UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Two Minutes, Well Worth It

And After All That Losing, The New Jersey Devils Somehow Ended Up The Big Winner

4/29/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

Here's how the drama unfolded. #NHLDraftLottery

Story: https://t.co/oUBhvu6MHo pic.twitter.com/YPoiNBSyCF

— NHL (@NHL) April 30, 2017

Bear with me here, because it's inherently difficult to put speechlessness into writing. I am fully aware of how depressing the following is, but - barring the Taylor Hall trade - the Devils haven't given their fanbase a thrill like this since the 2012 Cup run. Five years and the most exhilarating moment was winning gold in the 'Special Olympics' of sucking by the literal bounce of a ball. Teams have certainly gone through worse droughts, but ask the one guy that has made New Jersey's woes seem slightly less cataclysmic (Cory Schneider) and I bet he'd tell you this feels like stumbling upon an open spring in the middle of the Sahara. As someone that probably spent well over $1,000 on overpriced beer in a half empty arena to numb the pain caused by pathetic hockey, I can certainly echo that sentiment.

So spare me with the "this draft sucks anyway" nonsense. Not because it's completely untrue, but because the ignorant falsehood that the Devils somehow lucked/sucked into a Connor McDavid-esque revitalization isn't what has me excited. Hell, the prospect of having an NHL-ready franchise center (whether it be Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier) get cooking without prep time isn't even what has me wishing it was October already. The thing that has me absolutely giddy is what winning the lottery does for the Devils' immediate future.

This offseason was already setting up to be more productive than anything that took place on 'Prudential Center' ice this year. By all indications, Ray Shero has been working up towards this summer and I don't mean he's been spending a little extra time in the gym on his glamour muscles. He's been shredding contractual obligations and bulking up on draft picks, and the expansion draft has provided him the perfect excuse to pop his proverbial top off and flex on those who have been a little too gluttonous in their roster construction. There were already lop-sided trades to be made and overpaid signings to be negotiated. Mix in a potential return of a Russian lightning rod and the Devils' wealth of assets was starting to look like it could render the most elementary ideals of Communism moot.

That was before they had a ready made talent - that will hopefully be a seamless fit in the middle of their top six - fall right into their fucking lap. Last year's first round pick - Mike McLeod - is on an absolute tear in the OHL playoffs, seems destined for an expedited NHL arrival, and has been regulated to the back page of the organizational news. As far as icing a team that is leaps and bounds closer to contending than the hopeless, defenseless debacle that was this year's New Jersey Devils, having the first overall pick - even in a "meh" draft - is a goddamned God-send. I would pull all caution from the wind and say that these next few months could create the "perfect storm", but with the sky looking a little bluer, the sun shining a little brighter, and the birds chirping a little louder...I think I'm just going to take the day to revel in hockey-induced happiness that seems long overdue.

Let's save the never-ending Nolan/Nico debate for a later date. Not only because I have changed my mind on the matter about 25 times in the last 12 hours, but because I think I speak for a majority of Devils' fans when I say that my head isn't exactly clear. It's clouded by the number crunching necessary to understand the defiance of 91.5% odds. 8.5% baby, eight point fucking five percent.

8.5% pic.twitter.com/WVJ07R3Nwv

— Robbie Fulton (@misconduct_22) April 30, 2017

​P.S. Special thanks to Taylor Hall. That's the type of guy you need with you at the craps table. The haunting feeling of deja-vu probably awoke him from a dead sleep in a cold sweat upwards of a dozen times last night, but hopefully Ray Shero uses the leverage at his disposal to put a rabbit's foot in the rear of his PTSD...

Officially adding "NHL lottery ball specialist" to my hockey resume.

— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) April 30, 2017

P.P.S. Realllllly makes ya think...

On Jan. 15, Devils beat Canucks in OT. If Vancouver wins that game, the teams switch spots and they win lottery. Guess who scored OT winner?

— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) April 30, 2017
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Dumbest-of-the-stupid
    Footy Fisticuffs Etc
    Hardball
    Hoops
    Jersey's Team
    Pigskin
    Pop Cultured
    Puck
    Scarlet-knights
    Who Dat Nation

    Archives

    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy