Confirmed with Link: Petr Sykora Retires

[Bleedred]

If Jagr can still go at 40+, Sykie could've given it a go at 37(which is what he is now).

It stinks that not even Lou would give him one final hurrah for at least the rest of the season.

And I seriously DOUBT it was a problem in the locker room since he always got along with Elias.

And if there was a health issue, we would've heard of it by now.

Lou probably FORGOT ALL ABOUT HIM(old people get Senile, you know?).

He may have complained about being scratched in the playoffs, and maybe they thought it was a problem. Maybe he had a lingering health issue that they thought could become a problem down the road. Had to be something more than the fact that he was old.

 

[glenwo2]

If he complained about being scratched in the playoffs, then that falls on PETE once again who is a total nitwit of the highest order.

I absolutely do not blame Petr for that(if that's what happened).

As far as "lingering health issues" go, I again ask "What health issues?"

Has there been ANY report on this?


Whatever the rationale was, it was STUPID of Lou not to bring him back even THIS year where we were BARE as far as offense goes and could use all the help we could get.

 

[The 29th Pick]

Lou figured our rookies would step it up, but Lou forgot Pete doesnt play the rookies

 

[NJDevs26]

Why oh why didn't Lou bring him back?

Even if he scored only 10-15 goals this year, those goals could've been the difference between being in a playoff spot and being where we are now : DONE.

It doesn't really work that way, because you're not replacing 0 goals, you're replacing whoever he'd replace in the lineup/roster (Brunner most likely), and assuming he wouldn't be a drag defensively. Ironically he'd fit right in on the team of slugs we have now but if anything they needed him more last year.

He may have complained about being scratched in the playoffs, and maybe they thought it was a problem. Maybe he had a lingering health issue that they thought could become a problem down the road. Had to be something more than the fact that he was old.

I doubt it since he played 100 games in '11-12 between regular season and playoffs after all. Ironically that was one of only three seasons where he played all 82 in the regular season. If anyone was being a pain in the *** it was probably his agent Walsh, who Lou might not have wanted to deal with other than when he had to (Patty).

 

[AfroThunder396]

I can understand why Lou didn't bring him back this year. I don't understand why he didn't bring him back last year. He waited the entire lockout (I'm sure he turned down some offers in the Summer of 2012) to remain with the Devils. The lockout ended and Lou didn't want him back, and I'm sure the offers he had gotten from other teams were off the table.

That's one of the reasons I'm skeptical Lou will bring back Jagr next year, though Sykora wasn't exactly our leading scorer either. I would almost bet there were some reasons why he wasn't brought back in 12-13, other than being old. Whether it was a problem in the locker room, or quite possibly a health problem in which Lou thought he would be a liability if he re signed.

From the comments Lou made in camp, I think he was legitimately convinced one of Tedenby/Josefson/Butler was going to seamlessly replace him in the top 6.

 

[glenwo2]

Lou figured our rookies would step it up, but Lou forgot Pete doesnt play the rookies

Correct. Lou showing his age right 'dere.

From the comments Lou made in camp, I think he was legitimately convinced one of Tedenby/Josefson/Butler was going to seamlessly replace him in the top 6.

And then he finally woke up from his dream and realized the truth about those 3 but he can't do anything about it except acquire Tuomo Ruutu in the present.

It doesn't really work that way, because you're not replacing 0 goals, you're replacing whoever he'd replace in the lineup/roster (Brunner most likely), and assuming he wouldn't be a drag defensively. Ironically he'd fit right in on the team of slugs we have now but if anything they needed him more last year.

I bet he'd be more productive than the Fancy-Pantsy-Let-me-make-the-fancy-play-instead-of-shooting-the-puck-on-goal Brunner.

If there was one thing Petr could do well it was BLAST the puck. He still had that shot and I think it's horsecrap that he wasn't even given a thought this year. I mean he was waiting for an NHL call, and if you read between the lines, he was waiting for LOU to call him and he didn't. And that's a damn shame since even a diminished Sykora would outplay Damien Brunner and DEFINITELY Ryder.

If anyone was being a pain in the *** it was probably his agent Walsh, who Lou might not have wanted to deal with other than when he had to (Patty).

Hmmm....That could be it. Maybe his agent wanted Lou to give Petr more money than he deserved? I'll believe that more than the "problem in the locker room" or "health concern" theories.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Correct. Lou showing his age right 'dere.




And then he finally woke up from his dream and realized the truth about those 3 but he can't do anything about it except acquire Tuomo Ruutu in the present.




I bet he'd be more productive than the Fancy-Pantsy-Let-me-make-the-fancy-play-instead-of-shooting-the-puck-on-goal Brunner.

