NY media already on Gomez

Oh, the humanity...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11262007/sports/rangers/not_so_great_scott_736988.htm

:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

"GOMEZ NOT EARNING HIS MILLIONS"

Yeah, no ****.

Why are so many people expecting him to be a goal scorer? He's a playmaker and will rack up assists

The thing I like about the article is taking a shot at management for letting go of Nylander who was great for that team and Jagr and moving onto 2 big free agents.

But really, I know for the money the expectations are high but...you can't just expect to pay a guy millions and have him act outside of how he's ever played in his life. Last year he didn't even come close to earning 5 mill, what the **** do you expect him to do when you're paying him 10?

Couldn't happen to a nicer fella... Boo-Hoo!

Good! The ******* deserves everything that is thrown his way! He does not deserve or even worth the $7 million a season.:rant: That ******* is the Rangers cancer now.

To be brutally honest though, where's all the Drury bashing? They both are getting paid way to much and Drury has been worse than Gomez so far? You have to bash both,not just one guy.

To be brutally honest though, where's all the Drury bashing? They both are getting paid way to much and Drury has been worse than Gomez so far? You have to bash both,not just one guy.

Drury not as much because he is making only $5 million a season which is still too much for Drury and he didn't turn his back on the team that drafted him and gave him his shot in the NHL as well as winning two Stanley Cups.:teach::rant:

Drury not as much because he is making only $5 million a season which is still too much for Drury and he didn't turn his back on the team that drafted him and gave him his shot in the NHL as well as winning two Stanley Cups.:teach::rant:

Drury's making 7.1 mill/year. So that's a moot point.

Opps my bad. I swore it was $5 million. Ok $7 million is way too much for that ******* too!

And also this writer knows nothing about hockey when he makes a point about Gomez's goal production. He's not a goal scorer. If he knew anyting about hockey he'd know this. He still should criticize Gomez, but how about taking a couple of swipes at Rangers management, Chris Drury, and the 4 goal scoring Jaromir Jagr?:teach:

But Gomer likes the NYC nightlife...lol

Good! The ******* deserves everything that is thrown his way! He does not deserve or even worth the $7 million a season.:rant: That ******* is the Rangers cancer now.

He is not a cancer man, Yashin is a cancer. You all know Gomez, he's a player that you never have to worry about, he'll never dog it, and he's always a threat. No worrys with Gomez or with Drury for that matter. Both solid proven players, the rangers are nicely set up for the future.

Who the hell is Jay Greenberg?

He is not a cancer man, Yashin is a cancer. You all know Gomez, he's a player that you never have to worry about, he'll never dog it, and he's always a threat. No worrys with Gomez or with Drury for that matter. Both solid proven players, the rangers are nicely set up for the future.
He's not a cancer but Gomez got into trouble quite a bit with NJ for his easy going style in the locker room. Other vets wanted him to take things more seriously when he was more comfortable joking around.

i wouldve thought holik made them learn their lesson....guess not.

i wouldve thought holik made them learn their lesson....guess not.

Gomez has at least played very well (especially as of late). Holik never gave a **** and never played very well. Big difference.

He is not a cancer man, Yashin is a cancer. You all know Gomez, he's a player that you never have to worry about, he'll never dog it, and he's always a threat. No worrys with Gomez or with Drury for that matter. Both solid proven players, the rangers are nicely set up for the future.

nicely for the future? they will have like 17 FA's next year, and 10 of them UFA not a whole lot of cap space..if anything, they are stacked this year. all the eggs are in one basket, and they had better bring home the cup. but imo, they wont and they'll be 'paying' for these contracts for a long time

Gomez has at least played very well (especially as of late). Holik never gave a **** and never played very well. Big difference.

i just mean about the contracts. im sure gomez plays much better than holik ever did as a ranger.

i just mean about the contracts. im sure gomez plays much better than holik ever did as a ranger.

But Gomez's contract isn't that bad. He fits into the future of the team, which is what they wanted by getting a young guy like him. He's overpaid by about 1.5-2M at most. I've even been very impressed with his defense and backchecking (since Devils fans over the summer told us he was one of the worst defensive players in the world -- he's actually one of the best on the team in that regard).

How are the Rangers making the cap by paying gomez and drury both $7m.

nicely for the future? they will have like 17 FA's next year, and 10 of them UFA not a whole lot of cap space..if anything, they are stacked this year. all the eggs are in one basket, and they had better bring home the cup. but imo, they wont and they'll be 'paying' for these contracts for a long time

Clearly you know little to nothing about our team.

The team is fine for the future. Perfectly fine.

He is not a cancer man, Yashin is a cancer. You all know Gomez, he's a player that you never have to worry about, he'll never dog it, and he's always a threat. No worrys with Gomez or with Drury for that matter. Both solid proven players, the rangers are nicely set up for the future.



:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

You can have them both and their ridiculious salaries.

What future? Didn't the Rangers learn years ago too many stars and egos gets you nowhere and NO SC. :teach:

It will be the same this season.

BTW, with all the money the NYR wasted on Gome$ and Drury, Lundqvist will be going elsewhere next season to the highest bidder. NYR cannot afford or shall I say have room under the salary cap next season to sign for what he will be asking.;)

To be brutally honest though, where's all the Drury bashing? They both are getting paid way to much and Drury has been worse than Gomez so far? You have to bash both,not just one guy.

Very true. drury is on pace for 51 points and gomez for 58 points. both are way overpaid if that is what they will eventually give the rangers. sather is an egomaniac. instead of doing the wise and right thing like resigning nylander who was on the money for the rangers the last two years he was more interested in making a big splash and getting his name in lights so he signed both these players to outrageous contracts.

:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

You can have them both and their ridiculious salaries.

What future? Didn't the Rangers learn years ago too many stars and egos gets you nowhere and NO SC. :teach:

It will be the same this season.

BTW, with all the money the NYR wasted on Gome$ and Drury, Lundqvist will be going elsewhere next season to the highest bidder. NYR cannot afford or shall I say have room under the salary cap next season to sign for what he will be asking.;)

What future? You should be asking your GM about that for your team. With a bare cupboard of prospects, the future looks quite bleak for you guys. In fact, as I said before, the Devils kind of remind me of the Leafs right now. I think they'll be toiling in mediocrity for a number of years since Lou apparently refuses to rebuild.

Also, it's quite laughable to think that the Rangers can't afford Lundqvist and that he'll be gone this offseason. I had a long work day, so thanks for giving me something to smile and laugh about.

Very true. drury is on pace for 51 points and gomez for 58 points. both are way overpaid if that is what they will eventually give the rangers. sather is an egomaniac. instead of doing the wise and right thing like resigning nylander who was on the money for the rangers the last two years he was more interested in making a big splash and getting his name in lights so he signed both these players to outrageous contracts.

So, we should've given 35 year old Nylander 4 years and watch him toil away to nothing at the end of his career? Yeah. OK. That would've been REAL smart. I'm glad you're not the Rangers GM.

So, we should've given 35 year old Nylander 4 years and watch him toil away to nothing at the end of his career? Yeah. OK. That would've been REAL smart.

Thank you.

He wanted the big city, well hes got it now

What future? You should be asking your GM about that for your team. With a bare cupboard of prospects, the future looks quite bleak for you guys. In fact, as I said before, the Devils kind of remind me of the Leafs right now. I think they'll be toiling in mediocrity for a number of years since Lou apparently refuses to rebuild.

Also, it's quite laughable to think that the Rangers can't afford Lundqvist and that he'll be gone this offseason. I had a long work day, so thanks for giving me something to smile and laugh about.



Believe me, I had a long work day and you have made mine more laughable.:biglaugh:


Devils will be just fine and we will see who is doing good once again come April. You seem to forget that there is a core of players/veterans who have been there before (Stanley Cups;)) so you might want look at your team with all those stars and egos that will go nowhere. NYR could and will possibly lose Lundqvist. NYR are strapped for next season incase you didn't know so there will be no room for him.

But Gomez's contract isn't that bad. He fits into the future of the team, which is what they wanted by getting a young guy like him. He's overpaid by about 1.5-2M at most. I've even been very impressed with his defense and backchecking (since Devils fans over the summer told us he was one of the worst defensive players in the world -- he's actually one of the best on the team in that regard).

If Gomez is one of the NYR's best defensive players (which he's not, IMO), than the NYR have big problems. He's adequate to mediocre in that regard.

The NYR are safe.....for now. When Lundqvist gets 2M more this offseason, guys like Mara, Roszival, and Malik demand 3M+ each, Tyutin gets bumped up a million or so, Straka starts asking for Nylander-esque money, Avery starts asking for a raise......well, it's not gonna be an easy time for Mr. Moneybags, Glen Sather.

Not to mention Jagr's decline is happening earlier than expected, as well as his contract counting completely against the cap after next season.

Believe me, I had a long work day and you have made mine more laughable.:biglaugh:


Devils will be just fine and we will see who is doing good once again come April. You seem to forget that there is a core of players/veterans who have been there before (Stanley Cups;)) so you might want look at your team with all those stars and egos that will go nowhere. NYR could and will possibly lose Lundqvist. NYR are strapped for next season incase you didn't know so there will be no room for him.

i doubt they lose lundqvist. if they have any sense whatsoever, they will move players and will lock that kid up for a loooong time. without him....im not sure how well they would be doing.

Devils will be just fine and we will see who is doing good once again come April. You seem to forget that there is a core of players/veterans who have been there before (Stanley Cups;)) so you might want look at your team with all those stars and egos that will go nowhere. NYR could and will possibly lose Lundqvist. NYR are strapped for next season incase you didn't know so there will be no room for him.

The Rangers have a ton of guys with playoff and Cup experiences. A core of them, actually. The team is built off of experience in the forward lines.

I think I actually predicted the Devils to win the division at the end of the year. It was either that or Pittsburgh. But I had New York behind both (finishing in 6th, IIRC -- again, I made the predictions in like August so I don't really remember). This Rangers team is not the Rangers team that will be there come April. You've already lost to us 3 times. You should know that the team is damn good.

The Rangers won't be losing Lundqvist. He'll be getting a contract like Kipper's and Luongo's. One that the Rangers can easily fit into their cap.

Or did you just not forget that Mara, Malik, Shanahan, and Straka (and even possibly Jagr) are coming off of the books at the end of the year and that unlike the Devils, we actually have a long list of young players waiting to step in and fill their shoes.

i doubt they lose lundqvist. if they have any sense whatsoever, they will move players and will lock that kid up for a loooong time. without him....im not sure how well they would be doing.

We won't have to move a soul (trade wise). We'll be losing a number of players this year.

The Rangers absolutely have a future, they have a great prospect group that gives them a lot of flexibility. It is a legitimate criticism to say that the Gomez and Drury contracts could handcuff them long-term IF the cap does not continue to go up.

Most people I've heard from that are more familiar about the business side of hockey say that it is very likely to continue to rise (not by 6 mil a year, but a few mil a year).

Lundqvist won't leave, because he's an RFA, and I don't think teams are going to give up 8+mil long-term AND 5 1sts. If a team is crazy enough to do it, Rangers will just match it, no sweat. Avery might get a mil or so raise, more than that and the Rangers can replace him with a prospect. Shanahan will be gone. Mara/Malik will likely be gone. Straka should stay at about the same price. Shanahan+Mara+Malik is about 11 mil off the cap.

Tyutin and Girardi will get nice raises but they aren't special enough for GM's to go nuts and spend 5 mil on. In the worst case scenario, Roszival gets a big offer and the Rangers have to let him go or let Avery go.

I think the Rangers big splashes this past year were very questionable, but as long as the cap goes up a little bit, the team will at least be able to maintain all but either Roszival or Avery. Even if it doesn't, they don't lose any of their core players.

Rangers are fine, don't be stupid and just assume that things haven't changed. Some stupid Devils fans make the rest of us who actually care to follow other teams' situations look bad.

So, we should've given 35 year old Nylander 4 years and watch him toil away to nothing at the end of his career? Yeah. OK. That would've been REAL smart. I'm glad you're not the Rangers GM.

Wrong genius. nylander was content with 3 years at 4.5 from the rangers. washington stepped up to the 275,000 more and extra year but only after your genius gm let nylander go. and if you know anything you would realize that chemistry is more important than making a splash but of course you are programmed as a ranger fan to think differently. what jagr, nylander and straka had together has no price tag.

:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

You can have them both and their ridiculious salaries.

What future? Didn't the Rangers learn years ago too many stars and egos gets you nowhere and NO SC. :teach:

It will be the same this season.

BTW, with all the money the NYR wasted on Gome$ and Drury, Lundqvist will be going elsewhere next season to the highest bidder. NYR cannot afford or shall I say have room under the salary cap next season to sign for what he will be asking.;)

Go to the general NHL board and see how they think he is going to be getting a contract in january for around $6 million from them...they are out of their minds. Nearly the whole team is upon free agency, i totaled it in the thread, but from what I last remember, its a little over $25 million for something like 14 players, not including the team option on Jagr. I really don't see it happening, yet rags fans say it will, and they will bring up youngsters to fill the voids of players they didn't resign...because THAT will work for you, NOT. Whatever, they screwed themselves over as usual, and I am going to do nothing but laugh.

If Gomez is one of the NYR's best defensive players (which he's not, IMO), than the NYR have big problems. He's adequate to mediocre in that regard.

The NYR are safe.....for now. When Lundqvist gets 2M more this offseason, guys like Mara, Roszival, and Malik demand 3M+ each, Tyutin gets bumped up a million or so, Straka starts asking for Nylander-esque money, Avery starts asking for a raise......well, it's not gonna be an easy time for Mr. Moneybags, Glen Sather.

Not to mention Jagr's decline is happening earlier than expected, as well as his contract counting completely against the cap after next season.

Straka has all but said that this is his last season. He's done. He's been injured twice already this season. He was ready to retire last year, IIRC.

Avery will be getting about double what he's getting now. Mara and Malik are both gone. Rozsival will get about 4M or so from us if he re-signs.

Jagr's contract will only be 4.26 or whatever it is after this season. It never, ever kicks up to his "full" contract, cap wise. It's already been confirmed numerous times. It's also a team option, so I could see the Rangers passing on it if he continues to play like ****.

So, we should've given 35 year old Nylander 4 years and watch him toil away to nothing at the end of his career? Yeah. OK. That would've been REAL smart. I'm glad you're not the Rangers GM.

Well, if Slats keeps giving soon to be 39 year-old Shanahan 1-year contracts, what the heck was wrong with keeping a very efffective 35 year-old Nylander for just 4 more years?

Wrong genius. nylander was content with 3 years at 4.5 from the rangers. washington stepped up to the 275,000 more and extra year but only after your genius gm let nylander go. and if you know anything you would realize that chemistry is more important than making a splash but of course you are programmed as a ranger fan to think differently. what jagr, nylander and straka had together has no price tag.

So you call me a genius. Good to see that you're actually giving me the respect I deserve.

Nylander was offered a 2 year contract at a decent salary (I think around the same or even more than Washington gave him). He declined.

Do you honestly think that Nylander was worth an extra 2 years that it took to get him under contract? It was clear that he was going for the money, as he had all year to sign with the Rangers for their VERY fair offer of a contract. He went for the money. I don't disrespect him for it. It was his choice as he wants his family set for life (and they are now).

And I do know quite a bit, actually. Chemistry is important. It takes some time to develop. If you knew anything you'd know that ;).

Jagr, so far, has found chemistry with Dubinsky. It's Hossa that's the problem on that line. Once Straka (or IF Straka) can get healthy, that line will be set. Gomez has chemistry with Avery and Shanny. Drury hasn't found it yet, but I'm pretty sure he will.

Well, if Slats keeps giving soon to be 39 year-old Shanahan 1-year contracts, what the heck was wrong with keeping a very efffective 35 year-old Nylander for just 4 more years?

Because if we signed him to that we'd be Lou Lam'd (IE giving a 35 or over player a multi year contract) if his play declined. And it's pretty much a 50/50 whether that will happen or not. Not a risk Slats wanted to take (and props to him for it!).

The only thing wrong with Gomez (and Drury for that matter) is their contract. They are playing exactly how they have played their entire career. They got top tier money when they are not top tier players. They are great players who bring a lot to the game and do a heck of a lot of good, but they ain't Thornton or Iginla or Lidstrom or Lecavalier and so on.

