DinoCosta

Come on NZT...not happening on this board.

The times that Marty can possess the kind of ability to stand on his head and steal games all on his own have become fewer and fewer with each passing season - including this one. I realize that in some quarters my thoughts are considered to be sacrilege almost...yes, I feel the Devils can win another Cup with Marty in net, however - my feeling that he puts self above team has been confirmed by at least one Devil I have spoken with...and I'd feel a heck of a lot better about not only Marty winning games, but the Devils winning another Stanley Cup, with Marty realizing that fewer games in the Fall and Winter, would translate into a fresher goaltender in the Spring & Summer. I hate the fact that I get the distinct impression, that over the last few seasons, Marty has not only placed self above team, but his conditioning leaves a lot to be desired as well. Yes, Cup # 4 would be another notch in his belt, yes playing and winning a cup without an upper echelon defensive team in front of him would be more than satisfying (this admission by others works into my view that on another team in another system and without the opportunity to play whenever he wants to, Marty would have 100 less wins on his resume right now), but with 3 already in tow, I cannot get away from the feeling based upon what I see - that Marty isn't concerned as much about team as he is about Marty.

As much as I hate to admit it, yes, I do believe that he's more interested in himself at this point than Cups...I don't like that admission, but I would be lying to you if I said I felt otherwise. Of course this is a subjective view point - and one that I would naturally not expect you - or someone else to agree with. On the flip side, there is now way that I'm alone with this sort of thinking.

Dan I understand what you're saying...I've been a die hard Devils fan since they first dropped the puck...I'm as loyal a Devils dog as there is...with all that said, in all objectivity, I don't feel that Marty has been playing at an elite level for a few years now. This may sound incredible given the fact that he's got all the records and he has an iconic status attached to his name. But I truly believe that he is now a good, not a great goaltender currently...when Clemmy stepped in for Marty the Devils kept pace---thrived even. As much as I love Marty and have enjoyed his career, I cannot state that I'm not looking forward to the Devils franchise post Brodeur...because I am. Marty can still show glimpses of his former greatness, but I have to agree with those who feel he puts himself ahead of the team, chases records, and with 3 cups to his credit, is driven by other factors at this juncture of his career.

As much as I love Marty I'm always thinking about his selfishness in regard to the having to play whenever he wants to play. I would imagine that this is some sort of a trade off, for signing with the club, being loyal and not testing the FA waters...it almost seems to be like the Devils saying; "and oh yeah, you may always make the call on playing or not"...no other Goaltender in the league has this kind of personal latitude. Every year this time for the past few seasons, he seems sluggish, and so does the entire team really. I mean lets be honset now, you have to pick one goaltender in the NHL to win a playoff series in front of any kind of a system...how many are picking Marty? I'm not. Using the Devils schedule as his own sort of personal day planner is another element I consider when I state he'd have minimum 100 less wins in his career rigth now if he played anywhere else but Jersey.

I know Legend what you're trying to explain to me...words noted my friend - just consider my thoughts to be pent up frustration...

It's the trade that Lou has always wanted to make...but never did until now!!! Arguably the biggest import since our Captain hit the scene as compensation for Shanny? http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1471029976 www.dinocosta365.com

Skeeter you are so right about Lundquist and his play against almost every other team but us. What kills me is that you can actually see how he gets off on besting Marty, and Richter was the same way. I'm not sure what it is, but against the Devils, the Rangers play like a Conference leading team too often...I have to admit however, that as much as I dislike the Rags and their goaltender, tonight, he was everything I wished Marty was. Against the Devils Lundquist looks like Keanu Reeves in the movie The Matrix...he's so quick and agile, always in position - rebounds don't often scoot away. Conversely, Marty often times seems timid against the Rags, unsure of himself, clumsy even...his play doesn't resemble the guy who is the all time wins leader...even though I feel that playing all these years in another system - he'd probably have 125 less wins than he does right now. Edit: Okay, not 125 - I'd say 100 less perhaps.

Yeah...I'm with you on all of that, Hassan. Don't get me started on the games played issue - which is beyond absurd... You know what though, this one game here tonight is bigger than just the 60 minutes they'll soon complete. Do you know that we could end a season with 130 points, finish 1st in the Conference, and if the Devils were to meet the Rangers in a 1-8 first round matchup, I'd be pertified...all because I know Marty will be hit or miss against this team.

Forgive me...maybe I'm just pissed off tonight at what I'm watching. But I will say this, Marty never looks as unsure of himself as he does whenever he plays this effin team at MSG.

Coming into play tonight in his career at MSG. Marty is 14 wins and 13 losses (make it 14 after tonight) with 12 ties...he has allowed in those games, 94 goals (now 97), he's got a 2.27 GAA - and a save percentage of .920...and he's shut out the Rangers once (1). Oh, and I haven't even dared to throw his post-season numbers in there at MSG...or overall against the Rangers in the post season...or in overtime for that matter. Suummation: Mediocre, average, wishy-washy...if not in fact sometimes dreadful against the diagonal gang.

