Another crazy week in Devils land ends in Minnesota

The Canessa Commentary
By KEVIN CANESSA Jr.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. --

It's been another bizarre week in Devils land, folks, hasn't it been? What seemed to be a promising week got bad when the Devils lost to Philly, 1-0, at home, before a tiny Saturday night crowd. This, of course, all comes a night after the Flyers lost, 7-0, in Washington, to the Capitals.

Here, therefore, is a look at some of what we found out this week -- some good, some not so good.

• Zach Parise told Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger he was concerned about Jeff Vanderbeek's financials when he decided to bolt Newark for Minnesota. Can't blame Parise for that at all. What we can, however, do , is come to grips with just how bad an owner Vanderbeek was.

The guy had great intentions -- but he didn't know how to do it with any sense of financial prudence. Had he known how to, perhaps Parise is still here, and we're not in the midst of as bad a season as one can recall, save for the John MacLean year.

• Brendan Shanahan is clueless. He really is. No suspension given to Ray Emery for his thuggery. Let's just leave it at that.

• As much as I enjoyed having it last season, I am definitely glad I didn't splurge for the NHL Gamecenter Live package this year. The total cost was $149 this season, three times what it cost last year. Less than a year after the lockout ended, that price is obscene.

• As glad as I am Rock and Roll Part II is no longer the Devils' goal song, the process for picking the new one was an utter sham. One guy WROTE a great piece -- and original goal song -- that was tremendous. And the folks in Newark didn't even allow it to be a choice. They can say all they want 30,000 people voted for the new one (which wasn't even played last night thank to the Devils putrid offense), but it was a pre-determined conclusion what the song would be -- no doubt in my mind.

It was such a good song, I can't even remember its name -- and I'm not going to look it up, either.

• With the Devils in Minnesota tonight, it reminded me of what it'll be like when Zach Parise plays his first game here next year.

Initially, I'd hoped he'd get booed off the ice. But hearing his concerns over Vanderbeek's financials, I can't say I blame the guy for having doubt about staying here.

But who am I kidding -- I want the most hostile environment possible when he makes his first appearance. What the hell did he think, he wouldn't get his paychecks?

Have a good week, Devils fans. It's sure to be another doozy this one!