Those contracts may bind the Rangers too, as they will have to pay Lundqvist and have a tough time with future free agents. No chance at Phaneuf, Malkin, Hossa, Redden or any other decent FA.

But the Rangers got exactly what they paid for. Gomez is Gomez and Drury is Drury - no change to either player from what I see. They over-paid in money and paid zero in other assets.

Gomez has at least played very well (especially as of late). Holik never gave a **** and never played very well. Big difference.

Actually, Holik probably overacheived with the NYR from a goal scoring standpoint.

16 in his first partial season that was cut short due to injury

25 the following season.

Those are Gomez-type numbers.

Besides, Holik had a similar start with his first season with the NYR.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/gamelog?playerId=381&year=2003

Actually, Holik probably overacheived with the NYR from a goal scoring standpoint.

16 in his first partial season that was cut short due to injury

25 the following season.

Those are Gomez-type numbers.

Besides, Holik had a similar start with his first season with the NYR.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/gamelog?playerId=381&year=2003

Yeah, but you're only counting numbers here. Holik was never used right and he was never, ever used defensively. Yeah, he put up decent numbers but the guy was never used the way the Devils used him.

Gomez, on other hand, has put up decent numbers (especially after getting hot) but has also played both sides of the puck. For some reason, Trottier used Holik as an offensive forward. Not even really as a two-way guy. Holik was completely misused and completely ineffective on the Rangers. Gomez, so far, has been fairly effective. Actually better than I expected (since the trashing of his defensive game was rampant after the signing).

Because if we signed him to that we'd be Lou Lam'd (IE giving a 35 or over player a multi year contract) if his play declined. And it's pretty much a 50/50 whether that will happen or not. Not a risk Slats wanted to take (and props to him for it!).

"If"

By the way, nice spin.

There's no reason to say that he would have declined, especially since he was coming off a strong, injury-free season with no signs of slowing down.

His signing isn't a last minute insurance policy on a injury-plagued defenseman, along with a journeyman defenseman, to replace your franchise defenseman that bolted at the last minute.

Gomez, so far, has been fairly effective.

He is?

The NYR offense is among the worst in the NHL.

Part of it has to do of course with taking less chances, less forchecking, and playing a 1-2-2 for much of the game. We all know what that means :sarcasm:

Actually better than I expected (since the trashing of his defensive game was rampant after the signing

Yes Jonathan, of course you'd say that.

The only thing wrong with Gomez (and Drury for that matter) is their contract. They are playing exactly how they have played their entire career. They got top tier money when they are not top tier players. They are great players who bring a lot to the game and do a heck of a lot of good, but they ain't Thornton or Iginla or Lidstrom or Lecavalier and so on.

Those contracts may bind the Rangers too, as they will have to pay Lundqvist and have a tough time with future free agents. No chance at Phaneuf, Malkin, Hossa, Redden or any other decent FA.

But the Rangers got exactly what they paid for. Gomez is Gomez and Drury is Drury - no change to either player from what I see. They over-paid in money and paid zero in other assets.

I think the way this new NHL system is working, there will be very few top tier FA available. The Malkin's, Thornton's, Heatley's are going to be locked up before they hit restricted free agency to long term contracts. So that top talent will be few and far between.

That will lead to 2nd tier players like Drury and Gomez getting top dollar due to the bidding wars the GMs create.

I agree with you about the last two aforementioned players. They are doing what they've done their whole career, put up 2nd line numbers. NYR fans thought that taking Gomez out of NJ automatically equates to +20 per year. Thats just not the case. Gomez got 84 points in 05-06 because of some phenomenal chemistry with Brian Gionta and decent support from Patrik Elias on the 2nd line.

(since Devils fans over the summer told us he was one of the worst defensive players in the world -- he's actually one of the best on the team in that regard).

No one ever said that. When he came into the league maybe, but you don't stick on the Devils if you don't at least have passable defensive abilities. What we did say, was that he took nights off and would seem to coast, which he DID and from what I've seen of him on the Rangers not much has changed. He can make an incredible pass in the first period, and skate around looking at all the pretty advertisements in the stands the rest of the game.

"If"

By the way, nice spin.

There's no reason to say that he would have declined, especially since he was coming off a strong, injury-free season with no signs of slowing down.

His signing isn't a last minute insurance policy on a injury-plagued defenseman, along with a journeyman defenseman, to replace your franchise defenseman that bolted at the last minute.


How do you know

I don't know and I never claimed to know. I simply said it was a risk. And it's a pretty big risk to take playing with the cap, IMO, especially after we saw what our cross-town rivals had to go through. No way in hell was Slats trading away a 1st rounder just in case Nylander busted after his new contract.

It was a big risk to take. I'm glad he went younger with Gomez. I think Gomez is a superior player in every aspect of the game (ESPECIALLY defensively -- Nylander is one of the reasons that we lost that one game to Buffalo when Drury tied it in the last second, IMO). I don't see any reason to blame Sather for making the "smart" move in that. Give Gomez and Nylander 4 years and we'll see what was the smart move, but I'm willing to put a lot on Gomez.

No one ever said that. When he came into the league maybe, but you don't stick on the Devils if you don't at least have passable defensive abilities. What we did say, was that he took nights off and would seem to coast, which he DID and from what I've seen of him on the Rangers not much has changed. He can make an incredible pass in the first period, and skate around looking at all the pretty advertisements in the stands the rest of the game.

Maybe you don't go onto the Rangers board, but we've had a multitude of people troll in after the signing telling us how bad defensively and that he was a bad back checker. It's not like that's being made up in thin air. It was a pretty hotly debated thing, actually.

And yeah, he took nights off with you guys. He took a few off in the beginning with us, IMO, but since then he's been all business. I'm able to take a bit of that as long as it isn't plauge-like. And so far it hasn't been and I don't really see it being that way. As I said. I'm fine if he slumps for a few games and doesn't contribute much. It's going to happen.

****, Nylander was benched a few times because of it.Yet we hear from Devils fans all the time how much of a better choice he is than Gomez.

What future? You should be asking your GM about that for your team. With a bare cupboard of prospects, the future looks quite bleak for you guys. In fact, as I said before, the Devils kind of remind me of the Leafs right now. I think they'll be toiling in mediocrity for a number of years since Lou apparently refuses to rebuild.

Also, it's quite laughable to think that the Rangers can't afford Lundqvist and that he'll be gone this offseason. I had a long work day, so thanks for giving me something to smile and laugh about.

Why would you need prospects anyway. You can overpay players and still have a horrible team! Lou can at least make steals with his Draft picks, while Rangers keep failing every year.

What future? You should be asking your GM about that for your team. With a bare cupboard of prospects, the future looks quite bleak for you guys. In fact, as I said before, the Devils kind of remind me of the Leafs right now. I think they'll be toiling in mediocrity for a number of years since Lou apparently refuses to rebuild.

:biglaugh:

Let's see how that one works. It's the same song and dance after every lull the Devils have. Funny thing about not rebuliding though, considering the nearly a decade you didn't make the playoffs and refused to rebuild.

Yes Jonathan, of course you'd say that.

I've already bashed the Drury signing. Actually just posted on the Isles board about 10 minutes ago in their thread about a new ESPN article saying that I think it should be listed as one of the 10 worst cap contracts in the league. Drury's done nothing to warrant his contract and, so far, I've been less than impressed.

But, by the way, nice spin with that ;)

:biglaugh:

Let's see how that one works. It's the same song and dance after every lull the Devils have. Funny thing about not rebuliding though, considering the nearly a decade you didn't make the playoffs and refused to rebuild.

So, do you want to compare prospect pools now or do you just want to laugh and post sarcastic comments?

Why would you need prospects anyway. You can overpay players and still have a horrible team! Lou can at least make steals with his Draft picks, while Rangers keep failing every year.

Wait, the Rangers keep failing? They've made the playoffs the last two years and have still managed to get guys like Cherepanov in their draft. They traded for another top prospect -- Alex Bourret. It's not like they've been picking top 5 for the last 5 years.

Give Gomez and Nylander 4 years and we'll see what was the smart move, but I'm willing to put a lot on Gomez.

Fair enough Jon, You'll probably see them generate the same numbers, despite the age difference, although Nylander has gotten off to a good start.

But the chemistry created for the previous 2 seasons is gone and you can only hope that it returns with Gomez. (whoever he plays with)

Like we have been saying all along, enjoy your 2nd line overpaid Center.

You're stuck with him. ;)

Maybe you don't go onto the Rangers board, but we've had a multitude of people troll in after the signing telling us how bad defensively and that he was a bad back checker. It's not like that's being made up in thin air. It was a pretty hotly debated thing, actually.

And yeah, he took nights off with you guys. He took a few off in the beginning with us, IMO, but since then he's been all business. I'm able to take a bit of that as long as it isn't plauge-like. And so far it hasn't been and I don't really see it being that way. As I said. I'm fine if he slumps for a few games and doesn't contribute much. It's going to happen.

You would think for the amount of money he's getting you would expect a bit more than that. Go figure.

Like we have been saying all along, enjoy your 2nd line overpaid Center.

You're stuck with him. ;)

I'm more than happy to be stuck with a young playmaker like Gomez.

Although I'd like to get Drury off the team if he continues to play like he has, so far. ;)

You would think for the amount of money he's getting you would expect a bit more than that. Go figure.

Jagr's taken games off in the past. As long as Gomez shows up for 75 or so games, I can take the 7 that he might suck a bag of dicks in. Nylander has done the same thing, yet you guys say we should've signed him. It's a negative for anyone yet nearly every player out there is going to mail it in a few times per year.

Elias has done it the past season and a 1/4 now. ;)

Suddenly 27 is "young"

So, do you want to compare prospect pools now or do you just want to laugh and post sarcastic comments?

The point I was making was that you can be all high and mighty because he HF staff ranks you higher (what a joke that is, anyway) but in the end it's not the names that always make the impact. Every year or two it seems the Devils manage to find a guy out of nowhere like Clarkson, Rafalski, Halishuk, and then other guys drafted a bit later like Vasyunov, Palmieri or Tulupov. Compare all the pools you want, but I'm not worried about whose coming through your system or ours for that matter. We have players NOW, who just need to do what they should be/progress like we know they should (Zajac, Elias, Gionta, Bergfors).

Suddenly 27 is "young"

Hopefully that was sarcastic. Because a 27 year old player in the NHL has a good 8-10 years left in them. After that, they start to trail off considerably. But I really hope you were joking/sarcastic with that remark.

Otherwise, I hope Trottier comes in and explains the situation to you ;)

Wait, the Rangers keep failing? They've made the playoffs the last two years and have still managed to get guys like Cherepanov in their draft. They traded for another top prospect -- Alex Bourret. It's not like they've been picking top 5 for the last 5 years.

Well, I don't think you can credit your staff for picking Cherepanov. It's more of a situation where all the other teams passed on him and when your time came you had a choice to draft either him or Esposito...you couldn't go wrong with either one. It was an easy pick....

What Bourret will turn into is still a mystery....but getting him in exchange for Dupuis was a good move, no denying there.

I believe that some people were thinking more about that guy (bust) named Hugh Jessiman and the player you could've had instead (Z.Parise). :)

It's easy to make the right call when a guy like Cherepanov or Esposito is avalaible.

Suddenly 27 is "young"

It's not?

The point I was making was that you can be all high and mighty because he HF staff ranks you higher (what a joke that is, anyway) but in the end it's not the names that always make the impact. Every year or two it seems the Devils manage to find a guy out of nowhere like Clarkson, Rafalski, Halishuk, and then other guys drafted a bit later like Vasyunov, Palmieri or Tulupov. Compare all the pools you want, but I'm not worried about whose coming through your system or ours for that matter. We have players NOW, who just need to do what they should be/progress like we know they should (Zajac, Elias, Gionta, Bergfors).

And we have found guys like Sauer, Callahan, Tyutin and Dubinsky drafted after the first round and guys like Dawes, Pyatt and Girardi "out of nowhere".

Do you want me to continue owning you in this debate or do you want to give in? I can go on all night with this if you want.

BTW, you think it's a joke that the Rangers are rated high and above the Devils? Care to explain that one?

It's easy to make the right call when a guy like Cherepanov or Esposito is avalaible.

Or someone with the last name of "Staal" :D

Jagr's taken games off in the past. As long as Gomez shows up for 75 or so games, I can take the 7 that he might suck a bag of dicks in. Nylander has done the same thing, yet you guys say we should've signed him. It's a negative for anyone yet nearly every player out there is going to mail it in a few times per year.

Elias has done it the past season and a 1/4 now. ;)

And you don't think your captain taking nights off has an affect on the team? I certainly do. And if you think he's coasting for 7 games out of the season you're not paying attention.

Um, no. Hepatitis screwed him out of pretty much a season and this year he hasn't scored, true. But the past 10 games or so he's looked dangerous without being rewarded for it. If we still had Gomez and Elias on the team in the situation they are both in this season I would be a lot more worried about Gomez than I would about Elias.

And we have found guys like Sauer, Callahan, Tyutin and Dubinsky drafted after the first round and guys like Dawes, Pyatt and Girardi "out of nowhere".

Do you want me to continue owning you in this debate or do you want to give in? I can go on all night with this if you want.

BTW, you think it's a joke that the Rangers are rated high and above the Devils? Care to explain that one?

It's posts like this that make me laugh when you call Muttley "high and mighty".

Wow.

And yeah, we'll see how you're ranking higher than us translates into Atlantic Division titles and Stanley Cups. You think that ranking entitles you to some kind of guaranteed success because that's the way you keep ranting.

And I didn't say the Rangers being ranked higher than the Devils was a joke, the list itself always is regardless of whose ranked where.

Well, I don't think you can credit your staff for picking Cherepanov. It's more of a situation where all the other teams passed on him and when your time came you had a choice to draft either him or Esposito...you couldn't go wrong with either one. It wsa an easy pick....

What Bourret will turn into is still a mystery....but getting him in exchange for Dupuis was a good move, no denying there.

I believe that some people were thinking more about that guy (bust) named Hugh Jessiman and the player you could've had instead (Z.Parise). :)

It's easy to make the right call when a guy like Cherepanov or Esposito is avalaible.

I don't think the Rangers would've taken Esposito. Sather was trying to trade up with Phoenix to take Cherepanov at #3. He was the guy they wanted all along and all signs point to him trying to move up ALL day to get him. He wasn't offering enough to move up, which ironically worked in his favor since he fell. The Rangers scouted him more than any other prospect this past year. He was their man before the draft ever started.

The Rangers made a HUGE gaffe in taking Jessiman over Getzlaf (better player than Parise ;)), IMO. But hey. It happens. Can't cry too much over it. I just hope he makes it as a 3rd/4th liner at this point. Too much skill and speed in a big man to be wasted. His head needs a bit of help, though! Haha.

It's post like this that make me laugh when you call Muttley "high and mighty".

Wow.

You're the one throwing out names that I can counter pretty easily with that. What more do you want me to do when you bash my team with such an amount of pure hate like you've shown since your first handle? I don't think you've ever said a positive thing about the Rangers franchise and you bash it incessantly with little to no point.

And we have found guys like Sauer, Callahan, Tyutin and Dubinsky drafted after the first round and guys like Dawes, Pyatt and Girardi "out of nowhere".

Do you want me to continue owning you in this debate or do you want to give in? I can go on all night with this if you want.

BTW, you think it's a joke that the Rangers are rated high and above the Devils? Care to explain that one?

Every team has those types of players.

Let's not get carried away and call them superstars.

The only reason why the NYR are ranked higher is because they had 2 very high profile, high draft picks: Al Montoya & Marc Staal.

The other players you named are solid soldier/team players. That's it.

Gomez and Drury are playing like the players that they are.. Gomez will rack up the assists and Drury brings the intangibles and timely goals..Neither are big goal scorers.. Just gettting paid like they are

And you don't think your captain taking nights off has an affect on the team? I certainly do. And if you think he's coasting for 7 games out of the season you're not paying attention.

