OT: Off-season question of the week

[Nubmer6]

So... I'm following my Devils by the Numbers thread last week with another stupid question, just to try to alleviate the boredom of the dregs of summer.

This week's question: Who is your favorite non-star Devil.

"Non-star" is subjective, but they at least can't have been in an all-star game, and probably shouldn't have ever even appeared on a ballot. I'd probably exclude anyone who's won a major award too, although Boyle is, I guess, allowable.

It could be a fighter, role player, or someone you liked just cause.

For me, it would be Dougie Brown. He was not very talented and would fall a lot, but made up for it by working his ass off, which carved out a special place in my heart

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[Darkauron]

Dainius "Coffee Addict & DJ" Zubrus

 

[Devils731]

It changed over time as the team changed but some guys I liked that weren’t stars, although these are probably mostly deeper cuts since I didn’t include guys at the level of McKay, etc…

They may not even be that good but they were fun in their own way to me.

-Jim Korn
-Valeri Zelepukin
-Steve Sullivan was so much fun for his brief time
-Craig Billington
-Sylvain Turgeon

 

[Cheddabombs]

 

[Better Call Sal]

It's definitely hard for us because I feel like we have been THE team when it came to the name on the front is bigger than the name on the back. Yes, of course we had Marty, the Scotts, etc. but some of our "non-stars" became such key cogs to our success that it's hard to quantify them in that manner like Holik, McKay, Madden, etc.

The first guy I really loved as I was growing up that I didn't consider a star was Brian Rolston. I was really bummed out when we traded him until I found out it was for Pepe to come back. I was too young for the '95 run so it was cool to get to watch Claude play here for a year.

After that, the guy I turned to was Brian Rafalski (something about Brians?). I loved how he played and was an undersized guy. Though Gomer was the most special of the 4 rookies, Raffy and Mad Dog were the two I got the most attached to.

Lastly, and he obviously became more entrenched with the team as the years went on, but Bryce Salvador was always my boy. I was ecstatic that we acquired him. Lots of people were happy he was viewed as the cap casualty in that awful 10-11 year when he was really actually dealing with the concussion issues. So I couldn't have been happier to see him go on to play all 82 games the next year, play out of his mind in our Cup final run and eventually wear the C. I got to meet him at a free autograph signing a few years ago in Woodbridge and he is as genuine of a guy as you would expect him to be. He's the man and I'm forever holding a grudge with the fans who booed him when he was announced in the lineup the last year or two before he retired.

 

[My3Sons]

In terms of a non-star it was definitely Zelepukin at one point. Maybe Mercer in today's game. As far as favorite star Devil, I think most people, the sane ones anyway, will go with Ben Lovejoy. He epitomized the greatness that a declining veteran defender who cannot play above sheltered minutes on a third pair can offer a developing team that could really use those sheltered minutes to break in prospects who might have a future with the team.

 

[HBK27]

It's definitely hard for the us because I feel like we have been THE team when it came to the name on the front is bigger than the name on the back. Yes, of course we had Marty, the Scotts, etc. but some of our "non-stars" became such key cogs to our success that it's hard to quantify them in that manner like Holik, McKay, Madden, etc.

The first guy I really loved as I was growing up that I didn't consider a star was Brian Rolston. I was really bummed out when we traded him until I found out it was for Pepe to come back. I was too young for the '95 run so it was cool to get to watch Claude play here for a year.

After that, the guy I turned to was Brian Rafalski (something about Brians?). I loved how he played and was an undersized guy. Though Gomer was the most special of the 4 rookies, Raffy and Mad Dog were the two I got the most attached to.

Lastly, and he obviously became more entrenched with the team as the years went on, but Bryce Salvador was always my boy. I was ecstatic that we acquired him. Lots of people were happy he was viewed as the cap casualty in that awful 10-11 year when he was really actually dealing with the concussion issues. So I couldn't have been happier to see him go on to play all 82 games the next year, play out of his mind in our Cup final run and eventually wear the C. I got to meet him at a free autograph signing a few years ago in Woodbridge and he is as genuine of a guy as you would expect him to be. He's the man and I'm forever holding a grudge with the fans who booed him when he was announced in the lineup the last year or two before he retired.

Good call on Rolston - that would have to be my answer. Maybe it was a combo of him being a high pick and his speed, but he was definitely a favorite non-star player of mine.

