It’s been quite a season for the Devils, hasn’t it? We went from the euphoria of the Kovalchuk signing to the despair of the Kovalchuk signing rescinding, from the stratospheric highs of the first 18 minutes of the first period of the first game of the season to the immeasurable depths of the rest of the first half of the season, from the repulsive sucktitude of the MacLean Era to the “wait, when did they get good“-itude of the Lemaire 3.0 Era, and then from the “stranger things have happened! We can still make the playoffs! Wait, stranger things haven’t happened? Um… I still believe!” post-Langenbrunner run to the “well, that ended with a whimper” coming-up-short. It’s hard to believe this all happened in just the last six months. And it’s hard to sum it up in one post-mortem. Who do you blame? Who do you praise? What’s the predominant narrative angle?
For us, the overarching storyline is all about Chuckles. First, we Chucklesdoodled when he signed with the Devils. Then we sat in stunned silence when his contract was voided. Then we gave the Devils a piece of our mind for so cravenly preying on our Chucklesthusiasm. When the season fell out of the gate with the dull thud of a cold corpse, we made Chuckles cocktails. When Schnookie got a flat tire during our December advent-calendar themed series, we said it was the Kovalchuk day. Even now, when we really have nothing left to say about the Devils, it still seems to us to be the Chuckles Story. As it began, so should it end. Which is why we can eulogize this season in the most Chuckles-appropriate way possible:
A little song/A little dance/A little seltzer down our pants.
Gentle Reader, the 2010-2011 New Jersey Devils.
Nice Mary Richards reference.
Another job well done. The Devils don’t deserve you. Let’s hope for a playoff season that will be entertaining and a little bit ridiculous, and for a summer of successful gardening until the puck drops next September.
Aw, thanks Tram! Looking at the EC playoff matchups, I can’t say I’m optimistic that it’s going to be entertaining (which means I’m counting on the west — bring it, Ducks!), but it’s not at all surprising to hear I’m not optimistic, right? :P (Meanwhile, I’m definitely optimistic for the garden. April is the vegetable gardener’s version of early October for hockey fans. All I can see is what good could come from the season. :D)
April is the vegetable gardener’s version of early October for hockey fans. All I can see is what good could come from the season.
So true. We paid a relative fortune for five snail flower seeds. Snail flowers are a very, very rare heirloom that Jefferson grew at Monticello. Part of the reason they’re so rare is that the germination rate for seeds is really low. And yup, that’s right, none of our five seeds have germinated. I think they’re the Chuckleses of the 2011 Maple Hoo Garden. Maybe we should be watering them with seltzer.
So sorry, Ookies! Who could have seen this season coming for The Devils? :-( Oh, maybe fortune teller, Boomer did.
Also I remember Kovalchuk day like it was yesterday.
Rather than golf, you guys can devote your time to making more quilts, petting the kitties and, of course, watering the heirloom Chuckleses. Maple Hoo Garden will be amazing this year, I’m sure!
Also, whose heads are going to roll on the management team for the Devils, I wonder? Or the players for that matter? Half off Chuckles for 2011/2012 sale?
Also, whose heads are going to roll on the management team for the Devils, I wonder?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That’d be the day! Sigh. Oh well. They managed to eke out some respectability from this season (even if they erased all the fans’ goodwill with today’s loss), so I don’t think any heads will roll. It’ll be interesting to see who the coach is going to be, though. I sure hope they run it past Boomer first.
And thanks for all the happy “the off-season at stately IPB Manor is FUN!” thoughts. It is gonna be a good summer, I just know it!
“the off-season at stately IPB Manor is FUN!” thoughts. It is gonna be a good summer, I just know it!
Totes! Wow. Summer! It’s nearly here!
Summer! It’s nearly here!
It came early for us, hockey-wise! :D (It seems a hundred thousand years away, weather-wise, though. Yeesh. This spring is taking forever to get itself into gear!)
The season was a bum note, this is true, and I’m happy for it to be over. But I can’t wait to start next season with a raging Tedenboner.