Um, no. Hepatitis screwed him out of pretty much a season and this year he hasn't scored, true. But the past 10 games or so he's looked dangerous without being rewarded for it. If we still had Gomez and Elias on the team in the situation they are both in this season I would be a lot more worried about Gomez than I would about Elias.

Uh, Elias was amazing when he came back from Hep. Guess what? After he signed that huge contract, he played like ****. I wonder why? It clearly wasn't the sickness because he played some of his best hockey after coming back from it.

Every team has those types of players.

Let's not get carried away and call them superstars.

The only reason why the NYR are ranked higher is because they had 2 very high profile, high draft picks: Al Montoya & Marc Staal.

The other players you named are solid soldier/team players.

I was simply naming names and countering Yellowcard's point (which was just ridiculous to begin with).

While I certainly agree that every team has a few guys like I've pointed out, not every team is LOADED with them. If you look at the Rangers prospect pool, it is absolutely stacked with 2nd/3rd liners (some with potential 1st line upside like Bourret and Anisimov). That is the reason the Rangers are rated so high. They have some of the best depth in hockey in regards to their prospects.

:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

You can have them both and their ridiculious salaries.

What future? Didn't the Rangers learn years ago too many stars and egos gets you nowhere and NO SC. :teach:

It will be the same this season.

BTW, with all the money the NYR wasted on Gome$ and Drury, Lundqvist will be going elsewhere next season to the highest bidder. NYR cannot afford or shall I say have room under the salary cap next season to sign for what he will be asking.;)


haha, oh man, what future???? Gomez and Drury are both two proven centers who you can't lose with. They aren't Lindros, Bure, Fleury, etc. etc. They are solid players. Who cares about their slow starts, we're still winning games, It'll pick up, these guys are playoff performers. We're losing some key vets after this year and then after next year, Shanny, Straka, Jagr, they'll probably all be gone in two more seasons. With all of our young guys already in the lineup and soon to be Gomez and Drury are GOLD to help these young guys. What future? hahahahahaha

btw: Lundqvist aint going anywhere, why would he want to leave all he has started here and is on a team thats on the cup winning road, he's loved here and you better bet the Rangers will give him what he deserves.

Uh, Elias was amazing when he came back from Hep. Guess what? After he signed that huge contract, he played like ****. I wonder why? It clearly wasn't the sickness because he played some of his best hockey after coming back from it.

Elias deserved the contract he got.

Drury & Gomez got more than they deserve.

Big difference.

Or did you just not forget that Mara, Malik, Shanahan, and Straka (and even possibly Jagr) are coming off of the books at the end of the year and that unlike the Devils, we actually have a long list of young players waiting to step in and fill their shoes.
Ill take a short list of proven young players over a long list of unproven ones any day.

Ill take a short list of proven young players over a long list of unproven ones any day.

Except we have a short list of proven young players already.

Lundqvist, Staal, Tyutin, Girardi, and Prucha.

Dubinsky is coming along VERY nicely and is getting more comfortable by the day. And then the "waiting room" of prospects below all of them.

We not only have a short list of proven ones, but a long list of unproven ones. Best of both worlds ;)

Well, I don't think you can credit your staff for picking Cherepanov. It's more of a situation where all the other teams passed on him and when your time came you had a choice to draft either him or Esposito...you couldn't go wrong with either one. It was an easy pick....

What Bourret will turn into is still a mystery....but getting him in exchange for Dupuis was a good move, no denying there.

I believe that some people were thinking more about that guy (bust) named Hugh Jessiman and the player you could've had instead (Z.Parise). :)

It's easy to make the right call when a guy like Cherepanov or Esposito is avalaible.

who cares, thats so old, the devils have had plenty of busts too, every team does, the draft is a crap shoot. You can go on and on all day about the history of miss picks.

You're the one throwing out names that I can counter pretty easily with that. What more do you want me to do when you bash my team with such an amount of pure hate like you've shown since your first handle? I don't think you've ever said a positive thing about the Rangers franchise and you bash it incessantly with little to no point.

When did I ever bash the Rangers? My god, you are so blinded with ridiculous paranoia about anyone even uttering the word Rangers! This entire thread started about Gomez. YOU brought up our prospects when you compared us to the the Leafs. My god, try and keep track. If anything I was defending my team on my board to someone who prances aroudn the flaunts that same hate but with a "impartial, universal-hockey fan" facade. What a joke.

What future? You should be asking your GM about that for your team. With a bare cupboard of prospects, the future looks quite bleak for you guys. In fact, as I said before, the Devils kind of remind me of the Leafs right now. I think they'll be toiling in mediocrity for a number of years since Lou apparently refuses to rebuild.

When did I ever bash the Rangers? My god, you are so blinded with ridiculous paranoia about anyone even uttering the word Rangers! This entire thread started about Gomez. YOU brought up our prospects when you compared us to the the Leafs. My god, try and keep track. If anything I was defending my team on my board to someone who prances aroudn the flaunts that same hate but with a "impartial, universal-hockey fan" facade. What a joke.

All I can say is "wow".

The funny thing is, I'm actually defending MY team on your board in a thread meant to bash Gomez.

BTW, I'm not the guy who brought the future into the debate. That was actually Hells. He mocked theMessiah1194's post about the Rangers being set for the future. So if you want someone to yell at for me bashing your prospect pool, you can PM him your rant.

All I can say is "wow".

The funny thing is, I'm actually defending MY team on your board in a thread meant to bash Gomez.

Post 23k :amazed:

What strikes me about the signings is that, quite frankly, the Rangers (and Sather) should have known better. I predicted long ago that Gomez would end up with the Rangers - that didn't surprise me in the slightest - but the Drury signing shocked me because it looked like the right move to make at the time. So did the Gomez signing. The Rangers, though, spent the last decade making FA signing mistakes. Everything began to go right for the team when they went and started building from within with trades of a smaller nature, putting small pieces together to build for the future. But when it looked like they might suddenly become an instant challenger, instead of continuing to make the small moves for the future and working to maintain the core, they went out and made two drastic moves which, in all honesty, completely reshaped the face of their forward core and the heart of the team. The team is still Lundqvist's team - I think we all know that - but a goalie can't win by himself.

It's not a matter of prospect rankings or current power rankings or any of that nonsense (who cares what our prospect pool looks like, we always find the young talent somewhere), it's a matter of the way Sather has apparently decided to go about building his team. Quite frankly, what he did last offseason was go and make the same kind of mistake that he made repeatedly during the last decade.

I'll be the first to say that, when the signings were made, I thought they were the right choice and that the Rangers would be instant champion material. But what he did was completely shift the heart of the team away from Jagr, who is still one of the best players in the game, especially with the decision to let Nylander go in exchange for Gomez. Now, in the long run that is still the right decision, even with Gomez's cap hit, but in the short run I think it did real damage to the team.

We'll see what happens as the team continues to mesh. I do think, however, that if Sather has indeed decided to take this course of action, quite possibly the best thing that he can do with the team is move Jagr. Jagr simply doesn't fit in to the rest of the forwards now that Nylander is gone - he's a different kind of player than Gomez and Drury - and when the Gomez signing was made I said the two players wouldn't mesh and they haven't (and I didn't really think he'd match well with Drury, who thrives on a line dedicated to two-way defensive/offensive play). Sather decided the direction he wanted to take the Rangers in when he signed Gomez and Drury and it was away from Jagr (and I think that's probably the right decision in the long run if he wants to win a championship).

They have some of the best depth in hockey in regards to their prospects.

The problem with this statement is that the NYR have already once been considered as having the best depth of prospects with players like Jessiman, Brendl, Lundmark, Malhotra, some but not all on Sather's watch.

It's one thing to be a prospect and another to be a true NHL regular.

Despite what we keep hearing about the NYR prospects, the only significant players to make an impact over the last 10+ years were Lundqvist & to a lesser degree, Petr Prucha.

Other than those two, everyone else is still just a prospect.

Suddenly 27 is "young"

When was it ever old?

Post 23k :amazed:

I've been around for 5 years. There are a LOT of people with more posts per day than me.

The problem with this statement is that the NYR have already once been considered as having the best depth of prospects with players like Jessiman, Brendl, Lundmark, Malhotra, some but not all on Sather's watch.

It's one thing to be a prospect and another to be a true NHL regular.

Despite what we keep hearing about the NYR prospects, the only significant players to make an impact over the last 10+ years were Lundqvist & to a lesser degree, Petr Prucha.

Other than those two, everyone else is still just a prospect.

That is 100% completely false. The Rangers had a few high end guys in the past but they've NEVER, EVER had the depth that they've had today. At least not in the past 10-15 years. The Rangers of the past traded multiple picks and prospects for ****** ass players. They completely depleted their depth before Smith was fired. He traded their depth to keep his job. That ****er.

And how have Tyutin and Girardi not made significant impacts? They are getting 1st/2nd pairing playing time!

Oh, and, by the way, if this turns into any more of a tirade between two fanbases doing nothing but exchanging *****slaps, it's going to get shut down.

i dont know how gomez is going to get more than 65 points this year, gio and elias are better than avery and straka and its not like they are playing a more up tempo style

That is 100% completely false. The Rangers had a few high end guys in the past but they've NEVER, EVER had the depth that they've had today. At least not in the past 10-15 years. The Rangers of the past traded multiple picks and prospects for ****** ass players. They completely depleted their depth before Smith was fired. He traded their depth to keep his job. That ****er.

And how have Tyutin and Girardi not made significant impacts? They are getting 1st/2nd pairing playing time!

Sorry, I disagree.

From 2000 through like 2003, culminating in the time when Blackburn was starting to look like a solid pick (before that idiot Slats overworked him) the NYR had one of the best prospect pools in the NHL with the likes of Malhotra, Lunmark, Brendl, Blackburn up to Jessiman.

Yes, they were ranked high and just like now, they are are considered only prospects.

Tyutin & Girardi are solid 5th or 6th defenseman. Nothing wrong with that. They're not setting the hockey world on fire.

Oh, and, by the way, if this turns into any more of a tirade between two fanbases doing nothing but exchanging *****slaps, it's going to get shut down.

what a surprise that would be

Sorry, I disagree.

From 2000 through like 2003, culminating in the time when Blackburn was starting to look like a solid pick (before that idiot Slats overworked him) the NYR had one of the best prospect pools in the NHL with the likes of Malhotra, Lunmark, Brendl, Blackburn up to Jessiman.

Yes, they were ranked high and just like now, they are are considered only prospects.

And besides the aforementioned prospects (and let's not include Jessiman here as he's a Sather pick), who did they have besides them before Sather took over?

Can you name ANY other significant prospects outside of Fedor Tyutin (who wasn't nearly as highly regarded as he is now)?

Sorry, I disagree.

From 2000 through like 2003, culminating in the time when Blackburn was starting to look like a solid pick (before that idiot Slats overworked him) the NYR had one of the best prospect pools in the NHL with the likes of Malhotra, Lunmark, Brendl, Blackburn up to Jessiman.

Yes, they were ranked high and just like now, they are are considered only prospects.

Tyutin & Girardi are solid 5th or 6th defenseman. Nothing wrong with that. They're not setting the hockey world on fire.
Malholtra, Lundmark, Brendl, Blackburn, and Jessiman? Montoya, Staal, Cherepanov, Bourret, and Callahan kick their respective *****.

Tyutin & Girardi are solid 5th or 6th defenseman. Nothing wrong with that. They're not setting the hockey world on fire.

This is a pretty ridiculous statement. They have been shutting down nearly all comers all year (including your team). Yet they are bottom pairing defenders?

I sincerely suggest you watch them play before you make another comment about their play since this quote from you suggests that you haven't watched them or haven't watched them since like the middle of last year.

I've been around for 5 years. There are a LOT of people with more posts per day than me.

yea, I think theres some posters that got 1000+ in a month.

i know im pointing out the obvious but how often do we have a first round pick in the top 20? that being said i think are prospects are damn good as well as are scouts and lou's drafting ability. dont forget about the free-agents that lou picks up, I.E. andy greene, Raffi, brookbank

yea, I think theres some posters that got 1000+ in a month.

Yeah. Some people are pretty insane.

Sorry, I disagree.

From 2000 through like 2003, culminating in the time when Blackburn was starting to look like a solid pick (before that idiot Slats overworked him) the NYR had one of the best prospect pools in the NHL with the likes of Malhotra, Lunmark, Brendl, Blackburn up to Jessiman.

Yes, they were ranked high and just like now, they are are considered only prospects.

Tyutin & Girardi are solid 5th or 6th defenseman. Nothing wrong with that. They're not setting the hockey world on fire.

wow, by your standards, #1 and 2 D men don't exist, they'd have to be machines. absurd statement

i know im pointing out the obvious but how often do we have a first round pick in the top 20? that being said i think are prospects are damn good as well as are scouts and lou's drafting ability. dont forget about the free-agents that lou picks up, I.E. andy greene, Raffi, brookbank

Brookbank was a waiver pick up and he doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Greene and Rafalski.

wow, by your standards, #1 and 2 D men don't exist, they'd have to be machines. absurd statement

Seriously. I, and probably most on the NHL board, see Tyutin and Girardi as #3/4 defenseman right now. Tyutin has the opportunity to turn himself into a solid #2 guy, IMO, and Girardi will likely stay a 2nd pairing defenseman.

Brookbank was a waiver pick up and he doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Greene and Rafalski.
Brookbank has done pretty well for a #6-7 defenseman. :)

Tyutin will never be a #1, but he should be a good #2. Girardi will make a quality second-pairing defenseman for his entire career, IMO.

Malholtra, Lundmark, Brendl, Blackburn, and Jessiman? Montoya, Staal, Cherepanov, Bourret, and Callahan kick their respective *****.

Well Montoya is developing slower than expecte and Borret haven't really proven a thing as of this point.

Cherepanov is getting a lot of hype, but has yet to accomplish a thing.

Staal is the only prospect on the team and seems to be learning as each game goes by, as it usually takes longer for D men to develop.

I think it's easier just to sit back and see if these players actually do work out because after all, that's why they call them prospects.

Well Montoya is developing slower than expecte and Borret haven't really proven a thing as of this point.

Cherepanov is getting a lot of hype, but has yet to accomplish a thing.

Staal is the only prospect on the team and seems to be learning as each game goes by, as it usually takes longer for D men to develop.

I think it's easier just to sit back and see if these players actually do work out because after all, that's why they call them prospects.
I'm sorry, I never expected anything of Jessiman or Lundmark. I'll admit to thinking Brendl and Malholtra would make much better players than they have.

Brookbank has done pretty well for a #6-7 defenseman. :)

Tyutin will never be a #1, but he should be a good #2. Girardi will make a quality second-pairing defenseman for his entire career, IMO.

Well, yeah I agree. But Rafalski has been a great #2 guy his whole career and Greene will, IMO, be a great #2 guy in a few years. Brookbank will never be more than a #6/7 guy. Don't see it at all.

This is a pretty ridiculous statement. They have been shutting down nearly all comers all year (including your team). Yet they are bottom pairing defenders?

I sincerely suggest you watch them play before you make another comment about their play since this quote from you suggests that you haven't watched them or haven't watched them since like the middle of last year.

O.K. Jon, since we're really not going anywhere with this Gomez-related thread, they're really very capable, very talented #1 & #2 defenseman for 30 NHL teams. ;)

Well Montoya is developing slower than expecte and Borret haven't really proven a thing as of this point.

Cherepanov is getting a lot of hype, but has yet to accomplish a thing.

Staal is the only prospect on the team and seems to be learning as each game goes by, as it usually takes longer for D men to develop.

I think it's easier just to sit back and see if these players actually do work out because after all, that's why they call them prospects.

I don't understand why this is such a difficult concept. Sure they get all the hype, but until they're on NHL ice none of them are sure things.

Well, yeah I agree. But Rafalski has been a great #2 guy his whole career and Greene will, IMO, be a great #2 guy in a few years. Brookbank will never be more than a #6/7 guy. Don't see it at all.
Oh, me neither. He could make a good #5 someday with time and practice. But Rafalski was a #1, Jon. Greene is developing more slowly than I thought he would, but he should make a very good #2, borderline #1, three or four years down the road. Yeah, I'm optomistic.

Well Montoya is developing slower than expecte and Borret haven't really proven a thing as of this point.

Cherepanov is getting a lot of hype, but has yet to accomplish a thing.

