Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: It’s Time To Blow It Up

By Joseph Stanislau

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: General manager Ray Shero of the New Jersey Devils looks on from his team's draft table during Round One of the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: General manager Ray Shero of the New Jersey Devils looks on from his team's draft table during Round One of the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils have so many things going on right now. Taylor Hall looks to be on his way out and John Hynes is still not seeing defensive structural improvements. The weaknesses on the Devils defense is suspect, and the whole team has yet to get clicking, instead playing a more team first game. It’s time to start taking responsibilities from the coaching staff and the upper brass.

For too long, John Hynes has not been able to communicate with his players. When you have so much skill and talent on one team like that, you have to have a defensive strategy. That strategy has to be very specific, and it must be implemented in the correct manner. The “fast attacking” seems to be working, but where is the shut’em down style defense that makes teams think twice about being able to get offensive zone time.

With all the grunting, moaning, and screaming about Taylor Hall not likely returning, it’s absolutely worthwhile to trade for a shutdown defenseman like Nikita Zadorov. Once Hall is gone, Ray Shero  has to fire John Hynes and replace him with a Guy Boucher type of NHL coach who can implement a trap style of hockey. In sports, we all know a great offense is created by a superb defense.

Having to bring up more two-way styled forwards and defenders with the speed, skill, along with the determination would absolutely make games look more competitive. One of the problems most people don’t recognize is the positioning of this team. If you are a forward in your defensive zone, you’re the first line of defense. You have to take up the snipers alley blocking shots.

One of the other things the Devils have when they blow these leads is that they either pinch too much or they make the decision passing the puck to low danger scoring areas in the offensive drives that get picked off. Another situation is that there’s a lot of miscommunication, and bad techniques not being utilized in the defensive zone. The team seems to be heavily invested on one side when the top lines  aren’t out there to take care of business. Everyone has to spread out and have one guy getting ready to sniff out the puck carrier.

What needs to be happening is assistant GM Tommy Fitzgerald needs to tell Ray Shero about how to resolve the coaching problems. When Ray Shero finds the right fit for a temporary coach, and that coach finds a groove with this team getting this team winning more often building chemistry with the team, the Devils will see a re-energized fanbase. It’s time to clean house of the old coaching staff, and Taylor Hall in a trade to help reinvest in the team and get assets that can play right away on this Devils roster. Whether it’s a few excellent defensemen or a mix of excellent NHL ready elite-forwards and defenders.

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