But I can’t wait to start next season with a raging Tedenboner.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Season of the Chuckles ended with a little seltzer down our pants. The Season of the Tedenboner? Can only end with A LOT of seltzer down our pants. Ifyouknowwhatimean.
And no, I don’t know what I mean.
Is that an eel in your pocket, or are you just happy to see Tedenby?
BORK BORK…….BORK? *Raises eyebrow*
Also, whose heads are going to roll on the management team for the Devils, I wonder?
Speaking of stuff like this, would someone like to take a shot at explaining what happened over the weekend in Ottawa? I can understand axing the coaching staff, but giving the GM a 3-year extension…I think in the case of that mess, they are all responsible, including the guy who supplied the players. And he gets to stay?
Also, they axed the coach in Florida. I’d really like to see someone try and do better with, well, not much of anything except a starting goalie. Clearly, the GM and ownership are delusional. Also, they claim they aren’t rebuilding. Well, if they aren’t, exactly what are they doing? Suddenly hypnotizing all the players on the roster and convincing them that they are Gretzky, Mario, Bobby Orr, etc., in their prime?
Suddenly hypnotizing all the players on the roster and convincing them that they are Gretzky, Mario, Bobby Orr, etc., in their prime?
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Seriously, it’s really hard to figure how the coaches are getting the whole of the blame and the GMs are getting off scot-free in those cities. (Pookie just floated that the Devils could pick up Pete DeBoer now, though…)
BORK BORK…….BORK? *Raises eyebrow*
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Iron Eel is so coy.
So, it finally dawned on Chico that NJ needs to score more next season…I wonder what brought that on?
Now that he’s a fan of a championship NCAA team, he’s like, “Ohhhhh… the point is to win more games than everyone else!”
I am very amused by the predicament the Hawks landed themselves in. Hee. This is going to be the longest afternoon EVER for them.
Let’s go, Devils! Everybody wins if the Bruins have to go into the post-season off a loss.
My proposed future plan for Jacques is for him to just stay on call as the Devils’ replacement coach midway through every season. He can be the new Lou, stepping in to replace the inevitably fired head coach for stretches of time anywhere as long as the entire second half or as short as the final three games.
I agree. Also, I wonder if there comes a point where his wife gets tired of having him around, so it will be perfect if she decides she wants a break.
Maybe Jacques can just do the press conferences. Because other than Pat Burns, we haven’t had anyone this entertaining.
Also, I wonder if there comes a point where his wife gets tired of having him around, so it will be perfect if she decides she wants a break.
Yeah! The best situation for everyone involved is OBVIOUSLY to give Jacques a feeling of having a leisurely retirement that he can spend lolling around Quebec with his family, and then getting him back out of the house again for, at most, half of a season. There’s no way the Devils want him coaching for a full year, and there’s no way his family wants him around for a full year either. :D
Sue, I think that’s a great idea! I’ve loved his spunky, pithy comments to TG this season, too, so he can do that.
I bet our new coach next year is Robbie Ftorek. Or Larry Robinson. :P
Or Larry Robinson standing on Ftorek’s shoulders, wearing a really long trench coat.
Or Larry Robinson standing on Ftorek’s shoulders, wearing a really long trench coat.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Definitely! What they lack in coaching skill they make up for in height.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Definitely! What they lack in coaching skill they make up for in height.
If it’s either one of those guys, someone will have to arrange to have Lou removed, and hospitalized – and protected from the fan base.
I think most of the selection process will be either figuring out who Kovalchuk will accept, or convincing Kovalchuk that whoever they choose isn’t MacLean Mark II
If it’s either one of those guys, someone will have to arrange to have Lou removed, and hospitalized – and protected from the fan base.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And yeah, they’re going to have to run the new coaching decision past Kovalchuk… but only after running it past Boomer. Heh.
Also, I wonder if there comes a point where his wife gets tired of having him around, so it will be perfect if she decides she wants a break.
