Hold your heads on high, Devils nation

[CanadienShark]

Kovalchuk once made me a Thrashers fan. Kovalchuk has made me a Devils fan. I'm now going to watch the KHL. Classy organization.

 

[MrLouniverse]

TWO.

and the legend behind it all

LGD

 

[billingtons ghost]

Parise left in FA.
Kovalchuk just... picked up and decided to leave.

No ****. "Devil for life" I believe the captions read.

 

[etherialone]

Kings fan joining in the well wishes.

Cream always rises to the top and the Devils have proven one thing above all else it is that you guys are a class org and will always be among the best. I mean how many years have you been right there among the best in the game? This is going to look dark but I think you will get right where you belong among the best without skipping a beat.

Marty is the greatest goalie of all time imo and Schneider is the best young goalie in the game. He is going to be very very good. Kovy leaving sucks but you guys know how to weather adversity like no other and I bet Lou has a plan to get you back on top that will come sooner rather than later.


I hate you guys but I love doing it because you are always that good.

Kings Devils finals in 15.

BOOK IT.

 

[Devilshark]

Blackhawk coming in with sympathy and foremost with immense respect.

If there is one franchise in this league that can go through what happened today and eventually come back just as strong, just as proud it's you guys in New Jersey. Class, respect and resilience. Those are the words that first come to mind when hearing the words ''New Jersey Devils''

No matter how terrible this is remember, no war has ever been lost because of one traitor.

Devils will rise again! I'd wage a lot of money on that.

Was pulling for you guys in the playoffs (Kane/Toews are awesome) so this feels good.

Wound is still very fresh tho. Hopefully the pissed-off "were gonna make it!" phase happens soonish

 

[Uli Hiemer]

I'm not worried

We have all of Newfoundland on our side!

 

[B A T M A N]

Dude we lost a player not a franchise. People didnt feel sorry for us when Parise left (without any compensation back just like Kovalchuk).

It is what it is. If it breaks the franchise's back for a few years, then so be it. As long as we don't start hearing Seattle rumors we'll be fine.

It's a business. They were not contractually obligated to return.

Kovalchuk had 13 years, 77 million left. If there was one person we NEVER expected to retire out of no where, I think it's safe to assume it was Kovalchuk. Especially because he's so greedy. And this move proves it even further. For whatever reason, he wants to abandon the team when they need him the most. After all we did to acquire him and sign him to his ridiculous ideal contract. This is the thanks we get. His own selfish needs (returning to Russian soil and giving the NHL an even bigger black eye) before the team that sacrificed a fortune, and their future on him. This is absolutely disgusting on his behalf, and my Kovy jersey is burning as we speak. I hope he gets a career ending injury in Russia. Payback is a *****, Ilya.

And people need to stop blaming Lou for the Kovy deal. That contract was all because of Vanderbeek.

 

[B A T M A N]

Off topic but related: Anybody else still upset we didn't draft Nichuskin? I think I've had enough Russian players to last a lifetime.

 

[manilaNJ]

I'm honestly not feeling the Russian hate here today.

 

[Andrew Knoll]

I actually see a big-time silver lining here. Of course looking backward, it's easy to look at draft picks lost (not really Kovy's fault) as well as Parise's departure and be upset. But those things were already in the past. Moving forward, this is fortuitous, in my view. This was a very onerous contract that they got out of without paying a penny or making any tough compromises. They saved somewhere between $26M and $51M today plus more than that in cap space.

I don't even think it affected what was otherwise a very good offseason. They re-upped Elias and Zubrus and brought in Clowe to replace Clarkson. I could see an argument for that swap never happening, but overall they fared very well, including make the best trade in recent memory by getting Schneider for a first.

You look at the FA market for wingers and forwards in general, the pickings were slim. Given the choice, I'd take in-season cap room with prorated hits over offseason cap room this year, personally.

This must sting and be confusing as hell, but, in the long run, the Devils will be better for it.

 

[RyGuy]

Im touched by the support our team is getting from fans around the league. Really nice. This is a dark day for hockey first.

 

[JKP]

Tough break guys. Wish something like this happened to the Rags instead of you guys. Lou's a smart guy and will fix you up. Hang in there!

 

[Status Quo*]

Tough break guys. Wish something like this happened to the Rags instead of you guys. Lou's a smart guy and will fix you up. Hang in there!

Damn, I can't even wish this on this Rags

 

[glenwo2]

Kovalchuk once made me a Thrashers fan. Kovalchuk has made me a Devils fan. I'm now going to watch the KHL. Classy organization.

You forgot the


Otherwise, have fun.

 

[CanadienShark]

You forgot the


Otherwise, have fun.

??

I'm dead serious - I like the Devils. I will also be watching the KHL to see Kovy.

 

[glenwo2]

Damn, I can't even wish this on this Rags

I can. But that's just because I'm E-vil.



Seriously, even the Rags wouldn't deserve this. NO TEAM deserves this. NO TEAM.

 

[CanadienShark]

It's a business. They were not contractually obligated to return.

Kovalchuk had 13 years, 77 million left. If there was one person we NEVER expected to retire out of no where, I think it's safe to assume it was Kovalchuk. Especially because he's so greedy. And this move proves it even further. For whatever reason, he wants to abandon the team when they need him the most. After all we did to acquire him and sign him to his ridiculous ideal contract. This is the thanks we get. His own selfish needs (returning to Russian soil and giving the NHL an even bigger black eye) before the team that sacrificed a fortune, and their future on him. This is absolutely disgusting on his behalf, and my Kovy jersey is burning as we speak. I hope he gets a career ending injury in Russia. Payback is a *****, Ilya.

