbreak. He will not be denied again. He will burn for it and put on an incredible performance. Just about the only thing that can steal that from him is poor management creating a team that cannot get them back to the dance. But if they do get back.... and the Devil's are really really good and get a ticket to the dance. Our young unproven kids will be up against incredible talent with a burning desire. Could be a recipe that puts our cup out a year later as we get desire of our own. Cup #4 with this core would be amazing.
@matthewwarnke170 I expect McDavid to be on the warpath next season. It is a lonnnggggg road back. I would love to see a Devils Oilers SCF. Obviously going up McDavid is downright scary, but it would be a fun series for sure! If we don't win Cup #4 with this core, I am afraid it will never happen. How many times can you win the draft lottery and have this many pretty damn good players fall into your lap?!? It doesn't happen. That is why I am hoping at some point Fitz (or a potential future GM) starts making some of these real WIN NOW moves.
I always get asked why I’m a devils fan. I was born and raised on Long Island. I played goalie on my roller hockey team. Marty Brodeur was a goddamned monster when I was like 7-8, in the midst of our dynasty. Watching Marty was unlike anything I’d ever seen in net. One moment in beautiful butterfly, then he’s stacking the pads or leaving his glove side wide open so he can rob people. Then he’s out past the frickin circles like a third defenseman, deking the forecheck and nailing breakout passes. Why am I a Devils fan?!? That’s why.
Devils played from behind probably 60 games last season. Teams scoring first was a killer! Throwing some beef and experience in the front will help us play with some leads. MacDermid will keep the boys safe! 2000 team was stacked! Keep bringing it Ace!
@njdevils45 What a horrifying trend that we need to leave behind. Constantly playing catch up is awful. I think we look like a new team next season. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
Notabillyjoelfan had a great comment here. Sherro and to a lesser extent Fitz did set the franchise on a bad path of soft skaters driving the bus. Hits win playoffs, causing fear in opponents wins championships. This is simply the fact of this sport. Being able to protect the skaters lets them flourish.
As a newer (though certainly not young) fan, I appreciate the eras/past seasons recap as it puts it all in perspective. Let us not be complacent and hope Keefe can find a way to harness the strengths and talents of this group going forward. Should be a welcome challenge for him herding these Devils! LGD! 😊
@@runninwiththedevils Can't wait! Been going through TIMO withdrawal. And Devils withdrawal in general. Maybe it's the heat but these days he kind of reminds me of a Saint Bernard. I think he would be able to rescue people if they were stranded in the Alps somewhere. 😊
I’m glad to not always agree on everything but you always make me realize being skeptical at times. Always need have Sasquatches in your lineup hitting, blocking shots, trapping, forechecking, and playing a scary game
WE WANT THE CUP! WE WANT THE CUP! WE WANT THE CUP! C’mon boys let’s gooooooooooo I think Keefe being able to win a Calder Cup with the Marlies shows that he knows how to coach in the playoffs (speed, mentality, etc.) but his lack of success with the Leafs came from the poor team that was handed to him. The leafs struggled consistently with depth scoring, had an absolutely barren d-core and never had a true starting goalie. I believe our outcome will be different.
Would you agree that 99-00 thru 02-03 was the sweet spot in terms of the franchise history. 3 cup appearances in 4 years. What makes me sick is we got zero recognition for that accomplishment. Imagine the statues that would have been built if this team played across the river. How this franchise played in obscurity while dominating the sport for a decade is mind blowing. It was an incredible run. Hopefully we can start another one soon!!
@walterramirez4443 Absolutely, there is no question. 3 Finals in 4 years is utter insanity! I could not fathom what the Rags would have done with team success like that. It was quite a run for the old guard. Hopefully we are at the start of another run like that!
