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I can't see Detroit shipping Cujo off to Colorado and I can't see them putting him on waivers for the same reason. You are basically giving your toughest opponent the last piece of the puzzle. Colorado appears to be making one big last ditch effort to win the cup prior to the inevitable salary cap. Wouldn't surprise me if they made an effort to get Cujo if placed on waivers - and if I was Detroit I certainly wouldn't take that risk. Ooh, that Colorado locker room is going to be loads of fun this year! I just would be very careful with the soap.

Anybody have the archives from the last six years? If I only had a nickel for every preseason/offseason I've heard that...... The problem with the Rangers has been consistency. They've always seemed to go through very long periods of time of suckage. Lindros did look fantastic the other night - but you have to take into consideration that he looked great against a bunch of rookies on CBJ. No cheapshot on Poti either - gotta keep that head up or be prepared to lose it.

Of course Cujo is going to take the high road. Kinda wish he wouldn't though - you sure know Hasek wouldn't if the tables were turned. And I hope McKenzie wasn't trying to imply that we should feel sorry for Detroit. I would just love to see Hasek fail this year.

Difference is, NJ rarely leaves Brodeur hung out to dry like NY does. They may have nights where their defense isn't quite up to par, but still relatively solid. The Devils problems in recent years has been offense, not defense. The Devils also have a solid core of forwards who actually buy into the defense first policy. I like Dunham and think he's capable of winning games for you. Still, how many nights is he gonna be able to deal with the shoddy defense? A goaltender can win a handful or two of games for you alone - but can't be relied upon to win you one every night or two. The mental fatigue would be overwhelming by the end of the season imho. Regarding Messier - it's a shame when athletes don't retire when fans have a good feeling about them. Should have hung them up a few years ago. Funny how he's so close to Howe's record considering that he's almost as close to Howe's age. Can they put little blades on the bottom of his walker - is it legal?

You know, I used to have a tremendous amount of respect for Carter. That is until I read this. Velour suits? Good god.

Kinda hard to convince someone that things can sometimes be done on an emotional level when they themselves, have no emotion. Things must be done by the numbers and nothing else commands any respect. Exactly why Pando gets trashed - his number is 20 btw. Maybe one can remember it by seeing he has 20 times the heart of 1/2 the team. But who wants that? We want all of our kids to grow up with unreal expectations thinking they'll be the next Pavel Bure instead of thinking - hey I can possibly get into the NHL (and stay there) playing a role. I shudder at the thought. Teams aren't supposed to have role players - just a bunch of pussbags skating around and scoring at will. Now that's entertainment! Ah, and ^7^ likes to add to the ridiculous nature of his argument by throwing in Sutton. Classic. As for my 1 cent on this subject: I think number retirement is an emotional decision. To be honest, when I first think of players that represent the Devils - Daneyko is up there, but not the first I think of. It isn't John MacLean either - that hissy fit he threw with Lemaire did it for me (I know, it's Lemaire's fault. God forbid the player act like a professional and do what he's asked to do instead of looking to cash in - now that's a true HOF). I dunno - I personally think Stevens should be the first to go when he chooses to retire (that's not just for your benefit either PK). It's up to Lou - either decision he makes I'm ok with. But to say that only players that don't talk back to Lou will go up in the rafters is assanine. Of course I wouldn't expect any less.

I just want to know when Bicek became a defenSeman.

Cujo has got to stop being the nice guy - he's practically a doormat wherever he goes. Poor Detroit, they have no way to get rid of him after paying him that hefty salary to begin with. Why take the big chance on Hasek? He hasn't played ice hockey in a year, he's getting up there in age and who's to say how long he will play. Is it worth gambling your whole future for a one year try at the cup before the imminent lockout? Cujo didn't blow it for Detroit. But he sure makes one hell of a scapegoat. I for one, hope this move comes back to bite Detroit in the ass big time.

I guess we have to assume another is on the way. Red, just do your kids one favor - don't, by any means, "help" them with their spelling!

GR must have been a marketing major - seems as though he just loves this subject. First off, Bettman is the problem here - not defensive hockey. I don't even think Bettman likes hockey, seems as it's just a job to him. And a job he's not doing very well, I might add. As for fan bases, I see them growing slowly. And what's wrong with that? GR may see fans staying away from games and the fan base dying. I see more and more kids actually playing the sport than ever before. The rinks are crammed with kids more than ever before. Those kids will grow up with a real appreciation for the game and will become a new fan base in a few years. If the NHL loses fans because of scoring being down, it's losing those fans who were going to lose interest eventually anyway. It will lose those casual fans who just jump on the latest bandwagon. The real fans are still there and will always be there. How many times do we have to go over this attendance issue? Isn't the horse dead yet? As for soccer, might as well watch paint dry in my opinion. Bunch of guys prancing around who if kicked in the shin, writhe around in pain as if they're dying. Some fun. Americans do suck - why can't we riot after every game like the rest of the world?

I'm sure the Rangers series was the only time Billy got accused of having big feet. Don't forget - when Niedermayer held out with Arnott, good ol' Billy was calling him telling him to hold out while he was no longer on the Devils. And had a few comments about the Niedermayer hold out in the press as well. Boy did that piss me off.

