0 & 10 against New York....

It's a disgrace. The the whole team should be ashamed of themselves for being winless in 10 games against the NY teams. I said it in the begining of the season, this organization needs a few years of high draft picks and Lou will have to sign a couple of good UFA's and clear cap space if necessary just like Burke does. It would probably be best for this team to crash and burn and get a top five pick instead of being a first round in and out of the playoffs.

I'm really tired of watching this team struggle scoring year after year, something needs to change. And what has happened to Colin White, he looked like an AllStar after returning from his injury and now, he looks like Coiln White again, I definitely blame him for the first goal and he did take the penalty on the second.

I never believed in tanking, never will, everyone just needs to calm the **** down. Alot of teams would love to be 28-20-3. Playoff seeding isnt based on records against the Rangers and Islanders.
A win tonight and we are tied for first in the Atlantic again.
We have 3 games in hand over the Rangers, a possible six points.

I could care less about our last 10 with that team. We are still doing good in the standings. The tables will turn eventually on em' rags.

You remember that past couple of years with them?

February will be a big month. All the games in hand, for all the teams, get caught up. Lots of division games.

I'm more concerned that they are 0 for their last 3.

I never believed in tanking, never will, everyone just needs to calm the **** down. Alot of teams would love to be 28-20-3. Playoff seeding isnt based on records against the Rangers and Islanders.
A win tonight and we are tied for first in the Atlantic again.
We have 3 games in hand over the Rangers, a possible six points.

Too bad we're probably going to lose all six points in our last three games with them :help:

Right now this team can't beat anyone at home though, 1-5 at home in this long home stretch that was supposed to pad our win totals.

Too bad we're probably going to lose all six points in our last three games with them :help:

Right now this team can't beat anyone at home though, 1-5 at home in this long home stretch that was supposed to pad our win totals.
Keep the faith, we have 9 more games at home this month.

Talk of tanking is the stupidest thing I've read on here in a long time. We're still in the playoff hunt. And we're possibly a trade or two away from being a serious contender. We're just going through a rough stretch right now. But we better start winning at home.

No one ever said to tank, however, it may be better for the future of this organization to get a top 5 pick instead of making the playoffs. With a defense that is starting to play to their potential and an anemic offense, which has been a problem for since Neidermayer left, the Devils may just luck out. I'm looking at the reality of this team, not the wishful thinking that many of you have. The Devs used to win the low scoring games, now they lose them more than they win.

No one ever said to tank, however, if may be better for the future of this organization to get a top 5 pick instead of making the playoffs. With a defense that is starting to play to their potential and an anemic offense, which has been a problem for since Neidermayer left, the Devils may just luck out. I'm looking at the reality of this team, not the wishful thinking that many of you have. The Devs used to win the low scoring games, now they lose them more than they win.

If you're talking about getting a top 5 pick this year, then you're implying tanking. And with Brodeur in nets until he retires, the only time we'll get a top 5 pick is if we do tank. This team loses 3 games in a row and we have people on here who are looking towards next year already. Unbelievable.

Talk of tanking is the stupidest thing I've read on here in a long time. We're still in the playoff hunt. And we're possibly a trade or two away from being a serious contender. We're just going through a rough stretch right now. But we better start winning at home.

Please, name me the trade that makes us a contender?

Please, name me the trade that makes us a contender?

Ok Mr. Positivity, it won't take much just a simple shake up. I'd like to see this, and it's a realistic trade. Gionta and Vrana to San Jose for Marleau. Or if we decide to go the defense route...we could go after J.M. Liles in Colorado. He's a guy who improves our offense from the back end.

You act as if we're in 10th place right now. We're in 6th place, and a 3 game winning streak probably puts us back into 1st in the Atlantic. We already are a contender, we're just a trade away from being a serious contender. I'm sorry that you can't see it that way.

Ok Mr. Positivity, it won't take much just a simple shake up. I'd like to see this, and it's a realistic trade. Gionta and Vrana to San Jose for Marleau. Or if we decide to go the defense route...we could go after J.M. Liles in Colorado. He's a guy who improves our offense from the back end.


It would take more than Gionta and Vrana for Marleau. Probably have to start with Zajac and a 1st as I think they are looking to shed some salary to make another move.

Marleau is sucking bigtime this year, so if there's was any time he could be had cheap this is the year. If the Sharks wanted to get a lot in return for him they should've traded himlast year or during the summer. Now, they just can't ask fo that much He's not worth it. That's why he could be had in exchange for Gionta + a prospect/pick.

It would take more than Gionta and Vrana for Marleau. Probably have to start with Zajac and a 1st as I think they are looking to shed some salary to make another move.

I would absolutely trade Zajac and a draft pick for him. I doubt it would have to be a first if Zajac is going the other way, given the difference in their salaries, however.

It would take more than Gionta and Vrana for Marleau. Probably have to start with Zajac and a 1st as I think they are looking to shed some salary to make another move.

Gionta's career high was 89 points, Marleau's 86. Marleau's been better for a longer period of time, but he hasn't exactly dominated. And he's having a terrible year this year. Granted, the guy still has alot of talent, but as does Gionta. Gionta and pick/prospect could definetly swing Marleau I think.

Marleau is sucking bigtime this year, so if there's was any time he could be had cheap this is the year. If the Sharks wanted to get a lot in return for him they should've traded himlast year or during the summer. Now, they just can't ask fo that much He's not worth it. That's why he could be had in exchange for Gionta + a prospect/pick.

Gionta is sucking as much as Marleau is. A big 7 more points. The Sharks will not be moving Marleau for cheap. Probably a bit cheaper than in the past, but it's still going to take a young, cheap forward and 1st round pick at the minimum to get them to even think about moving him.

Gionta and him have the same cap-hit for the rest of the year so it doesn't enable the Sharks to make another move (which I think they will do). Next year's cap is obviously a different story with Marleau scheduled to make 6.3M, but this year is what matters right now.

Gionta's career high was 89 points, Marleau's 86. Marleau's been better for a longer period of time, but he hasn't exactly dominated. And he's having a terrible year this year. Granted, the guy still has alot of talent, but as does Gionta. Gionta and pick/prospect could definetly swing Marleau I think.

He's still a 1st line center. It's an offseason for him, no doubt, but he's still a 1st line center when all is said and done. I think you guys are vastly underrating him.

He's still a 1st line center. It's an offseason for him, no doubt, but he's still a 1st line center when all is said and done. I think you guys are vastly underrating him.

Ehh, I probably am. But I'd still love to see him here. I wouldn't want to give up Zajac though. We're already thin at Center, and we have too many wingers. So I don't think Zajac would go.

Maybe Gionta, Bergfors, and a 2nd?

Ehh, I probably am. But I'd still love to see him here. I wouldn't want to give up Zajac though. We're already thin at Center, and we have too many wingers. So I don't think Zajac would go.

