Even though the Devils’ playoff chances are finished for 2013, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On April 24…
2003- Martin Brodeur records a playoff shutout, and Jamie Langenbrunner registers a goal and an assist in New Jersey’s win over the Tampa Bay Lighting in game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
New Jersey went on to beat Tampa Bay in six games en route to its third Stanley Cup.
2006- John Madden records a hat trick in game two of the Devils’ Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the New York Rangers– a game the Devils won 4-1.
That game also offered this incredible two-minute stretch that those in attendance won’t soon forget.
The Devils went on to sweep the Rangers but fall to the eventual-Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the next round.
2012- Travis Zajac’s goal 5:39 into the first-overtime period lifts the Devils to a season-saving 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in game six of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
New Jersey went on to win game seven in double overtime and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals before falling to the Los Angeles Kings.
With the trade deadline set for 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 3, considering this post your one-stop shopping for all trades, deals and machinations. We’ll update all league-wide deals (with the exception of minor-league trades) here and keep you guys updated with every deal. Let’s start off with a couple of fun ones from the Lonestar State.
Jaromir Jagr to Boston. I'm hearing two prospects and a draft pick.— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) April 02, 2013
The Stars are clearly in sell-off mode, willing to take prospects and picks for pretty much any veteran of value on the roster. With both Jagr and Roy (both UFAs this summer) going for a second-round and prospects, you can start to see what the value is this year for a rental player.
Now for the record I would like to start off by saying that is NOT fact in any sort of way. This is a look at other teams that Parise would fit well with along with providing a valuable return for the Devils if they are to deal away Parise.
So far this season Parise has not been lighting the lamp as much as we all had hoped. He has just 6 goals and 5 assists in 19 games with a -5 rating while playing on the top line with Henrique and Kovalchuk. Despite the numbers he has been playing very well defensively which maybe just as important as scoring considering the Devils’ defense.
Parise signed a 1 year contract this summer. Everyone had assumed that it was the kiss of death and began to think that Parise’s days in New Jersey were numbered. So trade speculation and rumors are not anything to be surprised about. A couple days ago there was word that the Devils were in talks with the Los Angeles Kings about exchanging Parise for Jonathan Bernier and a top forward. But lets go over some teams that would provide a great return for the Devils in the event that Parise is dealt.
Keep in mind I am looking at the salary cap when it comes to these “deals” so there is no chance they are not possible due to the cap. If you do not know Parise is set to make $6 million this season.
I strongly believe that if Parise is going to be dealt its going to be by a team that is in a “win now” mentality along with giving something back to the Devils. Some other teams that come to mind are the Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild made some big moves this summer in acquiring Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi from the San Jose Sharks in different deals. Even though the Wild are 1st in the Western Conference they are 28th in the NHL in goals per game. They are going to have to score more goals if they want to keep winning. Who better to be scoring than Zach Parise?
Now the Devils are going to be looking for a goaltender and the Wild have a good goaltender named Josh Harding. In the 7 games he has played this season he has a 1.79 GAA and a .945 save percentage. He has potential to be a great consistent starting goaltender.
Also the Wild are going to have to throw in another player, I’m think its going to have to be someone that is going to be able to feed the puck to Kovalchuk. Even though Setoguchi just arrived with the Wild I think he could be on the move again. He would work really well with Henrique and Kovalchuk on the top line.
Harding and Setoguchi for Parise. Seems like a fair deal to me for both sides. One final point, Parise may want to go home to Minnesota.
Washington Capitals
Its has been obvious that the Capitals want to win right now. The Capitals are in no short of scoring but they need a defensive forward. Parise is just that and if Parise wants to win his best odds are in Washington. Now Parise won’t just be some offensive defensive expert but he will definitely be able to contribute on offense.
The Capitals are also at the top the of salary cap ceiling and they have one contract that is highly moveable. Alexander Semin’s contract is set to expire at the end of the year. So I think this trade would be a simple one for one trade. Semin would be great to play with Kovalchuk which maybe the solution to a more productive Kovalchuk.
