Let Us Toast to Dainius Zubrus!

by Zelepukin on Jul 20, 2010 11:55 AM EDT

I see the writing on the wall and I know that one of the likely casualties of Kovalchuk being a NJ Devil may be Dainius Zubrus. I'm sure that probably comes to the delight for the many of you who have labeled him "Zubust."

I for one hope it isn't Zubrus who goes because he's a valuable part of this team. I'll admit that yes, he's overpaid for what he does... but that doesn't mean what he does is an asset that's easily replaceable.

I think few fans actually watch this guys work his butt off game in and game out around the boards to make it easier for his teammates to score. They just look at the stat sheets and see a one 60pt player, getting only 40pts a year and label him a "Zubust." It's sad, but I know it's a reality that comes along with casual fans.

Zubrus has for me been a quintessential Devil, a hard working grinder who goes unappreciated. I really hope that this isn't the last we're seeing of him because I am in the campwho think he could and would thrive as the team's 3rd line center. But I also know that bringing Kovalchuk in means there will be some attrition somewhere and since he has no clause on his contract and it is relatively "movable" he is a likely candidate as any to go.

If it is Zubrus, i'd just like to raise a toast for him and show him some of the appreciation that has been sorely lacking from most Devils fans. I think he's earned it and I think those of us who have watched our Devils closely feel the same way I do. If he is on his way out I wish him much luck and success on his next team and hope those fans appreciate him more.

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Salut!

I completely agree. When you run the numbers it’s pretty likely that he will be moved, but I will not be cheering either. He’s definitely one of the hardest working guys along the boards, and I thought he stood out as one of our best in the playoffs against Philly. I hope we find a way to keep him and dump Rolston (do you believe in miracles?), but as that probably won’t happen he’s one of the few that could be moved. Thanks for the efforts Zubrus and best of luck to you!

by Sher-Wood on Jul 20, 2010 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

While I think Zubes is overpaid, I think he’s one of the hardest working forwards we’ve got. I always loved watching him use his muscle in the corners to win the puck away from defenders.

Not to mention I love hearing his name over the PA…

“Assisted by number 8, Dainus ZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBRUUUUUUSSSSS!”

by Marty 4 Prez on Jul 20, 2010 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

Well Said

I was considering getting a new Devils jersey and for the first time ever, putting a name on the back. Zubrus was going to be my pick, but I will hold off for the moment. I hope they keep him, but I have my doubts.

by Tom Stivali on Jul 20, 2010 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

I'll never forget...

I’ll never forget when I was at a game and the lady next to me asked why we were booing Zubrus. I said we were not booing, we were saying “ZUUUUUUUUUBRUUUUUUUSSSS you suck”

A good laugh was had by all.
I’ll miss his size if we do trade him though.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Jul 20, 2010 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Continuing on your motif today, huh Zelepukin?

casual fans, hehe

"Don't worry about my Cap." - Lou Lamoriello

by Skuba7 on Jul 20, 2010 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

+1 Zelepukin.

I’ve been a fan of Zubrus since his days with Washington.

I’ve also believed that his lack of production with the Devils has been due to being used in roles where he hasn’t been the best fit. He should never have been expected to be a straight-up replacement for Scott Gomez, which is how it seemed to me that Sutter tried to use him.

I’m also willing give him a pass for last season, missing a huge chunk of the season due to injury, and falling victim to Lemaire’s constant line mixing, despite the fact that he looked good when he was placed at RW on the line with Parise and Zajac.

by HockeyWeasel on Jul 20, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

i’m hoping against hope that they get rid of that malingerer rolston instead. zubrus has not complained once about being moved to the 4th line and having his position shifted 100 times since signing here. sutter’s insistence on using pandolfo madden and shanahan for 20 minutes a game and using zubrus for 14 in the carolina series was yet another insult.

zubrus can still be a very solid 3rd line center who could be moved to wing if there’s injuries and can play in all situations – that’s something that’s nice to have around.

by Triumph44 on Jul 20, 2010 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Fare thee well, gentle Zubes...

by DrWhizBang on Jul 20, 2010 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

I think the Zubust moniker has faded lately. Part of it was the unrealistic expectation that we would come here and replace Scott Gomez’s points. Part of it was his good performance this past season.

I, too, will miss Zubrus if he goes.

by dr(d)evil on Jul 20, 2010 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

I would ike to see him stay, but he may be the easiest one to move.

Rolston didn’t sound like a guy that would be opposed to moving as long as he had input. Guess we will have to see what Lou has up his sleeve.