Maybe Gionta, Bergfors, and a 2nd?

I just don't see them wanting Gionta at his salary. I really think they have a much greater need for defense than they do another winger. At least Zajac can be a swing man and play all forward positions if he has to.

I don't see you guys as a good fit until after the season is over.

Yes a real disgrace and blown over 20 points in the standings. Devils could have had a nice cushion in the division if they only won some of the NYR and NYI games. Now they are in a dogfight for the division and a playoff spot.:shakehead

Now I hope the whistling and the chants for the "Rangers Suck" stop because they are 5-0 vs. the Devils and really no need for that chant at this present time until the Devils beat the NYR. Right now the Devils are the team that sucks and Gomez is having a nice laugh at the Devils from across the river.:rant:

What would our record be if we were at least .500 against them?

It's a disgrace. The the whole team should be ashamed of themselves for being winless in 10 games against the NY teams. I said it in the begining of the season, this organization needs a few years of high draft picks and Lou will have to sign a couple of good UFA's and clear cap space if necessary just like Burke does. It would probably be best for this team to crash and burn and get a top five pick instead of being a first round in and out of the playoffs.You don't think that a team purposely not being competitive is not disgraceful as well?

The Devils are only two points out of the 2nd Seed in the Eastern Conference, which sure seems like a good spot for a team contending for the Stanley Cup Championship to me. Ottawa is the only team that has approached the level of powerhouse in the Eastern Conference this season, and they are not exactly anywhere nearly the juggernaut that the Detoit Red Wings are thus far.

I just don't see them wanting Gionta at his salary. I really think they have a much greater need for defense than they do another winger. At least Zajac can be a swing man and play all forward positions if he has to.

I don't see you guys as a good fit until after the season is over.

Well, anyway Lou wants to slice it he needs to find a bona-fide number one Center. And if I'd were him I'd trade anybody except Brodeur, Parise, and probably Zajac because he is a Center. Center has been a huge sore spot since the lockout. In 05-06, Brylin was our second line Center. Last year, Gomez was battling injuries, Madden was battling bad play, and Zajac was a rookie. And this year, Elias was forced to move to Center and Zajac has struggled. That's why I've been hard on Zajac. His development is a HUGE key to the success of the team in the future. If he doesn't develop, we're ****ed. Lou better go find himself a Center before the start of next year, or I'm going to be increasingly ticked off.

We are all ****ing spoiled, simple as that.

Well, anyway Lou wants to slice it he needs to find a bona-fide number one Center. And if I'd were him I'd trade anybody except Brodeur, Parise, and probably Zajac because he is a Center. Center has been a huge sore spot since the lockout. In 05-06, Brylin was our second line Center. Last year, Gomez was battling injuries, Madden was battling bad play, and Zajac was a rookie. And this year, Elias was forced to move to Center and Zajac has struggled. That's why I've been hard on Zajac. His development is a HUGE key to the success of the team in the future. If he doesn't develop, we're ****ed. Lou better go find himself a Center before the start of next year, or I'm going to be increasingly ticked off.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him. I don't generally like bringing up Gomez to a Devils fan (since it's just asking for a fight), but if he'd of convinced Gomez to stay, he wouldn't have had that hole to fill.

We are all ****ing spoiled, simple as that.

Well being spoiled is ****ing over! Devils dominance over the NYR is over for right now too. Now we have an average team that can't get out of its own way now until some changes are made.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him. I don't generally like bringing up Gomez to a Devils fan (since it's just asking for a fight), but if he'd of convinced Gomez to stay, he wouldn't have had that hole to fill.
Come on, there was no way to keep Gomez on the East Coast, he misses his family in Alaska.


....

Come on, there was no way to keep Gomez on the East Coast, he misses his family in Alaska.


....

LOL..

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him. I don't generally like bringing up Gomez to a Devils fan (since it's just asking for a fight), but if he'd of convinced Gomez to stay, he wouldn't have had that hole to fill.
I think Gomez would have been a good fit with Sutter. But there was no way to pay him. It would have made Parise and Martin very poachable. I think Lou would have had to pay Gomez even more money than the Rangers/Kings, something north of 8 mil, because of the commercial opportunities available elsewhere.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him. I don't generally like bringing up Gomez to a Devils fan (since it's just asking for a fight), but if he'd of convinced Gomez to stay, he wouldn't have had that hole to fill.

Jonathan, I totally agree. I felt the same way with Gomez and Sutter, I think Gomez with Parise or Elias on his wing would probably have the same numbers that he has now with the Rangers. But Lou didn't want to pay Gomez that money and I guess I can understand beacuse 7+ is alot. But he didn't exactly address the issue by bringing in another wing in Zubrus, and then wasting money on 2 defenseman (Vishnevski, Rachunek) who weren't needed. We have 6 other defenseman anyway and we could've saved 3.2 million dollars that we could've payed Gomez with.

I think Gomez would have been a good fit with Sutter. But there was no way to pay him. It would have made Parise and Martin very poachable. I think Lou would have had to pay Gomez even more money than the Rangers/Kings, something north of 8 mil, because of the commercial opportunities available elsewhere.

Well, the way to pay him would've been to NOT sign Zubrus to that retardedly long contract. And you could've done without Vish or Rachunek as well and gone with 7 d-men. And you'd still be under the cap.

What would our record be if we were at least .500 against them?

Devils record: 28-20-3 59
vs. NYI and NYR: 0-7-3 3 PTS
vs. rest of NHL: 28-13-0 56 PTS

w/ .500* vs. both NYs:33-18-0 66 PTS and 2 PTS behind Ottawa

I used 5-5-0 vs. the two New York teams. 3-3-4 would have meant the same for the Devils in terms of their points in the standings.

Well, the way to pay him would've been to NOT sign Zubrus to that retardedly long contract. And you could've done without Vish or Rachunek as well and gone with 7 d-men. And you'd still be under the cap.

Yeah as I wrote in my other post, we could've not wasted the 3.2 millon on Vish and Rachunek, still had 6 defenseman, and would've been able to give at least 7 million to Gomez. And then still have money left over to sign Zubrus and bring up a 7th defenseman.

Jonathan, I totally agree. I felt the same way with Gomez and Sutter, I think Gomez with Parise or Elias on his wing would probably have the same numbers that he has now with the Rangers. But Lou didn't want to pay Gomez that money and I guess I can understand beacuse 7+ is alot. But he didn't exactly address the issue by bringing in another wing in Zubrus, and then wasting money on 2 defenseman (Vishnevski, Rachunek) who weren't needed. We have 6 other defenseman anyway and we could've saved 3.2 million dollars that we could've payed Gomez with.

Funny that we posted nearly the same post at the same time. I agree completely. I think Lou really shot himself in the foot with that move. It's unfortunate as well. I'm not a big fan of Briere, but I'm surprised that Lou didn't go after either him or Drury in the offseason (and if he did go after them, he didn't really go very hard).

