New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk retires from the NHL at age 30

New insider? "@AngelinaLawton: Guess I was 7 months early on this secret :) #kovalchuk @NHL @NHLDevils pic.twitter.com/tWeIpErkZc”
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) July 11, 2013

As announced today, the Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk retired from the NHL leaving the New Jersey Devils holding the bag. I am thankful that I don't have  Ilya Kovalchuk in a keeper fantasy hockey league.

NHL.COM --- Kovalchuk's departure frees up more than $6 million in salary-cap space for the Devils, allowing the club to be more active in free agency. But the Devils will have to pay between $250,000 and $300,000 per year in cap-benefit recapture fees for each of the next dozen years.

"Right now we just have to take a step back to go forward," Lamoriello said. 'We'll just have to re-evaluate what our options are and do the best we can, but we'll be ready to play when September comes."

Kovalchuk leaves the NHL after 11 seasons; he had 417 goals and 399 assists for 816 points in 816 games. After being taken by the Atlanta Thrashers with the first pick in the 2001 NHL Draft, Kovalchuk had 29 goals as a rookie in 2001-02. He scored at least 30 goals in each of the next nine seasons, including six in a row with at least 40 from 2002-03 to 2009-10.

With Ilya Kovalchuk departure, the Devils free up six million dollars that that they can use to go after a forward to take Kovalchuk's place, of course forwards like that don't grown on trees. With the departure of Kovalchuk, former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac is now the top paid forward with the Devils. The Devils also have about 10 million dollars to work with under the cap. Kovalchuck is now going to play for SKA in the KHL.

Matt Greene smokes Patrick Elias

This was an interesting turn of events - Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene fails to get the puck deep and the New Jersey Devils break out of the defensive zone with speed.

As the play develops and moves through the defensive zone Kings defenseman Matt Greene absolutely blows up New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias - of course Elias is chirped by the Kings bench and the comment after the New Jersey forward returns to the bench was classic. Elias asked Justin Williams, "when did you become a tough guy?"

Zach Parise rated number two Free Agent

Zach Parise prepares to start in a game for the New Jersey Devils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are the top 12 unrestricted free agents according to Ryan Porth – Sportsnet.CA

1. Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators

2. Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

2011-12 salary: $6 million

As for Parise, he may be the best free-agent forward since teammate Kovalchuk signed his 15-year, $100 million contract with the Devils two summers ago. Despite coming off major knee surgery, Parise scored 31 goals in 2011-12 -- his fifth 30-goal campaign since the lockout -- and was a factor in getting the Devils to their first Stanley Cup final since 2003. Some pundits doubt the Devils have the goods to match any contract offer Parise would receive in the frenzy. Like Suter in Nashville, it comes down to Parise’s commitment level to the Devils, the only organization he has ever known. Parise is the captain of the Devils and the heartbeat of the offense, but money speaks volumes.

3. Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals

4. Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

5. Jaromir Jagr, Philadelphia Flyers

6. Jason Garrison, Florida Panthers

7. Matt Carle, Philadelphia Flyers

8. Olli Jokinen, Calgary Flames

9. Dennis Wideman, Washington Capitals

10. Dustin Penner, Los Angeles Kings

11. P.A. Parenteau, New York Islanders

12. Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild

CBC opening for game 3

Here was the opening of last night's game on CBC - unfortunately I am not able to watch CBC anymore because I got rid of my Midcontinent last July and got DirecTV. 

Based on how the New Jersey Devils have played there may only be one more game left, because the Los Angeles Kings have been relentless and have taken the games to the Devils.

Kings take 2-0 lead in series against Devils

Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter scored the game winning goal at the 13:42 mark in overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-0 series lead against the New Jersey Devils. The Kings have gone an impressive 14-2 in the Stanley Cup playoffs and have not lost since the first round of the playoffs. What is even more impressive is that the Kings have not lost on the road during this years Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let me just say - I think the Devils will be hard pressed to win four of the next five games against the Kings. I wouldn't be surprised if the Kings sweep the Devils at home. With their win on the road the Kings have now won 10 out of 10 games on the road - that's an impressive feat and only three other teams have done that during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

But to go a perfect 10-for-10 away from the land of the rich and famous, well, that seemed like a dream, or a Hollywood script. Nevertheless, that's just what the Kings did with Jeff Carter's game winner 13 minutes and 42 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Saturday.

The Kings not only extended their record to 10 consecutive wins to start a postseason, they became only the fourth team to win 10 road games in a playoffs, matching the 1995 and 2000 Devils as well as the 2004 Calgary Flames. [Tim Wharnsby, CBC]

Parise's and the Devils tough night

Here is the New Jersey Devils beat writer’s perspective on Zach Parise’s game one of the Stanley Cup Finals – Parise like the rest of the Devils looked like they were a little flat and maybe they were holding their sticks a little tight as well.

Mike Vorkunov, The Star-Ledger --- There was Zach Parise sprawling around the Kings net, desperate for any chance to finally make his mark on the opening game of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Devils’ captain had been quiet to that point, outplayed by Dustin Brown – his counterpart. Brown hadn’t scored but at least he threw his body around, setting the tone for a rough and rumbling Game 1. All Parise had done to that point was two shots on goal, one of which had accidentally slid off of his stick and to the goal.