Staal is the only prospect on the team and seems to be learning as each game goes by, as it usually takes longer for D men to develop.

I think it's easier just to sit back and see if these players actually do work out because after all, that's why they call them prospects.

Well, if you consider breaking Bure's rookie goalscoring record in the RSL nothing... ;)

But yeah, he hasn't done anything at the NHL level. He hasn't had a chance to, either.

And Staal is the only prospect on the team? Are you sure you are talking about the Rangers? The team with Dubinsky, Callahan, and Girardi (also with Baranka, Moore, and Dawes seeing duty this year as well) currently on the team? Maybe you want to re-think that statement.

Devils fans still bitter I see.:handclap:

O.K. Jon, since we're really not going anywhere with this Gomez-related thread, they're really very capable, very talented #1 & #2 defenseman for 30 NHL teams. ;)

When have I ever called them "very capable, very talented #1 & #2 defenseman for 30 NHL teams"?

Even your own team's fans can agree with me that they are both solid 2nd pairing guys right now.

Come on, Muttley. You're a decent poster on here. Look past the homerism and have a decent conversation.

I'm sorry, I never expected anything of Jessiman or Lundmark. I'll admit to thinking Brendl and Malholtra would make much better players than they have.

lol, Malhotra needed to get out of NY.

By the way, he already has as many goals for Columbus this season as the player who this thread is named after and who we should be really talking about. :naughty:

Devils fans still bitter I see.:handclap:
Bitter? There was no way we were going to take Gomez back for that contract. I was never a particular fan of his even while he was here in the first place.

Brookbank was a waiver pick up and he doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Greene and Rafalski.

i know but i just thought i'd throw him in there

i know im pointing out the obvious but how often do we have a first round pick in the top 20? that being said i think are prospects are damn good as well as are scouts and lou's drafting ability. dont forget about the free-agents that lou picks up, I.E. andy greene, Raffi, brookbank

Yep.

One Top 10 pick in the last SIXTEEN drafts.

That's 16 years!

That one pick was #10 and thereafter, nothing higher than #13

This is a testament to Lou & Conte. ;)

Yep.

One Top 10 pick in the last SIXTEEN drafts.

That's 16 years!

That one pick was #10 and thereafter, nothing higher than #13

This is a testament to Lou & Conte. ;)
No, it absolutely is a testament to our scouting that we've managed to maintain the pipeline of young players as well as we have the last few years, but our drafting has definitely dropped off recently.

Devils fans still bitter I see.:handclap:

Don't stoop there. It'd be better off if you joined in in the conversation instead of posting something like that.

lol, Malhotra needed to get out of NY.

By the way, he already has as many goals for Columbus this season as the player who this thread is named after and who we should be really talking about. :naughty:

I'm SO happy that Manny got out of NY. God, he was so ****ing wasted.

I'm also so glad that those years are behind this franchise. :shakehead:shakehead:shakehead

As a Devil fan, I'm used to hearing the Devils have poor prospects. The Devils don't draft high up, and they haven't in a long time. And still.....somehow, someway, they still crank out the Clarkson's and the Greene's that keep them moving along. This, while being ranked 28 out of 30 on Hockeys Future. Is an organization that is ranked so poorly supposed to be able to produce such players?

Last year, it was Zajac and Oduya.....both players, without any fanfare or media frenzy or hype, as is common across the river, seamlessly became integrated into the team. How big of a coup was it that Zajac stepped in and instantly became this team's second line center? Did Hockey's Future have anything to say about the ranking it gave to the Devils at that time?

Next year, it could be Corrente or Bergfors or Palmieri......and the Devils will still be ranked poorly on Hockey's Future.

Well, for my part, I don't really give a crap how Hockey's Future ranks the Devils. So long as Lou continues to find players that keep this team successful, THAT is the criteria I'll be using to rank the Devils' prospects.

As a Devil fan, I'm used to hearing the Devils have poor prospects. The Devils don't draft high up, and they haven't in a long time. And still.....somehow, someway, they still crank out the Clarkson's and the Greene's that keep them moving along. This, while being ranked 28 out of 30 on Hockeys Future. Is an organization that is ranked so poorly supposed to be able to produce such players?

Last year, it was Zajac and Oduya.....both players, without any fanfare or media frenzy or hype, as is common across the river, seamlessly became integrated into the team. How big of a coup was it that Zajac stepped in and instantly became this team's second line center? Did Hockey's Future have anything to say about the ranking it gave to the Devils at that time?

Next year, it could be Corrente or Bergfors or Palmieri......and the Devils will still be ranked poorly on Hockey's Future.

Well, for my part, I don't really give a crap how Hockey's Future ranks the Devils. So long as Lou continues to find players that keep this team successful, THAT is the criteria I'll be using to rank the Devils' prospects.
Well said.

As a Devil fan, I'm used to hearing the Devils have poor prospects. The Devils don't draft high up, and they haven't in a long time. And still.....somehow, someway, they still crank out the Clarkson's and the Greene's that keep them moving along. This, while being ranked 28 out of 30 on Hockeys Future. Is an organization that is ranked so poorly supposed to be able to produce such players?

Last year, it was Zajac and Oduya.....both players, without any fanfare or media frenzy or hype, as is common across the river, seamlessly became integrated into the team. How big of a coup was it that Zajac stepped in and instantly became this team's second line center? Did Hockey's Future have anything to say about the ranking it gave to the Devils at that time?

Next year, it could be Corrente or Bergfors or Palmieri......and the Devils will still be ranked poorly on Hockey's Future.

Well, for my part, I don't really give a crap how Hockey's Future ranks the Devils. So long as Lou continues to find players that keep this team successful, THAT is the criteria I'll be using to rank the Devils' prospects.

Clarkson and Greene were both undrafted, so they certainly aren't a testament to the Devils drafting that has become very suspect in the last few years.

Oduya is awful and is 26 years old already. Hardly worthy of any "media frenzy or hype".

While I have liked Zajac from his NoDak days, he's looking to pretty much put up the same numbers as last year if the projections go as they seem to go so far. But I understand your comment about him. Not even I (who saw the guy play most of his NoDak games) thought he was ready last year.

Clarkson and Greene were both undrafted, so they certainly aren't a testament to the Devils drafting that has become very suspect in the last few years.

Oduya is awful and is 26 years old already. Hardly worthy of any "media frenzy or hype".

While I have liked Zajac from his NoDak days, he's looking to pretty much put up the same numbers as last year if the projections go as they seem to go so far. But I understand your comment about him. Not even I (who saw the guy play most of his NoDak games) thought he was ready last year.
Zajac is a sophomore, there's no way his points would increase in the same way that Parise's did. Oduya is terrible, though.

Zajac is a sophomore, there's no way his points would increase in the same way that Parise's did. Oduya is terrible, though.

I think Zajac will be a 60 point player at the NHL level. Solid 2nd line numbers, IMHO. You can't really ask or expect much more from a 2nd line center, either. Love the kid and loved the pick.

No, it absolutely is a testament to our scouting that we've managed to maintain the pipeline of young players as well as we have the last few years, but our drafting has definitely dropped off recently.

Hey, let's not sell ourselves short.

I think we've drafted as good as any team can with getting such bad drafting positions.

Parise, Zajac, Bergfors and most likely Corrente were more than solid picks.

We're not getting a Marc Staal pick at #12 or Al Montoya pick at #6 :sarcasm:

Since the Adrian Foster mistake at #28 in 2001,

2002 we picked a nobody at #51

2003 we got very lucky in getting Parise at #17

2004 Zajac at #20

2005 Bergfors at #23

2006 Corrente at #30 :

2007 Hoeffel at #57 :shakehead

Hey, let's not sell ourselves short.

I think we've drafted as good as any team can with getting such bad drafting positions Parise, Zajac, Bergfors and most likely Corrente were more than solid picks.

We're not getting a Marc Staal pick at #12 or Al Montoya pick at #6 :sarcasm:

Since the Adrian Foster mistake at #28 in 2001,

2002 we picked a nobody at #51

2003 we got very lucky in getting Parise at #17

2004 Zajac at #20

2005 Bergfors at #23

2006 Corrente at #30 :

2007 Hoeffel at #57 :shakehead
Hoeffel was a bad pick. I still can't understand why we didn't draft Stastny over Bergfors, though. Makes no sense to me.

As a Devil fan, I'm used to hearing the Devils have poor prospects. The Devils don't draft high up, and they haven't in a long time. And still.....somehow, someway, they still crank out the Clarkson's and the Greene's that keep them moving along. This, while being ranked 28 out of 30 on Hockeys Future. Is an organization that is ranked so poorly supposed to be able to produce such players?

Last year, it was Zajac and Oduya.....both players, without any fanfare or media frenzy or hype, as is common across the river, seamlessly became integrated into the team. How big of a coup was it that Zajac stepped in and instantly became this team's second line center? Did Hockey's Future have anything to say about the ranking it gave to the Devils at that time?

Next year, it could be Corrente or Bergfors or Palmieri......and the Devils will still be ranked poorly on Hockey's Future.

Well, for my part, I don't really give a crap how Hockey's Future ranks the Devils. So long as Lou continues to find players that keep this team successful, THAT is the criteria I'll be using to rank the Devils' prospects.
The Devils are arguably the best in the league at picking up sleeper picks, late round steals, and free-agent acquisitions. I can't say what this team will look like in 5 years, but they will still be competitive. Parise, Zajac and Martin will usher in the next generation of Devils hockey just like Madden, Elias, and Rafalski did in 2000 and Niedermayer, Stevens, and Brodeur before that.

The Devils are arguably the best in the league at picking up sleeper picks, late round steals, and free-agent acquisitions. I can't say what this team will look like in 5 years, but they will still be competitive. Parise, Zajac and Martin will usher in the next generation of Devils hockey just like Madden, Elias, and Rafalski did in 2000 and Niedermayer, Stevens, and Brodeur before that.
The Red Wings are the best team in the league at picking up sleeper picks. By far. I do think we're the best team in the league at picking up undrafted free agents.

The Red Wings are the best team in the league at picking up sleeper picks. By far. I do think we're the best team in the league at picking up free agents out of college.
Thats why I said arguably. The Red Wings are really the only team comparable to the Devils in the last decade in the team building department.

nicely for the future? they will have like 17 FA's next year, and 10 of them UFA not a whole lot of cap space..if anything, they are stacked this year. all the eggs are in one basket, and they had better bring home the cup. but imo, they wont and they'll be 'paying' for these contracts for a long time

Man, do a little research first. The Rangers are loaded up for a run the next few years and will have plenty of cap space. (THEY HAVE STILL 2MILLION to spen this season if they want to.) Actually, management should get kudos for setting the Rangers up like they have. Both Gomez And Drury's deals depreciate over the life of the contracts. They were both front loaded for THIS SEASON and go down each year. Plus, Malik, Shanny,Mara,Straka are all gone after this year. And thats alot of cap space off the books. And the Rangers only have to pay HALF of Jagrs--so he only counts 4 million against the cap. And, the Rangers have alot of good young home grown talent just breaking in with them--Lundqvuist,Staal,Dubinsky,Callahan,Prucha, Dawes,Betts, Orr--who, aside from Henrik, wont really get the big payday for a few years, yet are all valuable contributers. And then, they have guys like Sanguinetti, Anisimov, Pyatt, Sauer, Korpikoski,Dupont, and Cherepanov on the way after that. And dont forget about Montoya..just check this own HF site and sites like the Hockey News for write-ups about how the Rangers have really developed a very good stable of prospects.

With that all said, Gomez does have to bring it up a notch, as does Drury.

Classic Ranger-Devil thread. Stared with Gomez. And now we're somehow on prospects. Dizzying.

Man, do a little research first. The Rangers are loaded up for a run the next few years and will have plenty of cap space. (THEY HAVE STILL 2MILLION to spen this season if they want to.) Actually, management should get kudos for setting the Rangers up like they have. Both Gomez And Drury's deals depreciate over the life of the contracts. They were both front loaded for THIS SEASON and go down each year. Plus, Malik, Shanny,Mara,Straka are all gone after this year. And thats alot of cap space off the books. And the Rangers only have to pay HALF of Jagrs--so he only counts 4 million against the cap. And, the Rangers have alot of good young home grown talent just breaking in with them--Lundqvuist,Staal,Dubinsky,Callahan,Prucha, Dawes,Betts, Orr--who, aside from Henrik, wont really get the big payday for a few years, yet are all valuable contributers. And then, they have guys like Sanguinetti, Anisimov, Pyatt, Sauer, Korpikoski,Dupont, and Cherepanov on the way after that. And dont forget about Montoya..just check this own HF site and sites like the Hockey News for write-ups about how the Rangers have really developed a very good stable of prospects.

With that all said, Gomez does have to bring it up a notch, as does Drury.

good post.

To get back on topic, this was probably one of the aspects I was most interested in regarding Gomez and that's how he handles the pressure of being the highest paid Ranger and the media getting on him. It will be interesting, but to be fair, Gomez has more or less been a 2nd half player through-out his Devil career. If the Rangers offense ever gets going I can see Gomez reaching between 70 & 80 pts., about his average.

Hoeffel was a bad pick. I still can't understand why we didn't draft Stastny over Bergfors, though. Makes no sense to me.

The only thing I can think of was that during the 2005 draft, Lou thought we wouldn't need another Center as we already had Gomez, Madden, Brylin, that big-stiff Kozlov and Zajac waiting in the wings.

Of course we now have the benefit of hindsight.

Oh well.

Getting Clarkson and Greene as undrafted players only proves the adeptness of Devils scouting. No hype, no 7.5B's or 6.0C's, no inflated organizational rankings......just two very solid NHL'ers who've quietly become Devil mainstays. If that's what being ranked 28 out of 30 gets you, than I'll gladly take the Devils being ranked that way from here on in.

Zajac is going to be a great one for the Devils. If you can't see that by watching him, well, I don't know what to say. You'd probably be perfect working for hockey's future.

Last year, Oduya was one of the Devil's best defensemen for 3/4 of the season. He's mysteriously regressed this season, but he has the physical skills to at least be a solid NHL'er. I'll gladly take that from a UFA signing. Even if the Devils dump him later, Lou turned nothing into something.

Next year, someone else will emerge. Having seen Corrente and Palmieri play, I know that these kids will be NHL'ers. Despite this, I anticipate another 28 out of 30 ranking......and I'm perfectly fine with it.

Man, do a little research first. The Rangers are loaded up for a run the next few years and will have plenty of cap space. (THEY HAVE STILL 2MILLION to spen this season if they want to.) Actually, management should get kudos for setting the Rangers up like they have. Both Gomez And Drury's deals depreciate over the life of the contracts. They were both front loaded for THIS SEASON and go down each year. Plus, Malik, Shanny,Mara,Straka are all gone after this year. And thats alot of cap space off the books. And the Rangers only have to pay HALF of Jagrs--so he only counts 4 million against the cap. And, the Rangers have alot of good young home grown talent just breaking in with them--Lundqvuist,Staal,Dubinsky,Callahan,Prucha, Dawes,Betts, Orr--who, aside from Henrik, wont really get the big payday for a few years, yet are all valuable contributers. And then, they have guys like Sanguinetti, Anisimov, Pyatt, Sauer, Korpikoski,Dupont, and Cherepanov on the way after that. And dont forget about Montoya..just check this own HF site and sites like the Hockey News for write-ups about how the Rangers have really developed a very good stable of prospects.

With that all said, Gomez does have to bring it up a notch, as does Drury.Betts was from the Calgary organization.:teach:

You all know Gomez, he's a player that you never have to worry about, he'll never dog it, and he's always a threat.

Pat Burns would disagree with you. There were plenty of times Gomez would dog it with the Devils. At one point when Burns was the coach Gomez was benched for dogging it.

The contract is an absorbed one no matter how you look at it. In actual dollars he is making 10 million this year. For 10 million dollars a player better put in 30 goals himself and be a 100 point player. Gomez has never been that type player. The only year he had over 20 goals was the post-lockout where offensive numbers overall were inflated because of the early season penalty fest the league had. Even then he only had 84 points which was the only year he scored over 80 points. The contract is a clear example of a guy killing a team where that team just wants him and doesn't look at the body of work and of a weak market increasing demand for second tier players. It is a contract that can come back and haunt a team especially come trading deadline day.

