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Fischler's First Blog |
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September 15, 2005, 5:39 PM ET
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Like inhaling and exhaling, there's an automatic tendency to react with
impetuous alarm over certain developments occurring from time to time
in the realm of sports. Naturally this applies to hockey journalism as
well. But unlike inhaling and exhaling, that does not make it healthy �
or right! Thus, I was hardly surprised about the spate of stories,
which followed the New Jersey exits of the two Scotts � Niedermayer and
Stevens.
What DID surprise and disappoint me were the
observations of good friend and New York Sun columnist Kevin
Greenstein. Like less-informed critics, Greenstein succumbed to
the obvious and spouted the superficial in forecasting doom, gloom, and
whatnot for Lou Lamoriello's Devils in 2005-2006.
But before I dissect gadfly Greenstein's position,
let me review some important Montreal Canadiens hockey history that
precedes Kevin's sphere of knowledge, but is pertinent to my
argument.Like the Three-Cup Devils, the Five-Straight-Cup Canadiens of
the late 1950s were a superior club. Their captain, Maurice (Rocket)
Richard, was aging rapidly � not unlike Stevens � and, finally
following the 1959-60 season, Richard retired. To the Canadiens'
organization, the Rocket's exit was as traumatic and as significant as
Stevens' departure from the Devils. The Montreal doomsayers shed
copious tears over the Rocket's departure for both sentimental and
professional reasons. Listening to them one might have felt � as I did
reading Greenstein's Devils' X-ray � that the club would never win
another Stanley Cup.
Of course that was nonsense.
With Jean Beliveau assuming the captaincy, the
Canadiens regrouped and became contenders again. (END OF HISTORY
LESSON) Now for Greenstein's points. Mistake I: his calling the Devils'
lineup "fragmented."
Give me a break!
After the league-wide post-lockout rebuilding, EVERY
NHL team's lineup is "fragmented." It so happens that the Devils'
lineup is the least-fragmented of all. Lamoriello � like the late Habs'
G.M. Frank Selke � has retained his nucleus. Unlike the defending
champion Lightning, the Devils have NOT lost their star goalie.
Martin Brodeur is still acclaimed by some critics as the world's best.
Kevin worries about a Devils backup goalie problem, even mentioning
Corey Schwab, who just happens to be retired and scouting. He also
mentions Ari Ahonen, who isn't retired and has been patiently groomed
for several years as Brodeur's alter ego.
As for Greenstein's lamentations about Lamoriello
meeting the Salary Cap, fear not, old boy. See me on opening night and
you'll know what I mean. With the likes of Brian Rafalski, Richard
Matvichuk, Dan McGillis, Colin White, Paul Martin and Vladimir
Malakhov, New Jersey has one of the best-balanced, most experienced
defenses in the league. Losing Stevens is like the Habs saying goodbye
to Richard in 1960. Richard did his thing nobly and well and while he
was irreplaceable, life went on and the Canadiens survived and thrived.
As for Niedermayer, I have often said that he was
the NHL's best all-around player in 2003-2004.Having said that, I must
remind Kevin that Nieder hardly was a bulwark in the Devils last
playoff loss to Philadelphia in 2004.
Not surprisingly, Greenstein got in a few knocks at New Jersey's offense.
The fact is, there is only one thing wrong with
coach Larry Robinson's forward wall. Its name is Hepatitis and
had Patrik Elias not suffered the disease last season in Russia, there
would be no problem up front. As it happened, Lamoriello
splendidly replaced Elias with Alexander Mogilny, who also will prove
to be a catalyst for his playmaking pal, Scott Gomez.
In addition, the Devils enter the new era not only
with one of the most promising rookies since Gomez, Zach Parise � but
also with the distinct possibility that Viktor Kozlov is ready to
mature in to stardom. I expected better of Kevin than for him to trot
out the old Colin Campbell bromide of "interchangeable" Devils'
forwards.
For starters, Campbell actually meant it as a
compliment, not a knock, and besides there's nothing "interchangeable"
about John Madden, Jay Pandolfo, Jamie Langenbrunner or Scott Gomez for
that matter.
And finally, with Sherlock Holmesian logic, we learn
from Kevin that Martin Brodeur will face more shots in 2005-2006.
No Kidding.
Wow! That's hot news! Under the new rules, EVERY goalie will face more shots. Next case.
Then, he adds that "after a year off, he (Marty)
might not respond so positively." It seems to me that heavily-used
Brodeur actually would benefit from the year's rest, not to mention
honing his skills while practicing with the Canadian Olympic Hockey
Team.
By far Greenstein's most preposterous suggestion is that the Devils'
"should consider moving Brodeur." What Greenstein overlooks is the
singular element that has made the Devils so unique and successful;
that this New Jersey team is a family; and a very special family. Jay
Pandolfo is a lifetime Devil. So are Brian Rafalski, Sergei Brylin and
John Madden, to name a few.
Lamoriello has built it that way and the Devils have won that way. Plus, nobody symbolizes that feeling more than Brodeur.
In conclusion, Kevin says, "The Devils are no longer
the team that won three Stanley Cups." Then again, the Lightning is not
the team that won one Stanley Cup. So what else is new?
P.S. Kevin, this just in; The Beatles have split!
