Unless Lou can continue to somehow make whiskey from water Jersey is in the poop. I do however think we may be hearing the demise of the Devils.



- flyer_nutter

Team's already financially unstable. Kovy retiring may be the straw

that allows the club to make sure it's players get their paychecks on time.

10 years from now...

NJ will be moved to Seattle.
FLA will be moved to Kansis City
Quebec will have expansion team
Markham will have expansion team
Phoenix moves to Hartford

CON 1:
Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, Markham, Buffalo, Boston, Hartford

CON 2:
Philly, Pittsburgh, Rangers, Islanders, Washington, Carolina, Tampa, Nashville

CON 3:
Dallas, St.Louis, Kansis City, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Winnepeg

CON 4:
Vancounver, Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle, LosAngeles, San Jose, Anaheim, Colorado.

I'm a big Emery fan but I put Steve Mason right there with the young core. I'm hoping you're right.
- dingo8urbaby

I love ray too. just dont think he'd be able to handle the workload

I loved his discussion of how the Flyers went to such lengths to find the best option for him when he needed surgery. He clearly was appreciative of their commitment to him. He seems truly delighted to be here (as does Vinny, actually...Streit is hard to read).
- bodiva88

I guess it depends on if you believe in these kinds of things. But here is a player that had a bad rep when he was younger. Whether that was deserved or not. I was against the Flyers bringing him in the first time. But he's completely rebuilt that rep. He overcame a serious medical issue. Where it would have been real easy for him to quit. Has played really well. Has been a good teammate and bided his time as a backup in Chicago. Came here for what I thought was a lot less money then I thought he was going to get. For an opportunity to play and prove himself all over again. That's a winner in my book. And I think he's got a lot of collateral built up. And I think his attitude, and sheer will is going to pay off for him down the road. He deserves it.

Kovy haaaaaaaaaaaaa

Seriously this why you can't trust Russians. Don't draft them don't touch them. He threat to go home and play for twice as much is to large

Couldn't happen to a better team!

Hope kovy enjoys his 1926 era plane rides

10 years from now...

NJ will be moved to Seattle.
FLA will be moved to Kansis City
Quebec will have expansion team
Markham will have expansion team
Phoenix moves to Hartford

CON 1:
Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, Markham, Buffalo, Boston, Hartford

CON 2:
Philly, Pittsburgh, Rangers, Islanders, Washington, Carolina, Tampa, Nashville

CON 3:
Dallas, St.Louis, Kansis City, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Winnepeg

CON 4:
Vancounver, Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle, LosAngeles, San Jose, Anaheim, Colorado.


- youarewrong

NJ will stay in NJ. If it took this long to get get an ownership group in Phoenix, the NHL will keep NJ in NJ for as long as possible.

Bettman has stated that the NHL has never relocated a team that has won the cup.

NJ has.

They're here for the long run.

What defensive matchup? Giroux is at best an average defensive player. When Giroux took 1,182 faceoffs, and the next closest player took 553. It's about faceoff ability. That much is obvious.
- MJL

Kind of sad that an 'average' defensive player is still miles ahead of Briere and Baby Schenn, huh?

As for him taking so many faceoffs... could it be because he also took far and away the most shifts of any Flyers center? He took over 300 more shifts than Couturier and Schenn, yet his avg shift-length was still near :50 secs... so he wasn't going straight to the bench after draws, which would suggest that Lavi wanted him on the ice in those situations for more than just the initial draw.

It was Gordie Howe this morning. I am devastated that for the second time I've been mere feet away from greatness and not expressed my appreciation to the man.
- bodiva88

Consider this post as a 3rd.

Unless Lou can continue to somehow make whiskey from water Jersey is in the poop. I do however think we may be hearing the demise of the Devils.
- flyer_nutter

To be fair though, the last summer when everybody announced them DOA, they promptly went on to the Cup Finals.

I love ray too. just dont think he'd be able to handle the workload
- Crimsoninja

In his first sting here I loved how aggressive he seemed.

What he played like then, almost reminds me of Quick now, with the sheer power and just how he seemed to attack the puck.

Apparently his style has changed a bit more toward a positional goaltender, but I have faith in Ray. If that hip can hold up, I think he will do his part to ensure a proper goaltender controversy.