Look Prod, I love the guy, but I think your allowing your fandom to get in the way of calling him out for subpar, repeatedly mediocre, performances, against this club...just my opinion of course.

Prod, the first goal no way he stops...the next two - I'm sorry - you're the greatest goaltender of all time - you stop those shots against your biggest rival in their building. Look it, I'm not arguing his career - I'm contending that he comes up small way too often against the Rangers - particularly at MSG.

What have you done for me tonight though? The Rangers and Lundquist are sticking it right up his ass tonight...and what pissed me off was the 2nd goal, mere seconds after the first one (oh gee another puck at his feet that goes in?) when he seemed to lose concentration, get rattled by the crowd, and let a stoppable (albeit a slightly deflected) puck go in. I'm tiring of his less than impressive performances against the Rangers - this team has been in his head since he started his career...they will always haunt him - Richter used to totally outplay him, and now Lundquist continues the trend.

All due respect, Prod, I ain't buying it...I have seen (and so have you) Marty fall apart, time and again, seemingly completely unnerved, by playing at MSG...the crowd seems to get to him, or its Sean Avery, or it's any number of different factors. Lundquist almost routinely outplays him when these two teams match up at the Garden...I'm getting more than a little tired of it. Be interesting to see if someone can unearth his stats at MSG for a more telling look.

If anyone has Marty's career record & stats at MSG would they please post them. The fragile state that arguably the best Goaltender in the history of the game falls into once he hits Manhattan, is almost too awful to be true. Am I watching the all time greatest tonight - or is this Hannu Kampurri in the nets?

I have theorized on my show, that if you turn down a contract that would make you the highest paid player in the game, that there have to be other mitigating factors involved...I believe the Devils will take a more than earnest shot at retaining Kovy to a deal, now what kind of a deal remains to be seen - - - although it will most certainly be a deal that would be less in dollars than he might get somewhere else. Turning those dollars down in Atlanta, I mean if the objective was to make a King's ransom, he was offered it, turned it down, and one may conclude that he failed to see Atlanta being a winning team now, or in the longer term. Thus I'll assume that Kovy wanted to become part of a winning culture to experience the thrill of playing for something not tangibly available in Atlanta, and that perhaps the money wasn't the be all and end all for him...in Atlanta - or anywhere else? If that's the case (big assumption) then being able to become a part of the Devils winning culture and having an opportunity to win a championship or three, could convince Kovy to sign for less money and years to play in Jersey. The franchise has available revenue streams in the new building it never previously possessed, the Nets are about to become a two year tenant...I'd say it's no worse than 50-50 that Kovy signs some sort of a deal that keeps him here beyond the remainder of this season. P.S. Another thought to consider, maybe the Devils brass will remind Kovy again and again, that they were the trailblazers and forerunners, within NHL circles, in terms of importing Russian players to the league. Someone get Fetisov on the phone! Anything to gain the advantage!

No kidding? Well if Lou put an end to it, I'm positive there was a very good reason...it is Lou after all! In LOU we all trust, right? By the way, please feel free to join The Dino Costa Facebook page, as well as The Dino Costa Show group page on Facebook. Shameless self promotion at the grass roots level for sure...but seriously would love to get to know a lot of you guys...and gals. Kindest regards, -dc

I'm watching and listening to one of those guys who went into the stands that night, Peter McNabb, doing Avalanche color on FSN Rocky Mountain with p-b-p guy, Mike Haynes.

Thanks for all the responses...I'm sorry to hear that the original President has passed on...don't know why they have eliminated the dinner, that could be a huge inducement for someone to join...do they advertise the fan club within the game programs? Watching first period of Avs-Ducks...getting set to watch Canucks-Predators. FYI...I had Bill Clement on my radio show this morning...this week only for those who care (?) I'm doing the morning show on Mad Dog Radio...6-10A EST, Sirius 123 - XM 144. P.S. I miss the Utica Devils. P.S.S I miss the Witchita Wind too.

Just went to the site and it's the same exact logo for the fan club that I remembered when they used to mail me out a newsletter. Amazing that the Devils fan club is the largest in the entire NHL. -dc

Thank you, Colin! Appreciate your help. -dc

Colin do you have a link to that site you could provide? Thanks much. -dc

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the early days, the infancy, the genesis if you will, of Devils hockey (actually it was year 2), I joined the 'official' Devils fan club. The President at the time was an "Ed" somebody or other...I used to receive like a brochure of some kind in the mail every so often with Devils news and stuff...stuff? Did he say, stuff? Anyhow does anyone know if this club is still around, if so where do I re-join, and if you're a member, what do ya get...if anything? -dc

Gee, thanks for that stunning vote of confidence, Peppercorn! Have some faith in me will ya? If a show such as the one I am thinking about designing comes to fruition, it would include a variety of segments, including interviews with Devils personnel, phone calls, and it would include all the bells & whistles of Devils hockey in a comprehensive fashion. Not saying this will happen, I'm saying it could happen...I think it would be a terrific repository of Devils news and information for the best fan base the NHL has to offer.