Devils: What Can Lou Do?
New Jersey in a goaltending crisis -- real or imagined?
Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 10:30 AMYou don't want to be Lou Lamoriello; that is, unless you like migraine headaches. And if the Devils boss doesn't have one now, then – by all normal standards – he certainly should.
With his team in Washington on Friday night to meet the white-hot Capitals in a home-and-homer that concludes Saturday in Newark, Double L must decide whether to allow his team to continue using the Number Two-Three goaltending tandem of Kevin Weekes-Scott Clemmensen or make the very bold move and deal for a tried and true starter such as Nikolai Khabibulin.
Those with quick-panic reflexes will look back on the Wednesday night, 5-2, loss to the Rangers and suggest to Lou that he find a replacement quicker than you can say "Martin Brodeur is done for the duration."
So far, both Weekes and Clemmensen have performed no better than the "Back-Up" label they've earned over the years. Fortunately, while Marty The Magnificent still was healthy, the Devils built up a cushion and even nurtured lofty designs on first place. But that was long ago.
The Devils are now a mere one game over .500 and in major danger of slipping out of the playoff race unless immediate help is on the way.
The options, however, are limited. Cool heads – my buddy David Kolb, for one – believe that Larrupin' Lou should wait a couple of weeks and, in the meantime, simply alternate Weekes and Clemmensen until a definitive answer is available on each. There is a certain logic to that, considering that neither goalie has had the luxury of playing enough regular games to get the important "feel" of being in real action. That would be The Maven's personal choice as well.
However, a case also could be made that an S.O.S. should be dispatched as immediately as this weekend. With few flub teams in the East, the Devils could swiftly sink if the Weekes-Clemmensen combo doesn't steal a few games – fast!
Ah, but then the questions: Who would be better? And what would Lou have to do, salary-wise and trade-wise? The two most obvious choices are Khabibulin and Dwayne Roloson. If, somehow, Lamoriello could land the former for a song, I would second that motion. Roloson? I wouldn't touch him. Never. Never!
The longest of long shots would be taking a gamble on minor leaguer Jeff Frazee. He's the Devils' second choice (38th overall) from the 2005 Entry Draft. Sometimes long-shots come in and win, but I doubt that Lou would go that route. There's still time for Weekes to shape up, and if he fails, even Clemmensen to show that he's more than an ornament on the bench.
In the meantime, Brent Sutter must reach the pinnacle of his leadership ability. Torn by injuries, his team in disarray after blowing a lead to the Rangers, the coach is as much on the spot as his players; and that especially goes for the disappointing Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta.
For starters, Elias must be removed from the John Madden-Jay Pandolfo line where the Czech has enjoyed little success. While the lineup is limited, Mike Rupp should be given every opportunity to succeed as an offensive threat.
But, enough of that. Success all starts with goalies stopping the puck. The onus is on Weekes and Clemmy. The tests will be provided by Alex Semin, Al Ovechkin and the other Washington warrriors.
Aren't you glad you're not Lou?
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