In The Conversation: Looking At The Arnott Trade

STEVE: So it's Monday, February 28th...the NHL's trade Deadline. And Jason Arnott got his wish, right Anthony?

ANTHONY: It appears that way.

STEVE: He lands with a sure-fire playoff bound team - the Capitals - and will now attempt to win his 2nd Stanley Cup. To answer your question from our previous conversation on Arnott...no...Jason was not a "Believer".

ANTHONY: He was not, and he sort of gave that view the whole way. He wanted a sure thing and did not want to "gamble"

STEVE: Well, making the playoff’s now for him certainly shouldn't be a gamble. But I'm not sure what he'll be guaranteed come playoff time on a Capitals team that's looked far more dominant in the past than this years version, and found themselves out in the 1st round.

ANTHONY: I think the East is up for grabs. I think the Lightning might be able to make a serious run.

STEVE: I completely agree...and I love Arnott and all, but considering what the Devils got in return...I have to wonder if the Capitals have even scouted Jason recently, because in my opinion this was an absolute HEIST.

ANTHONY: On the surface it appears to be. It could be one of those deals that benefits both teams. Jason may step his play up now that he will be in meaningful games.

STEVE: There's no question that Jason seemed uninterested at times and perhaps unhappy with his 3rd line role. With a more important role in Washington, his game could rebound some. But from the Devils end on this, players like Kovalev and Modin who are similarly slowing down and nearing the end of their careers, went for 7th round picks.

ANTHONY: You also have to understand those teams were looking for salary dumps completely.

STEVE: Perhaps in part, although those contracts are expiring ones. But then you have a player like Brad Boyes who is 28 years old and has put up 41 pts in 62 games this season (compared to Arnott's 24 points), go to Buffalo for just a 2nd rounder.

STEVE: To me, Lou did a phenomenal job here. Arnott had slowed down greatly. He had put up 7 points in his last 25 games and was looking disinterested. Can you honestly say that when looking at the 2nd half of the season, this is a down grade from Arnott? Not a chance.

ANTHONY: His play certainly declined from earlier in the season.

STEVE: Lou managed to get David Steckel, and a 2nd round pick in 2012 back from the Caps. There's not a size dropoff here for the Devils, as Steckel is also 6'5. He's 29 years old, and signed to a reasonable $1.1 mil for the next two years. He currently possesses the best faceoff percentage in the league with a 63.7%. Now instead of having only Zajac to take key draws, Steckel can take them too.

ANTHONY: Any team could always use a faceoff specialist.

STEVE: I'm not going to over-analyze his numbers or his play in Washington either. We’re a completely different system and team than the high octane, speedy, creative Capitals. Steckel’s the sort of player that could blossom in a structured system like the Devils have. The Devils KNOW how to use players like this.

ANTHONY: We always seem to get maximum production out of guys of this ilk...the Grant Marshall’s of the world so to speak.

STEVE: Exactly. Similar to how under-rated his acquisition was at the time, over the next couple of years I can see this acquisition panning out similarly.

ANTHONY: If he ever scores a series clinching goal as Marshall did....even if it was his only goal in a Devils jersey....the deal today would be a steal for the red and black. Especially taking into consideration the abysmal amount of series wins since that famed 03 team.

STEVE: Too true.

STEVE: Many thought that if Arnott were dealt today, we would have taken a small step backwards, and perhaps derailed this attempted miracle run....

ANTHONY: I disagree. At this point Jason was essentially a non factor on the ice. Now...is his locker-room presence something that will be missed? Possibly, but I think the team will go on just fine without him...just like we survived life without Lags.

STEVE: Totally agree...In fact, in terms of overall structure, I'd argue we're a stronger team today than we were 24 hours ago.

Zach Parise Signing Recap 2/26

Zach Parise was at All American Ford in Hackensack, New Jersey on Saturday February 26, 2011 for a FREE signing. Hundreds of fans showed up and waited outside in the cold for their chance to see Zach and get an autograph. While the Ford dealership was surely unprepared for the large turnout they received, Zach was friendly as usual and signed multiple items if requested for each person. Rarely do fans get a chance to get an autograph of a player of Zach's caliber for FREE! Kudos All American Ford, you should do some more of these!