But there he was, his opportunity waiting, as the puck stayed in front of Jonathan Quick. And all Parise could muster was to stick his glove out, from the outside of the net, and knock the puck in over the goal line. For a moment the Prudential Center erupted.

One thing that was evident last night was that the Devils didn’t bury their offensive opportunities when they had a chance.  Devils forward David Clarkson had two grade “A” scoring opportunities early in the game from the slot, only to shoot the puck over the Kings net.

Zajac doing light skating

Image by clydeorama via FlickrThis might be good news for the New Jersey Devils, Travis Zajac is a valued member of the New Jersey Devils and had been pretty durable up until this injury. In fact if you look at his Hockey Database page you will see that he has only missed two games in five season before this year.

NJ.COM --- Travis Zajac, who has missed the entire season so far with a torn left Achilles' tendon, is at practice today, having flown into New Jersey over the weekend to tend to some "personal business'' he said. The Devils top center said he skated lightly for the first time on Thursday at home in Winnipeg and will skate again this week after he returns to Winnipeg.

Zajac, who suffered the injury during an off-ice training session over the summer, said he "definitely'' will play this season, but he has no idea when that might be. He said he doesn't have pain as much as tightness that restricts his movements. He said skating was actually easier than walking, because the skate boot provides more support than his normal shoes. He said now that he has skated, he anticipates being able to skate more often -- more than once a week.

Senators paste Devils and move on

Another game that lack High Lites

If there had been any highlights in this game I would have posted them.
Sen's and Devils Lows Lites

I made a bold prediction earlier the year right before the Stanley Cup Playoffs that there would be another Fighting Sioux hockey player to have his name engraved on the on the Stanley Cup. That prediction took a serious hit with the New Jersey Devils losing in the second round to the Ottawa Senators, as Zach Parise's and Travis Zajac's team was enliminated.

Actually when the second round of the playoffs began I would have bet a great deal of money in Vegas that the Senators would go down to in 5 or 6 games to the New Jersey Devils. Seriously, the Senators had Ray Emery a unproven playoff goalies facing off against basically one of the best playoff goalies in NHL history, right behind Patrick Roy in my opinion. Funny thing happened Broudeur looked average and Ray Emery faced little if any tough shots.

Whey the Reversal?

The Senators beat the Devils at their own game. The Senators lined up at the blue line and made it impossible to get inside the Senators defensive zone. The Senators also cashed in on New Jerseys turnovers. The bigges problem I see with Devils is they don't have that feared defensemen they once had anymore the Devils also aren't as physical as they used to be; The Devils no longer have Kenny Daneko or Scott Stevens no longer patrol the blue line. If I was a offensive player playing against the Devils I am not going to fear Paul Martin Richard Matvichuk, Andy Greene, Brian Rafalski. I know that I can get in front of Martin Brodeur without getting my head knocked off. The Senators spent all day in front of Brodeur and they didn't pay for it.

Goalie Tired?

Martin Brodeur had another allstar season. Check out these numbers Brodeur played in 78 out of a possible 82 season games logging 4697 minutes winning 48 games and suffering 23 loses with a gaa of 2.18 and a save percentage of .922. Those are phenominal numbers. They guy also played in basically 95% of his teams games. That is too much for a guy that is 34 years old.

NJ Devils Picture


Parise Named to Team USA
Article

newjerseydevils.com – Zach Parise has been named to the 2007 U.S. Men’s National Team, USA Hockey announced today.

Team USA faces Finland this Thursday in the quarterfinal round of the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Moscow, Russia.

This season, Parise set career-highs in goals (31), assists (31) and points (62) while playing in all 82 regular-season games with the Devils. He added 10 points (7g, 3a) in 11 games during the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Parise will be making his second IIHF World Championship appearance, having recorded two assists in three games with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2005.

Parise has previously won gold medals with the U.S. National Under-18 Team at the 2002 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship. He also competed with Team USA at the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Game two Devils and Senators. Zajac assists on the Game Winner

The 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs have been nothing short than phenomenal; with each game there has been more non-stop action, it’s hard to even leave the room for fear that you miss another great play. While I have never been a Devils fan, I did catch myself cheering for them last night as they played the Senators. Last night. The goal at the end of the first period was unbelievable and wouldn’t you know it that the coach of the Ottawa Senators Brian Murray was complaining about the timekeeper being slow to start the clock. Actually Brian Murray has done a lot of whinning during the NHL playoffs this season. Well, the goal was reviewed by the league office in Toronto; their ruling on the play was that it a a good goal… Count it; and with out question I agree that goal should have counted.

The thing I thought was most interesting about this game was Martin Brodeur was wearing all new goalie pads for this game. According to the television announcers Marty scrapped his goalie equipment after the game one loss. Apparently Marty has ten sets of pads and decided to wear a new pair of leg pad that only had been worn 10 times. Of Course true to form Brodeur and wins the game for the Devils. No Fighting Sioux hockey players scored goals last night but Travis Zajac did assist on the winning goal. Whew, the Devils needed that game to stay in it. Now all they have to do is win one game in Ottawa.