[Star Ledger - Shanny's is #18]

Stephane Richer wore 44 and wasn't Steve Thomas 32? Most of the time the Devils don't have "superstar" players who demand high numbers that distinguish them from the team. That's Lou's real issue with the high number thing: the individuality aspect. Unless its a player that he feels that the drawback to the team mentality of the unique number demanded is outweighed by the value brought by the player in question (like Gilmour and Mogilny as well as to a slightly lesser extent Richer and Thomas) then his philosophy is that the 28 numbers between 1 and 30 should more than adequately cover the skating players on the team. The numbers 1 and 30somethings are traditionally goalie numbers.

I see your point and agree.

Yahoo sports has Shanahan as number 33? hmm

[Star Ledger - Shanny's is #18]

How many posts do you have to make everyone yell at you for? As far as "No one will ever be over 30 because of Brodeur"... I remember a guy named Alexander Mogilny. I'm pretty sure he played at the same time as brodeur...

And what do you mean "Gionta is the most overrated devil"... you know, people actually need to stand up and scream HE'S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD for his stats to be considered overrated... but never mind me; go praise Andy Greene and explain why he's 10,000x better than Bryce Salvador.

I think Mogilny is different. His number actually had meaning. Most players are just given numbers by the coaching staff. It doesn't seem like players lately can choose their number. I can't remember the last time a player was above 30? Mogilny and Gilmour are the first players that come to mind. I might be missing some. But that's what it seems like to me.

And yeah, I do think Gionta is overrated. I don't think he's a first liner anymore. I also think Greene is way better than Salvador.

But you seem to become a fan of me

[Star Ledger - Shanny's is #18]

What? Nobody even talks about Gionta, ever; so how can be "overrated" ?.. last year he had a horrible season no doubt but this season: 38 pts in 43 games. Hes probably gonna finish around the same goal-mark as last year but he will probably come close to doubling his assists.

We don't have Gionta for his assists. We have him for his goals, which he has only one good season for. Gionta is too afraid to drive the net and ALWAYS does a slap shot. His wind up takes too long and the goalie always squares himself up in time. If Gionta didn't try to rip it everytime I'd like him more. Perfect example is the Rangers game when he scored by driving the net instead of the slapshot attempt. He needs to do that more often, he seems to be skating slower lately too.

I just think we'd have the ability for better lines without him in there. He can only play with Elias. He was terrible on the Madden line. And before the Madden line was finally broken up again it seemed like the line of "who can we put on the wing to make a complete line?"

I dunno.

[Johnny Oduya to Sharks?]

Maybe I see something in Greene that few do? He has been put on the point during powerplays and has played it as well as anyone else (Salmela started off with a terrible shot but got better before being sent down). He had a good chance the other night driving to the net but didn't get a shot away. You also have to consider who he's paired with. Now I love Oduya, I defended him last season when he was playing bad just as I do with Greene now. But he's not AS good as when he is paired with Martin. Same can be said about Greene. Look who he's paired with...Salvador. I don't like Salvador at all. I don't think he proved anything yet. He plays the body, sure. But mostly borderline penalty, and is out of position most on the team (and it shows with the lowest +/- of our 6 Dmen). Though I'd rather him than Brookbank anyday.

On a side note: Anyone notice how far the helmet comes out over Salvadors forhead? Just makes me laugh a bit.

[Will Jeff Frazee be Martin Brodeur's successor with the Devils?]

I don't think Frazee will be the successor for Marty. The same thing was said about Clemmenson. Marty still has another 4-5 years I think. So it will still be a while before his replacement is found.

[The Official Clarkson Wraparound Attempt Count Thread]

I noticed a few times while on the Madden line, Clarkson did a wrap around but passed it across the crease for pandolfo, who missed it everytime. That's a nice looking play. Cause Clarkson's wraparound is predictable, but not the pass across the crease. Should do that more often.

[Johnny Oduya to Sharks?]

I don't know what games you've been watching lately, but Andy Greene sucks something fierce and has since the end of the 2007 playoffs.

After he came back from being scratched, before he got injured, he was our best defenseman. He has always been very strong with his game. Mottau makes more mistakes than him and I think mottau is a decent player, if anyone has fallen off their game it's him. Greene may not be scoring right now but he stills plays his position well.

[Star Ledger - Shanny's is #18]

I was hoping Sarge's number would be sacred, but that was tarnished when Bergfors wore his number this year. And I didn't mind Neiders number being used because he left us, where Brylin wanted to stay. And Mottau was scratched when the Ducks played here last season.

I'd just give him 10 or 21. No one will be over number 30 cause of brodeur. Only Clemmenson is, but he's never playing at the same time as Marty so it doesn't matter.

Trade Gionta, the most overrated devil, and give shanahan his 14.

[Johnny Oduya to Sharks?]

I was at a Preseason game when Oduya was a rookie and I watched him play, and I knew he would be a really good player. And I was right. There is no way we can trade him. Him, Andy Greene (Greenfense), and Martin are our best defenseman. And Sharks don't need any players. They're already going to win the cup after signing Lemuiex.

[Madden comes through; Sutter mum on starter vs. Isles]

Madden is a very important part to the leadership of this team. He should have been captain, not Lagenbrunner. I would like to see Madden be given an offensive role, same with pandolfo. They both started as very good offensive players.