How does that Adidas practice jersey feel? I have a Reebok practice from 2016 and it’s my 2nd favorite feeling/fitting jersey out of my collection. 1st is Stevens CCM Authentic Collection. As for you not making emotionally angry videos, please rethink your choices. lol During the season, you’re “boycotting the Rock” pissed off videos were fun. You were letting out all of our frustration in an entertaining video. Regardless of it being constructive or not. I been satisfying my Devils needs by reading the Brodeur book and watching “Glory Day” videos lately, again. The offseason is going to go by fast. It is for me anyway. We are already a week past FA and chugging along to the new season. Meigray is waiting for our money. lol Peace and love to all. Even the mean fans that think others are “f’ing losers” for being optimistic. 😂
@TravelinDevil76 It feels pretty good overall. However, it is a bit too tapered for my fat liking. I also don'r love the higher/tighter neck. I like my jerseys loose and the lower cut neck. My 2003 Brodeur is my all time favorite for these reasons. You know I can't help myself most times. If I have to make another Rock boycott video, then so be it!
Between win now or build for future, I’m for whichever one gets us the most cups/wins the fastest 5:08 oh and kovalsuck, I was at that game I have a video of pictures of him in the bathroom urinals😂
@bpoi985 It is beyond ridiculous. "What's gonna happen if Jack, Nico, Markstrom all get hurt?!?" I think we are in good shape for next season. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
My last request is for Fitz to get a new goalie coach. Rogalski has had too many crash and burn under him. Other than that think there have been enough meaningful changes that it needs time to gel together. I'm sure a couple interesting Wingers will become available before the deadline.
@MrMooMoo088 Lots of people have talked about Rogalski. I don't think he is going to make or break the goalies, but I can certainly see why people are putting the magnifying glass on him. I am hoping for a great year, and we BUY at the deadline! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
I just mentioned Vatrano as a potential fit for the Bruins on their 2nd line on my last video. Bad move when Boston let him go years ago. He'd fit well in NJ too. Also wondering what JVR has left. Was hurt at the tail end in BOS. BOS may still resign him, but wonder if PHL doesn't bring him back in for cheap.
@pucksfromthepinetree I am sure Vatrano would love to return home. It must be amazing for Mass. boys to play for the B's. I think JVR could be rejuvenated with a new scene for a year. Will be interesting to see what develops for him...
Im hoping the devils add a foward at the deadline or during the year… i took a quick look at the guys thwt are prob gonna b available and its pretty thin
The 2024/25 Devils are not JUST sandpaper and grit. They’re potentially a division winning hybrid of speed, skill and toughness. Let’s wait and see if Keefe can put together a championship product on the ice.
You're insane. Sand paper and grit ? Dillion. And then......... crickets. Dmen alone went DOWN on hitting and that includes Dillons amounts. This team is like wet tissue paper. Fitz is a putz.. three years and he makes moves to bring back failed reruns. Last in division and NO playoffs. Don't forget the geriatric Ward of NHL goalies. 33 and 34....
@ejf0255 I'm insane?!? I am not going to waste my time trying to change your mind. I hope you come back and eat crow when the Devils are good this season
@runninwiththedevils I will gladly do so. But same to you. :-) when I'm right. Let's revisit this at 25 / 45 / 60 end of season? I bet.... I start being right at 25 games. Jack's out by that time. Nico shortly after. One or both Goalies by 45. Again unless we get some real grit. Not "upside" or other excuses.
@ejf0255 Jack is out by game 25?!? and Nico shortly after?!? One or both goalies by Game 45?!? C'MON man, you're trolling me right?!? You can't really believe this stuff. As far as real grit goes... We got 2 of the Top 20 hit leaders in the ENTIRE LEAGUE! THE ENTIRE LEAGUE! That doesn't mean anything to you?!?
I love it when fans cherry-pick the issues they want to work in their viewpoint when making an argument. Like it or not Fitzgerald is still responsible for the best NJ devils record in franchise history in the 2022/23 season. Time will tell how far we can go. But we are not the flyers or the poor San Jose Sharks. Go Devils!
Jack's great at avoiding hits. He just needs to get stronger because he ultimately injures himself When he falls and hits himself into the boards or ice awkwardly
That 2010-11 season where they went on that mid January tear til March was underrated. Pretty sure Parise was injured during that streak & by the time he got back we just ran out of gas. But I think it set up the 2012 run. Speak of 2012, looking back, we had a lot of scrappy 95 cup style players on that 2012 team. For me, it’s a tie with 2001 game 7 as far as biggest heartbreaks in franchise history ❤️🩹 boy I wanted them to win 2012, like you said, feather in Marty’s cap. They split or take games 1,2, who knows how that shapes the last decade of misery 2024-25 Champs? Let’s go!
