westcoastdevfan Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I must say for me this is a very sad day. I have always loved and respected the way Scotty played the game and led this team. I feel as though the identity of our favorite club is gone the heart of the organization has been ripped out, leaving the Devils exposed to the rest of the NHL as just another team. With Scotty's departure. the Devils are no longer a "Beast in the East." I will continue to wear my Stevens jersey proudly and if the organization does not retire his number I will lose alot of respect for Lou. That's all I can say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Sports Bureau Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 We're not a beast in the east without Nieds. We're not a beast in the east without Stevens. We are still a beast in the east as long as we have Marty are the sentiments we will hear regarding our team. As long as the Devils have Lou, I expect us to be a beast in the east. As long as the Devils play with the heart that the Maddens, Brylins, Eliasi, Langenbrunners, Pandos and the like do, I expect us to be a beast in the east. I expect us to be there someway somehow. We didn't always win when we had all the tools at our disposal, and I expect some setbacks. But we will be a force to reckon with. Definitely Definitely Definitely an era has ended. But the classy Devils will skate on... and well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centralnj Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I was just talking to a Canadiens fan: "Every legendary team has their legends retire someday." <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What a great quote- welcome back, Don. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Currently on the front page of NewJerseyDevils.com: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice dog Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 #4's #1... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilsfan26 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Man this season is gonna seem so weird. Niedermayer and Stevens have been on the team ever since I started watching hockey 12 years ago and now they're both gone. It's definitely gonna be a little depressing watching Devils hockey without them in the lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akuma Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 (edited) Stevens has been my favorite player in all of professional sports as well as one of the people I most admire since I first knew what hockey was...I can't say that this is a surprise but I always held out hope that he would be back...its just wanting to see your childhood idol like that, a hero in your eyes, live on forever...the Devils have given me things that I can't even really describe properly...the kinds of things that only someone who has been down at rock bottom sometime and lived vicariously through a group of men working as hard as they can to accomplish one single goal, working as one unit, giving it their all day in and day out...who represent where you come from and who you are...who represent the kind of spirit and drive and determination you wish you had yourself...and Stevens has carried this attitude, this team on his back for as many years as I have watched him...he has been an inspiration and as insane as it may sound, without following him and the team he has led all these years I don't believe I would be the same person as I am now...I wish you the best Scott Stevens and thank you for everything, all the Stanley Cups, all the acclaim and the leadership and all the things that these words fail to express properly...while the Devils and the NHL will move forward, for as long as I follow hockey, if anybody ever asks me who the captain is I'll say "Scott Stevens".... Edited September 7, 2005 by Akuma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHofSec234 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I was not shocked to hear this. Somehow, I knew this was how this was going to play out. Thanks, Scotty, for everything! It has been one hell of a ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSkirt Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Currently on the front page of NewJerseyDevils.com: <{POST_SNAPBACK}> nice little tribute slideshow: NJ Devs Tribute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mddevsfan Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 From Coffey's article: "Ironically, Stevens never won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, a quirky anomaly for a player of his stature." Forget "anomaly", its a flat-out disgrace. I forget who suggested it, but the Scott Stevens Award for best defensive defenseman is a great idea, and the least the league can do to make it up to Scott. I had been holding out hope that he would return for one more season and go out like he deserves, but if he doesn't think he's got anything left, I have to respect that. Thanks for everything and best of luck to the greatest defenseman of all time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueNJ97 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I figured this was coming since NEverson said Stevens was probably coming back. We all know that whatever NEverson says, expect the opposite. Once again, we are proved right!! If Stevens' heart and mind weren't in it then there was no point in him coming back. Better to remember him when his heart, mind and body were fully engaged in being #4 for the Devils than in seeing him come back when he had mentally moved on. And since he IS retiring I am glad for his sake he has moved on. So many of these guys can't and it isn't a good situation. I wouldn't want Stevens to end up that way. I am forever glad that Lou won that compensation case and that #4 arrived in NJ. It was a priviledge to watch him and to get to enjoy the outcome of his talent and leadership over the years. Thanks for everything, and enjoy retirement!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSkirt Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 There's also a nice 4-minute vid clip of the SportsCenter coverage of his announcement that can be found on tsn.ca. OK, back to my mourning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Respect to the Captain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nieuwy25 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 LuZZo, that's a great tribute for a great Captain and leader. All the best to you, Mr. Stevens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Sue, how could Stevens have comeback anyway? The Devils had zero room for him. I just don't get it at all. This was the player who made the Devils the franchise they were. Stevens didn't go out on his own terms. I think there was pressure from the Devil organization for him to announce it. Look at their cap. They would have been screwed completely if he decided to comeback. Why would he train so hard for over a year if he wasn't coming back? I don't buy it. Stevens probably would have loved to return for one more year. And for all those who will point to the quotes. Sometimes, things aren't always as they seem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Derek, Lou would have made room. Lou always said there was room for Stevens. They are far more screwed w/o him then they'd ever be with him. Stevens went out on HIS own terms, no doubt about it. If Stevens didn't want to retire, there were 29 other teams that would've welcomed his services. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwindog Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Stevens didn't go out on his own terms.I think there was pressure from the Devil organization for him to announce it. Look at their cap. They would have been screwed completely if he decided to comeback. Why would he train so hard for over a year if he wasn't coming back? I don't buy it. Stevens probably would have loved to return for one more year. And for all those who will point to the quotes. Sometimes, things aren't always as they seem. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice Derek. Written like the caring and sensative poster you are. Dude, have you never been mellow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Sue, how could Stevens have comeback anyway? The Devils had zero room for him. I just don't get it at all.This was the player who made the Devils the franchise they were. Stevens didn't go out on his own terms. I think there was pressure from the Devil organization for him to announce it. Look at their cap. They would have been screwed completely if he decided to comeback. Why would he train so hard for over a year if he wasn't coming back? I don't buy it. Stevens probably would have loved to return for one more year. And for all those who will point to the quotes. Sometimes, things aren't always as they seem. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is not true at all. Stevens had almost a full year to decide whether or not he wanted to come back to the NHL. He had plenty of time to sign here before Daniel McGillis. If it came down to money, Lou's not going to mess up his salary cap situation for sentimentality. Stevens had concussion problems and he's not worth more than 1.5 million in this system, at forty-one years of age. Why did Stevens train hard? Because he'll train hard regardless of whether or not he wants to play in the NHL. And if Scott does want to play NHL hockey, there's plenty of other teams that would give him a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Stevens had almost a full year to decide whether or not he wanted to come back to the NHL. He had plenty of time to sign here before Daniel McGillis. Exactly, Tri. Stevens said he was ready last November. He waited to announce because, well, goodbyes are never easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 So what Derek is saying despite quotes from Stevens' and Lou, Derek knows better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Not to beat up on Derek but when all is said and done, he is a rag fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I guess because Stevens didn't take three years to REALLY decide to retire like Messier and stick around and suck it up on the ice, it must mean he didn't decide it himself and really was dumped by Lou. Kidding of course, but come on! I see this as somewhat of a Stevens dedication, no need to tarnish it right now -- a hockey great is hanging up the skates, we shouldn't be worrying about any drama that may or may not surround such a monumental decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Not to beat up on Derek but when all is said and done, he is a rag fan. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> At least he is an intelligent one, unlike my brother who is very ignorant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilsrule33 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 The Sportscentre top ten today was top ten Scott Stevens hits. Some great memories. You can probably see it on the TSN website tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 The Sportscentre top ten today was top ten Scott Stevens hits. Some great memories. You can probably see it on the TSN website tonight. Oooooo.... *sets PVR* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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