Funny that we posted nearly the same post at the same time. I agree completely. I think Lou really shot himself in the foot with that move. It's unfortunate as well. I'm not a big fan of Briere, but I'm surprised that Lou didn't go after either him or Drury in the offseason (and if he did go after them, he didn't really go very hard).

I'm just imagining Gomez on the Devils this year, and good grief he solves alot of our problems instantly. The lines are impressive, Elias-Gomez-Gio, Parise-Zajac-Langs, Pandolfo, Madden, Zubrus, Brylin-Pelley-Clarkson, Rupp-Janssen, White-Mottau, Martin-Oduya, Greene-Brookbank, Malmivaara extra.

That's probably a serious contender to get out of the East.

Vishnevski and Rachunek are a waste of money. Even if we hadn't signed Zubrus, it would stil mean spending a couple mil extra on Gomez, and that makes a big difference.

Lou also wanted a different direction and wanted more size. If you look at the Devils draft I think it shows that they think the organization needs more size. Zubrus has provided that. He's been worth the money, but the years was stupid.

Devils record: 28-20-3 59
vs. NYI and NYR: 0-7-3 3 PTS
vs. rest of NHL: 28-13-0 56 PTS

w/ .500* vs. both NYs:33-18-0 66 PTS and 2 PTS behind Ottawa

I used 5-5-0 vs. the two New York teams. 3-3-4 would have meant the same for the Devils in terms of their points in the standings.

:rant::rant::rant::rant::rant::rant:

It's a disgrace. The the whole team should be ashamed of themselves for being winless in 10 games against the NY teams. I said it in the begining of the season, this organization needs a few years of high draft picks and Lou will have to sign a couple of good UFA's and clear cap space if necessary just like Burke does. It would probably be best for this team to crash and burn and get a top five pick instead of being a first round in and out of the playoffs.

I'm really tired of watching this team struggle scoring year after year, something needs to change. And what has happened to Colin White, he looked like an AllStar after returning from his injury and now, he looks like Coiln White again, I definitely blame him for the first goal and he did take the penalty on the second.

It seems every year we need that "one guy", to put us back in the elite status, but Lou comes up with a Ken Klee all the time. Marty isn't getting any younger, we should go for it before he's old and washed up.:shakehead

Technically we have 3 wins against NY teams. Buffalo is in NY last time checked.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him.

Why?

He is the same underacheiving player with the NYR as he was with us. We are just as bad offensively without Scott Gomez as we were with Scott Gomez.

By the way, the NYR offense has fallen off tremondously since the addition of Gomez. The NYR offense is just as bad as the Devils offense.

Gomez is on pace for a 17 goal/76 point season. That's all you get with Scott Gomez. 17 goal seasons from "elite" forwards have been our problem, not our solution.

We need goal scorers, not underacheiving playmaking forwards. We have too many of those even with the loss of Scott Gomez.

And the entire team should be "flourishing" under Sutter's system. Elias, Gionta, Zubrus, etc.

So in closing, this Devils team would be just as innept offensively with Scott Gomez as without. By the way, enjoy his incredible, eye-poping 17 goal, 76 point season. Yawn. Oh, an he will really light it up in the playoffs too. :sarcasm:

Technically we have 3 wins against NY teams. Buffalo is in NY last time checked.
Buffalo is practically Canada, which explains our success.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him. I don't generally like bringing up Gomez to a Devils fan (since it's just asking for a fight), but if he'd of convinced Gomez to stay, he wouldn't have had that hole to fill.

I agree.

The team misses Rafalski a lot more than Gomez, especially with the pitiful lack of offense from the blueline.

The lines are impressive, Elias-Gomez-Gio, Parise-Zajac-Langs, Pandolfo, Madden, Zubrus, Brylin-Pelley-Clarkson, Rupp-Janssen, White-Mottau, Martin-Oduya, Greene-Brookbank, Malmivaara extra.

That's probably a serious contender to get out of the East.

Impressive???

We tried most of those line combos last year and we still we horrible offensively. In fact, we have tried several of those line combos for years and nothing worked.

Stop buying into the NYR fan/Scott Gomez propaganda.

The team misses Rafalski a lot more than Gomez, especially with the pitiful lack of offense from the blueline.

Yep. :handclap:

Why?

He is the same underacheiving player with the NYR as he was with us. We are just as bad offensively without Scott Gomez as we were with Scott Gomez.

By the way, the NYR offense has fallen off tremondously since the addition of Gomez. The NYR offense is just as bad as the Devils offense.

Gomez is on pace for a 17 goal/76 point season. That's all you get with Scott Gomez. 17 goal seasons from "elite" forwards have been our problem, not our solution.

We need goal scorers, not underacheiving playmaking forwards. We have too many of those even with the loss of Scott Gomez.

And the entire team should be "flourishing" under Sutter's system. Elias, Gionta, Zubrus, etc.

So in closing, this Devils team would be just as innept offensively with Scott Gomez as without. By the way, enjoy his incredible, eye-poping 17 goal, 76 point season. Yawn. Oh, an he will really light it up in the playoffs too. :sarcasm:

This post has so many faults it's not even funny.

Gomez is our best forward and has been all year.

You're hilarious, Muttley. You really think of some of the stupidest things to ever say.

It seems every year we need that "one guy", to put us back in the elite status, but Lou comes up with a Ken Klee all the time. Marty isn't getting any younger, we should go for it before he's old and washed up.:shakehead

Believe me, I can only dream that the Isles would have such a "problem"! You guys need one guy to make it back to elite status, while the Isles need one guy just so they can have someone who might even sniff 60 points this season.

If the Isles didnt win any of the games they have won against the Devs and Rangers, they would be sitting at the very bottom of the conference. Heck, even if they went 500 with the other Metro Ice teams, they would be at the bottom of the conference. Amazingly, the Metro Ice Challenge is the only hope the Islanders have of saving their season lol!

I cannot explain why the Isles play so well against the Devs this season. And since I cant explain it, I cant figure out how it can keep going on, either. :dunno: Im not complaining, mind you... but it certainly is a strange thing!

signing gomez wouldnt have worked. besides the fact that we would have way too much money given to 2 (most likely underachieving) players in Gomez and Elias, we would have not had room for Vish or Rachunek. Sounds like a good deal, but that means you would be banking on Mottau to turn out like he did and Columbus to put Brookbank on waivers which were both not very likely at the beginning of training camp. Thats just dumb and would have made Lou look like an idiot.

This post has so many faults it's not even funny.

Gomez is our best forward and has been all year.

You're hilarious, Muttley. You really think of some of the stupidest things to ever say.

What are the faults Jonathan?

Yeah, he's been your best forwards because the rest of your forwards stink or are underacheving.

The NYR offense is a bad as ours.

