Twenty-Five fans have been selected by the New Jersey Devils organization to participate in a first of it's kind fan based Mission Control (social media hub). The individuals selected have respectively earned their credibility and a following in the New Jersey Devils online world. Many of the new Generals are extremely active on twitter with fun and clever tweets game after game. Others have their own blogs such as http://speakingofthedevils.com/. The main point, the fans are now being heard. This is great for the Devils as the online voice is growing. It will help build a bigger fan base. This helps unite the fans, the devils staff and the players as really being Jersey's Team. We all share the same passion for one of the things we love, Devils Hockey. For all of us it also means being part of something bigger.
To keep all of you informed and be able to recognize others in the stands, we will feature all the generals soon so you get to know who they are. Below are some images from the orientation.
We now have ears available within the Devils organization. Feel free to be involved and share your ideas here or on the fans voice facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thefansvoice) We will do our best to get your ideas heard as well.
Over the past few weeks there a lot of great things the devils are doing. Today the
Devils won their 4th straight for the first time this season. They have earned 13 of 14 possible points over this 7 game stretch. There are way to many things the devils are doing right to mention so here it is by the numbers!
28 goals for, 14 goals against
3+ goals in 5 of last 7.
4+ goals 4 of 6 last 6.
Rolston 3 Goals 6 Assists
Elias 5 goals 4 Assist over last 7 games.
Greene 5 Assist last 6 games.
Kovalchuck 4 goals 4 assists over last 7.
Clarkson 3 goals last 7.
Brodeur 5-0-1 last 6.
Daneyko stated after the game he feels it all starts with the defense. I agree! Starting Hedberg against Philadelphia shows the work ethic of the entire team. Didn't just rely on Marty, but the defense had to step up and play the same. They were strong on the puck and made great breakout passes. A big factor is the offense stepping up and helping back out on defense. Many players with great backchecking, including Kovalchuk who in my mind is winning over the hearts of many fans.
Under Lemaire, Kovalchuck seems to be playing a much better team game. His unlikely style goal today with a re-direct from point shot by greene shows how his play has matured. HE is laying off the puck a little and allowing his teammates to carry it into the zone and force the defense back. This has helped him watch the play unfold and against tampa, scored on a loose puck in front of the net.
Lemaire has brought the confidence back in this team, which now is showing it can be a great team.
For fans, it's great to see their style of play back as well as a winning streak. Keep it up devils. It's also fun when more people are in the arena cheering with you!
There has been many things said about Mattias Tedenby recently as he was +2 with a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup. (Highlight of his goal below) This came against the Islanders on Monday (Martin Luther King Day)matinee. For the six games he was scratched from the lineup many were already questions Jacques Lemaires decision to not play Tedenby. We should all have a little more faith as Tedenby worked hard in practices to make it back to the lineup and it paid off. Fans should be excited at watching a young talent like this develop. His goal against the islanders is one for the highlight real as it show cased his speed, puck control and shooting ability. (shown below)
The Fans should also keep an eye out for Zharkov as he finally netted his first nhl goal against the islanders as well. This was his first goal out of 11 shots this season and a total of 54 shots since entering the nhl. I predict he will break out with a few more goals over the next few games. Zharkov has played 9 games this season and has shown great improvement under Lemaire.
(see his goal below)
Lastly lets take a look at Palmieri who has been calling Travis Zajac and Kovalchuk his linemates pretty much the entire time he has been called up from Albany. Nick Palmieri has shown he can score and make great passes for zajac and Kovy. He sees the ice real well. He is composed and quick to make the correct decisions on the ice. Below is his 2nd NHL goal that came against the panthers on the 15th of January. His first nhl goal was a empty netter.
The young players that are developing in the minor league system show great promise for years to come. Even with a record that isn't so great, watching these young guns is exciting. Lamoreillo has always put together a great scouting team that has found some great players.
(also note that I didnt talk about taromina who is likely to be out the rest of the season or Josefson who is in albany currently. Also great young players)