The ironic thing is Gomez had had a decent stretch coming into the Dallas game but had a huge mess up that got magnified in the spotlight. That's what happens when you go to a rival team with that type of contract. The player gets scrutinized.

As long as Gomez is still playing hockey in June, he's earned his payday.

Way to early to judge

At this point the Rangers look about as good as last year imo. Obviously they need to find the net more, but ultimately this years Rangers are a better build for the playoffs than last years team.

Last year was the 1st time Nylander made it out of the first round. Adding proven playoff performers like Gomez and Drury may, as much as I hate to admit it, make Sather look like a genius if the Rangers get on a run.

As long as Gomez is still playing hockey in June, he's earned his payday.

Way to early to judge

At this point the Rangers look about as good as last year imo. Obviously they need to find the net more, but ultimately this years Rangers are a better build for the playoffs than last years team.

Last year was the 1st time Nylander made it out of the first round. Adding proven playoff performers like Gomez and Drury may, as much as I hate to admit it, make Sather look like a genius if the Rangers get on a run.
Gomez's playoff performances haven't been that great, cycle. He was good enough, but not first line material, in 2000, 2001, and 2003. His best performances came on teams which ended up going nowhere.

Drury, though, is another story entirely.

As long as Gomez is still playing hockey in June, he's earned his payday.

Way to early to judge

At this point the Rangers look about as good as last year imo. Obviously they need to find the net more, but ultimately this years Rangers are a better build for the playoffs than last years team.

Last year was the 1st time Nylander made it out of the first round. Adding proven playoff performers like Gomez and Drury may, as much as I hate to admit it, make Sather look like a genius if the Rangers get on a run.

I totally disagree. The NYR are only suited to beat a team like the Atlanta Thrashers. They really did nothing to address team size and Drury & Gomez will easily get pushed around by a bigger team like Ottawa. Jagr & Shanahan besides looking lost, are also much older and brittle and will wear down as the season goes along. Not to mention, the NYR PP is non existent as they tend to play a little to passively with their "defensive system".

I said this in July and I still say it now.

Despite top notch goaltending, their passive game of sitting back, taking less chances with a less pronounced forecheck and clogging up the neutral zone will not get them past a team like Ottawa, or a superior PP team like Carolina, which will get like 10 pp chances per game.

No, it absolutely is a testament to our scouting that we've managed to maintain the pipeline of young players as well as we have the last few years, but our drafting has definitely dropped off recently.
I think it's the development more than the drafting that has dropped off. The guys that have spent time in Lowell/Albany just have not turned out as well as they should have. Just looking at the last two drafts there's plenty of guys I'm excited about (Corrente, Vasyunov, Tulupov, Palmieri, Halischuk), but the development needs to improve.

Clarkson and Greene were both undrafted, so they certainly aren't a testament to the Devils drafting that has become very suspect in the last few years.

Oduya is awful and is 26 years old already. Hardly worthy of any "media frenzy or hype".

While I have liked Zajac from his NoDak days, he's looking to pretty much put up the same numbers as last year if the projections go as they seem to go so far. But I understand your comment about him. Not even I (who saw the guy play most of his NoDak games) thought he was ready last year.
This year, and the end of last year, absolutely. But he was very solid the first half of last season (played with Martin and logged some pretty big minutes), which is one of the things that frustrates me the most about his play, because he's shown that he can be better.

Anyways, getting back to Gomez, even if he was matching his career numbers right now the NY media could (rightfully) still be bashing him and his contract, because he's just not worth that kind of money.

This Rangers team is not the Rangers team that will be there come April. You've already lost to us 3 times. You should know that the team is damn good.



Oh yeah that is right the Devils went 0-2-1 last season and then won the last FIVE of the season series to finish 5-2-1. I am not saying the same will happen again this season, but with the Devils now getting healthy with White and Langenbrunner back in the line up-who were missing in the first three meetings, it could be a different outcome the next three meetings. I still think the Devils will win the season series since it has been a longtime (1996-97 season) since the NYR beat the Devils in a season series.:biglaugh:

Elias deserved the contract he got.

Drury & Gomez got more than they deserve.

Big difference.

I am pretty sure I am hallucinating, but is that OUR Muttley defending Partik Elias? Up is down people.

Oh yeah that is right the Devils went 0-2-1 last season and then won the last FIVE of the season series to finish 5-2-1. I am not saying the same will happen again this season, but with the Devils now getting healthy with White and Langenbrunner back in the line up-who were missing in the first three meetings, it could be a different outcome the next three meetings. I still think the Devils will win the season series since it has been a longtime (1996-97 season) since the NYR beat the Devils in a season series.:biglaugh:

It's also "been a longtime (1996-97 season) since the NYR" have had a team as good as they have now.

I have no doubt that the Rangers will win the series.

It's also "been a longtime (1996-97 season) since the NYR" have had a team as good as they have now.

I have no doubt that the Rangers will win the series.


Ah Jonathan, thanks for some more laughs.:biglaugh: I hear this same story from Rangers fans every year and it just does not happen. It won't happen this season either.;)

I am pretty sure I am hallucinating, but is that OUR Muttley defending Partik Elias? Up is down people.

What's the surprise?

We want and expect more from a player that we know is capable of doing great things.

You've already lost to us 3 times. You should know that the team is damn good.


Yeah, I wanted in on this as well.

Enjoy your three victories Jonathan, against a team riddled with injuries and suffering the growing pains of a new coach and new system. We'll see how it all shakes out by the end of the season. But we've owned yours ***** for more than a decade, and I still remember fairly recently FOUR STRAIGHT victories when it really counted.

Try winning anything -- a division much less a Stanley Cup -- and come back and talk to me.

Yeah, I wanted in on this as well.

Enjoy your three victories Jonathan, against a team riddled with injuries and suffering the growing pains of a new coach and new system. We'll see how it all shakes out by the end of the season. But we've owned yours ***** for more than a decade, and I still remember fairly recently FOUR STRAIGHT victories when it really counted.

Try winning anything -- a division much less a Stanley Cup -- and come back and talk to me.

AMEN Jerry.

Playoffs Head to Head:

Brodeur-4-0

Lundqvist-0-4


Nuff said...

AMEN Jerry.

Playoffs Head to Head:

Brodeur-4-0

Lundqvist-0-4


Nuff said...

Let's not sell Henrik short.

He was benched for Game #2 in favor of Weekes, so it's 0-3 :teach:

What future? You should be asking your GM about that for your team. With a bare cupboard of prospects, the future looks quite bleak for you guys. In fact, as I said before, the Devils kind of remind me of the Leafs right now. I think they'll be toiling in mediocrity for a number of years since Lou apparently refuses to rebuild.

.

Hummm... Dude, there's Matt Corrente, Matt Halishuck(Who so far, have been putting good numbers with Kitchener.) Nick Bergfors, and therefore, yes the Devils haven't a tons of good prospects, but hey, what about these guys... Eh... Andy Greene, David Clarkson? Both Undrafted Free Agents? Or what about these guys... eh... Zach Parise and Travis Zajac? Who both will be 24 and 23 in 2008... Or... What about Gionta, who's still 28, Elias 31, Langenbrunner 32, Zubrus 30,... Martin is like what.. 26?


Saying the Devils don't have a bright future is somehow stupid. Same goes for saying that the Rangers future isn't bright.. Maybe, if Lou sends all those picks for Old-washed up players.When Marty contract will be up, there's the time where to rebuild, and Lou won't even be there in 5years I think.(He's 65.)But hey, comparing the Leafs to the Devils is overeacting... The Leafs don't have a Parise or Zajac in their Line-ups(I mean... Up to their talent) or a consistent Goalie or a capable DEF.


I don't think I would see Lou trading a 1st round pick for a Goalie who has been good, but never proved to be a Number one Goalie(Toskala) Or a Top 5 Goalie Prospect for a Washed-up Andrew Raycroft...




See, the Rangers have a bright future. But hey, why did the Rangers had to sign Drury and Gomez? Because, they didn't 2 centers to rely in their prospects pipe.

Yup.

Marc Staal, Bobby Sanguinetti, Al Montoya, Alexei Cherepanov, Alex Bourret... That's a nice group of Prospects. Yup.

But... Question like this, do you really think the Rangers will be capable to replace Straka and Shanny for... Bourret and Cherepanov?

Gomez has at least played very well (especially as of late). Holik never gave a **** and never played very well. Big difference.

Maybe all those years of staying up late in his hotel room, reading the same newspaper over and over again, caught up with him.

Wait, the Rangers keep failing? They've made the playoffs the last two years and have still managed to get guys like Cherepanov in their draft. They traded for another top prospect -- Alex Bourret. It's not like they've been picking top 5 for the last 5 years.
Oh wow 6th place for both years, 1 getting sweeped by the Devils. While the Devils have performed much better in the past 2 years by winning the Atlantic and only losing to the team that would later win the cup and the team that totally dominated the Eastern conference.

It's also "been a longtime (1996-97 season) since the NYR" have had a team as good as they have now.

I have no doubt that the Rangers will win the series.

Its only in the Playoffs that really counts :sarcasm:

And yeah, we'll see how you're ranking higher than us translates into Atlantic Division titles and Stanley Cups. You think that ranking entitles you to some kind of guaranteed success because that's the way you keep ranting.

And I didn't say the Rangers being ranked higher than the Devils was a joke, the list itself always is regardless of whose ranked where.

Every team has those types of players.

Let's not get carried away and call them superstars.

The other players you named are solid soldier/team players. That's it.

Ill take a short list of proven young players over a long list of unproven ones any day.



I think it's easier just to sit back and see if these players actually do work out because after all, that's why they call them prospects.

Veteran leadership and a strong core wins championships. The LAST thing a team wants in the grind and intensity of the second season is a team full of rookies. They have never been there and rarely does that translate to any kind of success.

Please feel free to stack your NHL squad with AHL prospects. Be my guest... See how that works out for you.

With Shanny on his last legs, Straka ready for retirement and Jagr looking out of step and lost, veteran leadership is looking pretty thin over there.

And Scott Gomez, of all people, is NOT the answer to the leadership question. He is a goofball who only ever wanted the money, and now that he has piles of it there is very little left to play for... He has NEVER carried a team on his back and never will.

Drury does have leadership qualities, for certain. It is his actual skills that have been consistently overrated.

Combine the two and you have one real superstar player. Too bad it will cost you guys $14mil+ for the foreseeable future to get that level of production.

I'm not looking through the thread to find the original post, but prospects are less
important that they used to be, unless you're going to grow all blue-chippers.

An NHL team right now is going to be a core of 6-8 forwards, 3 or 4 defenseman, a goalie and then a whole bunch of junk/kids/projects on one year contracts. So, the Devils are not as screwed as they would be under the old system, where you keep your own players as indentured servants until they're 31 or you trade them for someone else's RFA's, and the UFA pickings were much slimmer.

Basically, if you have a B level kid, you can sign a mature version of the same player in the FA market. It's going to cost more against the cap, but the cap has swollen to a point where it doesn't matter anymore.

The infatuation continues.

Its only in the Playoffs that really counts :sarcasm:

And, by all means, enjoy your 1 and only victory over the Rangers in the playoffs.

It's also "been a longtime (1996-97 season) since the NYR" have had a team as good as they have now.

Do you honestly think the Rangers are that good?

Frankly I dont think either of these teams are much to brag about.

AMEN Jerry.

Playoffs Head to Head:

Brodeur-4-0

Lundqvist-0-4


Nuff said...

Great. So an injury riddled (you guys used it as an excuse for losing to us for 3 games so far) Rangers squad with an injured goaltender lost. Big ****ing whoop.

What's funny is you guys use the same excuse now (being injured) that we used then and were bashed for it.

Such hypocrisy!

Do you honestly think the Rangers are that good?

Frankly I dont think either of these teams are much to brag about.

Yes, I do think the Rangers are the best they've been in 10 years. It's not that hard to figure out why they would be, is it?

Yes, I do think the Rangers are the best they've been in 10 years. It's not that hard to figure out why they would be, is it?

Then why can't they score more than 2 goals per game? Oh wait... Here come the excuses.

My answer... Because the Rangers Suck. But then again that is always my answer.;)

But... Question like this, do you really think the Rangers will be capable to replace Straka and Shanny for... Bourret and Cherepanov?

You don't honestly think they are ONLY going to use prospects, right? They have enough money to sign a forward and a defenseman this offseason above and beyond who they decide to keep. You'll likely see either Bourret or Cherry in the line-up next year full time. Not both.

And, by all means, enjoy your 1 and only victory over the Rangers in the playoffs.

Cling to whatever you need to, man. It's kind of tough to keep pretending the years from 1995 to about 2005 didn't exist every time one of these threads come up. But hey, whatever makes it easier for you.

Great. So an injury riddled (you guys used it as an excuse for losing to us for 3 games so far) Rangers squad with an injured goaltender lost. Big ****ing whoop.

What's funny is you guys use the same excuse now (being injured) that we used then and were bashed for it.

Such hypocrisy!

Win 'em when it counts, buddy. That is all I am saying.

Then why can't they score more than 2 goals per game? Oh wait... Here come the excuses.

My answer... Because the Rangers Suck. But then again that is always my answer.;)

How is that they haven't found chemistry an excuse, because you know it'll be labeled one as soon as I say it.

That's the only answer. Not enough chemistry. Well, that and a coach who has NO clue how to run a powerplay ;)

Cling to whatever you need to, man. It's kind of tough to keep pretending the years from 1995 to about 2005 didn't exist every time one of these threads come up. But hey, whatever makes it easier for you.

When have I ever claimed or pretended that? Why even make a comment like that? I mean, I'm giving in to what you want: A response and some other comment from you.

I don't know why you can't be civil. At all. Not even a lick of it.

Yes, I do think the Rangers are the best they've been in 10 years. It's not that hard to figure out why they would be, is it?

Last year's team (at least post-Avery) was better.

There's something missing.

They deserved to beat Buffalo, but from what I've seen this season out of them,
I don't think they could beat a team at that kind of level. Luckily, though there's
only one really good team in the East and even they look vulnerable lately.

Last year's team (at least post-Avery) was better.

There's something missing.

They deserved to beat Buffalo, but from what I've seen this season out of them,
I don't think they could beat a team at that kind of level. Luckily, though there's
only one really good team in the East and even they look vulnerable lately.

Yeah. It's called chemistry. It'll come. Gomez found his with Shanny. Once (or if) Straka is back full time, it will really REALLY help a lot.

I can't possibly picture why anyone would think last year's team was better. Tyutin and Girardi were not as good as they are this year. That is a HUGE reason that this year's team (even on paper) is better.

How is that they haven't found chemistry an excuse, because you know it'll be labeled one as soon as I say it.

That's the only answer. Not enough chemistry. Well, that and a coach who has NO clue how to run a powerplay ;)

And the same can be said for over here. Better chemistry and a better PP would go a long way. Brent Sutter has tried every line combination on earth before our top 6 finally looked settled -- then Elias got sick, so we had all of two games to see it. Looks similar on the other side of the pond, with Renney trying to find linemates for your two shiny new centers.

And the same can be said for over here. Better chemistry and a better PP would go a long way. Brent Sutter has tried every line combination on earth before our top 6 finally looked settled -- then Elias got sick, so we had all of two games to see it. Looks similar on the other side of the pond, with Renney trying to find linemates for your two shiny new centers.

He already has Gomez matched. It's Drury that's the problem. Though I think you'll see him on the wing with Jagr if Straka isn't stuck there.

I've been around for 5 years. There are a LOT of people with more posts per day than me.

yeah but nobody posts on the devils board as much as you, it seems..i think HF has a rangers board you can go to, fyi. up to you.

And, by all means, enjoy your 1 and only victory over the Rangers in the playoffs.

Wow, I guess you didn't see the :sarcasm: smiley or what?? Calm down man.


Sorry if fellow Devils fans think your somehow a troller for defending the Rangers, and I can understand it.


