New Jersey Devils Playoff Report Card

Friend of The Hockey Guys, Chris Wassel of The Program, breaks down the New Jersey Devils playoff performances and gives his player report card.

by Chris Wassel

We decided to dress this up a little different and go based straight on the playoffs.  After all kids, would you expect anything less from a certified crazy Devils fan?  I did not think so.  Here is what we are going to do.  Being fair and balanced as much as we can with our usual drop the haymaker style, we will not grade every single player.  It would be unethical to do so.  Instead we give you the key vital players you need to form the world’s most obvious opinion of a team that vastly underachieved in the playoffs again.

Now from the home office somewhere in a stuffy cubicle in New Jersey, here is your New Jersey Devils Playoff Report Card.

2009-10 Devils Playoff Report Card
Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) — I still maintain Kovalchuk, at times, seemed to be the only player genuinely concerned with winning out there.  The only one not rattled by the weird and curious officiating all series against Philly.  Not surprisingly, Kovalchuk let the Devils with 6 points in 5 games and was the main catalyst in their Game 2 win against Philadelphia.  The problem became when Jacques Lemaire went public and made the mistake of chastising the Russian forward.  That is NOT what you do to someone with limited playoff experience.  Kovalchuk was not quite the same player after and some will say that is why the Devils went out so meekly in five but the left winger still showed heart, effort, and a two way game that surprised many.  The Devils best player on a team of many disappointments.  GRADE:  B+

Brian Rolston (LW) — I am one of the few that thought Rolston’s contributions were more than valuable.  Yes all of his points (3) were scored via the man advantage but he played harder than he did in last year’s playoffs and that is progress.  His two way play was solid for the most part and if a few of those bombs had found their target, maybe it would have been a different series.  Who knows.  Either way, Rolston had a better second year in his second stint than most thought and maybe this is a springboard depending on what shakes this summer.  He was probably the second best player on the ice for New Jersey though some will debate that vociferously.  GRADE:  B

Patrik Elias (LW,C) — For all the great passing, Elias is at his best when the shots hit the net and the twine behind the goalie.  I am not a kind grader in the least so my wrath is universal here.  Four points, all assists, in five games is not bad but there is a reason why the Devils did not get it done.  That is because Elias was not scoring on the man advantage like he normally does.  Remember that sweep against the Rangers?  It seemed Elias was a man possessed that round finding open players and potting some goals.  That did not happen in this postseason.  The bottom line is Elias is not getting any younger at 34 and there are concerns his age and disease are catching up to him.  Both of those are not very good signs.  GRADE:  B-

Andy Greene (D) — I expected a bit more from Greene as he had a stretch in the middle of the season that made you think the Devils found their offensive defensemen but maybe it was just too much to ask.  Greene did have a goal and assist in the playoffs.  However, he had a rather disappointing 8 shots on goal.  I kind of expected a bit more.  He is still young and expect as he gets more experience with some old vets being put out to pasture, that the poise and ability will grow.  These experiences are ones you build from and not cower away from.  Andy Greene will likely be a top pairing d-man or a 3 next year in New Jersey.  He has that kind of potential   GRADE:  B-

Zach Parise (C) — This is where it starts hurting.  Parise was snakebitten most of this series and it really could not have come at a worse time.  Yes he had four points but only one goal and well the Devils needed goals and not assists.  Nine goals in five games is horrid especially when you score five in one game.  Parise did have 20 shots on goal but that 5% shooting percentage is well below career averages.  You do not get contract extensions with playoff performances like this.  Parise will have to play better next year or that golden pot may not come anytime soon.  GRADE:  C+

Travis Zajac (C,LW) — Another disappointment amongst many.  Only two points in the series for Travis and really he was a non-factor throughout.  With another solid season, you would have expected a carryover but that was not the case.  The Flyers forwards neutralized Zajac quite well and he really was never allowed to get in the game so to speak.  Chris Pronger practically took his head off a few times as well.  One time in particular in Game 3 and literally Zajac vanished before our eyes.  He was pretty good up until then too which was a shame.  He could have been useful.  GRADE:  C

Rob Niedermayer (C) — It just gets ugly but Niedermayer did do his job for the most part as the checking line player.  The problem is hardly anyone else did theirs.  He was brought in to slow down the other team’s best players and for awhile that happened.  Then it all fell apart and sadly every Devil looked like he had lost a step including Niedermayer.  The passion seemed to wane by Game 5 though a brave fight was put up.  Niedermayer is one of those players that you need on a team and sure it would have been nice if one of those glorious chances went in but let’s not be picky here.  GRADE:  C

David Clarkson (RW) — This one HURT.  Clarkson was expected to be the wildcard and get some points in this series but instead David went backwards and just took a bunch of penalties.  No points will do that and 22 PIMS.  When you expect more shots on net and they do not come, that hurts too.  But Clarkson did TRY and maybe too hard at that.  Sometimes pressing just leads to more mistakes and clearly Clarkson was just giving it all without thought.  Call it a lesson learned and maybe next year he figures out less is more in the playoffs because the Devils are going to need him.  GRADE:  C-

Paul Martin (D) — I thought maybe Martin would save his season (injury plagued I know) in the playoffs but he did not.  Some will say you have to resign Martin at a higher salary.  I almost say he should be thankful if he takes a slight cut for a year to prove himself again.  He did NOTHING during the playoffs and I mean no points and five shots.  That is not good enough for a supposedly top defenseman.  Sorry Devil fans but injury or no injury, Martin was a dud in the playoffs and the Devils are not feared from the blue line.  GRADE: D

After this it got real ugly….and maybe unfairly so……..

Colin White, Mike Mottau, Bryce Salvador, and Martin Skoula (D) — All defensemen who just are not good enough to be in the NHL at this point.  White scored a fluky goal in the playoffs but blocked two for NJ in Game 5 because “Big Bird” can’t see well enough.  He should not be playing.  Salvador has lost too many steps.  Mottau cannot pass the puck to save his life and Skoula well we will blame Jacques Lemaire.  It all adds up to a defensive corps that is about as useful as rotted rat excrement.  Simply put, failure is personified here.  GRADE:  F

Jamie Langenbrunner (RW) — Simply the captain failed his team and that is all I will say about that!  GRADE: F(ail)-U

The rest of the roster shall get incompletes as it was unfair to assess their playoff performance from limited duty.

Chris Wassel is the director of The Hockey Program. You can check out his “hockey program” Sunday and Wednesday night’s on Blog Talk Radio by visiting The Hockey Program BTR.