Chris Wassel is among those on the forefront of Devils hockey writing in the NHL blogosphere. Currently writing for Todays Slap Shot, Chris has some impressive writing credentials, having contributed for The Hockey Writers, Fantasy Hockey X, and several other notable sites. He provides some unique perspective on all aspects of the Devils that you can’t find anywhere else and I was very fortunate for Chris to shed some of his input on where the Devils are at, along with a few other NHL-related matters.

I want to personally thank Chris again for taking the time out of his busy schedule to answer some of my questions. Make sure to read Chris’ articles on www.todaysslapshot.com and to follow him on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS.

 

On the Devils…

While we all know Eric Gelinas for his booming shot, his defensive play clearly leaves a lot to be desired. I think two ways he could partially make up for his defensive shortcomings is starting to utilize his body or his extensive reach with his stick, which he could use to cause more turnovers and takeaways. Which of these two playing attributes would you like to see Gelinas improve on most?

The biggest thing is Gelinas just has to become more sound position wise and spacing. One does not need that much speed to accomplish that. Also, it comes down to simply paying attention better. He has been guilty of having significant mental lapses in games. Gelinas does have to utilize his reach better but defensively he can improve though skating will never be his strongest suit.

 

Last year, the Devils finished with the 8^th-best power play (19.3%). In one of your recent articles, you pointed out how those numbers have dipped in the preseason. Where do you think this revamped Devils team stands in terms of being able to convert on man-advantage situations going into the season?

Part of that had to do with the comings and goings of preseason. Also, remember that it is a small sample size with really only one full game for the starting lineup. Even strength, there is no doubt that New Jersey has serious issues but as the losses pile up, one has to wonder if the crisis of confidence spreads to the power play. When one averages it out, New Jersey still has potential to finish pretty high because they generate so few chances. They will likely be in the bottom five as far as chances but around 12^th-15^th when it comes to conversion percentage.

 

On October 6^th, the Devils announced they’ll be retiring Martin Brodeur’s No. 30 on February 9^th, and will be erecting a statue of him in front of the Prudential Center. There are still some fans that took his departure from the organization personally, and felt he was obligated to return once he retired. Making this a two-part question, what would your message be to the sect of fans still holding this grudge, and what is your best Brodeur memory?

First things first, why hold a grudge at this point? When Ray Shero took over as General Manager, the writing was on the wall for Lou Lamoriello which meant a job in the organization was not happening anytime soon. Brodeur signed a new three year deal with St. Louis as the assistant to the GM. The message is simple. There will be a series of events with Marty. He will probably have some kind of statue erected. It will be okay.

My best Brodeur memory is one probably very few know about and it is not even on the ice. The team used to hold a team dinner every year at old Mayfair Farms in West Orange. In 1995, it was quite amusing to see the players as servers, greeters, and bartenders. Basically the all world goalie happened to be our bartender for the evening. It was amazing to just sit back at the bar downing shots while talking to the Stanley Cup Champion. Enough stories were exchanged that night to probably fill a small book. It was partly why I got into writing in the first place. The give and take was a draw I could never deny.

 

Around the league…

Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are entering their tenth seasons in the league. Both have been regarded as this hockey era’s equivalent of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. What’s the biggest difference in today’s game that would have the biggest effect on Lemieux and Gretzky’s careers if they played their first decades in the modernized NHL?

It has to be the speed. The cliché that players are faster and stronger is 100% true. However, there is something that has to be understood as to why scoring is so spread out and that is the balanced scoring theory. It dictates that teams see their fourth lines total higher and higher point tallies these days. The days of 100+ point players in abundance seems to be over in the short and maybe longer term as well. That being said, Gretzky and Lemieux probably could still get 100+ but not 150+.

 

The Sabres, Oilers, Sharks, and Hurricanes were three big winners in the goalie market this offseason. Which of these three do you think is in the best shape between the pipes going into the season, and vice versa?

This is one where I would love to say none of the above but it may be Buffalo since they seem the best out of the three at developing goalie prospects. Now the Hurricanes may have Eddie Lack but the Hurricanes seem determined to keep starting Cam Ward as much as possible. As for the Oilers, Cam Talbot is a nice addition but Edmonton’s defense still spaces out like an ECHL team at times. They also have significant issues scoring which makes them the ones in the worst boat at the moment.