But, you can't ask Bourret ect, to fill up all those holes that'll create the Free Agents departure. Seriously, they'll have lots of cap space, and they'll lock up their Prospects/Henrik and.... Maybe trade away Montoya? Or even sign a Free Agent. But, if their Prospects can fill up the holes, and Sather uses his Cap space in good Free Agents, I think this team can win the Atlantic the next year, if Drury and Gomez can really play up to their talent. Because... Right now, they're not, and they're for their contracts they have been giving up.








Don't trick me, I understand your point of view... Dear Devils fans, don't pick apart Jonathan for every comments he makes about the Devils, this is a forum... Its for writing off your opinions, and I'm gladdy to see some one sharing his opinions.




I guess I took that experience from being a Troll(I admit it.) And therefore, being a Jackass. But hey, that's the past.

yeah but nobody posts on the devils board as much as you, it seems..i think HF has a rangers board you can go to, fyi. up to you.

What the **** is wrong with you Buddy? This is the Devils forums, yes, there's suppose to be Devils fans, he has a right to come on our Forum, like we do on their Forum. Geez.

If he wants to share his opinions, he can.

Yeah. It's called chemistry. It'll come. Gomez found his with Shanny. Once (or if) Straka is back full time, it will really REALLY help a lot.

I can't possibly picture why anyone would think last year's team was better. Tyutin and Girardi were not as good as they are this year. That is a HUGE reason that this year's team (even on paper) is better.

They don't play the games on paper. Sometimes role players mean more than superstars in the grand scheme of things, especially when finding balance and overall team chemistry.

Last season I got a real buzz off of the Rangers team, thought they played with heart and as a cohesive team. Now they seem so much less than that, for whatever reason, and godawful BORING to watch. Sweet bajeebus the new Rangers system (cough*trap*cough) is like watching paint dry.

That November 14th game at the Rock, which I had been wildly anticipating since the schedule was announced, was freakin' UNWATCHABLE. Just terrible hockey.

When have I ever claimed or pretended that? Why even make a comment like that? I mean, I'm giving in to what you want: A response and some other comment from you.

I don't know why you can't be civil. At all. Not even a lick of it.

Giving in to what I want? I'm convinced you don't even know what it looks like when you come on here and immediately make a prediction of mediocrity for our team right off the bat. You don't think that makes it slightly more difficult to even want to have any kind of discussion of value? I understand you *think* you are simply pointing out your opinion, but when you're opinion is derisive of a team that just happens to be a rival how do you think me and others are going to respond? If you think I'm just doing it to be a **** you're way off. I give back exactly what I think is being thrown my way.

It goes both ways, my friend and if you still think it's just me (and you have no contribution whatsoever) then you're not looking hard enough. I'm all for civility but I can guarantee you that if these situations were reversed and I was on your board there would be all sorts of mindless crap thrown at me. And you know what, I would expect it, which is why I truly can't understand why you're surprised.

Wow, I guess you didn't see the :sarcasm: smiley or what?? Calm down man.


Sorry if fellow Devils fans think your somehow a troller for defending the Rangers, and I can understand it.




Mine was meant in a sarcastic manner, too. Normally I do include the smiley but did not there. Sorry for the misunderstanding!

BTW, never saw how I can be called a "troller". I give an opposite opinion but I don't normally resort to name calling and petty ********. I'm all for a nice, big heated argument but I try and leave the other ******** at the door. Giving an opposite opinion and being an opposing fan does not make someone a troll.

A troll offers nothing to the conversation. I actually like to converse ;)

Well this topic certainly took off while I was gone.

FYI, Jonathan is NOT a troll. Posts like he has ADD, but always welcome here.

What the **** is wrong with you Buddy? This is the Devils forums, yes, there's suppose to be Devils fans, he has a right to come on our Forum, like we do on their Forum. Geez.

If he wants to share his opinions, he can.

And I, and most other Rangers fans, gladly welcome Devils fans to the board to discuss/argue/debate things in a civil manner without personal attacks and name calling. No idea why it's such a hard concept for some to figure out that this is, in fact, a public message board.

If Rangers Rule! and others wanted a private board, they could very easily make their own. ;)

Mine was meant in a sarcastic manner, too. Normally I do include the smiley but did not there. Sorry for the misunderstanding!

BTW, never saw how I can be called a "troller". I give an opposite opinion but I don't normally resort to name calling and petty ********. I'm all for a nice, big heated argument but I try and leave the other ******** at the door. Giving an opposite opinion and being an opposing fan does not make someone a troll.

A troll offers nothing to the conversation. I actually like to converse ;)


Yeah, but expect more " GET THE **** OUT" If you predict Gloom and Doom for the Devils with their Rosters atm... ;)

RonnieBass has been saying this in the past... Its called Devils forum, yes, but Rangers fans can come to our forum like we do on their Forum.


And... I'm out. Going to watch Dolphins @ Steelers game!!!

Don't forget... Don't call Jonathan a Troll or a *******. He's sharing his opinions, deal with it.

Yeah, but expect more " GET THE **** OUT" If you predict Gloom and Doom for the Devils with their Rosters atm... ;)

RonnieBass has been saying this in the past... Its called Devils forum, yes, but Rangers fans can come to our forum like we do on our Forum.

Well, I predicted you guys to beat us the first game. Your team made me look bad and now I feel the need to troll and bash them with every ounce of my keystroke. ;) :sarcasm:

FYI, Jonathan is NOT a troll. Posts like he has ADD, but always welcome here.

I go in spades, though. I'll spend an hour on here and post 30 times but I won't be back until either way later in that day or, sometimes, for a few days. But with my new job working mornings and my girlfriend finishing her degree, I have a lot more unwanted free time :(

Brookbank was a waiver pick up and he doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Greene and Rafalski.

As the President of the BBB (Brookbank Bandwagon), I am extremely offended by your statement and demand an apology. If said apology does not come within 24 hours, I'm going to tell Reverand Al (Weekes and Oduya made Brookbank an honorary member of the African American community) and then there will be hell to pay. Brookbank is a keeper. He's slow, but give him a little more time in the NHL and help him perfect his shot, and I can see him becoming a very capable 4-5 d-man.

There's something about Gomez that draws Devils fans to hfboards like bees to honey. Remember the crazy week that Gomer went to arbitration? There were like 1000 posts in the one thread. Madness I tell you.

As the President of the BBB (Brookbank Bandwagon), I am extremely offended by your statement and demand an apology. If said apology does not come within 24 hours, I'm going to tell Reverand Al (Weekes and Oduya made Brookbank an honorary member of the African American community) and then there will be hell to pay. Brookbank is a keeper. He's slow, but give him a little more time in the NHL and help him perfect his shot, and I can see him becoming a very capable 4-5 d-man.

While I do give my complete apologies in case of any offense to the BBB, Brookbank, and all of his family members (including his 17 children and 4 grand children) currently posting on Hockeys Future, I do in fact stand by my statement.

The good reverend may make a compelling media speech but I am not so easily swayed! I have no white guilt to be swayed upon. :sarcasm:

----

But I do think that his speed is what holds him back.

Send him to Jason Ward's power skating instructor. Look what he/she did for him!

Well, I predicted you guys to beat us the first game. Your team made me look bad and now I feel the need to troll and bash them with every ounce of my keystroke. ;) :sarcasm:

MOUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$OMEZZZZZZZZZZ IS A TRAITOR :sarcasm:

.But, you can't ask Bourret ect, to fill up all those holes that'll create the Free Agents departure. Seriously, they'll have lots of cap space, and they'll lock up their Prospects/Henrik and.... Maybe trade away Montoya? Or even sign a Free Agent. But, if their Prospects can fill up the holes, and Sather uses his Cap space in good Free Agents, I think this team can win the Atlantic the next year, if Drury and Gomez can really play up to their talent. Because... Right now, they're not, and they're for their contracts they have been giving up.
This is a good point. The Rangers only have about $18M of salary on the books next season. Lets assume that Lundqvist gets a long term deal averaging around to $7M because frankly, he deserves it. That gives the Rangers $23M in salary.

If the cap goes up like it has been, the Rangers are looking at potentially $30M in cap space. Cap space is usually seen as a great commodity, but lets not forget how it could go against the Rangers. Sather really has to be careful he doesn't hand out too many long term deals and cripple his teams future. Drury and Gomez haven't earned their money so far, but of course one can't judge a player based on 20 games. But still, Sather has to spend responsibly or else he could find himself in a Tampa Bay like situation.

The infatuation continues.

Quick acting like you guys would be any better.

While I do give my complete apologies in case of any offense to the BBB, Brookbank, and all of his family members (including his 17 children and 4 grand children) currently posting on Hockeys Future, I do in fact stand by my statement.

The good reverend may make a compelling media speech but I am not so easily swayed! I have no white guilt to be swayed upon. :sarcasm:

----

But I do think that his speed is what holds him back.

Send him to Jason Ward's power skating instructor. Look what he/she did for him!

I agree, I think Brookbank is a diamond in the rough, I really hope the coaching staff realizes this and starts working with him. I remember reading an article about how Lemaire made Souray flip 100 pucks into a milk crate after every practice, and he attributed his scoring touch to that. I know Souray was younger back then, but Brookbank has shown he can play in the AHL, he just needs to be conditioned for the NHL and he may end up being one of the Devils better acquisitions over the past few years.

As the President of the BBB (Brookbank Bandwagon), I am extremely offended by your statement and demand an apology. If said apology does not come within 24 hours, I'm going to tell Reverand Al (Weekes and Oduya made Brookbank an honorary member of the African American community) and then there will be hell to pay. Brookbank is a keeper. He's slow, but give him a little more time in the NHL and help him perfect his shot, and I can see him becoming a very capable 4-5 d-man.

Sheldon has really hung in there... Compensating for his lack of speed with solid positional play and more hockey smarts than one would expect from a rookie. And he shows good offensive instincts, which I hope to see him use more often. That AHL defensman of the year award seems like more than just B.S. after all.

But I, myself, am starting the MMM -- the Mike Mottau Manclub -- and will act as Club President, as he has quickly become my favorite of the AHL scrubs that have come to town over the last two seasons to fill in for our patchwork defense. I think he has been playing his azz off lately and deserves a spot ahead of everyone besides our big three (White, Martin and Greene.) Maybe just me, but I truly feel more comfortable with him on the ice than Oduya, Rachunek or Vishnevski. And we'll just say "tied" with Brookbank (so as not to offend the BBB.)

This is a good point. The Rangers only have about $18M of salary on the books next season. Lets assume that Lundqvist gets a long term deal averaging around to $7M because frankly, he deserves it. That gives the Rangers $23M in salary.

If the cap goes up like it has been, the Rangers are looking at potentially $30M in cap space. Cap space is usually seen as a great commodity, but lets not forget how it could go against the Rangers. Sather really has to be careful he doesn't hand out too many long term deals and cripple his teams future. Drury and Gomez haven't earned their money so far, but of course one can't judge a player based on 20 games. But still, Sather has to spend responsibly or else he could find himself in a Tampa Bay like situation.

Yeah, I just hope Sathers spends most of his monney on Marian Hossa :sarcasm:

If Sather spends intellengently his money on GOOD FREE AGENTS, and prospects like.. Sanguinetti, Staal, Bourret are ready for the NHL... Then, the Rangers will have a strong change to win out the Atlantic Divison for the next years to come. Add Cherepanov, who I don't know if he'll play with the Rangers the next season.


You said one important word, that could really help the Rangers management...

Careful

And I, and most other Rangers fans, gladly welcome Devils fans to the board to discuss/argue/debate things in a civil manner without personal attacks and name calling. No idea why it's such a hard concept for some to figure out that this is, in fact, a public message board.

If Rangers Rule! and others wanted a private board, they could very easily make their own. ;)

yes, let's all have a lovely conversation. shall we invite some leprechauns and unicorns? its not happening buddy..look at this thread..about how the media is bashing gomez, and now, like 8 pages later thats all lost..all im saying is that proooobably wouldn't have happened if this thread had all devils fans on it

ignoring the condescending homer, i had a friend of mine who is a rangers fan ask me a question with the same tone you would ask someone about VD symptoms. his question was "hey, as a devils fan, did you ever get frustrated by gomez gaining the zone and then doing nothing?" i replied that that is gomez's game, he is the best zone gainer in the league, beyond that, he has his days, and can be inconsistent. it was just funny how serious he was when asking the question.

and gomez will get dogged by the post for a long time, after the honeymooon ends of course.

ignoring the condescending homer, i had a friend of mine who is a rangers fan ask me a question with the same tone you would ask someone about VD symptoms. his question was "hey, as a devils fan, did you ever get frustrated by gomez gaining the zone and then doing nothing?" i replied that that is gomez's game, he is the best zone gainer in the league, beyond that, he has his days, and can be inconsistent. it was just funny how serious he was when asking the question.

and gomez will get dogged by the post for a long time, after the honeymooon ends of course.

Honeymoon is already over. All that is left is the shouting. Any contract that large + the NY media = pain

Look at the A-Rod situation. I can see Gomez getting booed at home if he continues to underperform.

i doubt it. the arod deal, the yankees have been so good for so long, that anything less will not be accepted. the rangers fans have to be more accepting considering the recent history (ie past decade). i think it will be a bit longer, and he will produce, just not up to the caliber of his contract.

Gomez has been playing just fine so far. He's doing exactly what I expected from him... You can't blame this teams HORRIBLE offense on him. That goes to Jagr and Renney. Renney has done a horrible job this season with the forwards. Jagr has been horrendous. The media because of the contract expects a lot more from him scoring wise but they're idiots. Honestly... this is what he is. He plays hard, makes plays, He'll average around 60 points but on a good year he's gonna score 70-85 points, and he'll play good D. If anyone was expecting anything else they are idiots regardless of what he is being paid. Is he overpaid? Yes, absolutely, by around 2 mil a year (I think he's a 5 Million dollar player), but thats how you get free agents, we overpaid so we wouldn't have to trade away our youth. Now when Jagr's, Straka's, and Shannahan's time here is over which could be as soon as next season, we'll still have a solid core of veteran forwards.

Post 23k :amazed:

...and 22,999 of Jonathan's posts have been here on the Devils threads. :sarcasm:

I totally disagree. The NYR are only suited to beat a team like the Atlanta Thrashers. They really did nothing to address team size and Drury & Gomez will easily get pushed around by a bigger team like Ottawa

You can't seriously think adding Gomez and Drury doesnt make the Rangers a better playoff team. I dont think it's even questionable.

Of course it's all on paper untill the games get played, but thats just it. You build the best team you can with whats available.

For all we know Ottawa gets stomped by some other team in the 1st round and the two teams never meet.

Honeymoon is already over. All that is left is the shouting. Any contract that large + the NY media = pain

Look at the A-Rod situation. I can see Gomez getting booed at home if he continues to underperform.

You have to know Gomez understands this, knew this would be the case. Its not like he's been playing in SJ all these years.

Ultimately he has to produce, or he'll take heat. But its only been 25 games.

We all know the playoffs are where its at anyhow.

Funny to hear the Devils posters playing down Gomez in the playoffs. Not saying he's Peter Forsberg but come on, give the guy some credit.

Gomez has been playing just fine so far. He's doing exactly what I expected from him... You can't blame this teams HORRIBLE offense on him. That goes to Jagr and Renney. Renney has done a horrible job this season with the forwards. Jagr has been horrendous. The media because of the contract expects a lot more from him scoring wise but they're idiots. Honestly... this is what he is. He plays hard, makes plays, He'll average around 60 points but on a good year he's gonna score 70-85 points, and he'll play good D. If anyone was expecting anything else they are idiots regardless of what he is being paid. Is he overpaid? Yes, absolutely, by around 2 mil a year (I think he's a 5 Million dollar player), but thats how you get free agents, we overpaid so we wouldn't have to trade away our youth. Now when Jagr's, Straka's, and Shannahan's time here is over which could be as soon as next season, we'll still have a solid core of veteran forwards.

If gomez doesn't get at least 80 pts this year he is way overpaid. Rangers fans keep saying to look at the stats at the end of the season, so we will. I also bet that Parise will get more points then gomez and he doesn't even make half of what gomez does.

You have to know Gomez understands this, knew this would be the case. Its not like he's been playing in SJ all these years.

Ultimately he has to produce, or he'll take heat. But its only been 25 games.

We all know the playoffs are where its at anyhow.

