So, All It Took For The Devils To Buy In Was For Management To Start Selling?

#Devils trade C Vern Fiddler to Predators for a fourth-round pick in 2017

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) February 4, 2017

I don't think the dismissal of a 36 year old, 4th line center with a grand total of three points on the season in exchange for a mid-round draft pick is what has inspired the Devils recent resurgence.   Come on now, give me some credit. On the other hand, I do think that trading away 50% of the competent face-off takers and one of the few experienced veterans on the team is an unspoken admission that the Devils' brass realize they will more than likely be sitting outside of the framework of the postseason picture this year.

So yeah, I do find it hilariously ironic that they decided to follow that news up with back-to-back wins. While the Devils were still mildly - and I do mean mildly - in contention the last few seasons they couldn't beat a bad Blue Jackets if you gave them a wooden spoon and a leather belt, but give them 90 minutes notice that they were officially made "sellers" by management and all the sudden they are spanking an upstart Columbus team like they broke a vase playing ball in the house. This team makes so little sense that the previous juxtaposition actually makes perfect sense. I mean, what kind of group would save a four game streak in which they took 7-of-8 points for the stretch immediately preceding their week long lay off? I'll tell you who, the New Jersey Devils who started the year unbeatable at home and now require damn near 40 shots and countless chances against a crappy Sabres team just to barely squeak out a win in Newark. I'll give them credit because they have played a much better brand of hockey as of late, but - Jesus Christ - did they have to wait for the time of year in which their front office became more concerned with compiling draft picks than points to do so?!