You are getting exactly what is expected from Scott Gomez. No surprises.

So what exactly are you disagreeing with Jonathan?

Impressive???

We tried most of those line combos last year and we still we horrible offensively. In fact, we have tried several of those line combos for years and nothing worked.

Stop buying into the NYR fan/Scott Gomez propaganda.

I'm not. I'm looking at the fact that we wasted 3.2 million dollars on Vitaly Vishnevski and Karel Rachunek who have done nothing to help this hockey club.

Have you watched a Rangers game this year? He's clearly the best offensive player that the Rangers have. And he's never been a goal scorer so his pace of 17 goals isn't out of the norm. In fact, he'd probably have more points if he could get any production from Jagr. Without Gomez, the Rangers wouldn't be sniffing the playoffs pal.

The Devils have had huge Center problems since the lockout and this year isn't any different. Lou has failed to address the situation with anything creative. Where are the creative Arnott-Mckay for Langs-Niewendyk deal or the Sykora for Friesen-Tverdosky deal? I see none of it. Instead, we are basically giving away 3.2 million dollars to two guys have done nothing. We could've relaced Brookbank and his 500k and another guy in the farm for under 1 million and saved the money.

signing gomez wouldnt have worked. besides the fact that we would have way too much money given to 2 (most likely underachieving) players in Gomez and Elias, we would have not had room for Vish or Rachunek. Sounds like a good deal, but that means you would be banking on Mottau to turn out like he did and Columbus to put Brookbank on waivers which were both not very likely at the beginning of training camp. Thats just dumb and would have made Lou look like an idiot.

Oh yeah and Vish and Rachunek have provided alot? We could've saved the 3.2 million and done alot of other things to help the offense out. Dont make those two to be key contributors please.

What are the faults Jonathan?

Yeah, he's been your best forwards because the rest of your forwards stink or are underacheving.

The NYR offense is a bad as ours.

You are getting exactly what is expected from Scott Gomez. No surprises.

So what exactly are you disagreeing with Jonathan?

Wait, he's been our best forward but he's somehow underachieving?

You're so full of your Devils bias that you can't even get your story straight, Muttley.

And yeah. You're clearly just as bad offensively with him as without him. I mean, Danius Zubrus is just a ****ing offensive catalyst out there!

Muttley, I think you're honestly the most biased person towards their home team on this entire board. You're so biased that your story gets crooked the minute you respond again. Pretty funny.

Wait, he's been our best forward but he's somehow underachieving?

You're so full of your Devils bias that you can't even get your story straight, Muttley.

And yeah. You're clearly just as bad offensively with him as without him. I mean, Danius Zubrus is just a ****ing offensive catalyst out there!

Muttley, I think you're honestly the most biased person towards their home team on this entire board. You're so biased that your story gets crooked the minute you respond again. Pretty funny.

Shh...he's he for 6 years

Shh...he's he for 6 years

And that's one thing I sincerely sympathize with. That's horrible for you guys.

Have you watched a Rangers game this year? He's clearly the best offensive player that the Rangers have.

Yes he is. We know that.

He was the best offensive player with us too.

Where did that lead us?

How did it help our other forwards put the puck in the net?

Scott Gomez is an underacheivng playmaker with no finish. We have too many of those players.

We needed to go in a new direction that we obviously haven't reached yet.

They overpaid for a playmeker with no finsish. Been there/done that. He's the NYR problem now.

Wait, he's been our best forward but he's somehow underachieving?



Actually, yes.

I'm not sure what there is not to understand with that statement.

The team misses Rafalski a lot more than Gomez, especially with the pitiful lack of offense from the blueline.

It's debatable, but I probably would've preferred Gomez over Rafalski simply because of age. I'd much rather have the stablility ath Center of a 27 year old Gomez in New Jersey for another 7 years than another 5 years of a 33 year old Rafalski whose skills may be totally eroded at the end of the contract.

Yes he is. We know that.

He was the best offensive player with us too.

Where did that lead us?

How did it help our other forwards put the puck in the net?

Scott Gomez is an underacheivng playmaker with no finish. We have too many of those players.

We needed to go in a new direction that we obviously haven't reached yet.

They overpaid for a playmeker with no finsish. Been there/done that. He's the NYR problem now.

Gionta's 48 goals ring a bell? Muttley, think before you post.

Yes he is. We know that.

He was the best offensive player with us too.

Where did that lead us?

How did it help our other forwards put the puck in the net?

Scott Gomez is an underacheivng playmaker with no finish. We have too many of those players.

We needed to go in a new direction that we obviously haven't reached yet.

They overpaid for a playmeker with no finsish. Been there/done that. He's the NYR problem now.

He's a ****ing playmaker, genius. He's not supposed to put up 50 goals a year. His goal is to get the other guy the puck. He's done an absolutely TREMENDOUS job of it this year. If our forwards had played better at the beginning, he'd be at least a PPG player and likely well over it -- even after his short early season slump.

He's a 15-20 goal scorer. No one expected a boatload of goals. I fail to see how this is him underachieving.

What's laughable is you make it out to be a "problem" for us when in fact Rangers fans absolutely love the guy and his play has been downright fantastic pretty much throughout the year.

He's also one of our best defensive forwards as well and is on the PK more often than he was at the start since he's proven to be very effective at it as of late.

But yeah. The guy sucks and he's our problem. Clearly. :biglaugh:

Actually, yes.

I'm not sure what there is not to understand with that statement.

It's hard to understand because it's a retarded statement coming from someone without an ounce of objectivity when talking about the Rangers.'

But yeah. Enjoy Danius Zubrus, Karel Rachunek and Vish. You're much, much better off with them. :biglaugh:

Gionta's 48 goals ring a bell? Muttley, think before you post.

Um, everybody overacheived that year, even Scott West Coast Gomez.

Gomez will never reach the 33 goal plateau again as much as Gionta will reach 48 again.

And they didn't even come close to that last season, despite injuries.



Bad comparison.

He's a 15-20 goal scorer. No one expected a boatload of goals. I fail to see how this is him underachieving.



Exactly.

The guy has tremendous skills & talent and there is no reason why he shouldn't score 30+ goals per year.

Everybody knows this and this why he is tagged with being a great playmaker with no finish.

What is so hard to understand?

Um, everybody overacheived that year, even Scott West Coast Gomez.

Gomez will never reach the 33 goal plateau again as much as Gionta will reach 48 again.

Bad comparison.

No its not don't back track.

You said "How did our help our forwards put it in the back of the net" and I answered Brian Gionta. Easy question, easy answer.

Try again.

And Gomez is going to put up another 80 point season and his 4th 70+ point season in his career. So 05-06 was far from a fluke year.

Um, everybody overacheived that year, even Scott West Coast Gomez.

Gomez will never reach the 33 goal plateau again as much as Gionta will reach 48 again.