Well to use your own point...it's only been 25 games. Who says you're even making the playoffs?

You can't seriously think adding Gomez and Drury doesnt make the Rangers a better playoff team.

No, I don't.

The NYR lost their moxie and are worse than they were last year. The NYR power play stinks and they can't score because of the commitment to "team defense", which is the new code word for less forechecking, less chances taken, sitting back and waiting for the other team to make mistakes and best of all, clogging up the neutral zone. These traits can only take you so far in the playoffs.

For all we know Ottawa gets stomped by some other team in the 1st round and the two teams never meet.

For all we know, the NYR might not even make the playoffs.

For all we know, the Dallas Stars might win the Stanley Cup.

For all we know, Brodeur will win another Vezina.

For all we know, Niedermayer will come to the NYR

You won't get anywhere with "for all we know". :sarcasm:

those tactics won us cups, but we were a team built for that, the rangers do not appear to be so.

the problem is not with gomez.The rangers are still trying to find jagr's game post-nylander. Renney is not playing to the strengths of the rest of the team like he should be. Gomez was on a long point scoring streak until recently. He needs a speedy winger on one side and a tough winger on the other that can bang in rebounds. Personally i think he should center avery and prucha. Both are fast, avery can crash the net and prucha can find the open ice for the pass, especially on the PP. The talent is there, but the positioning is off. They are no working on his strong points. Once they find the right combinations and chemistry, it will click.
Right now they are not getting 7 mil worth...but that doesn't mean that they won't. Post-Jagr, the game plan will be changed to work with with gomez's talents and the talents of the younger players instead of making jagr happy

the problem is not with gomez.The rangers are still trying to find jagr's game post-nylander. Renney is not playing to the strengths of the rest of the team like he should be. Gomez was on a long point scoring streak until recently. He needs a speedy winger on one side and a tough winger on the other that can bang in rebounds. Personally i think he should center avery and prucha. Both are fast, avery can crash the net and prucha can find the open ice for the pass, especially on the PP. The talent is there, but the positioning is off. They are no working on his strong points. Once they find the right combinations and chemistry, it will click.
Right now they are not getting 7 mil worth...but that doesn't mean that they won't. Post-Jagr, the game plan will be changed to work with with gomez's talents and the talents of the younger players instead of making jagr happy

7 million? If you're talking about Gomez, he's making 10. If you're talking about Jagr, I dunno his exact salary but Washington still pays about 1/4 of it.

the problem is not with gomez.The rangers are still trying to find jagr's game post-nylander. Renney is not playing to the strengths of the rest of the team like he should be. Gomez was on a long point scoring streak until recently. He needs a speedy winger on one side and a tough winger on the other that can bang in rebounds. Personally i think he should center avery and prucha. Both are fast, avery can crash the net and prucha can find the open ice for the pass, especially on the PP. The talent is there, but the positioning is off. They are no working on his strong points. Once they find the right combinations and chemistry, it will click.
Right now they are not getting 7 mil worth...but that doesn't mean that they won't. Post-Jagr, the game plan will be changed to work with with gomez's talents and the talents of the younger players instead of making jagr happy
That's more or less what I said in my lengthy analysis of the Rangers earlier.

And cycle, with all due respect, Gomez was never a key member of a Devils cup team. He's had a few excellent playoffs, but always on teams that flamed out of the postseason in the first or second round. I can remember in 2003 thinking that he was just invisible for three or four games at a stretch, and then when he did get points they were secondary assists on Grant Marshall goals. I've never been a fan of Gomez and I still am not a fan.

I hate the Rangers more than anyone, but you cannot ignore how talented Drury is, and he has leadership in spades.

I hate the Rangers more than anyone, but you cannot ignore how talented Drury is, and he has leadership in spades.

hes still not worth that money

Well to use your own point...it's only been 25 games. Who says you're even making the playoffs?

If they dont make the playoffs Gomez will have been the least of the problems

The NYR lost their moxie and are worse than they were last year. The NYR power play stinks and they can't score because of the commitment to "team defense"

LOL

Whatever keeps you going

If they dont make the playoffs Gomez will have been the least of the problems

But he's gonna take alot of the heat because he was signed for such much money and the media made such a stink about the signings of him and Drury. It's just the way it is. The NY media really doesn't know much about the intricacies of hockey. They just know that when you bring in two high profile players, you're supposed to contend for the Cup.

Nah....if the Rangers miss the playoffs it will be for reasons I dare not even type. No one expects Gomez to carry the team, and for what it's worth, he's been one of the best players on the team so far.

He's scored 1 less pt than Jagr. He's 2nd on the team in scoring.

Nah....if the Rangers miss the playoffs it will be for reasons I dare not even type. No one expects Gomez to carry the team, and for what it's worth, he's been one of the best players on the team so far.

He's scored 1 less pt than Jagr. He's 2nd in scoring on the team with the 2nd lowest total goals in the league.

Fixed

Fixed

reach

No, I don't.

The NYR lost their moxie and are worse than they were last year. The NYR power play stinks and they can't score because of the commitment to "team defense", which is the new code word for less forechecking, less chances taken, sitting back and waiting for the other team to make mistakes and best of all, clogging up the neutral zone. These traits can only take you so far in the playoffs.


For all we know, the NYR might not even make the playoffs.

For all we know, the Dallas Stars might win the Stanley Cup.

For all we know, Brodeur will win another Vezina.

For all we know, Niedermayer will come to the NYR

You won't get anywhere with "for all we know". :sarcasm:

The devils got 3 cups out of that, so if thats how far you mean, then thats great

I think the devils are in more jeopardy of missing the PO's

Devils fans need to face the facts, every franchise has down times, the devils have missed the PO's twice since 87', I think you've had a nice run guys. The worm is turning.

reach

ok than compare him to the rest of teh league, he has 17 points. he is one of the highest paid players in teh league and he doesnt even crack teh top 40 in points

The devils got 3 cups out of that, so if thats how far you mean, then thats great

I think the devils are in more jeopardy of missing the PO's

Devils fans need to face the facts, every franchise has down times, the devils have missed the PO's twice since 87', I think you've had a nice run guys. The worm is turning.

theres nothing wrong with trapping but if you do than how do you expect gomez to get more points with you guys than with us? especially when he had better linemates in jersey

ok than compare him to the rest of teh league, he has 17 points. he is one of the highest paid players in teh league and he doesnt even crack teh top 40 in points

Remember that guy everyone said couldn't replace him? The one with 13 points who makes less than half than $cott?

theres nothing wrong with trapping but if you do than how do you expect gomez to get more points with you guys than with us? especially when he had better linemates in jersey

I don't, pts. will come, I'm plenty patient, Gomez is a 2nd half/PO guy, I'm worried about him the least, same with Drury. Our Offense will come around at some point.

Remember that guy everyone said couldn't replace him? The one with 13 points who makes less than half of $cott?

can we really stop with the $$$$ he's making, so what, if someone flashed 7 mil in your face you'd run at it faster than blinking. Plus if the Rangers didn't offer it, someone would have. I'm quite sure what Gomez and Drury do on the ice will be well worth what they're making

can we really stop with the $$$$ he's making, so what, if someone flashed 7 mil in your face you'd run at it faster than blinking. Plus if the Rangers didn't offer it, someone would have. I'm quite sure what Gomez and Drury do on the ice will be well worth what they're making

Fair enough, I just really like Zubrus

can we really stop with the $$$$ he's making, so what, if someone flashed 7 mil in your face you'd run at it faster than blinking. Plus if the Rangers didn't offer it, someone would have. I'm quite sure what Gomez and Drury do on the ice will be well worth what they're making

maybe if the rangers didnt spend so much on above average offensive players than they could have spent teh money somewhere else, like maybe defense

maybe if the rangers didnt spend so much on above average offensive players than they could have spent teh money somewhere else, like maybe defense

our D is fine, most likely some trade will go down, maybe for a d man, who knows

I hate the Rangers more than anyone, but you cannot ignore how talented Drury is, and he has leadership in spades.

Drury is a great leader, but talented... meh. He's better than average, but nowhere near as talented as Gomez.

I liked the post earlier (don't feel like going back to quote it... I think it was by Jerry Gigantic who is on a roll recently) that said that if you added Gomez's talent with Drury's heart, you'd have a bonified superstar... too bad it costs over 14 million against the cap to do so.

Jonathan, I'm not sure how "bleak" the devils future actually is. Zach Parise is one of the brightest young stars in the league, and Zajac could be the best 2-way forward this franchise has ever seen. Paul Martin's still 26, and in a couple years could develop into a bonafide top pairing dman. Rod Pelley is a younger more physical John Madden. Players like Greene, and Clarkson also supply the devils with a promising future.

Madden is the oldest forward at 34. White is the oldest dman at 29. The rangers may need to fill large holes this off-season as you pointed out. With Elias, Parise, Langs, Gio, Zubrus, Zajac, Clarkson, Madden, Pelley, White, Martin, Vish, Greene, and Brodeur all not going anywhere for another couple years; over the next 2 deep drafts the devils have time to build up their prospect depth.

Bergfors, Corrente, Palmieri, and Vasyunov could be studs, while there's no reason to not be excited about Tulupov, Vrana, and Halischuk. I'm not trying to play a "who's got better prospects" game. I'm simply saying your statement that the "future looks bleak" for the devils is as misinformed as you accuse others of being about the rangers.

You can't always go by HF rankings, and hype. Clarkson was ranked 12th I believe, however he's played more like a top 5 prospect than 12th. The devils always seem to get young players out of nowhere. They get players who aren't as hyped as they are safe and "NHL capable". Undrafted, unranked, under-rated, and terms such as these are often used for successful prospects that have come through the devils system.

It's not always about the abundance of quality as it is about pieces fitting together, anyway. Mike Rupp was as essential to the devils winning the cup in the 2003 finals as any "name" prospect from the rangers current pool would be if you placed him on that 2003 team.

Wait, the Rangers keep failing? They've made the playoffs the last two years and have still managed to get guys like Cherepanov in their draft. They traded for another top prospect -- Alex Bourret. It's not like they've been picking top 5 for the last 5 years.

I love the irony here. You are somehow proud of the fact that you made the playoffs in the last two years? We've been in the playoffs for the last 10 years. We only missed ONE playoff since Brodeur became our goalie. Thats 12 out of 13 seasons with Brodeur.

The devils got 3 cups out of that, so if thats how far you mean, then thats great

I think the devils are in more jeopardy of missing the PO's

Devils fans need to face the facts, every franchise has down times, the devils have missed the PO's twice since 87', I think you've had a nice run guys. The worm is turning.

I also find it funny that Messiah1194, who has said many many many times that he hates the devils, keeps coming over to our forums to post. Yes, you guys WISH we will miss the Playoffs, because every year, we beat the crap out of the rangers. You're hoping this year is different.

Yes, this year, your record is almost as good as ours last year for this time of year. But its still a long season, things may change as they always does. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

I think you buy into the hype that the rest of the media dishes out Look at ESPN's Power rankings for week 7.

4 (9) Rangers 12-8-1 The Rangers are thankful for Henrik Lundqvist ... and Henrik Lundqvist.

compare that to the same week last year for the devils :

2006-07 Week 7 12-6-1 8 After a close loss (and an unlucky bounce) against the Rangers, the Devils rebounded with two straight wins as they set off for a tough West Coast swing. Let's hope those Scott Gomez talks go as smoothly as Martin Brodeur's play of late.


Amazing isn't it? With a better record, the devils were ranked 8th while the Rangers are ranked 4th.

Its all media hype. Your team isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. Just face up to it. They are going to be struggling and Gomez is the least of your problems. Yes, he plays great for a while, but then he starts goofing off. Thats Gomez for you.

As for the 1-2-2 Trap, Its purpose isn't supposed to lower your goal production. It is supposed to protect a lead. When your team can't score, you can't really be leading. The neutral zone trap was originally designed to increase goal production because the theory was the counter attack from the turnovers will produce more goals. Obviously thats not happening for you guys.

Guess what? because the changes to the rules made it not work as well as it used to. The devils learned that the hard way, part of the reason why we can never make it out of 2nd round after the rules change. This is why we went with Sutter. His new system should help us with our scoring woes.

Anyway, back to Gomez. Enjoy him guys he's all yours. Just don't expect too much out of him.

I love the irony here. You are somehow proud of the fact that you made the playoffs in the last two years? We've been in the playoffs for the last 10 years. We only missed ONE playoff since Brodeur became our goalie. Thats 12 out of 13 seasons with Brodeur.



I also find it funny that Messiah1194, who has said many many many times that he hates the devils, keeps coming over to our forums to post. Yes, you guys WISH we will miss the Playoffs, because every year, we beat the crap out of the rangers. You're hoping this year is different.

Yes, this year, your record is almost as good as ours last year for this time of year. But its still a long season, things may change as they always does. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

I think you buy into the hype that the rest of the media dishes out Look at ESPN's Power rankings for week 7.

compare that to the same week last year for the devils :


Amazing isn't it? With a better record, the devils were ranked 8th while the Rangers are ranked 4th.

Its all media hype. Your team isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. Just face up to it. They are going to be struggling and Gomez is the least of your problems. Yes, he plays great for a while, but then he starts goofing off. Thats Gomez for you.

As for the 1-2-2 Trap, Its purpose isn't supposed to lower your goal production. It is supposed to protect a lead. When your team can't score, you can't really be leading. The neutral zone trap was originally designed to increase goal production because the theory was the counter attack from the turnovers will produce more goals. Obviously thats not happening for you guys.

Guess what? because the changes to the rules made it not work as well as it used to. The devils learned that the hard way, part of the reason why we can never make it out of 2nd round after the rules change. This is why we went with Sutter. His new system should help us with our scoring woes.

Anyway, back to Gomez. Enjoy him guys he's all yours. Just don't expect too much out of him.

Exactly, success can't go on forever, things slow down, as they are

I come over here for conversation, I do hate the devils, but I still find it fun to debate with their fans. Crime????

Don't expect too much out of him???? Thats why you all of you wish you still had him. I understand some of you are bitter because he signed with the cross river rival, totally understand, but don't deny his skill and what he'll bring to the team.

Exactly, success can't go on forever, things slow down, as they are

I come over here for conversation, I do hate the devils, but I still find it fun to debate with their fans. Crime????

Don't expect too much out of him???? Thats why you all of you wish you still had him. I understand some of you are bitter because he signed with the cross river rival, totally understand, but don't deny his skill and what he'll bring to the team.

What are you talking about? I never liked Gomez and I was glad that he left. He was always screwing up and aside from that one season where he did great, he never repeated the same production again. I'm not sore you guys signed him. In fact I'm glad. That means you guys will have problems getting a cup because as long as Gomez is there you're not going to get far in the playoffs.

Yes Gomez is great defensively. Thats largely due to Juliens influence on him. But the problem is that same defensiveness also causes him to freeze up when he carries the puck into the Offensive zone. Its happened many a times when he played for us. Look forward to see him having a chance to shoot but doesn't, either losing the puck or passing it to someone else.

What are you talking about? I never liked Gomez and I was glad that he left. He was always screwing up and aside from that one season where he did great, he never repeated the same production again. I'm not sore you guys signed him. In fact I'm glad. That means you guys will have problems getting a cup because as long as Gomez is there you're not going to get far in the playoffs.
Yes Gomez is great defensively. Thats largely due to Juliens influence on him. But the problem is that same defensiveness also causes him to freeze up when he carries the puck into the Offensive zone. Its happened many a times when he played for us. Look forward to see him having a chance to shoot but doesn't, either losing the puck or passing it to someone else.

Thanks Coach

I'm not sore you guys signed him. In fact I'm glad. That means you guys will have problems getting a cup because as long as Gomez is there you're not going to get far in the playoffs.

:biglaugh: I'm guessing we benched him in 2000 and 2003 then. He wasn't always a major impact player, but he didn't exactly hinder our cup runs.

:biglaugh: I'm guessing we benched him in 2000 and 2003 then. He wasn't always a major impact player, but he didn't exactly hinder our cup runs.

He didn't play much in 2000 and 2003 cup runs. Even when he was, he didn't play much if you get my drift...

In 2000 it was mostly the A-line that did our scoring.

In 2003, we had Langenbrunner and Fresen who were both clutch.