Is there any doubt jersey will still take the season series?

Hartnell "we didn't bring the skating legs"

Giroux "not the easiest teamt to get up for but no excuses"

NJ will stay in NJ. If it took this long to get get an ownership group in Phoenix, the NHL will keep NJ in NJ for as long as possible.

Bettman has stated that the NHL has never relocated a team that has won the cup.

NJ has.

They're here for the long run.
- Moose_15

The fact is, there are AHL teams that draw more fans, and make more money then the Devils. Mark my words. This is the beginning of the end.

The fact is, there are AHL teams that draw more fans, and make more money then the Devils. Mark my words. This is the beginning of the end.
- youarewrong

Source?

In case anyone has missed it (seems like there is a lot of conflicting info out there), TSN is reporting the following with regard to the financial impact to the Devils from Kovy's retirement.

"NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told TSN Radio 1050 on Thursday afternoon that the 'cap advantage' of Kovalchuk's contract was roughly $4 million over the first three years of his contract (as his first two years were significantly below his average annual salary). Daly added that the Devils will have to pay it back in cap charges over the remaining 12 years of the contract (roughly $300,000 a year)."

It wouldn't be intimidating, but Portland is the city of roses.
The Portland Roses shall strike fear in the hearts of their rivals
- JAKEw1234

really have no idea what kind of name they'd come up with.

really have no idea what kind of name they'd come up with.
- hammarby31

The Portland Oregoners.

Kind of sad that an 'average' defensive player is still miles ahead of Briere and Baby Schenn, huh?

As for him taking so many faceoffs... could it be because he also took far and away the most shifts of any Flyers center? He took over 300 more shifts than Couturier and Schenn, yet his avg shift-length was still near :50 secs... so he wasn't going straight to the bench after draws, which would suggest that Lavi wanted him on the ice in those situations for more than just the initial draw.
- Tomahawk

Yes, since Briere is a poor defensive player. An average defensive player would be ahead of him. And B. Schenn has played 121 NHL games total, which is less then two Seasons worth of games. He's not known as a defensive player. And it's not uncommon for young players to have their defensive game lacking, and bringing up the rear in the players development.

As far as the latter comment. A player has to be able to get off the ice. That's just a random statement not supported by any fact. Nobody is saying that, or at least I'm not saying, that I want Giroux playing less. I want him playing more in offensive situations. And less in defensive situations. Put players in the proper roles, and use them properly. It makes everyone on the team better. I've been consistent in that premise, the entire conversation.

really have no idea what kind of name they'd come up with.
- hammarby31

According to the show Portlandia, a new sports team in Portland would be the Portland Thinkers.

To be fair though, the last summer when everybody announced them DOA, they promptly went on to the Cup Finals.
- Tomahawk

I dont know how they will work the tandem, but with Schneider they have an ability to still be a pain in the ass to play against.

The one thing I will give them, is the find a way to outwork teams that arent up to the task. Still though, the stars seems to have aligned for them to begin a real downspin.

Ray gun?
- 77rams

really have no idea what kind of name they'd come up with.
- hammarby31

I always thought the "Brave" was an awesome team name.

The Portland Brave. Just sounds sexy. Damn!

I want him playing more in offensive situations. And less in defensive situations. Put players in the proper roles, and use them properly. It makes everyone on the team better. I've been consistent in that premise, the entire conversation.
- MJL

When the team as a whole begins to start a greater percentage of their shifts in the o-zone, Giroux will as well, just by function of being a 21:00/game forward. The Flyers zone-starts were skewed this past season from being terrible at 5V5, not being able to get the puck out of their zone, Bryz being a bad puck-handler and freezing the puck for FO's, etc.

I always thought the "Brave" was an awesome team name.

The Portland Brave. Just sounds sexy. Damn!
- flyer_nutter

generally not a fan of a team name that is singular sounding - like Wild and Avalanche.

generally not a fan of a team name that is singular sounding - like Wild and Avalanche.
- hammarby31

So--how would you feel about a word that is both singular and plural--a la



The Portland Moose

According to the show Portlandia, a new sports team in Portland would be the Portland Thinkers.
- Moose_15

Nothing beats the Winterhawks -- coolest team name ever. (ok, I'm biased)