Sergei Brylin Appreciation Thread

I thought it would be nice to have a thread to commemorate the efforts of Sergei Brylin so far this season. :)

At the start of the year, back in August and September, most assumed he would be traded, as he was deemed as extraneous and overpaid. After his disappointing 05-06 a lot of people actually WANTED him gone. Well Sarge has fought back in a big way and has been terrific this season. He is currently on pace for 42 points, and has been the catalyst for the Madden line. He has combined his offensive production with good defense and backchecking, as well as a lot of heart and grit, easily earning his $1.52M paycheck imo. His effort last night against the Rangers was tremendous and it's just a sampling of what he's been doing all season long.

Hats off the Sarge! Hopefully a life-long Devil.

I love Sarge, hes one of my favorite Devils. He gives 110% every night. So many good memories in this organization, and I hope he has many more. :clap: :clap: :clap:

No matter what, this guy has and always will be a Devil. He's not going anywhere.

Great Thread! Little Sergei deserves the appreciation. He is so solid. Never does anything to hurt his team. Great defensively, chips in offensively, plays PP and PK..basically does it all. And he sure can take a hit. He is tough. I am often amazed how the little guy can take a crunching hit and stay on his skates. Gotta love Sarge!

He is in my top 10 favorite Devils

Would love to see Sarge retire a Devil.
:handclap:

He's my favorite player. Not many realize what he brings to the table. To think Samsonov is on waivers 7 they're both the same size. Sarge came very close to getting into a scrum against somebody last week (carter-flyers)

One of the most underatted players in the NHL and on the Devils he's the Devils version of a Player like Bob Bourne or Glen Anderson on the Isles and Oliers dynasties you can't win without these type of guys.:bow:

Gotta respect Sarge. I think he has been taking a beating this year. A lot of big hits seem to be on him. But he just gets back up and skates hard every night.

I will never forget the '98 playoffs and how frustrating it was the Lemaire would not keep Sarge in the lineup playing with Holik and McKay. Every game Brylin was in he made a difference. I want him to retire a Devil to, I hope it can happen.

I never wanted him gone, and never thought Lou would trade him. Hopefully he'll be a Devil for life.

In addition to bringing both offense and defense to the table, Sarge also had his first fight this year (yes, it's his only one, I looked it up), showing that he is even more versatile than we previously thought ;)

He's third on my Devils jersey-wanting depth chart:

#30 BRODEUR (already own)
#9 PARISE (nothing against Sarge, but I just love Parise)
#18 BRYLIN

I think he has been taking a beating this year. A lot of big hits seem to be on him. But he just gets back up and skates hard every night.

Sarge always took a beating - and always got back up without fear or timidness.

I hope he retires a Devil as well. The fact that Lou didn't waive or trade him during our money woes speaks volumes. If Sarge wants to retire a Devil he will.

When he retires... will his number be retired?

Or... what does it take to be a Devil who gets his number retired?

When he retires... will his number be retired?

Or... what does it take to be a Devil who gets his number retired?
You have to give Eric Lindros a concussion.

Or at least look like you could give Eric Lindros a concussion.

When he retires... will his number be retired?

Or... what does it take to be a Devil who gets his number retired?
No. Next Devils number to go to the rafters will be #30. I had heard mention awhile back of sort of a "Devils hall of fame" type thing in the Newark arena, if they do something like that I would think he'd be included there.

No. Next Devils number to go to the rafters will be #30. I had heard mention awhile back of sort of a "Devils hall of fame" type thing in the Newark arena, if they do something like that I would think he'd be included there.
I suspect there will only ever be three Devils who have their numbers retired. Daneyko, Stevens, and Brodeur.

We'll have the Hall of Fame in Newark instead for everyone else. Otherwise people like John MacLean would need to be added.

I suspect there will only ever be three Devils who have their numbers retired. Daneyko, Stevens, and Brodeur.

We'll have the Hall of Fame in Newark instead for everyone else. Otherwise people like John MacLean would need to be added.

That's about right. Funny but 3 years ago I would have added a certain defenseman that now plays in Disneyland to the list our our "Big 3". :(

Why couldn't his brother have chosen to be a doctor, lawer! :cry:

Theres an outside chance of seeing #18 in the rafters one day, the guys a prototypical Devil, while he never did anything too amazing, hes one of the "Heart and soul" guys like Dano was.

I also think he has a shot at having #18 retired, having been on all three cup-winning teams. Marty should go first but if Sarge stays here until the end of his career I could see his number being retired after a while.

And, to add by $.02 to what's already been said in appreciation of him, I think you can't underestimate both his loyalty and versatility. He'll do anything you ask him to and do it well. Off wing, special teams, checking line, fill in for Gomer centering the top line. An absolutely critical part of the 90s/00s Dev-nasty.

I suspect there will only ever be three Devils who have their numbers retired. Daneyko, Stevens, and Brodeur.

We'll have the Hall of Fame in Newark instead for everyone else. Otherwise people like John MacLean would need to be added.

I agree, at first I thought that Elias might have a shot at it, but MacLean never got his jersey retired. Plus I think its still up in the air that he will retire a Devil.

There is no better description of the unsung hero than Sergei Brylin. This guy makes more plays out of nothing than virtually anyone I've ever seen, most certainly someone that doesn't have a superstar tag on him.

Prototypical Devil.

He's the best way to describe the type of player that Lou wants on his team.

Goog skater, good in all 3 zones, used in PP's and PK situations and works his ass off every shift.

There is just no WAY Lou is getting rid of this guy come trade deadline.... NO WAY !!!

I agree, at first I thought that Elias might have a shot at it, but MacLean never got his jersey retired. Plus I think its still up in the air that he will retire a Devil.Elias still has a number of years to go, but I would say he is on track. He's leading the team in scoring again, which he did in all of his healthy seasons from 1999-00 through 2003-04. He has a great chance to break John MacLean's records for goals and points as a Devil.

DEVIL _l l l l l|G|A|PTS

John MacLean |347|354|701|
Patrik Elais |241|313|554|


Note: Scott Niedermayer is the Devils all-time leader in assists with 364. Scott Gomez has 320 right now, which is 5th all-time for the New Jersey Devils. Elias is three behind Bruce Driver for 6th all-time in New Jersey.

Of the entire roster, there is nobody I have seen skate with more passion this season then Brylin. He gives it his all every game. he does what is asked of him. 40 points is not out of the question. He plays both sides of the puck. He is not afraid to take a hit. He is another Mr. Devil IMO.

Several, several times this season he was the best performer on the ice.