And people need to stop blaming Lou for the Kovy deal. That contract was all because of Vanderbeek.

You have some sick, twisted mind my friend. Wishing a career ending injury on a man doing what's best for HIM. Are you saying that Kovalchuk should suffer through something he does not want to do? He is legally allowed to do what he just did.

 

[4check22]

You have some sick, twisted mind my friend. Wishing a career ending injury on a man doing what's best for HIM. Are you saying that Kovalchuk should suffer through something he does not want to do? He is legally allowed to do what he just did.

It's a harsh world, guy. Kovy chose the Russian mob over the Italian family he had in Lou. Things have a way of working themselves out. Know what I mean?

 

[glenwo2]

It's a harsh world, guy. Kovy chose the Russian mob over the Italian family he had in Lou. Things have a way of working themselves out. Know what I mean?

*cue the theme to the Godfather*




Anyway, the Devils will survive. They always have in the past and will in the present and future.

 

[B A T M A N]

You have some sick, twisted mind my friend. Wishing a career ending injury on a man doing what's best for HIM. Are you saying that Kovalchuk should suffer through something he does not want to do? He is legally allowed to do what he just did.

Maybe he should have signed a short term deal if he felt like he would be such a little crybaby. What he wanted was a 17 year extension. He wanted 100 million dollars. He got that, and then he still got 100 million for a couple years less. He should absolutely suffer through the contract that he mother****ing signed. CASE CLOSED.

Something he does not want to do. Oh get out. I guess his agent put a gun to his head and FORCED him to sign that deal. Is that what you're insinuating? I get that you are attached to Kovalchuk's jockstrap and everything, but your allegiance to him is kind of frightening. It's also unfounded, since you aren't a fan of any of his teams. You'll just follow him wherever he goes. Like a travelling circus show.

 

[glenwo2]

Maybe he should have signed a short term deal if he felt like he would be such a little crybaby. What he wanted was a 17 year extension. He wanted 100 million dollars. He got that, and then he still got 100 million for a couple years less. He should absolutely suffer through the contract that he mother****ing signed. CASE CLOSED.

Something he does not want to do. Oh get out. I guess his agent put a gun to his head and FORCED him to sign that deal. Is that what you're insinuating? I get that you are attached to Kovalchuk's jockstrap and everything, but your allegiance to him is kind of frightening. It's also unfounded, since you aren't a fan of any of his teams. You'll just follow him wherever he goes. Like a travelling circus show.

You mean like the Tim Tebow show.


I've never understood why certain fans follow just one singular NHL player all over the place no matter where he plays. I mean why not become a fan of a TEAM?

 

[CanadienShark]

Maybe he should have signed a short term deal if he felt like he would be such a little crybaby. What he wanted was a 17 year extension. He wanted 100 million dollars. He got that, and then he still got 100 million for a couple years less. He should absolutely suffer through the contract that he mother****ing signed. CASE CLOSED.

Something he does not want to do. Oh get out. I guess his agent put a gun to his head and FORCED him to sign that deal. Is that what you're insinuating? I get that you are attached to Kovalchuk's jockstrap and everything, but your allegiance to him is kind of frightening. It's also unfounded, since you aren't a fan of any of his teams. You'll just follow him wherever he goes. Like a travelling circus show.

Kovalchuk is what brought me into hockey. I am not a Thrashers (Jets) fan, and haven't been for nearly a decade. I am becoming a fan of the Devils. You're clearly VERY upset by this, you'll get over it child. What Kovalchuk did was legally allowed. I never said he was forced into the contract. He wanted out. A person should do what's best for THEMSELVES, not anyone else. I don't think Kovalchuk planned on leaving. Things change, man. He didn't get $100m. Tell me, WHY should he suffer through it? I'm committed to school right now - should I decide to leave, could you blast me and call me names for changing my commitment? Am I less of man if I leave school?

You're sick.

You mean like the Tim Tebow show.


I've never understood why certain fans follow just one singular NHL player all over the place no matter where he plays. I mean why not become a fan of a TEAM?

I don't. I am a Habs fan and Sharks fan, first and foremost. As a number 3 team, the Devils are certainly in contention for that spot. Also, I totally understand it. As I stated above - Kovalchuk is what truly drew me into hockey. I want to watch Kovy, as I'm a fan of Kovy. That doesn't mean I have to like all his teams though, but it just happened to be so.

 

[Z-Z Pop1915]

I'm more than excited to watch this team.

Kovy dont wanna be a Devil, Kovy dont gotta be a Devil.

 

[DevilChuk*]

I'm more than excited to watch this team.

Kovy dont wanna be a Devil, Kovy dont gotta be a Devil.

In a weird sort of underdog mentality.. I'm slowly agreeing with you.

Except my expectations for this team have taken a major hit. I do expect the team itself to play hard and be fun to watch.. just not be very good.

 

[glenwo2]

In a weird sort of underdog mentality.. I'm slowly agreeing with you.

Except my expectations for this team have taken a major hit. I do expect the team itself to play hard and be fun to watch.. just not be very good.

That will make the return to the playoffs even more satisfying *when* it happens.