Defenseman Johnny Oduya will be back in the Devils' lineup in tonight's game in Boston after being a healthy scratch the last four games. Sheldon Brookbank will sit to make room for Oduya as the Devils will dress seven defensemen again.
"I liked the way he's practiced, especially (Wednesday)," Sutter said. "You would think and you'd expect him to come back and play with some fire and some intensity and play intelligent and do the stuff he got away from when you started taking him out. He has to come back and provide that for us. I'm sure he's like all other players. They don't like being sat out. But there's reasons why you do it. Players are expected to perform up to their potential and their level and when you don't for extended period of time, you can expect to be sat out. Hopefully, it's a wake-up call for Johnny."
Brookbank, Mike Rupp and Kevin Weekes were the only players to skate for the Devils this morning at TD Banknorth Garden.
Although Arron Asham said he would probably speak to Sutter about Wednesday's incident at practice, he had yet to do so as of noon today. Sutter continued to downplay the argument, but pointed out that Asham still needs to play better.
"He knows my opinion on things and the way I feel about stuff," Sutter said. "I told you (Wednesday) and I'll say it again today, I don't hold anything personal against any players whatsoever. Emotions were running high (Wednesday) and I like a high level of intensity at practice. Do I like to see that happen at practice? No. But, at the same time, it doesn't hurt. Players need to know that there's accountability involved in their game and it doesn't matter whether it's practice or a game. You practice the way you play. When you make mistakes in practice, you're going to make mistakes in games. Ash has to get his game going. He hasn't played as well as we need him to play. He has to step up and get going here and it starts with his practice habits."
He's gotta play sometime. LGD!
Posted by: wkmaier | December 13, 2007 at 02:34 PM
I hope both Oduya and Asham play their hardest tonight. In fact our team could use a little bit more effort tonight. Boston is a tough team to beat now and we need to play 60 mins of hockey to beat them.
Posted by: MoonDragn | December 13, 2007 at 02:46 PM
wow....the comments on sutter will keep coming(dont care what his record was with kids)....ODUYA!!!....we should bench sutter, i think it would do HIM good to WATCH a game
Posted by: edweaver | December 13, 2007 at 03:10 PM
"Players are expected to perform up to their potential and their level and when you don't for extended period of time, you can expect to be sat out."
So, when can we expect Elias to be riding the pine in civvies? Or does this only apply to players making less than 1m a year?
Posted by: alzheimers | December 13, 2007 at 03:14 PM
Brent Sutter is an awesome coach in my opinion. He does these things for a reason and I think that they're good reasons. So the Devils haven't won every game this season but pretty much aside from the Red Wings, every team has had its ups and downs. Sitting Oduya was a great move because last year he was a pretty decent player but as of late he started making mistakes. Hopefully he comes back tonight and gives a lot of effort. The Devils have a great roster and great potential, they've just got to figure some things out like how to stay consistent. There's a lot of time left in this season for them to live up to their potential.
Posted by: Jill | December 13, 2007 at 03:15 PM
This team needs to learn that it's not acceptable to slack off for a period or two every game. It's good to see Sutter holding them accountable for poor play - in Asham and Oduya's case, things need to improve.
Posted by: Laura | December 13, 2007 at 03:18 PM
How about he stops giving them days off. Even after the win streak, this team was nowhere near out of the woods, and he gives them a day off. What did that produce? The same thing it did last time he gave them a day off, a loss. He wants to be a tough guy, and then he is giving days off before huge games? C'mon. This guy has been smoke and mirrors since day 1.
Posted by: Jason | December 13, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Smoke and mirrors led this team to 9 straight wins. I hardly think that losing a couple after over 2 weeks of no losses is reason to be so critical of him.
He's dealing with the team in his own way. At least he's not going to manage passively - that's the last thing they need in a slump.
Posted by: Laura | December 13, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Well you can see the difference between tired and lack of effort. I thought our game against the rangers was due to being tired but our game against the caps was just being lazy.
I still have faith in Sutter. He knows what needs to be done. Elias didn't get benched but he was moved to the 3rd line at one point and had his A removed. That sent out a message. I'm sure he's on notice.
Posted by: MoonDragn | December 13, 2007 at 03:46 PM
@Jason: The Devils are about to play 3 games in 4 nights. Why wouldn’t he give them a day off? And Tom said that yesterday’s practice was tough. I think that’s good enough. He can’t wear them out.
I just find it hilarious that some people act as though Sutter doesn’t realize that there’s a difference between coaching in juniors and coaching in the NHL…As if he doesn’t know anything about the NHL, let alone coaching or even hockey. Looking at the lines that Tom posted yesterday, there wasn’t a lot of change from what he’s been using, and I can only think that moving Pelley up is a good idea, at least until Pandolfo comes back. Oduya and Asham had better work their butts off in this game. But even when he was keeping things mostly the same during the streak, he was still being harshly criticized. I think there are just some Devils fans who won’t even be happy with him.
Hope they can pull out a win tonight. Boston will want revenge for last time.
Posted by: jules | December 13, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Smoke and mirrors led this team to 9 straight wins. ????
Posted by: Jersey Mike | December 13, 2007 at 04:28 PM
Jersey Mike: that was a response to Jason's comment that Sutter has been smoke and mirrors.
Posted by: Laura | December 13, 2007 at 04:54 PM
Tom...can you confirm a rumor initially posted on hfboards that Sutter had another confrontation with Asham today in Boston regarding Asham's practice and preparation habits?
Posted by: Steve | December 13, 2007 at 06:05 PM
Asham has been a ton of games under his belt outside of the NHL. I wonder if he's just getting a bit tired which Sutter's expectations simply don't allow. A simple theory, but it sounds to me like Aaron (although I like him a lot) may not be staying in Jersey for a very long time.
Posted by: Maxwell | December 13, 2007 at 06:58 PM
I have no idea when they could have had a confrontation because Asham wasn't at the skate this morning. Only three players were. I guess something could have happened at the hotel.
Posted by: TG | December 13, 2007 at 08:11 PM
What is HF boards?
Posted by: TG | December 13, 2007 at 08:14 PM
http://www.hfboards.com
Trust me Tom, I'd probably stay away if you ever want to accomplish another thing in your life. This comes from experience, heh.
An interesting look at the pulse of the fans, if you keep away from posting, however.
Posted by: Steve Lepore | December 13, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Figured it was false, thanks for the confirmation TG.
Posted by: Steve | December 13, 2007 at 09:51 PM