Some photos from the event:

In The Conversation: Uncertainty Surrounding Jason Arnott

ANTHONY: So...do you think Arnott will be a Devil on February 29th?

STEVE: If I had to say right now, as of February 25th, and after reading his quotes today, I would say no. That's the feeling I got. What do you think?

ANTHONY: I would say he is definitely WILLING to waive his NTC...I don't necessarily think that means he will be moved though. The interesting question is whether Lou will want to move him, or if Arnie will ask Lou to move him...I guess it boils down to, is Jason a BELIEVER???

STEVE: To me, his saying today that “I’ve been in situations with Nashville where we were two or three points out with this many games left and we missed it by one point." was very telling. It makes you wonder where he stands and what his thinking is, with the team being 9 points out.

STEVE: With all the trading that's gone on already, I'm sure a lot of GM's that consider themselves buyers have sort of been left out in the cold to this point. A lot of the "sellers" have already started dealing. On the flip side, Lou could find himself being flooded with calls about Arnott's availability come Monday

ANTHONY: So assume the Devils win BOTH games in Florida, and are say 7 points out after the weekend. Lou calls Jason and says: "I have a deal in place to send you to . The choice is entirely up to you. I would love to keep you around and see if we can make a run at this thing." Does Arnie jump ship, or stick it out and look to complete the MIRACLE RUN with this 2010-2011 Devils team?!?

STEVE: I think it depends a lot on what team is calling Lou. We saw what happened with Langenbrunner, where a player get's traded to a team that is in the playoffs at the time and then suddenly finds itself fighting to make it.

ANTHONY: assuming the team is basically a lock to be in the playoffs....

STEVE: I think he says "do the deal."

ANTHONY: Interesting. I am on the fence about it. I personally would like to see him stay, and hopefully come back for next year at a discounted price. The team CURRENTLY is one of the best in the league. With this nucleus intact and hopefully with the addition of Parise, one would have to like the Devils chances to make some real noise in the 2011-2012 season

STEVE: Well I think that's all going to play into Lou's decision to. Does Lou seem like the type to trade Arnott and then sign him in the off-season? I doubt it.

ANTHONY: Not at all. I think if Jason leaves, it will be the last time we see him in a Devils sweater (aside from 2000 Cup reunion nights/events etc).

STEVE: I agree. I think Lou has to decide if Jason is a need next year before trading him. Also, if it's financially doable.

ANTHONY: I think we can make room for him $ wise if he signs for about $2 mill. if he is serious about winning another Cup before he hangs up his skates, he has to think this Devils team is dangerous

STEVE: If he does get traded, what do you see coming back our way?

ANTHONY: Unfortunately not as much as Devils fans would like. I can see something like a 2nd round pick. Or possibly a 3rd round pick + 4th line player/mediocre defenseman. I could also see maybe an unproven project type of "prospect". In any event, we will not get an impact player for him (at least right now). A 2nd round pick could certainly become an impact player, but that is all speculation

STEVE: I think a 2nd rounder is probably the most realistic expectation. Some think a bidding war, considering there may be no one like Arnott available come Monday, could drive the price up to a 1st.

ANTHONY: I just can't see someone giving up a 1st round pick for Arnott as a potential "rental"

STEVE: Yea, I think that's lofty. But, it's only a matter of a few days now before we'll know. One thing is for certain...Lou has plenty to think about before Monday

ANTHONY: That’s for sure

Devils extend winning streak to 8 games with 1-0 win over the Dallas Stars

These aren't the sort of wins that are exactly "drawn up" by a coach or team, and yet at the same time, they are normally what measures a truly great team. The Devils went into the American Airlines Center in Dallas Tuesday night, and managed to leave with two points in a 1-0 regulation win over the Stars. The Devils were out-played for most of sixty minutes, and saw many close calls and Dallas Stars chances go their way.

