Defense looks bright in the future. Kujwanski's seems like he could be a steal. Also love the fact hes coached by Doug Gilmour who did play here a little and I would think has at least a working relationship with Lou. Sure we knew just about everything on the kid before we picked him.
- NickA

When I watch clips of Santini he just looks like his hockey I.Q is off the charts he might not have much offensive upside but that is what Merril and Severson are for. He looks like he could be a much better Bieksa, they compared him to Orpik but I don't really like him haha

I think the organization has a lot of potential from an investor standpoint. Beautiful arena in admittedly an undesireable area, but it is very accesable from most of NJ and NYC. Great GM with one of the best resumes out there. Fanbase that has stuck it out and put up with watching boring hockey for all these years. Think of the potential for this organization to take off.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Right around the arena in the few years they have been here is already so much nicer. Each year it improves and a new restaurant or bar opens up. I'm looking forward too see how the immediate surrounding area develops in the future.

First off, he needs approval from all 30 teams before he can even sniff NHL ice again and that will not happen. He made up some poor excuse about his family and wah wah wah. He was seeing green. POS.

Right around the arena in the few years they have been here is already so much nicer. Each year it improves and a new restaurant or bar opens up. I'm looking forward too see how the immediate surrounding area develops in the future.
- NickA

The area around the arena is great, much better than the Meadowlands.
And attendance has been on the rise the last few years. Devs fans will go to the games no matter who we put on the ice, we don't need superstars to draw us in.

Can any on post clips from camp would love to see what kids really put in their work and what not see how the prospects look and maybe they are a lot better then people give them credit for.

Well actually if he wants to return within the next year all 30 teams have to say yes, after that only the Devils do. I'd hope they'd say no.

First off, he needs approval from all 30 teams before he can even sniff NHL ice again and that will not happen. He made up some poor excuse about his family and wah wah wah. He was seeing green. POS.
- Panthers88

That's only for the first year. After next season he only needs the Devils approval. And I hope they don't give it to him. Stay in Russia. Apparently the money is what matters, so enjoy it over there. Agreed - POS.

The area around the arena is great, much better than the Meadowlands.
And attendance has been on the rise the last few years. Devs fans will go to the games no matter who we put on the ice, we don't need superstars to draw us in.
- FAZOOL

Every time I have seen the Devils its been in Ottawa because of my location its much cheaper then paying a arm and a leg to go see them in Toronto. I would love to get to a game in Jersey one day though.

The area around the arena is great, much better than the Meadowlands.
And attendance has been on the rise the last few years. Devs fans will go to the games no matter who we put on the ice, we don't need superstars to draw us in.
- FAZOOL

The team could sell out every game for the next decade and the attendance cracks will keep coming. I believe 20 of the 24 games last year were sellouts. Immediately following a lockout.

I dont see why they wouldn't.

I certainly dont pretend to know the details of the situation, but it appears that Kovie has been straight up with the Devils about this - this is a family decision, so you cant fault the guy for that...

if he was still in good form and wanted to return at 34, why not offer him a contract.
- GadesnSens

I have no idea how people could have this opinion?

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk May Be Planning For Return To NHL
- Todd.Cordell

Yeah for -23 million

First off, he needs approval from all 30 teams before he can even sniff NHL ice again and that will not happen. He made up some poor excuse about his family and wah wah wah. He was seeing green. POS.
- Panthers88

Exactly. Guy is a piece of garbage.

That's only for the first year. After next season he only needs the Devils approval. And I hope they don't give it to him. Stay in Russia. Apparently the money is what matters, so enjoy it over there. Agreed - POS.
- jbivens13

Yeah i corrected myself. The worst part is once he hits 35 he needs no approval and any team can sign him.

Defense looks bright in the future. Kujwanski's seems like he could be a steal. Also love the fact hes coached by Doug Gilmour who did play here a little and I would think has at least a working relationship with Lou. Sure we knew just about everything on the kid before we picked him.
- NickA

Myles Bell could be a steal too. He was in a car accident where he was speeding and killed a 17 year old girl in Calgary and that seems to have effected his draft status but from what I have read he would have easily been a first rounder had that not happened. Kid is loaded with talent. After sacrificing the 9th overall the Devils had to take some chances. Hopefully one or two pan out.

