NJDevs4978 Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 STEVENS THE ULTIMATE DEVIL May 25, 2003 -- IN 1994, after the captain of the Rangers guaranteed Game 6, the captain of the Devils was asked if he'd care to do the same for Game 7. "I don't go for things like that," Scott Stevens said. "That's not me." Leadership is what's done on the ice, in the training room, during competitive practices. It's setting a tone. It's work ethic. It isn't necessarily being on the back page. It's what comes from the heart, not from the lips. It's being able to back it all up. And that - all that - is Scott Stevens. We have a hockey immortal here, folks. One of the game's greatest gladiators, one of its greatest defensemen, one of its greatest captains. There can be no debate about this. In the post-expansion era, there is Bobby Orr first, Stevens tied for second with anyone you care to mention, and that includes Larry Robinson, Denis Potvin and Raymond Bourque. All-time, there are Orr, Doug Harvey and Eddie Shore, and then Stevens and his exclusive group right there behind. He keeps doing it, keeps rising to the occasion, keeps meeting the moment. Keeps doing it at age 39. Against Ottawa on Friday - one of the Devils' great victories - he was unconquerable. You know all the talent on the Ottawa right side, all the young legs, all the speed and all the talent that was simply going to eat Stevens up? You know Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat and Daniel Alfredsson? No goals in Game 7; one goal in seven games, that scored by Havlat off a goalmouth scrum when Stevens was not on the ice. When they all talk about the Devils' experience, what they're really talking about is Stevens. When they all talk about the Devils' toughness and resolve, what they're really talking about is Stevens. When they all talk about this decade's run of excellence at the Meadowlands, what they are really talking about is Stevens. That's a guarantee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Nice article about Stevens. No denying his is the best. But he is not a one man team. And Scott would be the first one to tell you that. LETS GO DEVILS! FOUR MORE WINS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Devs Fan Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Scott has been a perfect fit for this team. Can you imagine us winning our Cups if we had been awarded Brind'Amour and (I think) Jospeh instead of Stevens when they signed Shanahan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDF Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Scott has been a perfect fit for this team. Can you imagine us winning our Cups if we had been awarded Brind'Amour and (I think) Jospeh instead of Stevens when they signed Shanahan? It would not have happened. GO DEVILS!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 At 39, I don't know how many more seasons we will have the privilage of watching one of the greatest hockey players of all time. His number better be retired when he decides to hang up the skates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 I can't imagine hockey without Stevens...in fact, I refuse to imagine hockey without Stevens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 it will be like when Paul O'neil retired from the Yankees. Stevens is a true great and when he hangs up the skates he will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Awe I thought O'Neil was a jackass. I liked him alright...Dano equals O'Neil! But Dano is no jackass! Ohh you know what I mean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 No offense WCDF, But that was just an inane comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Puddy Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Is Lou EVER going to retire anyone's number? I mean if we lose some low numbers, he'll have to start giving people numbers above 30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Dano, Stevens, Marty. Those jerseys should be retired by this organEYEzation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Hey, Lou's given guys jerseys over thirty.. Lakovic was 32 one year, Reid Simpson was 33.. Yep, Daneyko, Stevens, and Brodeur have to be up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted May 25, 2003 Author Share Posted May 25, 2003 Nice article about Stevens. No denying his is the best. But he is not a one man team. And Scott would be the first one to tell you that. I agree; I think Brooks went a 'little' overboard with the hyperbole. But a positive article from Brooks for once; I'm not gonna complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Puddy Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Yeah, that's two guys. And in recent years, the only guys to have numbers up there were Richer, Mogilny, and Gilmour. Those guys only got those numbers because they were established and wore those numbers with their previous team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 it will be like when Paul O'neil retired from the Yankees. Stevens is a true great and when he hangs up the skates he will be missed. For some reason, I think Stevens means a little more to this organization that O'Neil to the Yankees.... ....and O'Neil was a crybaby, for crying out loud!! **I am a Yankees fan, though** :wave: **I did like O'Neil, though** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 O'Neil meant alot to me at least. He was a heart and sole player, much like Stevens. They both leave it on the field/ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Whatever.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamode Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 It will be a sad day when #4 retires..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Schwab is #35. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Puddy Posted May 26, 2003 Share Posted May 26, 2003 Goalies traditionally have numbers in the 30s though (or #1). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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