1. Jonathan Bernier "just wants to play". John Hoven (aka the "Mayor"...not the obtuse one from LA, the hockey one) first gave us the Bernier quote yesterday via his @MayorNHL Twitter about Bernier's desire to play (which we all knew) but which preceded this beauty, "...hopefully Suttsy can squeeze me in for a few." Suttsy? Yikes. Even our reader JT Dutchy may agree it is best not to refer to … [Read more...]
A Moment of Guilty Pleasure Over the New Jersey Devils Losing Zach Parise…
July 4, 2012 By
From an August 20, 2010 article, I bring comments from Devils fans and my responses. Click on the link to read all of the comments but the first few are especially fun. They say revenge is a dish best served cold...is it getting chilly in here? Then this guy Oscar chimes in And I gave a reply Further commentary would just be rubbing it in and that's not necessary. Facts are stubborn … [Read more...]
The Final Battle – Los Angeles Kings vs New Jersey Devils for Lord Stanley’s Cup
May 27, 2012 By
This is an article I am proud to write. A preview of the Stanley Cup Finals. An observation, speculation and evaluation of the two teams to have toppled their Conference. Two teams that have proven better than the rest. Two teams who will bare their hockey hearts and souls to each other, leave blood oxidized, sweat glistening and tears either joyous or sorrowful, embedded within Staples' ice … [Read more...]
Jeff Carter, Ilya Kovalchuk & Questions Nobody Will Ask Dean Lombardi…
February 9, 2012 By
Kings lost 2-1 tonight to the Florida Panthers. The offense was offensive. Anemic. Pathetic. I find it coincidental about 5 minutes after I screamed on twitter that the L.A. Kings need to activate the fucking defense (D1 specifically) because they are down 2-0, Jim Fox wouldn't stop talking about it on the telecast. Maybe he was listening. Maybe it was obvious to everyone but the Kings. Maybe a … [Read more...]
Poor Greg Wyshynski, Rich Zach Parise
January 31, 2012 By
Surly and I like Greg Wyshynski. He is a good writer and runs a successful website for Yahoo Sports' Puck Daddy that has the more than occasional sense of humor and doesn't always take itself too seriously. Hey, anyone who gives Ryan Lambert a job has to enjoy laughing and be playing with someone else's money. As far as we can tell, Greg has one glaring character flaw and that is his undying … [Read more...]
NEW JERSEY DEVILS FILE FOR ARBITRATION WITH ZACH PARISE
June 18, 2011 By
So it begins. The New Jersey Devils on Friday filed for arbitration with restricted free agent left wing, Zach Parise. The only question will, of course, be salary. Zach wants more than what New Jersey is willing to give right now, in part due to the Kovalchuck signing and Lamoriello's negotiating style. Let's face it, Lou probably doesn't have owner Jeff Vanderbeek demanding to sign Parise … [Read more...]
WHAT DO ILYA BRYZGALOV TO THE FLYERS AND ALES HEMSKY TO THE DEVILS HAVE IN COMMON?
June 7, 2011 By
They create a perfect storm of fun speculation about the LA Kings. The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired the rights to Ilya Bryzgalov. Paul Holmgren traded a third-round draft pick in 2012, along with the rights to minor-league enforcer Matt Clackson to the Phoenix Coyotes. A good trade if they can land Ilya, of whom I am a fan. The Flyers with Bryzgalov would be a force in the East and … [Read more...]
TOP TEN REASONS ILYA KOVALCHUK SHOULD WEAR THE “C”
January 7, 2011 By
Surly and I have conferred and we have come up with compelling reasons why Ilya Kovalchuk should wear the C for the New Jersey Devils now that Jamie Langenbrunner is a Dallas Star. We are preparing to send this to Lou Lamoriello at his email address of lou@itwasvanderbeek.com 10. Captain starts with C. Cash starts with C 9. He has arguably led the Devils to their demise and, hey, that … [Read more...]