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/07/brian_rolston_knows_that_chang.html

by pepe22 on Jul 20, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

hey man i’ve appreciated zubrus, he was injured for a nice chunk of this season and still got abit done when he was around. I was particularly into his line with Elias and Kovy, I have arguments about Dannius all the time.. There are players on this team I’d much rather see leave, hope Lou appreciates him as much as some of us do, he’d made a great 3rd liner this season

by Zubrus on Jul 20, 2010 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

I will raise a glass

Zubes, while coming at a price we aren’t fond of, was a hard-worker, a quintessential (sp?) Devil. As most of us speculate, he will likely be gone, but we all can hope that it is Rolston.

by czman007 on Jul 20, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Wishing you the best Zubrus. Thank you for your contributions.

They will be remembered

A game of Chess is like a sword fight....you must think first....before you move.

by LoNJDTechnology on Jul 20, 2010 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Agree 100%

rec’d

Go Devils
Go Jets
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by FrankG929 on Jul 20, 2010 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Wait a minute.. What if Salvador gets traded? But why not. Zubes you excited me when he signed here… Until I saw how much your getting paid. I still can’t get the image off my brain when you celebrated the goal against the Pens on March 17. I am still having nightmares man. Theres still hope and I want you hear but if someone wants you, they can have your talents. Here is my lasting image of Zubie.

Way to fake him out!

" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP

by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 20, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Here Here

Zubrus has brought a lot to the teams in terms of his hard work, and if nothing else he’s fun to watch play. 1/2 finesse 1/2 force, guess thats what it takes to get a nickname like the Lithuanian Freight Train

by devilstuckinkansas on Jul 20, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Love Zubrus

And as a Lithuanian American that goes double for me! Drinking a glass of alus (beer) to Zubs.

But let’s not convince everyone that he’s gone yet . . .

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Jul 20, 2010 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

Well he may become a casualty of the Kovy signing. Not saying i’d wanna see him go but him and Salvador would be the easiest to move seeings they don’t have NTC’s or NMC’s and do garner value to prospecting teams.

by KingHellfire on Jul 20, 2010 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

I didn’t find Zubrus to be all that effective until last year, to be quite honest with all of you. He seemed like a totally different player. I don’t know if this was because it was a contract year or what, but he played simply superb after returning from injury. In fact, I’m inclined to say he was probably the best devil on the ice for the 2nd half of the season. That’s saying something, because the rest of the team played .500 hockey.

"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We're looking at hiring the Red Army choir to perform at half-time along with Russia's top dancing bear collective." -Mikhail Prokhorov
"Don't worry about my cap" - Lou Lamoriello

by Tim G on Jul 20, 2010 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

I'm pretty impressed we're sending Zubrus off before he's, well, off.

I know I wrote a whole post that concluded that Zubrus is a prime target to have his contract dumped; but he’s not gone yet!

Nevertheless, I’m glad that some fans do appreciate that Zubrus does bring benefits to the team. He’s not just big, but he uses that size well which fits in fantastically in a cycle. He wins possession on offense, he’s got some good sense in his own end, and he knows where he needs to be on the ice.

I don’t think he was so much mis-used but his versatility along with needing to fill in injuries led to his usage across the roster. He was a consistent fixture on the second line in 08-09; not that it led to a lot of points, but his on-ice play was improving from year to year.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jul 20, 2010 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

I don't get it either but

You have to take your players side. Take him into the Devils family. You may be angry at him some times but Zubie does a lot of things right. I never saw him commit a defensive mistake that led to a goal. I think he’ll flourish next year if he is here when he already knows that he’ll be playing with Rolston and Clarkson.

" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP

by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 20, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Cheers Zubrus!

Hopefully we will be able to toast him some more and he won’t be traded.
I definitely saw him working hard during the regular season and playoffs.

Cheers Zubie. Thanks for all the hard work! You will be missed and will be tough to replace you.

I suffer from selective short term amnesia and have chosen to forget about the 2010 post season.

by Devil_Hard_Core on Jul 20, 2010 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

I distinctly recall the goal he scored against the Penguins during the vintage hockey match, I believe on Saint Pattys day. that goal was freaking sweet.

by Tim G on Jul 21, 2010 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

And Patty’s insane pass to Zubes.

" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP

by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 21, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Here Here

Zubrus was one of the few who showed up against Philly. A lot of what he does won’t show up in a stat line but he’s a solid player.

by drhgzang on Jul 21, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

The only beef I really have with Zubie is he don’t shoot enough. When he does he shows what he can give you on the score sheet.

by KingHellfire on Jul 21, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I wish he did shoot more.. not sure why he doesn’t but then again he’s always playing with more offensively potent players and unselfishly is looking to make their jobs of scoring easier than actually scoring himself.

by Zelepukin on Jul 21, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Zelepukin.

This doesn’t have to do with Zubrus, but I love your username, Zelepukin. Valeri Zelepukin was a classic, underrated Devil. Drafted in the 11th round by New Jersey and ended up scoring 295 points in 597 games. Or in other words, a point every other game. Thats production! Very underrrated.

by Tim G on Jul 22, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions