Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin face off in the KHL.

Welcome back to Swarm it Up regular programming! Unfortunately, with the lockout now upon us and the loss of regular season games imminently looming on the horizon, relevant Devils news bits are few and far between.

However, I will take the chance to update on those players who have been sent down to the AHL or chosen to play in European or Russian leagues until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached. Whenever, of course, that may be. Let’s hope for an agreement before our regular season opener.

Today’s update: Ilya Kovalchuk.

» Continue reading “Lockout Player Update: Ilya Kovalchuk”

Cam Janssen.

With the Devils, no news is — well, to be expected, for one thing — but also news in its own way. There has been nothing new released on the status of Zach Parise’s contract, which seems to imply that he is deep in talks with the Devils. If he were to be beginning negotiations with a different club, there would likely be more than radio silence from the hockey world. The July 1 deadline is now two weeks away.

Ilya Kovalchuk, who played injured throughout the majority of the post season, is currently undergoing MRI testing. His back injury has been confirmed. Lamoriello recently said that Kovalchuk was not the only player to be given special attention during the usual after-season evaluations. Other players had been playing through injuries as well, though there has been no reports yet on who those players may be.

Inside: the NY Post’s ‘insider’ gaffe regarding the Devils’ ownership; a belated birthday tribute to Zubrus; defending Elias against puck-stealing accusations.

» Continue reading “Offseason News Round-up”

This has been an official statement from the Minnesota Wild. (Disclaimer: Only sort of.)

Anytime a team has a good showing during the post season (or, god forbid, wins the Cup: see the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks), it’s no surprise to see the roster go their separate ways. In a successful post season, the team as a whole usually does well, and players need to be compensated for good performance. To most NHL clubs trying to navigate cap space, this is simply not affordable.

Now consider the Devils: a team with a lengthy post season run and a long history of debt and money issues. A team that is now composed of a roster that 1) took the team to within two games for the Stanley Cup and 2) is full of UFAs/RFAs that need to be paid for the 2012-2013 season.

Yeah, ouch. The club needs to navigate this, and fast.

» Continue reading “Navigating Free Agency – Just Like Russian Roulette”

Preparing for the team photo. (via NHLDevils/Twitter)

The Devils lost to the Kings in Game 6, with a final score of 6-1.

First of all: congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings on their 1st Stanley Cup! An award well earned and an excellent post season played. The first Cup is always sweetest.

Also, congratulations to the New Jersey Devils for compiling a charismatic and skilled roster, defeating their division rivals, and making Los Angeles sweat. After not making it last year despite their best effort, this season and post season were a treat to watch.

Inside: brief recap; Bernier – why we shouldn’t blame; refereeing; a breakdown of discipline; reflection on the playoffs.

» Continue reading “Devils Fall In Six”

Happiness is... (via xoxohockey/Tumblr.)

The Devils prevailed in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Kings, winning 2-1 and protecting their lead through a period and a half against a furious offensive barrage. Goal scorers for the Devils included captain Zach Parise, who scored his first of the series after an uncharacteristic flub from Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick and Bryce Salvador, whose 14 points tie him with Drew Doughty for most points scored by a defenseman.

Interesting facts:
* Kings lose two in a row for the first time this post-season.
* The Kings’ impeccable 10-0 road record has been snapped tonight.
* With tonight’s win, the 2012 New Jersey Devils join an exclusive club. Only two other teams have forced Game 6 after losing the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final.  It has been 67 years since the feat was last accomplished – until tonight. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs won the Cup. The 1945 Detroit Red Wings lost in seven games.

» Continue reading “Devils Win 2-1, Extend Season Another Day”

The power of the mustache.

Despite being down 3-1 to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final, the Devils remained in good spirits for their Friday June 8th practice. They spoke candidly to the press regarding the situation they are in. Head Coach Pete DeBoer said it best: “You know it’s going to happen again, so why not us?”

He was referring, of course, to the odds of a team coming back from a 3-1 series deficit. It hasn’t been done since the Maple Leafs did it in 1942. The odds are stacked against the Devils, but the belief is there.

Inside: Devils’ practice lines, injuries, and commentary; the power of the Devilish mustache; big brothers, sons, and all about them.

» Continue reading “Devils Remain Loose For Practice”

Adam Henrique. It is known.

This game was do-or-die, and the Devils came through for their own survival. In my opinion, this was a great hockey game. The Devils took it according to plan: one shift, one period at a time. Their efforts resulted in a 3-1 victory in Game 4, sending the series back to New Jersey for a Game 5 Saturday night.

Adam Henrique. How clutch can one rookie be? I guess the power of mustache as advocated by one Ryan Carter came through. “What can I say?” Carter said following the game. “It got him going.” His 12 playoff points are a new Devils rookie record, just in case you were looking for an excuse to be more impressed than you already are.

» Continue reading “Devils Stay Alive With a 3-1 Game 4 Victory”

Everything is better with glowsticks.

In summary: Power Play Fail. Fayne Fail. Zidlicky Fail.

Besides the power play utterly gutting the Devils’ efforts, it should come to no surprise that two of three Fails listed here are defensemen. Because, honestly. This was a difficult game to watch. Whiffing on shots and passes? Check. Taking dumb penalties? Check. Not contributing much to make up for all that? Check. Kovalchuk obviously unhealthy but still getting a large amount of ice time? Check that too.

With a final score of 4-0, the Kings and their goaltender Jonathan Quick decimated the Devils.

» Continue reading “Devils Combust in Game 3, Blanked by Quick”

Ryan Carter. (via clydeorama/Flickr)

The Devils fell to the Kings in OT, 2-1. Yes, the same score as Game 1.

However, what differentiates Game 1 and Game 2 is that the Devils played much better this time around. It seems that the ‘feeling each other out’ period is over. The Devils started strong on the forecheck during period 1 and had some scoring chances. What ultimately ruined their strong opening momentum was their own power play.

In other words, what the hell’s happened to the Devils’ power play?

» Continue reading “Devils Fall Behind In Series, 2-0″

Martin Brodeur stands tall. (Photo by rubyswoon/Flickr)

Ah, the sting of defeat. Wait, no. The sting of not doing enough. More accurate.

The Devils fell to the Kings at the 8:13 mark of the overtime, thanks to a spectacular defensive breakdown and Anze Kopitar’s ensuing breakaway. Martin Brodeur was unable to stem off Kopitar, resulting in a 2-1 overtime loss.

(I called it on Kopitar, by the way. Henrique was my guess for the Devils, and his line came close. Damn, I’m good.)

What to say? The Devils were disappointing in the first and at times terrible in the second. What was that powerplay, anyway? However, they surged towards the end of the second and throughout much of the third to force overtime. That’s more like it, I thought.

It’s constantly frustrating to see this team oscillate wildly from not even moving their skates to looking dominant. In my opinion, the only thing that saved the Devils from an embarrassing many-goal loss early in the second was Brodeur.

Therefore, Martin Brodeur is my star of the night.

» Continue reading “Devils Fall in a 2-1 Overtime Loss to Kings in Game 1″