Semin for Parise. One for One. I call that fair for both teams.
Oh boy. This certainly should not come as a surprise to anybody since the day Zach Parise only resigned to a 1 year contract this summer. But The Fourth Period has reported that the Devils have been in talks to deal Zach Parise to Los Angeles for goaltender Jonathan Bernier and for either Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson or Dustin Penner. This would be a huge blockbuster deal for both clubs.
Personally I would like to see this deal happen because if the Devils could get Bernier and Brown for Parise and someone else, it would instantly make the Devils a bigger threat on offense along with providing youth in net. Bernier would be a great replacement for Brodeur. Also there is a huge chance that if the Devils don’t resign Parise to a long term deal during the season that he may not resign this summer. So if the Devils can profit off the the loss of Parise they should definitely make this deal happen.
The Devils lit the lamp three times last night against the Los Angeles Kings. Hopefully the Devils can keep this scoring up throughout the season. If the Devils can do this more often they’ll win more games than they did last season.
Scoring Summary:
First Period- None
Second Period- Dainius Zubrus (1) and Patrik Elias (4) and Dainius Zubrus (2)
Third Period- None
Next Game: 10/27 at Phoenix Coyotes 10 pm.
Stats:
Patrik Elias Postgame:
On Petr Sykora playing sick “I actually had to take care of him. I think he just wanted the morning skate off.”
Dainius Zubrus Postgame:
On getting puck to the face “It wasn’t that bad. I told the refs I appreciated them blowing (the whistle). Right away I knew my teeth were all there.”
Zach Parise Postgame:
On playing center ”I felt a lot better than I thought… I felt really comfortable taking draws.”
Peter DeBoer Postgame:
“I think tonight was our best 60-minute effort so far from top to bottom.”
On Sykora-Elias-Zubrus line “They just clicked from the start.”
Team Notes:
Kings outdrew the Devils 24-20
Kings outshot the Devils 30-23
Devils went 0 for 2 on the power play.
Kings out hit the Devils 33-31
Player Notes:
Zubrus, Elias, Sykora, Greene, Fayne combined for 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists)
Ilya Kovalchuk lead the team in total ice time.
Dainius Zubrus scored his first two goals of the season
Patrik Elias had two points (1 goal, 1 assist)
Johan Hedberg’s first shutout of the season
Scoring Summary:
First Period- Simon Gagne (1) and Patrik Elias (1)
Second Period- None
Third Period- None
OT/Shootout-Ilya Kovalchuk (SO) Zach Parise (SO)
Devils win shootout 2-0
Next Game: 10/15 at Nashville Predators 8 pm.
Martin Brodeur Postgame:
On shoulder injury: “They (doctors) don’t feel there is anything serious about this injury. I tweaked that shoulder lots of times.”
On making trip to Nashville: ”I’m planning on going, unless I get up tomorrow morning and can’t move my arm. It should be OK.”
Johan Hedberg Postgame:
“In the back of my mind I was pretty sure I was going to go in. A couple of minutes into the intermission they told me.”
About coming in: “Right away it feels like an adrenalin kick. You get a little nervous and the adrenalin creeps as I get focused.”
Peter DeBoer Postgame:
On Kings’ goal: “Then we didn’t play the 3-on-2 properly. It was a comedy of errors.”
Team Notes:
Devils outdrew the Kings 26-22
Devils outshot the Kings 37-27
Devils went 0 for 2 on the power play.
Devils and Kings had the same amount of hits at 22.
Player Notes:
Martin Brodeur left the game after the 1st with Upper Body Soreness
Johan Hedberg gets the win in relief of Brodeur.
Ilya Kovalchuk lead the team in total ice time.
Petr Sykora has had 2 assists in the last two games.
Patrik Elias scored his first goal of the season.
