Get with the System 

Part 2: Boston vs. New Jersey

There was a time – not too long ago, when we would have suggested to prospective team owners, that the only draftable players in a rotisserie style fantasy league were Devils defensemen Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer (based on their plus/minus and their offense on the power play). Our recommendation was no Devil forwards early simply because they all had the same chance at getting a whopping 50 points – max. Under Jacques Lemaire the Devils played a bland, passive, counter punching system that won hockey games, but also put people to sleep in the stands. But you can’t blame Jacques. He was simply using the rules as they were being applied – or not be applied, depending on your point of view. 

In an era of the "clutch and grab", Lemaire’s focus was to use very large, generally not highly skilled forwards to slow down on coming attacking forwards while they were going through the neutral zone (Pandolfo, Pederson, McKay, Oliwa were classic examples). First player in would not force the play. He would monitor the defensemen with the puck from in front of the net. His job – ensure the puck goes up the boards. After that first pass, the receiving player would then be immediately pressured as soon as he hit the neutral zone by one of the Devils hanging out in between the redline and the blue-line. Nine times out of ten, the puck would get turned over or dumped back into the offensive zone. A counter-punching system to be sure that hinders offensive chances and stymies offensive creativity. If you want a current example, have a quick peak over in Minnesota and watch how that team plays. Same Neutral Zone trap – just smaller, faster guys to implement the system. And make no mistake, that’s what the style of play will be in the land of a thousand lakes, until the franchise replaces defense orientated and skilled players with guys that can do something exciting with the puck.

When Lemaire was directing the Devils, if Brodeur faced more than 20 shots in a game, it was a definite rarity. As a hockey pooler, you need to be aware of this type of system. Thankfully, Lemaire is no longer in New Jersey

First under Ftorek and next under Robinson, the Devils have gone to a more forecheck pressure system. The Devils also have some offensive minded defensemen, and Robinson has given them not quite a green light, but more of an amber one to join the rush. The creative players on the team are entrusted to take more responsibility with the puck, but are also allowed to challenge the opposing defense rather than just shoot the puck in. This is much more fun to watch as a fan. As a hockey pooler, the change in systems has resulted in us now recommending players like Elias, Sykora and Oiler cast-off Jason Arnott early in your drafts. From the defense, Niedermayer and Rafalski are solid picks in rotisserie pools. Can’t argue with the on-ice results either. Under Robinson, the Devils won the cup last year. So do not be afraid of the Devils as we once recommended, but also be reasonable - don’t go picking Alexander Mogilny ahead of Jaromir Jagr. 

For Allison and Guerin (who arrived as a result of the coaching situation), life under Keenan means as much ice time as they can handle. They are hard workers and will fit right into the "Iron Mike's" mold. For guys like Thornton and Samsonov – watch out. Keenan plays favourites - plain and simple. Guys like Thornton and Samsonov, who have a rep for not working hard every night, are going to have to impress early or they could find themselves as Keenan’s new whipping boys. Just ask Brett Hull, Petr Nedved, and most notably Trevor Linden about the perils of the Keenan doghouse. As far as the goalies go, well, let’s just off the top that owners of both Dafoe and Skurda need to prepare themselves for a roller coaster ride, as Keenan shuttles them in and out of the nets as often as he chomps on those ice cubes during games.

Next Column: Systems and the success of the Vancouver Canucks and the failure of the Florida Panthers