What’s Wrong With The Devils?

The past 48 hours have been busy here in Devils land. Everyone is asking “What’s wrong with the Devils?” Don’t know if there’s one answer, but the press wires and scoresheets have been busy.

Working backwards:

Larry Robinson resigns as the Devils’ coach. Whether or not the team’s woes are due to his action or inaction, coaching was putting him under so much stress that he’s been sick. Sick enough to bench Gomer and Mogs over the weekend. I expect the next red & black coach to have all the bedside manner of Herb Brooks.

Vlad Malakhov has announced his “retirement,” which I read as his ability to leave the team with grace. Dan McGillis, who was waived, was un-waived, and Tommy Albelin may rejoin the team. Where-oh-where is David Hale now that we need him? Albany is for politicians, not blue liners.

Saint Patrik was on the ice today. Sick no more, ready for mo’sick hockey. We missed you, Mr. Elias. Patty should find out where Marty Brodeur has been eating lately, because he could use a few extra pounds too.

Our little Devils ended a league points drought that went back to mid-November. They did so in fashion, tying the third-place team in an away game, coming back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to earn the league point. It was youth hockey the way it is meant to be played – hard but clean hits, lots of shots, great goaltending, solid defense, crisp passing, and glove taps after each shift.

I rounded out my weekend-as-Frosty by skating at the public sessions on Saturday and joining the DareDevils, our special needs hockey program, for some fun hockey and pictures. If I was looking for a moment to capture the spirit of the holiday season, it happened on Saturday morning when I discovered that one of our DareDevils has been selected for a mainstream youth hockey team. There’s no better evidence that good things happen if you believe in yourself and work hard.

I think that’s what’s wrong with the big Devils.