A furious Jacques Lemaire had pulled his team off the ice, earlier in the day during the teams morning skate, and said that he "thought we were in Hawaii on vacation, but there is no team there," in reference to the Devils lackadaisical demeanor on the ice this morning and the last couple days in practice. Lemaire apparently could see the writing on the wall, since the Devils didn't appear to have the same get up that they have had in recent games.

The Devils held the opposing team scoreless for the first two periods for the 5th straight game, and entered the 3rd tied, 0-0. While on the powerplay, Ilya Kovalchuk extended his point streak to a career high eleven games, when he accepted a Mark Fayne pass at the point and attempted to hammer the puck, only to have his stick break. Luckily for the Devils, Kovalchuk got just enough on the shot for Nick Palmieri to deflect the puck passed Lehtonen at 14:23 of the 3rd period, and give the Devils what would be just enough for them and Johan Hedberg to edge out the Stars.

In a post-game interview by Brian Engblom, Ilya Kovalchuk said "he's magic" referring to Jacques Lemaire. That magic seems to have trickled down to his players, as his team continues to win and at times, wins games that it shouldn't. They've now extended their winning streak to a remarkable 8 games, and are a nearly unimaginable 16-1-2 over their last 19 games. They'll look to extend their winning streak when they head to Tampa Bay Friday night to play the Lightning.

Should the Devils win Friday night, they will have taken thirty-six of a possible forty points over their last twenty games.

Oh Captain, My (Former) Captain!

Tonight:

8:30PM:

American Airlines Center:

The New Jersey Devils will faceoff against the Dallas Stars, and a very familiar face. That face belonging to none other than former New Jersey Devils Captain, Jamie Langenbrunner. The Devils traded Langenbrunner to Dallas (where he began his NHL career) on January 7th. Since that time, the Devils have turned their season around and appear to be making a legitimate run at the postseason (15-2-2 since Jamie's departure). The Stars on the other hand, have headed in the opposite direction. (7-9-1 since Jamie's arrival, only 1 win in the month of February) Langenbrunner inherited the captaincy from a line of Devils legends; Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias. Langenbrunner was a crucial member of the 2003 Stanley Cup Championship team, and a winger on the fan favorite "ZZ Pops" line along with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac. The team never enjoyed postseason success while he donned the "C" on his jersey though; and the fashion in which he ended his Devils career has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans. Many point to last season's benching at the hands of Jacques Lemaire as the beginning of the end. Langenbrunner acted like a child who had his favorite toy taken from him, and stomped his proverbial feet for the media. Was "Captain America" too good to be a healthy scratch?!? It is well documented that Jamie and Jacques Lemaire had their differences, and when Jacques was brought back to take the team over many speculated that Langenbrunner's Devils career was coming to a close. After Langenbrunner was dealt to Dallas it was revealed through the media that Lou Lamoriello in fact asked Jamie to waive his No Trade Clause in training camp, and Jamie refused. Was this burden too much for Lags to bear? Over the last 10 years, Jamie became part of the Devils family. As a fan it will be odd to see him playing against us tonight; as I am sure it will feel weird to him and the current Devils' players. But one thing is for sure...

This team has moved on; and quite frankly, is MUCH better without him. I will always appreciate what Jamie did in his time here, especially his role during the magical 2003 Stanley Cup Championship run. "ZZ Pops" was a fun line to watch while they lasted and will never be forgotten by many. But as they say, "All good things must come to an end", and unfortunately for the Devils, they kept Lags around a little longer than they should have. Tonight will be nostalgic in some ways, and sad in others. Perhaps Jamie could have been part of the magnificent miracle playoff push the Devils are enjoying now? Or perhaps he was part of the reason the team seemed to be stuck in reverse during the first half of the season? Hopefully the Devils continue their postseason push and give Jamie a front row seat to witness the new and improved New Jersey Devils.

Devs go down south, down Canes 4-1!