The area around the arena is great, much better than the Meadowlands.
And attendance has been on the rise the last few years. Devs fans will go to the games no matter who we put on the ice, we don't need superstars to draw us in.
- FAZOOL

Definitely has something to do with it. The meadowlands is an absolute traffic nightmare. In and outside the arena. One (frank)ing hallway for the entire arena? Like really? That was so (frank)ing stupid.

Every time I have seen the Devils its been in Ottawa because of my location its much cheaper then paying a arm and a leg to go see them in Toronto. I would love to get to a game in Jersey one day though.
- blizzzard

I'm not just saying this because I'm a Devils fan, but the arena really is beautiful. Feels brand new and has a bunch of murals and jerseys of all of the high school hockey teams lining the main concourse. I'd definitely recommend a trip!

I'd welcome him back w open arms. If Devil fans would just take the emotional response out of this they'd realize Kovy just helped the Devils organization in huge way!! 1) ownership just saved paying him $56 million over the next 5 years!! Plus whatever theyd owe him for the remainder of his contract, 2) For a team looking for new ownership not having this huge payroll for one player I would think is important 3) That being said think the Devils finances are fine or else they'd be like the islanders and not spend any money on free agents, 4) the Devils now have all that money ($56 million ovet 5 years) to go out and buy a Vanek or Kessel and still have plenty of money left over to purchase another player (Brunner). Dump Volchenkov next year and there's a other 4.5 million. 5) this team can now go into semi rebuild mode and get back to Devils hockey (no player bigger then the team). We already got our next #1 goaltender. We have quality defensive prospects as well as a possible gem in Boucher. If Kovy comes back in 4 years, I would think Kovy would give Lou first chance at signing him. Thank you Kovy!! Devils just pulled the biggest heist in the NHL.

I'd be in favor of the league implementing the following policy in the case of Kovalchuk and any other player who breaks his contract to play in the KHL.

Upon re-admission to the NHL, the affected player shall restart they're entry level status with the club they broke their contract with. 5 year Restricted Free Agent rights shall apply with Arbitration eligibility earned after the 3rd year.

Yeah i corrected myself. The worst part is once he hits 35 he needs no approval and any team can sign him.
- Panthers88

What a travesty that would be. As someone said, there is less hitting in the KHL because of the larger ice so he could still be a great player if he stays in shape. I would hope that NHL teams would stay away to teach him a lesson, but talent is talent.

I'd be in favor of the league implementing the following policy in the case of Kovalchuk and any other player who breaks his contract to play in the KHL.

Upon re-admission to the NHL, the affected player shall restart they're entry level status with the club they broke their contract with. 5 year Restricted Free Agent rights shall apply with Arbitration eligibility earned after the 3rd year.
- SDHawkFan

Great idea. With salary restrictions as well.

What a travesty that would be. As someone said, there is less hitting in the KHL because of the larger ice so he could still be a great player if he stays in shape. I would hope that NHL teams would stay away to teach him a lesson, but talent is talent.
- jbivens13

True. No denying that if he called Dale Tallon in 4 years and said I want to play for a team that isn't in the spotlight yadda yadda, I'd be buying my Kovalchuk jersey. But until that happens, he's a POS.

Great idea. With salary restrictions as well.
- jbivens13

NHLPA says

EDIT: But I do love the idea.

I'm not just saying this because I'm a Devils fan, but the arena really is beautiful. Feels brand new and has a bunch of murals and jerseys of all of the high school hockey teams lining the main concourse. I'd definitely recommend a trip!
- TheJerseyDevil1

Yeah the whole game day experience greatly improved with the move to prudential center as oppose to the meadowlands. The only downside is no more tailgating. Not enough room for people to start grilling and setting up shop.

Definitely has something to do with it. The meadowlands is an absolute traffic nightmare. In and outside the arena. One (frank)ing hallway for the entire arena? Like really? That was so (frank)ing stupid.
- NickA

I had season tix for their first 10 years here and when the old area opened we thought it was the best thing ever. Place got outdated real quick!
BTW face value on our season tickets their first year here in 82' was like $17 lower corner about 15 rows up.

Devils just pulled the biggest heist in the NHL.
- Ocean24

And Bettman will make sure they are punished accordingly. Which made up penalty for violating "the spirit" of the CBA would it be this time?