Bad comparison.
http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/harding/Images/alaska3.jpg
"Scott, when you come home? We have waited many moons."

No its not don't back track.

You said "How did our help our forwards put it in the back of the net" and I answered Brian Gionta. Easy question, easy answer.

Try again.

What about before and after the 2005/2006 season?

And I answered that the 2005/2006 season was a fluke for both Brian Gionta & Scott Gomez.

The sad part is that Lou overpaid Gionta because of that 1 fluke goal season.

Scoring 48 goals in one season is hard in this league. Look how hard it is to score 30.

Stop buying into the NYR fan/Scott Gomez Kool Aid, as if we were an offensive juggernaut with Scott Gomez and have fallen off a cliff since his departure.

Exactly.

The guy has tremendous skills & talent and there is no reason why he shouldn't score 30+ goals per year.

Everybody knows this and this why he is tagged with being a great playmaker with no finish.

What is so hard to understand?

MUTTLEY. Jesus ****ing Christ. You keep burying yourself and looking worse and worse. You need to quit while you're ahead.

What about before and after the 2005/2006 season?

And I answered that the 2005/2006 season was a fluke for both Brian Gionta & Scott Gomez.

The sad part is that Lou overpaid Gionta because of that 1 fluke goal season.

Scoring 48 goals in one season is hard in this league. Look how hard it is to score 30.

Stop buying into the NYR fan/Scott Gomez Kool Aid, as if we were an offensive juggernaut with Scott Gomez and have fallen off a cliff since his departure.

You obviously can't look objectively at a situation. You're hate for the Rangers extends so far to the point where you can't make an objective observation.

So I guess when Ovechkin scores 65+ this year it's a fluke year because he's never done it before?

Gomez has has a proven track record of success. Barring injury, this year will be his 4th 70+ point season and possibly his 2nd 80+ point season. 05-06 was not a fluke because the Rangers obviously payed him a boatload of money to perform and unlike many athletes in that town who get paid large contracts that don't perform, he has. He obviously isn't a fluke.

You asked a simple question and I gave you a damn good answer. Whether you think it was a fluke or not, Gionta's 48 goals was a direct connection to the play of Scott Gomez. You keep back tracking to the point where you're starting to look stupid.

To be fair to Muttley, Gionta has been virtually invisible on the ice this season compared to 05/06 when he usually made some sort of difference night in and night out.

You obviously can't look objectively at a situation. You're hate for the Rangers extends so far to the point where you can't make an objective observation.

So I guess when Ovechkin scores 65+ this year it's a fluke year because he's never done it before?

Gomez has has a proven track record of success. Barring injury, this year will be his 4th 70+ point season and possibly his 2nd 80+ point season. 05-06 was not a fluke because the Rangers obviously payed him a boatload of money to perform and unlike many athletes in that town who get paid large contracts that don't perform, he has. He obviously isn't a fluke.


O.K. fine.

We sorely miss Scott Gomez as he conistently made Brian Gionta a 50 goal per season threat and he lead our offense to the precipice of greatness, season after season. We were putting pucks in the back of the net with ease, at a tremndous pace and the departure of Scott Gomez caused the collapse of a prolific and dynamic offense, that has been one of our strong points, year after year.

To be fair to Muttley, Gionta has been virtually invisible on the ice this season compared to 05/06 when he usually made some sort of difference night in and night out.

To be honest, he was kind of invisible before and after that season actually.

O.K. fine.

We sorely miss Scott Gomez as he conistently made Brian Gionta a 50 goal per season threat and he lead our offense to the precipice of greatness, season after season. We were putting pucks in the back of the net with ease, at a tremndous pace and the departure of Scott Gomez caused the collapse of a prolific and dynamic offense, that has been one of our strong points, year after year.

Muttley you crack me up man.:biglaugh:

You've clearly lost in the argument so you have to resort to that sarcastic ******** that you pull.

Gomez would've made this offense better, no doubt. He solves the Center problem that we've had this whole year, and I feel that Sutter would've been good for Gomez. I never said that Gomez on this team would make the Devils look like the Senators. But he would've made the offesne competent enough that Marty would'nt have to exhaust himself everynight knowing he can't give up more than 2 goals.

And that question you asked last night, you know the one where "Who can break through the trap other than Paul Martin"? Scott Gomez was pretty good at that stuff.

Ok Mr. Positivity, it won't take much just a simple shake up. I'd like to see this, and it's a realistic trade. Gionta and Vrana to San Jose for Marleau. Or if we decide to go the defense route...we could go after J.M. Liles in Colorado. He's a guy who improves our offense from the back end.

You act as if we're in 10th place right now. We're in 6th place, and a 3 game winning streak probably puts us back into 1st in the Atlantic. We already are a contender, we're just a trade away from being a serious contender. I'm sorry that you can't see it that way.

No, I'm looking at a defense that is horrible, they offer no contribution offensively what so ever and are starting to play poorly defensively and the reason we are one of the best teams in goals against is because of Marty and Sutter reigning in his fore-check system and going back to a more conservative game. The offensive has now struggled mightily for the past two seasons, all due respect, but please take off the rose colored glasses. This team is winning with smoke and mirrors.

If they fall, here’s what I would do, move Gio for the right deal, White, Rachunek, Asham and Brylin for assets and go after Campbell hard in the off-season if he’s UFA and a forward. Hope for a pick who maybe can come in and contribute immediately and bring up Fraser and Corrente. Just maybe White brings back a first and the others 2nd and 3rds. Time for a mini re-build if Lou does it correctly.

So there are at least 2 Scott Gomez appolgists.

One of them, as expected, offering up all sorts of Gomezesque panegyrics. :sarcasm:

No, I'm looking at a defense that is horrible, they offer no contribution offensively what so ever and are starting to play poorly defensively and the reason we are one of the best teams in goals against is because of Marty and Sutter reigning in his fore-check system and going back to a more conservative game. The offensive has now struggled mightily for the past two seasons, all due respect, please take off the rose colored glasses. This team is winning with smoke and mirrors.

If they fall, here’s what I would do, move White, Rachunek, Asham and Brylin for assets and go after Campbell hard in the off-season if he’s UFA and a forward. Hope for a pick who maybe can come in and contribute immediately and bring up Fraser and Corrente. Just Maybe White brings back a first and the others 2nd and 3rds. Time for a mini re-build if Lou does it correctly.

White, Rachunek, Asham, and Brylin for assets?! Thanks for the good laugh. Yeah we'll probably get a 5th round pick for the star studded group. Colin White will not go for a first. I'm surprised that you think he's worth a first considered you've said that his play has slipped. Asham, Brylin, and Rachunek probably gets you a whole lotta nothing.

We are not mini rebuilding as long as Marty is in a Devils uniform. You can do all the retooling you want, but it'll just be a waste of time because before ya know it, Marty will be gone and then the real rebuilding will begin.