 

[Blackjack]

The correct answer is Sergei Brylin

In terms of a non-star it was definitely Zelepukin at one point. Maybe Mercer in today's game. As far as favorite star Devil, I think most people, the sane ones anyway, will go with Ben Lovejoy. He epitomized the greatness that a declining veteran defender who cannot play above sheltered minutes on a third pair can offer a developing team that could really use those sheltered minutes to break in prospects who might have a future with the team.

I will never forgive him for blocking Yohan Auvitu, Mirco Mueller and Connor Carrick

 

[Better Call Sal]

For a complete rando name as well, Lee Stempniak. Always liked him, loved that he was here even for a brief moment. Loved even more that he was actually awesome while he was here.

 

[Blackjack]

My favorite obscure Devils

Vladimir Zharkov
NICK Palmieri
Mark Fayne
Mike Mottau
Dmitri Kulikov

 

[devilsfan950003]

John Madden.

 

[Bleedred]

I have a really good trivia question, which I tried to do a couple of years ago during the covid stoppage, but nobody was into it.

How many regular season career shutouts did Martin Brodeur have at the Brendan Byrne/Continental/Meadowlands?

This is specifically for the old building, not Prudential Center/home shutouts combined.

 

[The Wumpus]

Recently, Coleman

 

[Devs3cups]

I have a few. Brylin, Madden and Coleman are up there.

I really like Siegs and Marino right now. Haula also sneaks in there.

 

[MVP Zacha]

So... I'm following my Devils by the Numbers thread last week with another stupid question, just to try to alleviate the boredom of the dregs of summer.

This week's question: Who is your favorite non-star Devil.

"Non-star" is subjective, but they at least can't have been in an all-star game, and probably shouldn't have ever even appeared on a ballot. I'd probably exclude anyone who's won a major award too, although Boyle is, I guess, allowable.

It could be a fighter, role player, or someone you liked just cause.

For me, it would be Dougie Brown. He was not very talented and would fall a lot, but made up for it by working his ass off, which carved out a special place in my heart

Agreed with Dougie Brown.

 

[My3Sons]

The correct answer is Sergei Brylin


I will never forgive him for blocking Yohan Auvitu, Mirco Mueller and Connor Carrick

It wasn't the blocking. It was forcing guys to play up when they had no business doing so. Santini is the obvious guy. He was ultimately a borderline NHL player but as a rookie he was forced onto the first pair for a bit so Lovejoy could play on the third pair. The other issue is that you are looking in retrospect. Hindsight is always 20/20. Lovejoy was just a symbol of Shero's inability to construct a good defense. Fitz cleaned it up in about two years. Shero left the defense in poor shape and it was bad the whole time he was in NJ. He did get Bahl who maybe can stick as a third pair guy but everyone else is a Fitz acquisition. Adding a Lovejoy in the form of Colin Miller makes a lot of sense for this upcoming year. It was pointless and he was misused by Hynes on top of that. That said, Lovejoy is the greatest player ever to don the black and red.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Brylin

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Shawn Chambers, Brylin, Madden, Peluso, Zelepukin, and McKay were a few guys I really liked a lot.

I also reeeally wanted Willie Mitchell to have an amazing career as a Devil, unfortunately I think he only played like 20 games for them.

 

[Saugus]

Anssi Salmela is one of my favorite random depth defensemen, mostly for the memes about the Church of Salmela.

Cam Janssen is definitely my favorite goon we've ever had.

I also have a soft spot for Corey Schwab and Scott Clemmensen, who both probably could have done better for themselves in the league but were misfortunate enough to be stuck behind Marty freaking Brodeur.

 

[Lou is God]

Randy McKay.

 

[My3Sons]

Randy McKay.

He developed into a pretty solid player.

 

[Lou is God]

He developed into a pretty solid player.

I think I took to him because he never made a bad play it seemed. Knew his limitations.

 

[NJDevs26]

I have a really good trivia question, which I tried to do a couple of years ago during the covid stoppage, but nobody was into it.

How many regular season career shutouts did Martin Brodeur have at the Brendan Byrne/Continental/Meadowlands?

This is specifically for the old building, not Prudential Center/home shutouts combined.

45?

 

[Bleedred]

45?

Close!

I counted a number a little bit higher than this, but it’s possible I accidentally counted the same year twice or something.

 

[Goptor]

Brian Gionta.

He won me over in the 2003 season when he played as a pest/energy guy. Sadly, he stopped the physical play when he got his contract - likely due to injury concerns from his size.