Sir Alex Ferguson tried to retire from being the coach of Manchester United years ago only for his wife to tell him she wasn’t having him around the house all day. He’s still coaching and I think it’s been 8 or 9 years since then.
It’s my theory that the reason Bobby Clarke resigned from the GM job with the Flyers and was “re-hired” as some kind of a ficticious VP about 2 weeks later was that his wife wasn’t used to having him home, called Ed Snider and threatened to do something desperate if they didn’t take him off her hands.
Most of these wives just aren’t used to seeing that much of their husbands. Not only that, but if these guys have been coaching for years, I can just see it when the season starts – they start trying to organize everything at home. I’m sure that goes over really well.
I can just see it when the season starts – they start trying to organize everything at home. I’m sure that goes over really well.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I bet it’s all kind of unconscious on their parts, though, like when Babe the pig is sorting the chickens on Farmer Hoggett’s farm.
Today was a real let down, but would like to congratulate Grrrrreg on being the Superleage champion.
Guess it just goes to prove that circumventors do win. Is there no justice with the hockey gods?
That Superleague.
they start trying to organize everything at home. I’m sure that goes over really well.
It gets worse around Thanksgiving, when they start demoting family members to the kid’s table and bringing up youngsters to see how they can handle the higher level of conversation.
Good morning everyone!
Did you see Nordique Nation on TV? It was really strange having them at the game, but they helped make things fun and interesting.
Also, In the final few minutes of the game, everyone was on their feet screaming and cheering like crazy, in a “let’s bury the hatchet and start fresh next season- it’s all good” kind of way. And they they gave up a goal. Turds!
Finally, a bunch of the shitheads bolted for the lockerroom, and one of them (I think it was Mair) thought it would be nice to come to center ice and salute the fans. So the ones who didn’t make it to lockerroom in time had to follow his lead and salute us.
It was really strange having them at the game, but they helped make things fun and interesting.
I did see that Nordiques Nation also has a Wookiee population, as there was one person dressed as Chewy in a Nordiques sweater. Why someone feels the need to dress like Chewy at a hockey game, I do not understand.
Guess it just goes to prove that circumventors do win. Is there no justice with the hockey gods?
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s a good lesson for us all.
bringing up youngsters to see how they can handle the higher level of conversation.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And there’s the line-shifting coaches who make everyone at the table get at and move seats every few minutes.
So the ones who didn’t make it to lockerroom in time had to follow his lead and salute us.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Guess Mair won’t be back next season. He clearly doesn’t think like a Devil.
No one should ever dress like Chewy, period!
Also, they had giveaways and such, and like 10 people won “grand” prizes. They showed each person on the big screen and revealed to them what they won. Some guy won Taylor Swift tickets, and the look on his face was priceless. Meanwhile, someone else won season tickets. Totally equivalent prizes there.
Ok, *now* I’m luxuriating in my coast-to-coast domination of the AmazingLeague.
Congrats to you Frisby!
I gotta say, FH was fun and I will definitely play next year!
After much negotiation and the assurance he wouldn’t have to answer any questions from Chico, Lemaire has announced he will be coaching my fantasy team next year.
I have to chime in on the coach firings too in Minnesota and Florida. Both owners are idiots, I don’t know what they expect when there are basically no good players in Minnesota or Florida.
Good news, everyone! Frisby Bowl IV is now open for business! Deadline to submit your picks is Wednesday 7:15pm EDT.
I can’t believe the playoffs took me from 1st to 8th place in the Superleague. Is this what the Caps feel like?
I left the Ice Trolls completely up to Dave this year and we finish second. By far the best they have ever done. Clearly, I make a much better silent owner.
As to the coach firings, I’m wistfully hoping that it gives GM Joe some ideas but I’m not going to hold my breath.
Myra, it’s not the Stars’ coach’s fault…it’s Jamie’s!
Would that it were only that Pam, sigh.
ATTENTION EVERYONE, I’m about to brag.