I have no rose colored glasses. I'm looking objectively. This team have probably no shot to win a cup for a long time after Marty retires so Lou probably is going to go for it all now when Marty is still around. This team needs to go for it all now, in the next 3 years.

So there are at least 2 Scott Gomez appolgists.

One of them, as expected, offering up all sorts of Gomezesque panegyrics. :sarcasm:

I'm with you, because I'm not exactly sure how Gomez helped the Devils offense when we were at or close to the bottom in scoring and he potted a big 9 goals and 60 pts. I must be missing something.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lou should've kept Gomez. I think he'd flourish under Sutter's system and would've been a perfect player under him. I don't generally like bringing up Gomez to a Devils fan (since it's just asking for a fight), but if he'd of convinced Gomez to stay, he wouldn't have had that hole to fill.

I agree too BUT, the problem I have is everyone knew Gomez wanted out after last season, and he wasn't re-signing with us......so why didn't Lou trade him? Instead of getting absolutely NOTHING in return. That was the mistake.

I agree too BUT, the problem I have is everyone knew Gomez wanted out after last season, and he wasn't re-signing with us......so why didn't Lou trade him? Instead of getting absolutely NOTHING in return. That was the mistake.

That's a tough call for Lou. We were one of the top teams in the East last year, and trading Gomez for anything less than fair value would've sent a terrible message to the team and the fan base. It's totally understandable why Lou didn't trade him-we were trying to win the Cup.

I'm with you because, I'm not exactly sure how Gomez helped the Devils offense when we were at or close to the bottom in scoring and he potted a big 9 goals and 60 pts. I must be missing something.

When we got off to the bad start in October, everybody missed Scott Gomez.

When we went on the 9-game winning streak and moved into 1st place in the Atlantic, everybody forgot about Scott Gomez.

Now, when we are are 5-6 in our last 11 games, have lost 5 out of 6 at home and have lost 3 regulation games in a row, all of a sudden, everyone clamors for Scott Gomez again.

Scott Gomez was part of our problem & deficiencies and I'm glad we didn't get tied up with an outrageous, long-term contract. We already have that with Patrik Elias. And of course it would be nice to still have Scott Gomez, but there is such a thing as a salary cap.

We really need a big, North American Center, Jason Arnott-type and a true #1, power play quarteback, puck moving defenseman.

Many of us have been saying this for as long as I have been posting here.

Until Lou addresses those concerns, what you see is what you get with the Devils. With Scott Gomez or without.

White, Rachunek, Asham, and Brylin for assets?! Thanks for the good laugh. Yeah we'll probably get a 5th round pick for the star studded group. Colin White will not go for a first. I'm surprised that you think he's worth a first considered you've said that his play has slipped. Asham, Brylin, and Rachunek probably gets you a whole lotta nothing.

We are not mini rebuilding as long as Marty is in a Devils uniform. You can do all the retooling you want, but it'll just be a waste of time because before ya know it, Marty will be gone and then the real rebuilding will begin.

I have no rose colored glasses. I'm looking objectively. This team have probably no shot to win a cup for a long time after Marty retires so Lou probably is going to go for it all now when Marty is still around. This team needs to go for it all now, in the next 3 years.


Concerning White, I said JUST MAYBE. With all these teams fighting for playoff positions, the few sellers should score big at the trade deadline. Desperate teams will always over-pay, just look at Atlanta last season.

When we got off to the bad start in October, everybody missed Scott Gomez.

When we went on the 9-game winning streak and moved into 1st place in the Atlantic, everybody forgot about Scott Gomez.

Now, when we are are 5-6 in our last 11 games, have lost 5 out of 6 at home and have lost 3 regulation games in a row, all of a sudden, everyone clamors for Scott Gomez again.

Scott Gomez was part of our problem & deficiencies and I'm glad we didn't get tied up with an outrageous, long-term contract. We already have that with Patrik Elias. And of course it would be nice to still have Scott Gomez, but there is such a thing as a salary cap.

We really need a big, North American Center, Jason Arnott-type and a true #1, power play quarteback, puck moving defenseman.

Many of us have been saying this for as long as I have been posting here.

Until Lou addresses those concerns, what you see is what you get with the Devils. With Scott Gomez or without.

im not clamoring for scott gomez..our cap hands would be tied right now if we had him

Exactly.

The guy has tremendous skills & talent and there is no reason why he shouldn't score 30+ goals per year.

Everybody knows this and this why he is tagged with being a great playmaker with no finish.

What is so hard to understand?

What i think everyone is missing here, both Rangers and Devils fans, is that Gomez is on pace to have an average season and the rest of the Rangers forwards are on pace to have a below average season. The Rangers will be lucky to have a 30 goal scorer this season and this is with the likes of Jagr, Shanahan, and Drury on the team. If Jagr was actually playing up to the standards that everyone thought he would Gomez would be on pace for a 100 point season. Gomez has fallen victim to a the team around him underachieving and his stats are hurting because of that.

And so what if he doesn't have the finish that you seem to think he needs to have to be an elite player. An assist is just as good as a goal in my book. Thats kind of what playmakers do. If he was a consistant 30 goal scorer he would be tagged as a goal scorer, not a playmaker.

I'm with you because, I'm not exactly sure how Gomez helped the Devils offense when we were at or close to the bottom in scoring and he potted a big 9 goals and 60 pts. I must be missing something.

:shakehead

I guess I'll have to give you the facts:

06-07: Gomez=60 points-Devils=2.57 goals per game/27th in NHL
05-06: Gomez=84 points-Devils=2.84 goals per game/22nd in NHL
03-04: Gomez=70 points-Devils=2.60 goals per game/14th in NHL
02-03: Gomez=55 points-Devils=2.63 goals per game/14th in NHL
01-02: Gomez=48 points-Devils=2.50 goals per game/21st in NHL
00-01: Gomez=63 points-Devils=3.60 goals per game/1st in NHL

Never close to the "bottom" as you put it, in the Gomez era until last year.

then lets see

07-08: Devils=2.40 goals per game-27th in NHL

So, without Gomez the Devils offense has been the worst it's ever been in this decade. And while the offense has never been great, aside from 2001, it's always been competitive. So perhaps the loss of Gomez has made a difference wouldn't you say? And he's never scored under 10 goals either.

What i think everyone is missing here, both Rangers and Devils fans, is that Gomez is on pace to have an average season and the rest of the Rangers forwards are on pace to have a below average season. The Rangers will be lucky to have a 30 goal scorer this season and this is with the likes of Jagr, Shanahan, and Drury on the team. If Jagr was actually playing up to the standards that everyone thought he would Gomez would be on pace for a 100 point season. Gomez has fallen victim to a the team around him underachieving and his stats are hurting because of that.

