Why do people say the Devils ruin hockey?

Question

People always complain that the Devils are bad for hockey. Why? Because they don't fall into the Bettman mind-set of 7-5 hockey games throughout the season? Because they believe in a defense-first approach? Because they are perennial contenders?

Honestly, I don't get it. The Devils contend year-in, year-out, and even without Stevens, Neidermayer, and Daneyko on defense, Marty is still playing his best hockey ever.

Just an edit, some of the Devils games lately (Rangers, Penguins) have been some of the best, most exciting hockey I have seen, with great back and forth action, despite low scoring.

Boring? You don't need 10 goals in a game to make hockey exciting.

Answer 1

No one argues with the results the Devils have had over the past 14 years (four Stanley Cup finals, three wins; a Norris trophy for Scott Niedermayer, some Vezinas for Martin Broduer, a Calder for Scott Gomez, three Conn Smythes, etc.). I think people are turned off by the way the results are achieved, via the neutral zone trap. The all-for-team concept the Devils have is nice, but...they have yet to have a 100 point scorer in their team history (Patrick Elias had 96 points in 2000-01), or even a 50 goal scorer (Brain Gionta had 48 last season). Broduer is the best goalie of his generation, and among the five best to ever play the game. Until the Devils develop an offensive superstar who can put the butts in the seats and thrill fans across North America, then people are going to routinely criticize the Devils.

Answer 2

Watch a Devils game on TV. You can see more empty seats then filled seats. That is with the camera that follows the action too. The Devils are a good team and they are contenders every year but they still can't fill the seats. That right there shows the way they play the game is boring even to there own fans. They have a hard time filling playoff games too. The worst team in the league would be able to sell out during the playoffs. They do have exciting games here and there but they aren't that often. That is why people say they are ruining the game when they can't even attract there own fans. As a side note I think there attendance will rise once they are in their new arena.

Answer 3

The Devils (and the Stars too) command games with low-scoring and tightly defensive games. People must hate this because I read this all the time on hockey blogs.

Personally, I love good defense and goaltending. The Devils and the Stars succeed at this and do it without the trap and the dump and chase. I know I am in a small minority but when I see a sure-goal being blocked or swept away or caught with a reaching glove my heart is pumping like nothing else.

Both of these teams win their divisions and always go to the post-season. I think fans of teams like Buffalo and Annaheim are baffled when their teams can score 7 goals in a night and then be shut out or only have one goal when they meet these teams. It just reminds me of play-off hockey.

Answer 4

I personally like an open, very fast skating and hard hitting style of hockey. The Devils style of game... especially in previous years was more restrictive and focussed on bottling up and restricting the flow of their opponents. I think this is of course a very valid way to play the game.. it's a very defensive team oriented approach but it's just not a style I really enjoy watching as much. I do appreciate that it takes skill and dedication and teamwork to be good at this and certainly to their credit (the Dallas Stars can also be included in this as well) they achieved great success playing this way.

I'd love to see a team play again like the Oilers did in the 80's.. maybe a little less wide open than that but with that same energy and intensity and free flow.

There's always a balance to be achieved... opposing game philosophies that focus either first and foremost on strong offensive strategies with defense still very important but secondary or the styles which focus first and foremost on defense with offensive chances then arising from other teams breakdowns caused by strong defensive pressure.

Answer 5

The reason people say the New Jersey Devils ruin hockey is that when they beat Bad Bet Bettmans Detroit Red Wings in 94-95. with a system that required players that play together as a team first. over the over-hyped and glorified superstars. It taught people that the team sport is more imporant than what superstar you have on your team. To this day the teams that have been in the finals or have won the finals are teams that play the best team defence and have a good goalie. That alot of Rangers fans are jealous of Martin Broduer success and lengthy staying on top his game and they haven't a consistant goaltender since richter.

Answer 6

Because someone has to complain about something. These are EXACTLY the same people who will tell you the game is too wide open and there are too many breakways. They will NEVER be happy.

The trap is ONE possible strategy. Some teams have the personnel to make it work; some don't. It is not and end-all and be-all way to win. Even at the highest levels, a lot of mistakes are made on Defense, and teams with Crosbys, Ovechkins and Thorntons will capitalize on them, trap or no trap. And as you pointed out, the Goaltending has more than just a little to do with it. Goalies that win games that their teams had no business winning are very exciting. And yes, I mean Brodeur too.

Answer 7

Its just peoples opinion. I went to the game last Tuesday in Pittsburgh and it was a great game. Both teams played really good defense. Devils won 1-0. Disappointing that the home team didnt win, but getting to see Brodeur in action was worth the price of admission. He really is something else. The object of any sport is to win..is it the most exciting hockey? No but they get the wins. Is the low scoring why they dont pack the house every night? Possibly

KEEP THE PENS IN THE BURGH!!

Answer 8

Because people really don't want to see games controlled by the dump and chase. I'd rather see a 1-0 game that features some scoring chances that are fed of skill rather than a lucky bounce here or there. And that is what the trap does - it negates any offensive skill involved in the game by positioning, and necessitates luck. It'd be like if someone could create an NFL defense that can cover every play without changing anything.

Besides, they players the Devils have and had, they could compete in a traditional style defesnive game just as well.

Answer 9

They play the trap like not other team in hockey, certainly they take the excitement out of the game, they do make the game boring. But hell keeping the other team off the scoreboard is their job and they are quite effective at it. I don't think there ruining the game one bit as a matter of fact its a different way or playing the game. Even the Calgary Flames are playing the trap but not as good. Bettman is an idiot if anything is ruining the game it's him

Answer 10

most of the time it is because of the low scoring. hockey fans are a majority of people who either enjoy pretty goals or once were players and scored. I am a goalie so i love the stars and the devils because of their defensive approach. To me there is nothing better than a great goalie save. I would take a low scoring game with great goalie saves over a high scoring game any day.