Gomez vs. Driver

This is pretty meaningless, but I'm curious. I've posted my Devils All-Time team on here now and again, and the question I have is pretty simple.

On my team, both Driver and Gomez would suit up for the Devils All-Time squad. Who should get to wear 23?

(I have Gomez wearing 20 ATM.)

Ah hell... why not, here's the team again.

#10 Aaron Broten [1982-1990] - #9 Kirk Muller [1984-1991] - #12 Pat Verbeek [1982-1989]
#26 Patrik Elias [1995-2004] - #25 Jason Arnott [1997-2002] - #17 Petr Sykora [1995-2002]
#22 Claude Lemieux [1990-1995; 1999-2000] - #20 Scott Gomez [2000-2004] - #15 John MacLean [1983-1998]
#11 John Madden [1998-2004] - #16 Bobby Holik [1992-2002] - #21 Randy McKay [1991-2002]
#44 Stephane Richer [1991-1996; 2001-2002] - #19 Bobby Carpenter [1993-1999]

#4 Scott Stevens [1991-2004] - #28 Brian Rafalski [1999-2004]
#2 Viaschlav Fetisov [1989-1995] - #27 Scott Niedermayer [1991-2004]
#3 Ken Daneyko [1983-2003] - #23 Bruce Driver [1983-1995]
#6 Tommy Albelin [1988-1996; 2001-2004]

#30 Martin Brodeur [1991-2004]
#35 Chris Terreri [1986-1996; 1998-2001]

Coach: Jacques Lemaire
Assistants: Pat Burns, Larry Robinson

Captain: Scott Stevens
Alternates: Bruce Driver, Kirk Muller

This is pretty meaningless, but I'm curious. I've posted my Devils All-Time team on here now and again, and the question I have is pretty simple.

On my team, both Driver and Gomez would suit up for the Devils All-Time squad. Who should get to wear 23?

(I have Gomez wearing 20 ATM.)

Ah hell... why not, here's the team again.

#10 Aaron Broten [1982-1990] - #9 Kirk Muller [1984-1991] - #12 Pat Verbeek [1982-1989]
#26 Patrik Elias [1995-2004] - #25 Jason Arnott [1997-2002] - #17 Petr Sykora [1995-2002]
#22 Claude Lemieux [1990-1995; 1999-2000] - #20 Scott Gomez [2000-2004] - #15 John MacLean [1983-1998]
#11 John Madden [1998-2004] - #16 Bobby Holik [1992-2002] - #21 Randy McKay [1991-2002]
#44 Stephane Richer [1991-1996; 2001-2002] - #19 Bobby Carpenter [1993-1999]

#4 Scott Stevens [1991-2004] - #28 Brian Rafalski [1999-2004]
#2 Viaschlav Fetisov [1989-1995] - #27 Scott Niedermayer [1991-2004]
#3 Ken Daneyko [1983-2003] - #23 Bruce Driver [1983-1995]
#6 Tommy Albelin [1988-1996; 2001-2004]

#30 Martin Brodeur [1991-2004]
#35 Chris Terreri [1986-1996; 1998-2001]

Coach: Jacques Lemaire
Assistants: Pat Burns, Larry Robinson

Captain: Scott Stevens
Alternates: Bruce Driver, Kirk MullerI liked Richer, but how does Shanahan not make this list?

If your giving him an A, you don't take his number away from him.

I liked Richer, but how does Shanahan not make this list?

I don't think Shanahan is one of the greatest Devils of all time, personally. I guess it's arguable.

I've been back and forth on the last two slots. I keep wanting to find space for Brylin, over Carpenter maybe.

If your giving him an A, you don't take his number away from him.

Captains and Alternates were selected based on captaincy of the Devils... so Muller and Driver, two former captains, both got an A.

I don't think Shanahan is one of the greatest Devils of all time, personally. I guess it's arguable.

I've been back and forth on the last two slots. I keep wanting to find space for Brylin, over Carpenter maybe.Well put him on the Honerable Mention list then, gosh! (in perfect Napoleon Dynamitese)

I think you'd have to give Driver #23 if only for the purposes of captainancy and seniority. I don't think Gomez would mind wearing another number.

No love for Sean Burke?

Bruce Driver should get the #23 because of leadership ability and his length of service with the Devils.

Sean Burke had that great stretch in late 1987-88 when he turned pro. He helped the Devils reach the playoffs for the first time, but he struggled in following seasons. Chico Resch was probably a better goalie in the 1980's than Chris Terreri in the 1990's, but those teams were really awful.

Bobby Carpenter was only a part-time player after his first two seasons with New Jersey, 1993-94 and the strike-shortened 1994-95 campaigns. Brendan Shanahan had three great years with the Devils before leaving.

See, I'd take Sundstrom before Shanahan. Maybe Mark Johnson too.
I'm gonna switch Carpenter back to Brylin.

I mean... here is the list of players I've considered for the last two spots. The first 12 forwards and defense is pretty much set, despite my reluctance to leave off Cirella or Velischek.

Brylin
Richer
Carpenter
Stastny
Johnson
Sundstrom
Bridgeman
Zelepukin
Guerin
Chorske
Gagne

The ones that I've seriously considered or who've had places on the list are Johnson, Sundstrom, Richer, and Brylin.

Mark Johnson scored 89 goals and 140 assists for 229 points in 305 games played during his five seasons with the Devils. He also added 8 goals and 10 assists in 18 games played during the 1987-88 playoffs.

Patrik Sundstrom scored 86 goals and added 160 assists for 246 points in 305 games played in his four-plus seasons in East Rutherford. Sundstrom also had a great 1987-88 post-season by scoring 7 goals with 13 assists for a team-hight 20 points, two points ahead of Mark Johnson and John MacLean.

Mel Bridgman might be a good choice as an extra. He scored 76 goals and 148 assists for 224 points in 288 games played in under four seasons as a Devil. He was the second Devils captain after being acquired from Calgary.

Sergei Brylin's offensive output does not match the out put of the others on your list Flame_Star_Devil, but he might be the perfect extra skater because of his ability to fill different roles for the team.