@pucksnpicks 2012 definitely had some grit. ALL of our successful teams have had it. We FINALLY have it again! That 2001 G7 will forever haunt me. (and Marty I'm sure) Stealing that Cup would have made the 12 years to follow a TINY bit more bearable. I am hoping for the best next season! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
How are people negative about this team? Critical is fine, Fitz wiffed on getting a top-6 winger and likely got the worst of a few trades, but c'mon! We have a superstar forward in Jack Hughes who will go on to become by far the greatest Devils forward of all time! I could see him score 120 points this season and I'm not going to qualify that with assuming not injured, that goes without saying and am sick of people assuming he's going to get injured again. - 3 star talent forwards: Nico a two-way specialist, Bratt a speed demon playmaker, and Meier and absolute brute who could pot 50 goals and deliver 100 neanderthal hits! - Good goaltending, Markstrom was a top-5 goalie this season and wanted to come here because he smells a cup he missed out on in Calgary! - Dougie's back! Dude is clutch and one of the best offensive D-Men in hockey. - A complete and balanced Grade-A blueline! Pesce is one of the best defenders in the league. Kovacevic and Dillon are both hard hitters, Dillon is one of the most punishing D-Men in the league. Future stars Luke and Nemec will get sheltered minutes. - The bottom 6 is deep and has more sandpaper. We have the look of a cup contender and anyone who says "but injuries" "but coach hasn't won in the playoffs" , etcetera are just looking for reasons to be negative.
@davidchimes3464 Some people will be negative NO MATTER WHAT! Overall the team is much improved. If someone can't agree to that, then they are lost. In fairness, I think it is fair to question how durable Jack will be over the course of a season. He is in fact injury prone. But I agree, this season could definitely be special. Get on board everyone! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
How are people negative? Did you watch last season? Now I am expected to believe all these middle to lower tier additions (not 1 impact player added) are gonna transform his team from the disaster we saw to a contender? I'm not buying it. Over emphasis on size & physicality. Under emphasis on getting players that are actually good at hockey.
@nickadams6537 Just having a healthy team vs. last season should lead to a much better team. With the additions made, this team will be better. You must have been looking for superstar names only. Sometimes the best additions aren't the flashiest names. I believe with Pesce and Dillon added to the D, and Markstrom in net....we will give up SUBSTANTIALLY less goals.
@@nickadams6537 We had the third best record in hockey the season before. Can't assume the same injuries happen again. Blueliner and net was upgraded massively! Bottom-6 has more sandpaper. If Hughes plays like he did at the start of last season before he got hurt, he'll be at the top of the league in scoring. New coach. Really, it's a fantastic team. I could see first place in the Metro.
How many teams have 3 or 4 string goalies that can take over a game??? Jeez. Well what team can afford to have 4 good to elite goalies??? People are strange
Hockey in general is a toxic sport. Being a part of the fan base and playing ice hockey most of my life-- I have seen it first hand. The sport attracts a lot of a**holes. I have been on NJD forums for almost 2 decades and being fans of the same team has never stopped people from being awful to each other. I swear it is something about the sport.
I get the demanding excellence from what you’ve seen. But to put it from a younger fans view as myself. I started paying attention to the devils when I was in 5th grade in 2015! So All I’ve seen year in year out is nothing but disappointment. So just making the playoffs for people my age is a big accomplishment from our view. However, you are not at all wrong that it should not at all be the end all be all. I want win damn cups
I’ve said it before many times and will say it again, no matter what happens, the devils fan base will never unanimously agree to anything. However I do think that if the season goes the way it should, some people will start to regret their words. Just like they did with timo
@jayviation7879 That is likely the truth for most fanbases in sports period. But the Devils fans seem even more divided than normal. Hopefully a big season this year will help the pitchfork crowd calm down. Timo was a beassttttt. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
@nickadams6537 They don't. You are definitely in the minority here. i get you are disappointed we missed on the Top 6 guy. However, you need depth guys to win a Cup too. Cotter and Noesen bring that. Not every acquisition can be a big name star....
