Rock Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 DEVILS MIGHT DEAL ELIAS TO COLORADO http://www.nypost.com/sports/devils/26873.htm By MARK (N)Єverson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Devils 2 - Blues 0 December 11, 2002 -- This word in the wind would be just as shocking as the trades of Patrik Elias' former A Linemates. While Martin Brodeur was posting his 58th career shutout, blanking an 18-man Blues team decimated by 10 cases of food poisoning, The Post was told that Elias, the reigning three-time leading scorer, could be headed to Colorado for winger Alex Tanguay and defenseman Martin Skoula. After signing for $14.5 million over three years, Elias has struggled without former A Liners Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora, both traded since March. His goal drought reached nine games in last night's 2-0 victory over St. Louis and his seven goals and 14 points are third in each department for New Jersey. "Teams are going to be trying now," Elias said philosophically. Such a deal would represent a major salary dump of $2.5 million this season for the Devils, reported to have wallet trouble with a $53 million payroll and disappointing attendance. Tanguay earns 900G and Skoula $1.1 million. Both 23, Tanguay and Skoula were the first two of Colorado's four first-rounders in 1998. Neither, however, would seem to represent the scoring potential of Elias at a time when the Devils are desperate for goal-getters. The last remnant of the A Line that led the Devils to their 2000 Stanley Cup, Elias has scored 35, 40 and 29 goals the past three seasons and was appointed alternate captain by Pat Burns this year. Tanguay and Skoula have been mentioned as possibilities for Boston, for unsigned Kyle McLaren and Martin Lapointe, a package that would far exceed Elias' salary. Skoula scored 10 goals on defense for Colorado last season, while Tanguay's best was 27 goals and 77 points two seasons ago. While Elias continued unable to find net, the Devils took advantage of the malady the Blues think they acquired in Detroit. Dallas Drake, Scott Mellanby, Jeff Finley, Nathan Laflamme and Justin Papineau all sat out with the suspected food poisoning and four more skated sick as the Blues dressed only 18 players. New Jersey has scored only eight goals in five games and last night's precious offense came from two forwards known more for muscle than gunnery. Jim McKenzie put New Jersey in front at 13:14 of the first, steering in Brian Gionta's set-up for his first goal since March 13. Turner Stevenson gave the Devils a 2-0 lead at 11:52 of the second, swiping his third past Fred Brathwaite on a scramble off Joe Nieuwendyk's feed from the corner. "We got our goal-scorers going tonight. We're all set now," Scott Stevens said in fun. When does (N)Єverson realize his imaginary trades never come true? Why does he keep wasting his and our time spouting this drivel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Leeds Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Elias fans relax....this did come from nEverson after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Devs Fan Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I thought all of Neverson's rumors were about Gomez... he must be getting tired of being wrong about Gomez so often, figures he'll spice it up a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dog Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Of course this trade would make perfect sense for the Devils. Get rid of their best offensive player over the last three years for two guys that have basically disappointed in Colorado all so they can save a little over $2 million. Yep, you can book it. Maybe we will trade Marty for a bag of pucks next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aylbert Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I dunno, Marty's not a "kid" anymore... maybe a half bag of practice pucks... We hafta be reasonable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aylbert Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 In all honestly, the Devils aren't cash strapped, Lou even said they can even increase payroll if they want. This is why the partners were upset that a small financial problem leaked out... because now everyone thinks the Devils are out of money and will start dumping salary... If anybody was to go, it would be Nieuwy and his $5,000,000.... but honestly, I see the Devs doing nothing but acquire a 4th/3rd liner for Danton, and a prospect whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Let me be the first to say: "fvck THAT!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 if (N)Єverson's gonna make up a rumor, why not at least try to make it plausable. why would the devils trade for an underachieving forward and another defenseman when we've already got 7 capable ones and 3 excellent ones. stupid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Consider the source and move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrydevil Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 That's a doozy all right. From a personnel perspective, the trade doesn't make much sense. But if the Devils are desperate enough to cut costs, who knows? Aylbert, I think the partners are upset because the Star Ledger reporters found out the truth, that the Devils are struggling financially. Just because Lou said the Devils aren't cash-strapped, you believe him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devspage Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I think it was just the Devils' turn for the Tanguay-Skoula rumor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 The SBT would say that (N)Єverson has lost it. But then