TOP TEN THINGS OVERHEARD AT THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS’ HOLIDAY PARTY
December 12, 2010 By
The New Jersey Devils and their 8-19-2 record are taking a well-earned day off for their annual holiday party. Surly and I met and talked last night about my infiltration therein and I am happy to report that the angry Lou Lamoriello mask worked well. What really sold it though was walking around with a constant face twitch while mumbling "$100 million...$100 million...$100 million..." So, without … [Read more...]
ILYA, PLEASE, SHUT UP ALREADY
October 31, 2010 By
We are tired of writing about you. You are like a car wreck on the 405 freeway that keeps crashing into the same center divider every damn week. How many times do I have to write top 10 lists of things you didn't say but are actually capable of saying? I keep defending you by calling you the idiot puppet of your agent and those proverbial forces that control your fate and you keep undermining that … [Read more...]
OH, YOU THINK?
October 31, 2010 By
Sorry... couldn't resist the temptation when I read this quote from Ilya Kovalchuk on TSN: "We have to look in the mirror and think what we can do better," You know who thinks? Losers. You know what winners do? They know. Perhaps there is just a language barrier here... But then you read this quote on Hammond from Devil's Coach John MacLean and realize its not a language barrier, … [Read more...]
WHAT WE OVERHEARD IN KOVALCHUK – GROSSMAN – MOTHER DISCUSSION DURING PRACTICE
October 30, 2010 By
So, Surly and I were kicking back and watching the New Jersey Cupcakes practice when lo and behold, we saw Ilya Kovalchuk pull a cell phone out of his glove of all things and answer the phone. Maclean bolted on the ice and charged at Ilya in anger but Ilya put his index finger up and that surprisingly stopped Maclean in his tracks. As Surly and I moved toward the glass and Kovalchuk came in our … [Read more...]
KINGS VS. DEVILS GAME PREVIEW – A TRICK WOULD BE A TREAT
October 30, 2010 By
Forgetting for a second all the fun that will ensue tonight from the anti-fanfare Ilya Kovalchuk will likely receive, as well as the gracious return of former captain and personal hero, Mattias Norstrom, there is actually just another hockey game to be played as the Kings kick off a 5-game home stand. Just another game. Just another two points. This game, against the league's current worst … [Read more...]
KOVALCHUK COMES TO LA – AN INTERVIEW AND A POLL
October 29, 2010 By
Tomorrow night is the haunted night many in LA have been awaiting, when Ilya Kovalchuk takes the ice at Staples in a crown-less uniform. Many of us were upset after the very long engagement that never came to be during the offseason. Kovalchuk was signing with the Kings, no he wasn't, yes he was, no he didn't. For many it is still a sore spot. Hindsight may be 20/20, but for others its … [Read more...]
BOBBY HOLIK TALKS ABOUT HIS FORMER TEAMMATE, ILYA KOVALCHUK
October 25, 2010 By
This is such a great interview and really gives perspective on who and what Ilya Kovalchuk is. If there was any part of me left (even a pinky) that wanted Ilya on this team, it is gone...some of this we already knew. Some of what he tells us is new. Bobby also gives a nice perspective on players watching out for themselves and learning better awareness on the ice. Surly and I need 15 minutes … [Read more...]
TOP 10 THEORIES WHY ILYA KOVALCHUK WAS A HEALTHY SCRATCH
October 23, 2010 By
Surly & I have been known to theorize from time to time. So when we heard that Ilya Kovalchuk was a healthy scratch tonight against the Sabres (a game the Devils lost 14 to 1...ok, 6 to 1), our brains started moving...I am convinced one of these is the actual reason: 10. Kovalchuk asked Lamoriello if it was too late to accept the Kings' offer. 9. Ilya reminded MacLean that playing … [Read more...]
NEW JERSEY DEVILS HIT WITH $3 MILLION DOLLAR FINE & LOSS OF DRAFT PICKS
September 13, 2010 By
Here are the details: $3 million dollar fine. Will not count against the cap. Money goes to the NHL Foundation. Funds must be paid in $1 dollar bills. Surrender of 2011 third round draft pick. Surrender of first round draft pick in one of the years 2011 to 2014, at New Jersey's election. No truth to the rumors that the Rangers offered to buy that pick from the NHL with the assurance they … [Read more...]
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