Giontas Predicament & Lamoriello's Biggest Failure As GM

Devils fans find themselves in a quandary.  Although none of us feel that a rebuild is in the cards just yet, unless the Devs fill a very obvious hole in our puzzle, they are destined to continue to repeat what’s transpired during each of the past four postseasons time and again.   

And I have this sinking feeling that we might just repeat this trend, until many of our best young players have signed elsewhere. 

Look no farther than comments made by Zach Parise whilst cleaning out his locker for his fourth extended summer vacation in as many years, for proof of shattered morale, and general team discontent. 

Look no farther than MSG and its vociferous Ranger fans—their posts and beliefs that Parise will be following Gomez across the Hudson sometimes in the next few years.  Or the fact that highy touted Hobey Baker award winner, Matty Gilroy, chose signing for the Blue Shirts over the vaunted Red & Black for less money than Lou was willing to send his way!       

Although I personally don’t see all our players paddling across the Hudson anytime soon; thank you Salary Cap, there is certainly a history of our talent ending up at MSG.  

There is also a consensus of opinion among those in the hockey community that of paramount importance to the Devils most valuable asset, Zach Parise, is playoff success; something he has failed to achieve thus far with the Devils. 

Unlike lesser motivated players, Zach wants to win, and if the need arises, will certainly go elsewhere to do so.        

The $56.7 million 2008-09 salary cap question is; what can the Devil’s organization do to move forward? 

Over the last few years the New Jersey Devils have undergone a veritable metamorphosis from a team built around an unrivalled defensive corps, led by Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, and Ken Daneyko, to a squad constructed around a healthy mix of defensively responsible forwards and an inexperienced front six on defense. 

Zach Parise and Travis Zajac have shown themselves to be the face and future of the organization. 

Although Travis might not be a true first line center, his rapid development as a player, accompanied by his on and off-ice chemistry with Parise and Langenbrunner mean that our first line will continue to produce for years to come. 

The line of Parise and Langenbrunner, centered by Travis Zajac needs no tinkering; Mr. Sutter please leave them be.

Although Lou Lamoriello has done a remarkable job constructing the Devils since taking over as general manager in 1987, he has indubitably failed us of late.  More importantly, and certainly more frustratingly, he has failed Brian Gionta and Patrick Elias. 

When Scott Gomez jumped ship for a larger chunk of change, Lamoriello had an obligation to find a replacement; to fill the gaping hole he’d left behind him.  He did not and we are still suffering because of it.   

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