And so what if he doesn't have the finish that you seem to think he needs to have to be an elite player. An assist is just as good as a goal in my book. Thats kind of what playmakers do. If he was a consistant 30 goal scorer he would be tagged as a goal scorer, not a playmaker.


I know about the rest of the NYR forwards stuggling this season, that's why I mentioned it here:



By the way, the NYR offense has fallen off tremondously since the addition of Gomez. The NYR offense is just as bad as the Devils offense.

I think what many of us are driving at is that even when Gomez and his NYR line have been clicking for 2 months now, he is still the same player that we all expect, even with much better wingers.

We have been told that playing in the Devils system was somehow holding him back.

What you see is what you get with Scott Gomez.

Even with vastly superior talent, he cannot rise to even the Marc "I was a NYR" Savard, 90-point level.

So there are no suprises here. Most of us here know that Scott Gomez was not part of this team's plans. That's fine and well. He's your underachiever now.

01-02: Gomez=48 points-Devils=2.50 goals per game/21st in NHL
00-01: Gomez=63 points-Devils=3.60 goals per game/1st in NHL


Psssst....

Jason Arnott, Alexander Mogilny, Bobby Holik, Peter Sykora, Scott Niedemayer, Brian Rafalski.


03-04: Gomez=70 points-Devils=2.60 goals per game/14th in NHL
02-03: Gomez=55 points-Devils=2.63 goals per game/14th in NHL


Joe Nieuwendyk, Jeff Friesen, Jamie Langenbrunner, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski.


06-07: Gomez=60 points-Devils=2.57 goals per game/27th in NHL
05-06: Gomez=84 points-Devils=2.84 goals per game/22nd in NHL


Negligible difference.

Like being the tallest midget in a circus.


Have you been a Devils fan for like 1 year?

What a poor example. :shakehead

Psssst....

Jason Arnott, Alexander Mogilny, Bobby Holik, Peter Sykora, Scott Niedemayer, Brian Rafalski.

Center depth is a good thing, eh?


Joe Nieuwendyk, Jeff Friesen, Jamie Langenbrunner, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski.

Ok lets check the stats from 02/03:
Nieuwendyk-17G 28A=45 PTS ---So basically Travis Zajac numbers.
Friesen-23G 28 A=51 PTS ---So basically Gionta's projections this year.
Langenbrunner-22G 33A=55 PTS ---Solid season

I'm not even going to try to compare a Defenseman to a Center. But Rafalski and Niedermeyer's 40 and 39 points respectively are hardly eye-popping.

Gomez was the first line center on that team so he was obviously much important offensively than any three of those forwards that you mentioned.

I'll give ya 03/04 if you'd like.

Negligible difference.

Like being the tallest midget in a circus.


Have you been a Devils fan for like 1 year?

What a poor example. :shakehead

Yeah that 2.83 goals per game in 05/06 is SO comparable to the paltry 2.4 that we're putting up this year.

If we were putting up 2.83 this year through 51 games, we would have 16 more goals than we already do. That's at least 4 wins right there considering how many close losses we've had. The fact is that the offense is better with Gomez. Can't deny facts.

Center depth is a good thing, eh?

Yep, sure is.

Nobody even came close to the magic that Jason Arnott had centering our "A" line.

Even a 37 year old Joe Nieuwendyk, bad back and all, still could pot 17 goals/45 points, as opposed to Gomez and his 13 goal/55 point season. Niewendyk, especially in his prime, was a much better & complete Center than Scott Gomez will ever be. And he still admirably almost was just as good as Gomez in our 2003 Cup run.


Ok lets check the stats from 02/03:
Nieuwendyk-17G 28A=45 PTS ---So basically Travis Zajac numbers.
Friesen-23G 28 A=51 PTS ---So basically Gionta's projections this year.
Langenbrunner-22G 33A=55 PTS ---Solid season

Um, Gionta was on the team in addition to Nieuewendyk & Friesen. And you left our Rafalski & Niedermayer on the blue line, helping the PP and making quality breakout/outlet passes.


I'm not even going to try to compare a Defenseman to a Center. But Rafalski and Niedermeyer's 40 and 39 points respectively are hardly eye-popping.

You're kidding right? Please tell me you are. What an ignorant statement. Anybody who disagrees that the loss of Niedermayer made our entire team suffer in every zone on the ice, even strength and on the PP, must be too new to the sport of hockey and to the New Jersey Devils.


Gomez was the first line center on that team so he was obviously much important offensively than any three of those forwards that you mentioned.

I would say they were all important. Gomez did not stand out and apart from them. Sorry, but Scott Gomez never had the impact at Center then Arnott did on the A line.


Yeah that 2.83 goals per game in 05/06 is SO comparable to the paltry 2.4 that we're putting up this year.

If we were putting up 2.83 this year through 51 games, we would have 16 more goals than we already do. That's at least 4 wins right there considering how many close losses we've had. The fact is that the offense is better with Gomez. Can't deny facts.

Well, our offense sucked then and it still sucks now. Scott Gomez alone wasn't enough to make us better. Sorry.

All this means is that we really still need a ture #1 Center, and Scott Gomez wasn't the answer last year and certainly wouldn't have been the answer this year. :sarcasm:

So the moral of the story is that we still haven't found a true #1 Center and true #1 defenseman.

I'm gonna go way off topic here and just say, Gomez's new nickname is Fez:

http://images.quizilla.com/T/TiffAnime/1036999064_esyourefez.jpg


oh and to be on topic at least...


I don't miss Gomez one bit.

Funny that we posted nearly the same post at the same time. I agree completely. I think Lou really shot himself in the foot with that move. It's unfortunate as well. I'm not a big fan of Briere, but I'm surprised that Lou didn't go after either him or Drury in the offseason (and if he did go after them, he didn't really go very hard).

Briere was a FA for just over 3 hours--and that includes the time it took to make the announcement (I think it was at about 3:20pm)--can't blame Lou. Briere was going to Philadelphia no matter what. He and Biron had even talked about it before Biron was traded to Philly.

I agree too BUT, the problem I have is everyone knew Gomez wanted out after last season, and he wasn't re-signing with us......so why didn't Lou trade him? Instead of getting absolutely NOTHING in return. That was the mistake.

Excellent point, I was always surprised at those that thought Gomer was going to re-sign in NJ. I think money had very little to do with it, too, he wanted out plain and simple. I also do not blame Lou for not trading him--can you imagine if he had and the Devils lost in the first round--people would have gone crazy.

Yep, sure is.

Nobody even came close to the magic that Jason Arnott had centering our "A" line.

Even a 37 year old Joe Nieuwendyk, bad back and all, still could pot 17 goals/45 points, as opposed to Gomez and his 13 goal/55 point season. Niewendyk, especially in his prime, was a much better & complete Center than Scott Gomez will ever be. And he still admirably almost was just as good as Gomez in our 2003 Cup run.