The New Jersey Devils continue their winning ways with a 4-1 victory over the current 8th place Carolina Hurricanes Saturday night in Raleigh, North Carolina. The team has now won 7 straight games, and is just 10 points out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Going 15-1-2 over your last 18 games will help any team find themselves chasing a playoff berth. Many questioned how the Devils would come out on the road to start the game after beating the Rangers in a fiery, emotion-filled battle the night before. The Devils addressed the topic immediately. Zubrus scored just 1:14 into the game, and the Devils never turned back. Defenseman Henrik Tallinder and Brian Rolston added goals of their own to give the Devils a 3-0 lead after 1. That would be more than enough for the win. Patrick Dwyer scored with just over 13 minutes remaining to cut the Canes' deficit to 3-1, but Zubrus squashed all hopes of a miraculous comeback with his second goal of the game with just 8:17 left to play. DEVILS: 4 CANES: 1

ARE YOU A BELIEVER YET???


Video Highlights:

And The Beat Goes On

...And Patrik Elias' prediction of "We'll get them" comes to fruition. In front of a sold out crowd of 17,625 Johan Hedberg and the Devils shut out the New York Rangers and won the game 1-0 off a breakaway goal by Ilya Kovalchuk. At the end of the game, the crowd was chanting both players names in recognition and appreciation of their efforts in this game, but perhaps even more so the way each has played over this 6 game winning streak.

The game had all the atmosphere of a playoff game. A huge two points hung in the balance for each team. The Devils trying to continue their torrid pace and keep their playoff hopes alive, and the Rangers looking to put more cushion between them and the 9th place Buffalo Sabres, than their 6 points. After a scoreless 1st period, the Devils tallied their first and only goal of the game at 8:18 of the 2nd period. With the puck in the Devils zone, Anton Volchenkov chipped the puck along the near boards, and past a flat-footed Staal at the blue line, to send Kovalchuk off to the races. Kovalchuk, appearing to have wings on his back, raced down the middle of the ice and wristed the puck just under Lundqvist's glove and into the net, to send the sellout crowd into a frenzy.

In the 3rd, the Rangers played with more energy and had more chances than they had all game, but Johan "Moose" Hedberg was there to stymie the Rangers, and turn away every opportunity. The Devils played with desperation, energy, and outplayed the Rangers for almost the entire 60 minutes.

The Devils now move to 14-1-2 over their last 17 games, have won their last 6 games in a row, and currently sit 12 points back from the 8th seeded Carolina Hurricanes. They will go on to play the Hurricanes tomorrow night in Carolina, in what is the equivalent of a 4 point game for the Devils and is sure to be another playoff like, energetic atmosphere.

The Top Devils - Rangers Brawls Of All Time

In honor of tonight's Devils - Rangers showdown at the Rock, we felt it necessary to post some of the most memorable "brawls" of this intense rivalry. Enjoy!

VIDEO: Devils FIGHT OF THE YEAR 2009-2010

Without a doubt the FIGHT OF THE YEAR from last season....

Tim Sestito placed on waivers, Jacob Josefson recalled from Albany

Today Lou Lamoriello announced that the team has placed Tim Sestito on waivers, and that center Jacob Josefson has been recalled from Albany. Although if Sestito clears waivers he'd then be eligible to be sent to the Devils AHL affiliate, Lamoriello said that the move "doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll go to Albany. Lamoriello said the transaction was made to give the Devils "flexibility depending upon where everybody is at. There are a lot of games coming up quickly. In case there are minor injuries, you don’t want to put someone on IR. This is just to get the roster so that there is flexibility.”

Josefson, 19, has played on a line with another highly touted Devils prospect Adam Henrique, for much of his time this season down in Albany. In 18 games Josefson has a very respectable 12 points, as a rookie in the AHL. Lamoriello said Josefson "has been playing very well," and that "it was time to get him in here and get a few practices.”