Any truth to the rumor Marner is meeting with Keefe? If it’s true, there is your top six to grow with our nucleus. Yes, we would give a lot, but he would be worth it. So, once again, if there is a meeting, then it falls into the hands of Failgerald again. I would be highly impressed, but I don’t see it coming to fruition.
@eugenehewitt2917 I can't fathom that whatsoever. Marner has an $11M caphit. No way of fitting him without some major moves. I don't like him at anywhere near that price. Pass for me.
He's a total waste of 1.8 million. He had 9 goals in 70 games on a 1.5 million dollar deal last year. Fitz gave him a raise. That makes a lot of sense.
@nickadams6537 This was the one move I didn't like this offseason. I think Fitz is banking on him having that same chemistry with Nico. I liked getting Cotter, but I didn't like the price we paid for him....
If Mercer earns a spot in our top 6 (which I see no reason why he can’t) we will have 5 players who are objectively top 6 forwards. How many teams have that? The answer is not many. Even a good amount of cup winners haven’t had that. If anything defense is what wins cups above all
@Surl9596 Mercer MUST be in the Top 6. Hoping for a big year from him. Our goaltending and defense will be a strong point this season! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
I think I'm going down to the well tonight And I'm gonna drink till I get my fill And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it But I probably will Yeah, just sitting back, trying to recapture A little of the glory, yeah Well time slips away and leaves you with nothing, mister But boring stories of Glory days, yeah they'll pass you by.......
As with many things, I think it's somewhere in the middle with how we evaluate our seasons. Obviously the ultimate prize is the cup, and as our good friends across the Hudson have said, one of the only things that everyone will remember generations from now is who won the cup. But I do realize that we're not, or very unlikely, going from playoff miss to cup champs overnight. Maybe that's the hopeful youth talking in me, idk However, after the season we had in 22-23, that should be setting the bar and any season we miss the playoffs with this core should be considered an absolute failure by everyone. This season, we need to get to the Conference Semifinals or Finals at the LEAST. But oh my God, 6 wins and 2 appearances in a decade. I don't like feeling like a Leaf Ace. Hopefully we can do some winning so the next generation does not have to grow up knowing of that statistic, and I can forget you ever said it.
@stikfigzz I said decade a few times, but to clarify it is over a *12* season span. (I said this several times in the video as well) I really meant "a decade PLUS"
Even in the off-season the devil's hatred never ends. Just saw the usual devil's hatred going on because apparently they think they might be one of the top contenders this season..😂
Gretzky has been proven wrong 3 times with the devils winning the cup and also the real micky mouse franchise anaheim mighty ducks which did win the cup LOL
A lot of this shitshow was due to poor drafting too. Idk what happened after the 03 cup. But their drafting was abysmal. Barely (if any) good picks from Rd2 and on and 1st round picks consisted of Corrente, Tedenby, Josefson, matteau, queneville, and then a top 10 pick traded for Cory.
Game 6 was brutal, they missed the boarding call right before devils major play should have been blown dead , devils power play Kovalchuk Snipes, Bryce Salvador scores early 3rd period goal, Devils go on and beat the kings 3-0 at home Game 7 and complete the comeback . Gary hated Brodeur, Giguere Conn Smythe Marty always got the shaft from Betman, Marty wasn’t losing game 7 at home. 💔 ❤️🩹
@SnelSports What a painful night in Devils history! If they found a way to win that Game 6, I firmly believe they would have won Game 7 at home. I talk about the Marty 2003 CS snub below at the 11:13 mark: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nbgmbvGF-FE.html
@matthewwarnke170 There is no way we are getting Marner. He makes $11M. He is another soft finesse guy that we absolutely do not need. I know it is a sexy name, but he doesn't really fit this team without making significant changes
Wait what did I miss with Timo? Why would he burry him on the third line? As soon as he was put back in Right wing he was doing great! Whats with the hate?
The additions at the forward position are hot garbage. Couple slightly above average defensemen added. An old not top 10 goalie added. Stanley cup here we come!