Sigh. I was comparing Gomez and Nieuwendyk during his Devil years. I never mentioned Nieuwendyk in his prime and I wouldn't dare compare the two. Thanks for putting words in my mouth.



Um, Gionta was on the team in addition to Nieuewendyk & Friesen. And you left our Rafalski & Niedermayer on the blue line, helping the PP and making quality breakout/outlet passes.

Oh that 30th ranked PP in 02/03?



You're kidding right? Please tell me you are. What an ignorant statement. Anybody who disagrees that the loss of Niedermayer made our entire team suffer in every zone on the ice, even strength and on the PP, must be too new to the sport of hockey and to the New Jersey Devils.

Yup. Definetly said that I wanted Niedermeyer gone...


I would say they were all important. Gomez did not stand out and apart from them. Sorry, but Scott Gomez never had the impact at Center then Arnott did on the A line.

Yup. I said that Gomez>A line too...


Well, our offense sucked then and it still sucks now. Scott Gomez alone wasn't enough to make us better. Sorry.

All this means is that we really still need a ture #1 Center, and Scott Gomez wasn't the answer last year and certainly wouldn't have been the answer this year. :sarcasm:

So the moral of the story is that we still haven't found a true #1 Center and true #1 defenseman.

No but Gomez and Rafalski were the closest things to one since Arnott and Niedermeyer left.

Muttley, next time why don't you just argue with yourself because you base your argument around stuff that I didn't say. K thanks.

OMG, I'm soooooo sick of the what if's or we should trade so and so or should have kept this guy. You guys think you're smarter or know more than Lou and our scouts. Yeah our offense is in a slump now but a couple of weeks ago we were woldbeaters on this forum during that streak.

EVERYBODY CALM DOWN. Even with the D we have the Devs are 3rd in goals against. Thats with no Stevens, Dano, Neids, etc. Just think about it for a minute. Given we are 26th in offense it's still better than the Rags 30th. Get used to it, it's the way this team is and always will be under Lou. I've seen it year after year all the experts counting this team out but in the end they always have a pretty damn competitive team.

Yes most of our forwards are struggling but I'd rather they have problems now than later. They couldn't do much worse so they are only going to get better.

Yes we are spoiled. A lot of success over the years. Stop whining, imagine being a Kings, Hawks or a Leafs fan.

Sorry to say but Gomez is missed and he has been one of the Rags best players. The one guy I can't stand is Zubrus. Now that's a waste of good cap space.

No but Gomez and Rafalski were the closest things to one since Arnott and Niedermeyer left.


Exactly! :handclap: :yo:

We have now come full circle. :D

Gomez and Rafalski respectively are not true #1 Centers and #1 Defenseman.

That's why Lou let them walk and didn't overpay to keep them here.

So as I've said a billion times on this Devils Forum, we have still not found a replacement for Jason Arnott & Scott Niedermayer. Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski although nice to still have, were certainly not the answer.

Have faith in Lou as this team will continue to change and evolve, at the trade deadline and in the offseason.

Exactly! :handclap: :yo:

We have now come full circle. :D

Gomez and Rafalski respectively are not true #1 Centers and #1 Defenseman.

That's why Lou let them walk and didn't overpay to keep them here.

So as I've said a billion times on this Devils Forum, we have still not found a replacement for Jason Arnott & Scott Niedermayer. Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski although nice to still have, were certainly not the answer.

Have faith in Lou as this team wil contine to change and evolve either at the trade deadline and in the offseason.

But herin lies the rub. Lou has never been one to go out and sign a big name #1 defenseman or center. And there isn't exactly a #1 center or defenseman in the pipeline anytime soon. Also, since the lockout Lou has been inclined more to trade for average NHL players such as Klee and Lukowich instead of gettting creative and making a Nieuwendyk/Langs for Arnott/Mckay type of deal. So what is one supposed to do? If there's no good prospects down in the farm, no willingness to go out and get a big name free agent even with cap space, and no creativeness trade wise, wouldn't it had made more sense for Lou to keep either Gomez or Rafalski? I think so.

The NYR offense is a bad as ours.It is actually worse. The Devils are ranked 26th in the NHL with 2.43 Goals per Games Played. The Rangers are 30th in the league at 2.37 G/GP.

The Rangers averaged 2.74 last year, 18th in the NHL, and the Devils averaged 2.51, 27th.

Please, name me the trade that makes us a contender?

In the East? You could leave it as it is and be a contender. All of these teams suck other than Ottawa. And Ottawa hasn't looked too impressive since the injuries piled up and the goalies imploded.

Montreal is pretty good. The Flyers? Did you see what we did to the Flyers, and then what the Rangers did? They couldn't D their way out of a paper bag and have no goalies.

We might be 0-5 against the Isles, but they're playing their way out right now.

Julien Boston? Any SE team other than Washington (who still are sloppy but dangerous? Penguins without Crosby destined to be a low seed in the playoffs?

It's not like this conference is full of world beaters.

Gomez wasn't going to re-sign here. He wanted top dollar and he wanted out. Plain and simple.

So going down that road is just silly talk, Jonathan's initial post being an inherent impossibility.

Lou never, at any point in Gomez's entire career as a Devil, offered him a multi-year contract. Never. Just yearly qualifying offers and finally arbitration, when he was eligible.

The perception within the organization was that Gomez was an underachiever, at times lazy and hard to motivate, and unlike the "team first" core guys Lou builds around (Marty, Langenbrunner, Elias, White, Parise, etc.), he complained about the money constantly.

So, no way in Hell Lou goes anywhere near the years or dollars Gome$ felt he deserved, and as a result didn't even bother with an offer. He just LET HIM WALK.

And, appropriately enough, El Traidor gets his bucket full of loot AND gets to stick it to the organization thanks to the free spending ways of our rivals in the blue skirts.

So, from this point forward, all Scott Gomez has to look forward to from our fan base will be a chorus of boos and our general scorn.

With little love lost on either side.

Good for the rivalry, good for Gome$ (who first and foremost always looked out for what was good for Gome$) and apparently good enough for the Rangers and their league worst scoring -- thanks to their dynamic new playmaker!

(They deserve each other.)

It is actually worse. The Devils are ranked 26th in the NHL with 2.43 Goals per Games Played. The Rangers are 30th in the league at 2.37 G/GP.

The Rangers averaged 2.74 last year, 18th in the NHL, and the Devils averaged 2.51, 27th.

Haha. Good stuff.

Oh yeah and Vish and Rachunek have provided alot? We could've saved the 3.2 million and done alot of other things to help the offense out. Dont make those two to be key contributors please.

so you wanted to go into the season with a D consisting of Martin, Greene, and Oduya? That is the most boneheaded thing Ive ever heard.

That is basically what you are saying because everyone else on our D was unproven (Mottau), injured (White), or not on the team (Brookbank, Rachunek, Vish). Think before you type. At no point was Gomez a viable option.