11/24/24
April 02, 2007
Devils fire Julien: Lou Lamorello once again installs himself behind the bench
This gets a giant wtf from me. Did Julien sleep with Brodeur's daughter, or is Lou just a megalomaniac?
posted by fabulon7 at 02:00 PM on April 02, 2007
I'm going with the latter.
posted by igottheblues at 02:03 PM on April 02, 2007
Yes, the Devils had a bit of a cold streak a few weeks back, losing four of five, including one to the Pens, but they were heating up for the season that counts. Maybe Lou blames Julien for Gionta's injury; offense tends to suffer when you put 50 goals, 24 of them on the PP on IR. Or maybe it's just part of a salute to partial team owner Steinbrenner as part of the 25th anniversary celebration.
posted by tahoemoj at 02:11 PM on April 02, 2007
what. the. fuck. lou?
posted by juv3nal at 02:18 PM on April 02, 2007
No need to worry, NoMich, I'm here. I'm not sure how much light I can shed on the subject though. Word around the sewing circle is that Lou and Claude had a disagreement behind closed doors. You know how it works in New Jersey, it's Lou's way or the highway. Hopefully, Lou will get Gomez to start earning that $5 million paycheck.
posted by MrFrisby at 02:33 PM on April 02, 2007
I've watched a few games of late, and someone has definitely put a bee in Gomez's bonnet. He's finally looking like a top-line NHL center.
posted by tahoemoj at 03:04 PM on April 02, 2007
This is the second time this has happend with him and the Devils. Maybe this is Lou's way of saying he coached a Stanley Cup winning team. Let someone else do the grunt work all season then take over right before playoffs.
posted by scottypup at 03:05 PM on April 02, 2007
Ridiculous. However, last time it worked. Worked like a charm. Though, I must suggest - Brodeur can make a whole bunch of dumbassery appear brilliant sometime in early June.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:36 PM on April 02, 2007
Well,I guess Lou can take the blame for the Devils not making it past the second round of the play-offs...(remember,you read it here first.)
posted by lucky no.13 at 03:41 PM on April 02, 2007
I've always hated the Devils,especially when they beat the Wings with that boring,pressing defense they had back in the 90's. However,they are a good team and this is just outrageous.I doubly hope they go down in flames in the playoffs.
posted by sickleguy at 04:07 PM on April 02, 2007
Tom Lycan has more details on this turn of events. However, Lou did not deny Mike's implication that it was partially done as a "shake-up," although he did deny that the firing was only done for a shake-up.
posted by MrFrisby at 04:15 PM on April 02, 2007
Why the hell do you "shake up" a team that has 100+ points and a playoff berth? The mid season struggles were because they lost key scorers to injuries. They were playing some minor leaguers due to salary constraints. Who's fault is the salary cap Lou?
posted by scottypup at 04:47 PM on April 02, 2007
I've watched a few games of late, and someone has definitely put a bee in Gomez's bonnet. He's finally looking like a top-line NHL center. Not in my eyes. He's become too predictable. 9 out of 10 times he's going to pass instead of shoot. Most defenses have learned this and play him accordingly. This has caused him to turn the puck over way too much. It's not that obvious because his turnovers are not ending up in the back of the net, and therefore the highlight reels. Heck, his last goal was a pass that a defenseman put in for him trying to block it. When Lou was coaching last year, he was encouraging Gomez to shoot more and Gomez ended up with a career high 33 goals. This year, under Julien, only 13. That's just Gomez. Look at Elias' and Gionta's numbers, they have both dropped off under Julien. It's harder to tell with those two because Elias has played a lot more games this season and Gionta has played a lot less, but I think the proof is there. Julien may have gotten enough out of these guys to win a bunch of regular season games, but somebody needs to get more of their potential out of them for the team to go far in the playoffs.
posted by MrFrisby at 05:34 PM on April 02, 2007
This also gets a big wtf from me. Since when does a coach get fired for being successful?, i'm a true blue Sabres fan, but also have always enjoyed the Devils. i was predicting those two teams in the conference finals...but now i dont know. Talk about killing a teams psych right before the playoffs. I wish them the best, and still hope to see them in the playoffs.
posted by french-connection at 06:27 PM on April 02, 2007
This move doesn't make much sense to me. I agree with fc in that this move may really mess with the team psych and chemistry. It'll be interesting to see how everything works out.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:17 PM on April 02, 2007
Thanks Ying Yang...let the hockey gods of chess continue!
posted by french-connection at 08:26 PM on April 02, 2007
I've always hated the Devils,especially when they beat the Wings with that boring,pressing defense they had back in the 90's. If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. The Wings can thank the left wing lock for half of their Cups. Sure you guys had more offense than NJ, but trapping is trapping. As far as Julien goes ( I never thought I'd say this about a Devils HC) Maybe the Flyers can pick him up. Perfect opportunity for revenge. (in a year or 2).
posted by Bishop at 08:36 AM on April 03, 2007
Yes, the Devils had a bit of a cold streak a few weeks back, losing four of five, including one to the Pens, but they were heating up for the season that counts have to take a little offense to the pens comment. This isn't last year. Last I checked we were tied in the division with the Devils and are now 1 point back. Hope they get used to the feeling of losing to Pittsburgh. They will get to do it 4 times in the playoffs soon enough
posted by Debo270 at 01:19 PM on April 03, 2007
french connection, Since when does a coach get fired for being successful? I think the best person to ask that question to is Marty Shottenheimer.
posted by Debo270 at 01:23 PM on April 03, 2007
Did Julien sleep with Brodeur's daughter Maybe he slept with Brodeur's sister-in-law. Oops, wait. That was Brodeur that did that.
posted by SummersEve at 02:20 PM on April 03, 2007
have to take a little offense to the pens comment No slight at all intended to the Pens. I happen to think they are one of the most offensively loaded, intimidating teams in recent history. My point was only that one of the recent losses came to a team that was challenging the Devils for the division title, making it more costly than the others. Hard to find too much to criticize about Sid and the boys without sounding like an idiot.
posted by tahoemoj at 04:38 PM on April 03, 2007
I don't get it. The Debs have cracked the 100 point mark and are safely ensconced into a playoff spot, and as of right now, they are the number two team in the East. However, ol' Lou has pretty much proven himself to be a great GM, so I trust he knows what he's doing here. Calling MrFrisby.