again, he never had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I knew a lot of people would just dismiss it. But think about how it was written. The Devils have been rumored to be in financial trouble. If they are, it makes some sense. You get two younger players back and both are much more affordable than overpaying Elias for zero production. Plus they could get rid of one of their Big Three (either Tverdovsky or Rafalski) for a scoring forward to take Elias' place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 If the Devils were in financial trouble, the first thing they would do is deal Joe Nieuwendyk. No way that it makes sense to deal off Elias for those two bums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devspage Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Zero production, Dage? That's a bit oversimplifying. Yes, he's not scoring. But he's still effecting a lot of play on the ice -- whether it's on the penalty kill or assisting the pint-sized wonder on goals like the one that gave us a win over one of our favorite rivals. So I wouldn't deem it "zero." I certainly deem it low... and especially for him. We're used to him being our scorer on the top line and now he's setting up others while he works his own way out of the funk. But even if NONE of that was the case, I still would give him the benefit of the doubt, cause he was third in the league in scoring when he was making just about league minimum wage. And cause he was a key component to our postseason teams while making just about league minimum wage. And cause he's led this team in scoring three years while making just about league minimum wage. That doesn't buy him a free ride forever, but it certainly gives him some time to work his way out of a funk. Like I say, this is just Tanguay-Skoula news getting around to the Devils. I've heard them mentioned in regard to just about anyone. Who knows maybe it was a Burns slip set up to ruffle Elias' feathers? He's still sorting out the way the guy's mind works. And the last point is this. If the Devs are looking to keep putting the butts they have into the seats, they best not get rid of one of the few marquee names they have (to people outside the rabid following community we have here). Since he's still working hard and trying to break out of it, it seems wholly unrealistic to consider this deal from my viewpoint. He's one of the reasons they get my dollars. I won't be flying in near as much to see ex-Avs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I think it was just the Devils' turn for the Tanguay-Skoula rumor. Next week it will be....umm...Pittsburgh, why not. haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Tanguay is not Elias, period. No deal. We don't have enough top-tier players to begin with, now we trade one of the few we do have on top of that just to get a sixth D that will send Mr. Devil to the bench and play twelve minutes a game? If Lou wanted to save money that bad he'd dump Niewy who's been even more ineffective for a draft pick and I don't see him doing that either. Same ol' same ol' (N)Єverson garbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 ESPN Insider is also reporting the deal is in the works. What a nightmare! The life of a Devils fan is a Tumultuous one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweet Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 ESPN insider I'll bet is getting this from Neverson. Can anyone post the text of the article? This trade makes no sense. We are short on Centers and Full on Defensemen. Maybe there's a 3 way swap planned and with the "emergence" of White, they feel they can spare a "D" man? Who? This whole thing has to be terrible for moral. It's like a conspiracy to take the Devils out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Tanguay's an enigma. He has all the talent to be something special as proven two years ago. His name has been mentioned in so many trade rumors this year that he has to be getting dealt. Skoula is a decent puckmoving defenseman who can jump into the play. I'm not sure about his D but take a look at his numbers this year: 27 GP 2-7-9 40 PIM Team leading +15 rating Maybe he's making strides as a player. Blake only has two more points and is -3 on the same team. Foote is +10. Where's SBT when you need him? Hypothetically, if this deal took place, the Devils would have a surplus of puckmoving defensemen. They could then ship one of them out for another scoring forward. One thing that's on NJ fans' side is that whenever a trade rumor is reported, it never happens due to Lou's eerie style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 The SBT is right here, chief. Whaddya wanna know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 How good is Skoula? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 As you know, Skoula had a breakout year last year, with respect to the regular season. However, he made multiple defensive mistakes in the playoffs last year, leading to diminished ice time. This year, he has been in Hartley's doghouse because he has been taking a ton of undisciplined penalties (hooking, obstruction, etc.) Put that with some lousy penalty killing, and you've got one angry coach. Anyway, don't be fooled by that +/-. That's lousy TEAM penalty killing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 The ESPN Insider is also reporting this deal in the works? Unbelievable. ESPN is a respected leader in sports. They should leave the rumors to (N)Єverson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I do NOT LIKE THIS DEAL! Even if it's part of a 3-way somethingorother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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