Wooohooo, bow down to the 2011 Superleague Champ!!
*throws confetti*
Hum. Okay, you can stop bowing… Please get up, it’s awkward now.
It’s weird I was really “meeeh” about my team all season long, but for some reason they suddenly became unbeatable in the playoffs. Wait, could that be an omen for the habs?? YES I’m sure that’s what it is! :P
Joe can’t fire Crawford until after Lou hires someone. I don’t want the slightest danger that Lou might be blinded by Crawford’s hair and hire him.
Lemaire has announced he will be coaching my fantasy team next year.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WOOOOOOOO FRISBY BOWL! I’m so excited to make up for my fourth place Superleague finish! I’m assuming that’s where I ended up. I’m afraid to look.
After much negotiation and the assurance he wouldn’t have to answer any questions from Chico, Lemaire has announced he will be coaching my fantasy team next year.
Jacques is too easy. He didn’t insist that Stan Fischler be banned too?
Wow, I stopped bothering with my fantasy team after the first week and I didn’t come last.
Frisby Bowl will go better.
Good news, everyone! Frisby Bowl IV is now open for business
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Nothing like getting over your own teams failure by predicting the failure of those hated teams. At least I won’t be sucked in and rate the Devils too high this year.
Joe can’t fire Crawford until after Lou hires someone. I don’t want the slightest danger that Lou might be blinded by Crawford’s hair and hire him.
Crow’s hair is the only way he might blind anyone. Sure wouldn’t be that he has “dazzling” coaching skills. Bleh.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Nothing like getting over your own teams failure by predicting the failure of those hated teams. At least I won’t be sucked in and rate the Devils too high this year.
Good point, Dear. Devils aren’t going to fool me this year!
Um. Yeah.
I think I’m going with picking the teams I dislike the least to win and work my way up. Oh. wait. That’s what I did last year and it didn’t turn out so well. Meh. I’ll probably do it again because I just can’t stand picking teams I hate to win.
Devils aren’t going to fool me this year!
Haha! Me neither!
My picks are in for Frisby Bowl!
I can’t believe the playoffs took me from 1st to 8th place in the Superleague. Is this what the Caps feel like?
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! FRISBY BOWL! I’m TOTALLY going to win this year with my tried-and-true “pick the Sharks to win it all — they can’t keep losing ALL the time, can they?” technique.
I think I’m going with picking the teams I dislike the least to win and work my way up.
I may have to do the same thing. Since 25% of the teams in the playoffs are divisional rivals, this isn’t going to be easy. The ducks have been hot but don’t know that I can pick them since I so want them to lose.
I can’t even imagine wanting the Ducks to lose. They’re just so dreamy! :P
I can’t even imagine wanting the Ducks to lose. They’re just so dreamy!
If by dreamy you mean the Rangers of the West, then yes they are.
Man the Peons really crashed and burned at the end of the season. So much for my fantasy hockey success.
But clearly I’ll be doing much better in Frisby Bowl. Despite the fact that I don’t actually even know what teams are in the playoffs this year.
If by dreamy you mean the Rangers of the West, then yes they are.
Getzi: “Burn.” (Poor Getzi. He’s so misunderstood. :P)
And that’s the spirit, Meg! Ignorance should never stand in the way of Frisby Bowl success!
(Poor Getzi. He’s so misunderstood. :P)
It’s his shirts…when they fall off, they start spreading rumors. They feel rejected.
I can’t even imagine wanting the Ducks to lose. They’re just so dreamy!
I’m pretty sure I picked the Ducks for dead last.
*checks*
Yep.
It’s his shirts…when they fall off, they start spreading rumors. They feel rejected.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: You’d think they’d be used to it by now, but he just sounds so damn insincere when he says “It’s not you, it’s me,” as they’re slipping to the ground.
I’m pretty sure I picked the Ducks for dead last.
*checks*
Yep.
::GLARES::
Lemaire will be back coaching the first time he tells his wife she’s out of shape.