Teams weaker now. NO depth and especially NO goalies. Grit ? Dillon and noone. So if he doesnt hit someone. No one else will. Colton. Maybe. So ok two grit types. The rest are timid as soccer players. Especially Pesce / Hamilton / Palat / Tartart / Jake / Luke / etc etc etc. Jack / Nico will spend 40-50% of time hurt again. Teams can run them without any deterrent. Im sorry NO one is worried about going into the corners on the Devils. Soft like melted ice. Sorry to tell you Fitz is a Putz. Overpays, over commits and players love the low expectations they need to attain in NJ. No wonder cast offs love NJ. Like 90s Rangers it is where you go to be overpaid and retire.
@@runninwiththedevils Sit back. Gone after real grit. J. Roslovic vice Tartart E. Robinson vice Noesen Riley Tufte for size A. ROY for Defense Not make trades for 34 year old Goalies Gone hard after Ullmark Not make that horrid Schimd trade. At least I'd have a 2B goalie for when (not if) 33 / 34 year old goalies break or fail. For starters. Buy out Palat. Immediately ! Give me space to get real "sand paper" types. Require Boquist / Zetterberg / Coleman
FUN FACT- Being critical of clown 🤡 gm Tom Fitzgerald is absolutely warranted. Expectations in NJ are playoffs every year while being a consistent Cup contender. This offseason while NJ defensively got better , the top 6 got worse. NJ today, is still not better than Florida, Tampa, Carolina, NYR, & even Washington.
@yoholmes273 I don’t think I said being critical wasn’t warranted. I said it’s not constructive to continually bash the man. My expectations are sky high too man! I think the defense and goaltending got substantially better, while the offense took a little hit overall. But those bottom 6 additions may supplement the loss of Toffoli?!? Time will tell.
@@runninwiththedevils Keefe will position Mercer correctly and he will explode this season. Replacing Toffoli with Tatar is a disaster and huge downgrade. Palat currently is worthless. Although Fitz feels Cotter is secretly another Brendan Shanahan. However I have zero faith outside of Noesen & Lazar in the bottom 6 whatsoever at this point. And WHO is NJs best defenseman???? You cant say Hamilton because he stinks defensively. I hear so much about NJ having this amazing D corp yet there is no true number 1 on the team. We all want to win. Fitzgerald cant stop saying "accountability" and it is time to hold Fitz accountable for his continued failures. Now, I hope he proves me wrong, wins the division, and bring home the Cup. 🏆
@yoholmes273 I hope with Mercer, but skeptical. Agree, Toffoli wasn't properly replaced. Cotter feels like more of a Miles Wood replacement. Defense is complicated, because I believe offensive dmen need to be complemented with stay at home dmen. I believe Fitz has done that. Accountability is always said, but usually comes out as white noise. Players need to follow through with it, but easy to say when your losing. I'm due for another Stanley Cup hat for my collection.
If you remember the era when we had to do everything The Hard Way, because we had no money, the problems we have now are way easier. Not sure what will happen if the LTIR BS gets worse, if we'll have the cash to compete there. But at least we have invested, if robotic, ownership.
@GoodMenstruationAttitude The refusal to spend the LTIR $ is the single biggest knock on this ownership group IMO. It is a very damning situation, and shows you where their priorities are/where their head is at. One of the most disappointing things in quite some time....
@@runninwiththedevils Again, given our history I'll accept it for now. Gambling too early on this group could have hurt us. But I do think we might need to go for it soon. So we'll see...
Fitz a failure? He was in the home stretch with Stamkos and Marchessault til Nashville overpaid for both. Gotta work with the cap. Not George Steinbrenner’s Yankees. 🙄
@jeffreyventrone-hl8xk I have praised Fitz' offseason maneuvering. Are there any confirmed reports we were truly in on either guy?!? Old George was on an annual spending $pree! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!
I’m genuinely convinced most of Fitz critics aren’t full time hockey fans like I am (actually I lied I’m a casual Yankees fan as well but very much aware of how different this is)
@Surl9596 I think there is a mixture of both. Casual fans that want to complain, and the die-hards who are just super fed up with all of the losing in recent years
Fitz is a failure. He didn't land a single impact player. The mid to low tier scraps he got don't move the needle. Nashville didn't overpay for Marchessault either. He got 5.5 million. The same money Pesce got. He's a far better player than Pesce by the way.