So you call me a genius. Good to see that you're actually giving me the respect I deserve.

Nylander was offered a 2 year contract at a decent salary (I think around the same or even more than Washington gave him). He declined.

Do you honestly think that Nylander was worth an extra 2 years that it took to get him under contract? It was clear that he was going for the money, as he had all year to sign with the Rangers for their VERY fair offer of a contract. He went for the money. I don't disrespect him for it. It was his choice as he wants his family set for life (and they are now).

And I do know quite a bit, actually. Chemistry is important. It takes some time to develop. If you knew anything you'd know that ;).

Jagr, so far, has found chemistry with Dubinsky. It's Hossa that's the problem on that line. Once Straka (or IF Straka) can get healthy, that line will be set. Gomez has chemistry with Avery and Shanny. Drury hasn't found it yet, but I'm pretty sure he will.

Edmonton? Wasn't he offered more for them? Then he settled for less with washington

Edmonton? Wasn't he offered more for them? Then he settled for less with washington

Uh, he "settled for less" because he got another full year of guaranteed money. He's getting a bit less of a cap hit, but more money overall.

He didn't take a discount at all. Much like when Elias signed with the Devils instead of the Rangers. We offered him more, but he took the full year of guaranteed cash because the longevity with the money mattered the most. Neither took a discount and both got their payday.

The problem with getting where you're going fast is you have to know what you're going to do when you get there... Gomer never really developed a keen sense of what to do once in the zone and that is his single fault really... well that and his ability to be "bought" by the dark side. :p:

He's great at getting the puck in the zone on the PP though and back passing to the D. That alone is worth $2.5 of the salary :sarcasm:

He didn't play much in 2000 and 2003 cup runs. Even when he was, he didn't play much if you get my drift...

In 2000 it was mostly the A-line that did our scoring.

In 2003, we had Langenbrunner and Fresen who were both clutch.

While I agree with you that he had little to no impact on those cup runs, your original statement still sounds very odd considering he won 2 cups with this team. If you said he wasn't going to be the guy to lead the Rangers to a cup, that would be a different story because it's true, he's not the leader type, nor has he really proven himself as a goto guy in the playoffs. That's more what a guy like Drury should be for (at least they would hope so).

The problem with getting where you're going fast is you have to know what you're going to do when you get there... Gomer never really developed a keen sense of what to do once in the zone and that is his single fault really... well that and his ability to be "bought" by the dark side. :p:

He's great at getting the puck in the zone on the PP though and back passing to the D. That alone is worth $2.5 of the salary :sarcasm:

Considering that seems to be the team's worst problem on the powerplay so far and he's been one of the ONLY guys who can break the zone, well it is worth it! Haha.

7 million? If you're talking about Gomez, he's making 10. If you're talking about Jagr, I dunno his exact salary but Washington still pays about 1/4 of it.

why can't people get through their heads that the only # that matters when it comes to salary is what the cap hit is, not what the actual salary is for a particular year?

Frontloading the deal as I said too many times already was the best thing the Rangers could've done...I wish they would've given him more money over the 1st 2 yrs as money means little to the Rangers with all that they bring in so paying him upfront allows for major flxibility down the road as he will be making 4.5-5 million over the last few yrs of the deal which would make him more attractive if we did decide to move him at a later date.

And the 7.3 million dollar cap hit may actually become a plus as with the cap continuing to rise each and every yr some teams are and will be having trouble just reaching the cap floor which has already exceeded what 1/3 the the NHL teams spent before the lockout so taking on a 7.3 million dollar hit while only having to pay a postion of that becomes very attractive.

That being said those are only the options but Gomez has been and will continue to be doing fine as a NYR.

He has played well and is just coming off a 9 game point scoring streak.The teams PP has been brutal and they've struggled to score but most NYR fans predicted we'd need 20-30 games to get some chemistry established amoung the newly formed forward lines and having 2 of our top 6 forwards out for significant time didn't help the cause any.

Scotty has settled in very nicely on the line with Shanny-Avery and as they continue to play together they will be even better as a line.

Gomez has brought his much needed playmaking and puckcarrying into the fold and with an organization that is heavy on wingers both now and in the future with Cherepanov in the waiting Gomez and his game fit in perfectly.

And despite some Devils fans hopes to the contrary the NYR's have actually positioned them,selves beautifuly for both now and the future and here is why-

-They signed 2 of the top 3 UFA's available who both fit specific needs, both immediate and in the longterm, Gomez with his playmaking/offensive skills, Drury with his clutch all-around game and intangables and in his leadership.

Did both get more than they should have, sure, but that's what becoming a UFA dictates and in a day and age when not many top level players are reaching UFA status it becomes that much more important to either develop your own stars and/or be able to attract some of the top level guys who have a choice as to where they want to play and the NYR's have done a extremely good job in each.


Devil fans can downplay the ability to attract top end UFA's which they like to do because they know that they are never players in that bunch as players have consistently listed NJ as one of the last places they'd sign but in a salary capped age where players are reaching UFA status at younger and younger ages it simply can't be discounted, especially when there isn't anything in the pipeline as far as star potential.

--they were also allowed to do this because they have one of the absolute best prospect pools out there amoung NHL teams with significant depth at each and every position allowing for a great blend of vets/lower prices youth's to fill out the roster and when we move on from a 5.2 million $$ Shanny we can replace him with a younger player thus allowing for more cap room to further upgrade the lineup.


--the cap has and will continue to go up each and every yr with projections for next yr rising yet another 6 million bucks so the gomez-Drury contracts won't be near the cap killer that Devil fans like to predict.

As for this years team they will be just fine and will be one of the top contenders in the east come playoff time..they just went 9-1 without coming close to firing on all cylinders and they have the best GAA average in the league and a goalie that thus far has been the best in the NHL over the first 1/4 which combined with the additional chemistry they'll build up over the 82 games and a tweak or 2 to address any shortcomings and we'll be just fine.

While I agree with you that he had little to no impact on those cup runs, your original statement still sounds very odd considering he won 2 cups with this team. If you said he wasn't going to be the guy to lead the Rangers to a cup, that would be a different story because it's true, he's not the leader type, nor has he really proven himself as a goto guy in the playoffs. That's more what a guy like Drury should be for (at least they would hope so).

What I mean is in 2000 he was on the 3rd line, and looked like a promising rookie. He scored some in the playoffs and it did contribute but it was mostly the A-line that won us the game.

In 2003 he was still on the 3rd line, and put up about the same numbers, but it was still mostly our first 2 lines that did most of the clutch scoring.

I'm just saying that if the Rangers are expecting Gomez to carry them to the cup, they are sorely mistaken. Their other major players like Jagr and Shannahan will have to show up first.

:banghead::rangers:loony:

Devil fans can downplay the ability to attract top end UFA's which they like to do because they know that they are never players in that bunch as players have consistently listed NJ as one of the last places they'd sign but in a salary capped age where players are reaching UFA status at younger and younger ages it simply can't be discounted, especially when there isn't anything in the pipeline as far as star potential.


Do you have a source for this, or are you just spouting nonsense, as you have a habit of doing.

Do you have a source for this, or are you just spouting nonsense, as you have a habit of doing.

actually since you asked so kindly the source is the well documented Hockey News issue where they polled 300 NHL players and just as I stated the Devils were listed amoung the bottom 3 of places NHLer's would least like to play.


and aside from that source is it any secret that NJ isn't able to keep their own UFA's from bolting let alone lure somebody else's away to sign on NJ?

jr seriously, you post some stupid stuff. the devils dont have a problem keeping their ufa's at all, the devils problem is that they want to pay players what they are worth and not overpay them. with the exception of maybe one ufa, nobody left because they wanted the hell out of jersey, they left because they were offered more elsewhere. i'll not turn this into a tit for tat like you and your other ranger friend did, but examine this, this is a thread about gomez in the ny press, and a few rangers fans have turned it into a devils versus rangers thread.

actually since you asked so kindly the source is the well documented Hockey News issue where they polled 300 NHL players and just as I stated the Devils were listed amoung the bottom 3 of places NHLer's would least like to play.


and aside from that source is it any secret that NJ isn't able to keep their own UFA's from bolting let alone lure somebody else's away to sign on NJ?

Hmmm...Gomez, Niedermayer...who else?

Rafalski wanted to stay in the worst way, Elias stayed in a big contract year, Madden did too, I don't even think Brodeur has ever made it to UFA, although Viktor Kozlov was a big loss:sarcasm:

jr seriously, you post some stupid stuff. the devils dont have a problem keeping their ufa's at all, the devils problem is that they want to pay players what they are worth and not overpay them. with the exception of maybe one ufa, nobody left because they wanted the hell out of jersey, they left because they were offered more elsewhere. i'll not turn this into a tit for tat like you and your other ranger friend did, but examine this, this is a thread about gomez in the ny press, and a few rangers fans have turned it into a devils versus rangers thread.

comment on the post, not the poster. I'm no mod, but I believe thats a flame

It's takes two to dance.

comment on the post, not the poster. I'm no mod, but I believe thats a flame

It's takes two to dance.

i said the post was stupid, i didnt say he was stupid, but thanks for the attempted correction. and this is a DEVILS thread, with the absence of rangers fans posting, it wouldnt happen. do you think the people here wont shoot right back at a jab? come on.

jr seriously, you post some stupid stuff. the devils dont have a problem keeping their ufa's at all, the devils problem is that they want to pay players what they are worth and not overpay them. with the exception of maybe one ufa, nobody left because they wanted the hell out of jersey, they left because they were offered more elsewhere. i'll not turn this into a tit for tat like you and your other ranger friend did, but examine this, this is a thread about gomez in the ny press, and a few rangers fans have turned it into a devils versus rangers thread.

keep telling yourself that and you may actually believe it!

What does the poll of 300 NHL players tell you about the topic of whether or not NJ is a desirable place for NHL UFA's?

What does your very own captain negotiating prior to when he was legally allowed to do so tell you about his intention to skip out?

What does Holik bolting tell you?

What does Elias negotiating and coming close to signing with your fiercest rival tell you?

What does Gomez bolting the 1st chance he got tell you?

You want to say you don't want to overpay and that is fine but please don't try and pretend that players desires don't have a hand in the results as well because there are simply way too many facts to state otherwise such as the THN poll.

And if Lou wants to cling to the excuse of fiscal responsibility you better well have a damn great pipeline of talent coming up which the Devils certainly don't because there is no other way to stay competitive longterm without a mix of signing/retaining UFA's along with a top prospect pool.

Hmmm...Gomez, Niedermayer...who else?

Rafalski wanted to stay in the worst way, Elias stayed in a big contract year, Madden did too, I don't even think Brodeur has ever made it to UFA, although Viktor Kozlov was a big loss:sarcasm:

holik is the only one that comes to mind that wanted out of jersey for reasons that fit into jr's suggestion. gomez never ruled out returning, neither did neids (which is why we ended up bent over by it).

Hmmm...Gomez, Niedermayer...who else?

Rafalski wanted to stay in the worst way, Elias stayed in a big contract year, Madden did too, I don't even think Brodeur has ever made it to UFA, although Viktor Kozlov was a big loss:sarcasm:

Neidermayer would have stayed too if we had gotten his brother. We could have traded that loser gomez for Rob and kept Neidermayer. I believe that would have made the difference. We would have won another cup etc.

Rob fits so well into Sutter's system too that guy hustles and puts up more effort than Gomez does.

actually since you asked so kindly the source is the well documented Hockey News issue where they polled 300 NHL players and just as I stated the Devils were listed amoung the bottom 3 of places NHLer's would least like to play.


and aside from that source is it any secret that NJ isn't able to keep their own UFA's from bolting let alone lure somebody else's away to sign on NJ?

Even with that being the case...we still won 3 championships without anyone wanting to come here. So I guess it's all moot anyway.

And as for FA's "bolting"

Let's look at our recent losses:

Niedermeyer: Left to play with his brother, money was never an issue. Brian Burke was handed Lou's cards and knew that he could get Scotty as long as he would only entertain ridiculous offers for Rob. He made a moral decision more than anything else.

Gome$: See symbol at the end of his name. He took us to arbitration for a 5 million dollar salary he didn't even come close to earning. Based on his overall play, the fact he missed some time, and what his overall production was...he maybe earned about 3 of it and that's being generous. If I recall correctly, shortly before FA began, he did outright say that he would listen to NJ if the offer was right. Except the problem is, he didn't get an offer because we already overpaid him once. Hindsight is 20/20.

Rafalski: He was a sure thing to come back until that fateful day. He wanted an honest increase and I think that Lou wanted him to take the hometown discount which he simply couldn't do. You can't blame Rafi for leaving, nor can you blame Lou for not offering him more money. Lou is notoriously conservative and strict and I think the contract he offered Elias was completely out of character and he regretted it as much as he did Gome$. So he wasn't going to offer big bucks to get him back and with how things played out, if he wasn't willing to take the discount, probably with that understanding, then he wasn't worth re-signing. So in turn Rafi did sign a pretty hefty deal, but the reality was it was a lot more than he was probably looking for and more importantly it was in a place that he called home.

For the record, I didn't read your lengthy ridiculous post above because I had the privilege of seeing your illogical statement about free-agents "bolting" to know better than to waste my time reading it. I think your logic there comes from your heart and not your head. Maybe players don't necessarily want to come here, but nothing says we want them, and it has NOTHING to do with people leaving here.

Conversely, we could all sit around the fire here and talk about all the "big name" free-agent signings NY had because of the high-interest in their club that went completely belly up. So really what's the point? I'm not trying to flame one bit, but you spent tons of cash on big names and came up shorthanded for years upon years. With the exception of the NY Oilers team you put out there in 94 you haven't had much success with that approach. Yet while we're a less desirable team, we managed to win 3 championships and consistently be a contender for, up until now, at least 10 straight seasons.

I just really don't see the point in you saying that beyond your obvious despise for this club.

keep telling yourself that and you may actually believe it!

What does the poll of 300 NHL players tell you about the topic of whether or not NJ is a desirable place for NHL UFA's?

What does your very own captain negotiating prior to when he was legally allowed to do so tell you about his intention to skip out?

What does Holik bolting tell you?

What does Elias negotiating and coming close to signing with your fiercest rival tell you?

What does Gomez bolting the 1st chance he got tell you?

You want to say you don't want to overpay and that is fine but please don't try and pretend that players desires don't have a hand in the results as well because there are simply way too many facts to state otherwise such as the THN poll.

And if Lou wants to cling to the excuse of fiscal responsibility you better well have a damn great pipeline of talent coming up which the Devils certainly don't because there is no other way to stay competitive longterm without a mix of signing/retaining UFA's along with a top prospect pool.

i never saw that poll, so it tells me nothing. plus a major reason that people might not want in is fan support, not the team. all players who leave still refer to this as a classy organization.

stevens never wanted to come, and tried to leave. yes. then he had a long term contract and was the cpatain. that tells me he changed his mind.

holik got pissed because lou told him he is a defensive forward and nothing else. only a retarded team would give him millions for that. oops. ;)

elias has always said he wasnt going to sign with the rangers, he was fielding offers, which is what you do when you want the most money.

gomez could have bolted several times, he was in arbitration twice i believe. he left when he felt he was done. and he was in it for the money. gomez was never truly happy with the devils and wanted a more free flowing system. and he left for the newly trapping rangers. so that makes me laugh.

seriously you have no case, and it isnt a big deal, but there are better anti devil arguments to make.

So you call me a genius. Good to see that you're actually giving me the respect I deserve.

You deserve no respect. You are actually one of the most annoying and ignorant Ranger fans I have never met.

i said the post was stupid, i didnt say he was stupid, but thanks for the attempted correction. and this is a DEVILS thread, with the absence of rangers fans posting, it wouldnt happen. do you think the people here wont shoot right back at a jab? come on.

you did not say "this is a stupid post", you said "you post some stupid stuff", theres a difference, just sayin. Again, no mod, from now on on I'll leave the policing to them.

If I was going to go and clean up this thread, it would probably take me an hour, and I've got more pressing issues to deal with. Let's call it a wrap. Thanks to everyone who participated in this month's Devils/Rangers HFBoards "keep it clean, but call it how you see it" debate!

Heh.