If there was one thing Petr could do well it was BLAST the puck. He still had that shot and I think it's horsecrap that he wasn't even given a thought this year. I mean he was waiting for an NHL call, and if you read between the lines, he was waiting for LOU to call him and he didn't. And that's a damn shame since even a diminished Sykora would outplay Damien Brunner and DEFINITELY Ryder.



Hmmm....That could be it. Maybe his agent wanted Lou to give Petr more money than he deserved? I'll believe that more than the "problem in the locker room" or "health concern" theories.

Well hold on a sec, don't forget he also traded for Ponikarovsky again, traded for Loktionov, and claimed Kostopoulous off waivers, called up Whitney, and called up Boucher between now and then

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

Anyone who has Kovy jerseys should restitch them into Sykora jerseys.

 

[The 29th Pick]

Anyone who has Kovy jerseys should restitch them into Sykora jerseys.

or just keep them as is for when Kovi comes back

 

[glenwo2]

Well hold on a sec, don't forget he also traded for Ponikarovsky again, traded for Loktionov, and claimed Kostopoulous off waivers, called up Whitney, and called up Boucher between now and then

I was trying to make a funny and now you've gone and made me depressed now. BOOO-URNS!

 

[Semak]

After Pep left the first time, Sykora became my fav. Was really upset when he got traded despite part of the circumstances. He and the A-Line will forever be immortals. And **** Derian Hatcher.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Wow, I didnt know Sykora wasnt retired.

 

[njd118]

Wow, I didnt know Sykora wasnt retired.

Heh. Same. Still, was my first favorite player, first jersey I ever bought. The goal he scored in game 4 of the 01 finals is still one of my favorite goals of all time, and one of the loudest celebrations I've heard in that building.

 

[hockeyr5]

"I'll drive the bus"

His enthusiasm that year was was a breath of fresh air for that team

Always get a kick out of this goal on the last day of the season that year

I love that haha!

 

[Brodeur]

It's a good night to dig up old Sykora highlights. I do enjoy the draft day intro. Just reinforces how a GM might not exactly be on top of the entire draft process. From the Detroit "Vikings" "Petry" Sykora.

 

[NJDevilsZG]

One of my all-time favourites ... Was soooo disapointed when Lou didn't bring him back for one last horay Missed his smile in the locker room. Especially recently

Thanks for the memories! HAVE FUN SYKKIE!!!

 

[glenwo2]

One of my all-time favourites ... Was soooo disapointed when Lou didn't bring him back for one last horay Missed his smile in the locker room. Especially recently

Thanks for the memories! HAVE FUN SYKKIE!!!

I think "hurrah" is the word you're looking for.


And yes, I miss Sykie, too.

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

or just keep them as is for when Kovi comes back

Hope Kovy pulls a Michael Jordan and break dances to some Russian Hip Hop when he skates to center ice.

 

[Bleedred]

Arnott, Lagenbrunner, Pandolfo, Sykora. A lot of former Devils have retired these last few months.

 

[NJDevils#4]

Elias Arnott Sykora
Mogilny Gomez Nemchinov
Rolston/Brylin Holik Lemieux/McKay
Pandolfo Madden Oliwa/Morrison

Stevens Niedermayer
Rafalski Daneyko
Souray White/Sutton

Brodeur
Terreri


Un-be-lieveable how good this team was. (Some of my lines are prob off, memory getting foggy)

 

[Brodeur]

Elias Arnott Sykora
Mogilny Gomez Nemchinov
Rolston/Brylin Holik Lemieux/McKay
Pandolfo Madden Oliwa/Morrison

Stevens Niedermayer
Rafalski Daneyko
Souray White/Sutton

Brodeur
Terreri


Un-be-lieveable how good this team was. (Some of my lines are prob off, memory getting foggy)

Swap in a motivated Malakhov for Souray, and subtract Morrison if you have Mogilny on there. But yeah, the 2000 team was fantastic. Any time somebody brings up the "Devils are boring/killed hockey", I quickly ask them if they realized how offensively potent that team was and how the Devils led the league in goals in 2000-01 (with Arnott/Niedermayer holding out for 20 games too).

I was planning on having a sad party whenever the last member of the 2000 club retires (at this rate, it's looking like Patty).

 

[DevilsFanInFla]

Nothing but love and respect for Sykora. That 2000 team was the best the Devils ever had. Sure, we surprised and shocked everyone in 95 but 2000 was something special. Sykora ended his career as a Devil and I'd have it no other way. The A line was something you just don't see often anymore, especially with the Devils. Truly a great competitor and great player and I wish him nothing but the best in his retirement. Thanks for everything Sykkie!!

 

[njdevsfn95]

His legacy.... Absolutely a beauty. Not many guys can whip it around like he could.

Well I dont want to be arrested.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Well I dont want to be arrested.

hey now!