I dunno, I used to have an enormous amount of respect for Kariya. Now seeing that "cat that swallowed the canary" look on his face I changed my mind. Too bad he didn't have that look of confidence a few weeks ago for his "teammates", eh? I think I'm gonna hurl.

Sorry, but wasn't it the Ducks who overpaid him to begin with? No sympathy here. Just so happens that overpaying a player came back to bite them in the ass. Just so happens this is happening to a lot of teams. This is all about the Benjamins my friends. If this guy have half a sh!t about winning the cup, he would have scored more than 1 goal in the finals IMO. All I do know is that I wouldn't want to be in the Avs locker room with these two - showering in particular.

Guess the answer to that question would be the same bozo egomaniac who got all those egos to begin with. Apparently Sather never passed a Chemistry course in High School.

I'm not quite sure what quilty is, but who cares? I could give a crap where he's dipping the wick, with whom and how often. I'm not married to him. Who's to say she was a saint in all of this? From what I've heard she's quite the party animal herself. Get over it GR - you're just pissed it didn't come out in the papers that he had that affair with the Houlihans girl. As far as the kids looking up to him thing - perhaps parents should use this opportunity to show athletes are human too. Nobody should perceive an individual as a god just because they have great athletic ability. Parents can use this as a great learning tool - you can greatly admire their athletic accomplishments, but they are still people who make mistakes and that no one is infalible. Take the high road for a change - congratulate him for his accomplishments on the ice, not off.

Problem here was that there wasn't one single Devils that absolutely stood out every series. They played the true team concept - someone different got them through each series. Thought Brodeur had too many questionable games - but then again, so did Giguere in the finals. Don't those count? I just feel the voting should be based on the finals performance. I mean, if you're going to judge players on other rounds - who's not to say someone who bowed out in the second round wasn't deserving? Giguere blew it in the finals in my opinion. Sure, he got them there in stellar fashion, but he blew it when it counted the most. I don't like the "distraction" issue he's brought up either - does he mean to imply Brodeur didn't have any distractions? Giggy needs to get jiggy wit his accountability. I just don't understand how you can win the best player of the playoffs award and not win the whole shibang. I don't know - just don't think you should win it if you weren't the best player out there when it counted the most.

Nah, he seems to actually have a heart.

Some of us don't need statistical justification.

Damn straight!

Look at it this way - at least we won't have to hear any sh!t from anyone about the game not being sold out. I'm starting to scare myself - Was that actually a positive thought?

The Last Rant of the year (maybe). Who better to unleash my wrath upon that the people who have not felt it yet this series: The Devils themselves. I do love Turner Stevenson, I really do. However, he is the typical double edged sword - brings a ton of emotion, but at times a lot of stupidity. Cool it, Stevenson and bring it on clean. Ditto for Langenbrunner - stop trying to do too much. I love White too, but stop being a dumb ass. Either he hits no one and lets the Ducks just fly by leaving Niedermayer alone back there or he goes for the big hit thats not there leaving Niedermayer alone back there. He hasn't had his head on straight this entire series (or the Ottawa series for that matter) and it's beginning to piss me off. Ok, I'm pissed off at Mammy Niedermayer too. They just have to keep showing her old puss - where is Pappy Niedermayer anyway? Why couldn't she just take the high road and say "I'm not discussing this" or "I love them both equally and want them both to do well"? No, she's got to add fuel to ABC's fire and say she wants one to win over the other. Keep your old pruned mouth shut Mammy! I'm not so sure Brodeur is hurt. Maybe, but it just seems to me that most of his mistakes are mental errors. If he doesn't have the game of his life tonight, the Devils are done - his chances at the Vezina are done as well IMHO. Want to be that big name goalie now Marty - start playing like it. Stop being so accomodating to the press and tell them to F off and get your head together instead of letting them put crap in your head. I'm sure ABC will have 50 million stats both for and against. I just worry about the Devils home ice stat - has their luck run dry? And BabCock wants to talk about interference? Ha - take a look at how many times the Ducks picked off Devils at home. If Marouelli is tonight's ref - you can kiss the cup goodbye. At least we won't have to endure all of the "stars" in the audience. Cuba Gooding Jr? Make a fool of yourself much? Boy, his career is really taking off - just loved that sled dog movie . Emilio Estevez? There's a reason why his Dad probably didn't want him to take the Sheen name. Well, at least he's on tv somewhere. And Belusi? I'm not sure of the name of that bad show he's on - but must have been written by a man. Only on tv does a guy who looks like that get that hot of a wife. Could Sam Ryan look anymore like a skull reading cue cards? I'm rather pessimistic about this game - but I was against Ottawa too, shows what I know. I can see the Devils winning it because they have yet to give up at all in this series. But I'm just nervous that their luck has finally run out and perhaps will be too tight trying to win it at home. They have all the pressure - we'll have to see if they can handle it. Devils fans: Scream your heads off. Start the chants early. I want to see Steve Thomas' face look like the deer caught in the headlights again. Devils fans - be loud and proud and help the boys bring the cup home!

Is my gameday rant perhaps bad luck or is it merely home ice advantage? The concensus of the board rules.

Uh, oh - is the SBT being somewhat negative? Could be a very bad thing.

No doubt. I love White and still beleive he has matured quite a bit this year. However, he has made several Pee Wee type mistakes this series. Stevens took a while to get the head in gear as well. Is it time to put Dano in? Just for a spark perhaps?