Considering that with his last quote on Josefson, Lamoriello made it seem as though Jacob may not play with the team but only practice, it has lead many to surmise that the Devils may be preparing for an impending trade of center Jason Arnott. Arnott being an unrestricted free agent, with playoff and Stanley Cup experience, is considered a prime candidate to be traded at the deadline, at 3:00 p.m. on February 28th.

The Train Keeps A-Rolling

"Hope springs eternal"...and as of right now, perhaps the greatest example of that is what this Devils team appears to be cooking up in New Jersey. The Devils held on Wednesday night to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that feels very confident when trailing late, by a final score of 3-2. The Devils extended their winning streak to 5 games, and are now an astonishing 13-1-2 in their last 16.

The Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead off a beautiful goal by Ilya Kovalchuk at 5:41 of the 2nd period. Kovalchuk absolutely turned Joe Corvo inside out with two dekes, and then ripped a shot from the left circle, under Cam Ward's glove and into the net. Kovalchuk's celebration, in such contrast with his celebration's earlier in the season, would depict the way he and the rest of the team are feeling right now. The 2nd period ended with the Devils up 1-0.

With the 3rd period starting 4 on 4, Rolston back-handed a loose puck in the hash-marks past a recovering Cam Ward in the crease, to give the Devils a 2-0 lead. That goal was followed up by Patrik Elias dangling one-on-one around Carolina defender Jamie McBain, to sneak a back-hand shot past Ward's right pad, and give the Devils a 3-0 lead at 1:59 of the 3rd period. Carolina would respond with a goal by Sergei Samsonov at 8:17 of the 3rd. The Devils hung on to their 3-1 lead till Tuomo Ruutu scored for Carolina with 4 seconds left to make it a 3-2 final score.

The Devils played with great work ethic, energy, and belief in their system for most of the night. They now sit 12 points out of a playoff spot, with one more game against the currently 8th seeded Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night, in what is certain to be an intense showdown.

Steve Cangelosi interviewed Patrik Elias after the game and wished Elias luck against the Rangers, whom the Devils play at home Friday night. Patrik responded, "Thank you". And with a smile said, "...We'll get them." Clear proof of a confident player, representing a very confident team right now. Some may deem Patrik's words as "over-confidence" or "arrogance". But as of right now, who can really disagree with Patrik's forecast?

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

Jason Arnott Signing Recap 2/12/11 Sports Minded Unlimited

Jason Arnott visited Sports Minded Unlimited (Warren, NJ) on Saturday February 12th for an autograph signing. Devils fans came out in droves to see the 2000 Stanley Cup hero and Center of the infamous "A-Line". Jason chatted it up with fans and posed for pictures throughout the afternoon while signing a wide variety of items. Stanley Cups, Stanley Cup game winning goal photos and Sports Illustrated covers depicting him absolutely crushing Joe Nieuwendyk were just some of the memorabilia that fans brought out to get signed. All in all a great afternoon! I will never forget the moment that Jason shot that puck past Eddie Belfour in DOUBLE OT of Game 6 to bring LORD STANLEY back to New Jersey. Whatta pass by Patty! Jason forever cemented his place in both NEW JERSEY DEVILS and NHL history!



Some pictures from the event:

For the full gallery from the event, go to: http://www.mordyphoto.com/root/Gallery/Pages/Jason_Arnott_Signing_At_Sports_Minded.html

As always, a great job by Brian & the staff to put on an excellent event! Check out Sports Minded on the web at http://www.sportsmindedunlimited.com

In honor of tonight's Devils vs Canes Matchup....

We took a look back at the monster that was SCOTT STEVENS



Stevens and Francis were in the same Hall of Fame class....

Francis is as far away as he can get from Scotty!!!

TheDevsDomain Launch!

Greetings fellow Devils fans.  TheDevsDomain is a blog made BY Devils fans, FOR Devils fans.  The site will be constantly updated with all of the latest news and stories pertaining to your NEW JERSEY DEVILS.  We plan on having lots of multimedia content, and want our readers to actively contribute!


-TheDevsDomain