why the devils should get petr sykora
by brodeur30 on Jul 26, 2010 11:16 AM EDT
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If the devils got sykora cheap he will give the devils more offensive depth if he is healthy. Elias already said he wants him back. If they do get him the A line could reunite and still be a great line together. They also could put sykora with Clarkson and find a center. If they put him with elias and arnott then they could put kovalchuk with clarkson which could be good because he would be the only dynamic player on his line with two other lines featuring very skilled scorers. The problem would be that they would need another center. If sykora is healthy i think the best fit would be with clarkson becasuse kovalchuk with elias and arnott would be an amazing line. he would give them more versatility and depth which is always good. he is still a good scorer when healthy which he showed in the last two years before the injury.
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Totally agree. Sign him to a 2 way contract and pay him the league min. It would be great to see the A Line again but not at a steep price. Sykora is injury prone and if I remember correctly Lou was kind of happy to get rid of him because there was a rumor him and his agent were high maintenance.
I still have my autographed Sykora jersey from high school and a John Madden jersey my wife bought me a few years ago. I would love to have a reason to wear these again but like a said earlier not too steep of a price.
No way Sykora takes a 2 way contract
Not at his age.
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 27, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Seeing as he hasn’t played a game since January 18th and he only put up 3 points in 14 games last season, with a 7 +/, I’d say that for $1 million there are much more exciting candidates out there than old Petr. As much as I appreciate what he did for us back in the day, I believe that he’s not the right fit for our team presently as we attempt to make the switch to a youth-based offensive core (tedenby, josefson, henrique).
Marc R.
Actually, he fits the Rangers’ system better. A bunch of veterans being paid on past performance and name value, as opposed to what they produce on the ice. His rapidly declining offensive performance might fit in with a club that plays a ton of 1-0 and 2-1 games anyhow.
(Sorry, Rangers fans, just a bit of friendly sarcasm.)
He only fits our system if you’re going to pay him $3.5m.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jul 26, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Smurf is radically altering my opinion of Ranger fans. We’re not at “I’ll buy you a beer” stages yet, but you’re getting close.
by Murdoc on Jul 26, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sather UFA jokes are softballs.
If you can’t make fun of your own team though, you’re taking the game wayyyyyy too seriously.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jul 26, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I like this guy!
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 26, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoa i have a better idea!
Lets tell Dano to suit back up and lets go and try and resign Bernie Nichols and Claude Lemieux also!
Whoa, wait, wait, wait…. even better!!!!!!!! Johnny Mac player/coach!!!!!!!!!
In other words, No.
Blasphemy!
Hey….ease up on Pepe….he actually looked pretty decent for his age in the return with San Jose!
"Look at my face. I came here to play a hockey game and look at my face." -Kris Draper
Bernie Nichols sucked when the Devils had him the first time! I say we get Semak instead!
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
The other guys are retired bit sykora is still a solid player when healthy. We also have the next Claude Lemieux in David clarkson.
It is premature to compare Clarkson to Lemieux.
by KingHellfire on Jul 27, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Once Clarkson comes alive in the playoffs you can make the comparison.
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 27, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats pretty much my point, once he does.
by KingHellfire on Jul 28, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I miss Claude Lemieux. Ultra talented agitator that could put up ridiculous numbers in the playoffs. He could ignite rivalries with one good check.
Clarkson has that potential, but yea it is to early to call him the next Claude Lemieux and I am not sure if Clarkson has the same talent level, although it is a fair to make some comparisons.
Well that was kind of why i watched Lemieux when he went to Colorado he made them Detroit V. Colorado games a sight to behold even until he retired he had that spark. Well except for the attempt at coming back with the Sharks a couple years back.
by KingHellfire on Jul 28, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Blasphemy! (part 2)
We just cannot get through this post without people using Pepe’s name in vain.
"Look at my face. I came here to play a hockey game and look at my face." -Kris Draper
The Devils can’t afford a million for Petr Sykora if you assume they get Kovalchuk for somewhere in the neighborhood of $6-8 million (depending on the outcome of that soap opera). In addition, there really isn’t anywhere to play him at that point — your top three lines would be Elias/Arnott/Kovalchuk, Parise/Zajac/Langenbrunner, and Rolston/TBD/Clarkson.
Since your 4th line is likely going to be PL3/TBD/Pelley, that leaves you no spot for Sykora other than in the press box. I have a soft spot for Sykora and what he was ten years ago, but cap space isn’t so free and easy that you can afford to pay him good money to practice with the club.
There is no need for Sykora he would only block a youngster from a spot they earned. Also we are loaded at wing as is not counting the ahlers. We got Kovy, Elias, Parise , Rolston, Clarkson, Langenbrunner, Leblond, Then guys like Zubrus and Pelley who are better served at the wing position. That right there is 9 wingers and is Zubrus is traded we still have enough wingers to fill out all 4 lines. Lets not forget this list doesn’t even count Tedenby or whoever else may fight for a winger spot.
Even if he signs 2-way, what’s the point? It would be a squeeze to get him under the cap and why bury him in the minors? I’m sure he’d rather be in the SEL or KHL, and apparently there are negotiations going on between Petr and the KHL.
As for Elias, he also said he would love Kaberle here, and so would I, but you can’t win ‘em all, can you? Why not get Ryan Miller as Marty’s heir to the throne?
Yankees in baseball, Giants in football and Devils in hockey. It's that simple. I have no off-season.
He'd want Shanahan money for 1 million 1 or 2 year deal
Only for league minimum and a 1 year deal.
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 26, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
only if Sykora was willing to "collide" with Rolston and give him an "accidental" injury...
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
No
Just: No.
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I loved Sykora (I have his jersey after all), but yeah, no way. He’s got no gas left in the tank, and bringing him up would only serve to steal NHL experience from our young guys like Tedenby or Vasyunov.
Devils fan for 23 of the 29 years I've been alive. Devils fan until the day I die.
by Marty 4 Prez on Jul 27, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
why the devils should get petr sykora
Because Lou started smoking crack?
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And plus we already have a number 17 potentially on the roster. It would be weird seeing Sykora not in number 17.
Let him go to the KHL or retire.
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 26, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
that would throw a huge bone in the line up
Parise-LW Zajac- C Langenbrunner- RW
Elias-LW Arnott- C (supposed) Sykora- RW
So where do we put the new 102 million dollar man? (Kovalchuck) You certainly don’t put him on the 3rd line.
by st.pattysdaymassacre26 on Jul 27, 2010 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Well if we got Sykora which i don’t see happening there is no way he would be on second line. The Devils would instead move Elias to the off wing and Kovy at his spot LW.
by KingHellfire on Jul 27, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Hypothetically a Kovy clarkson/rolston clarkson/rolston could put up 80 goals or a goal a game. I know it does not look nice putting Kovy on a third line. But a goal a game third line is easily a first line on 2/3 the nhl teams. With that in mind ZZPops can put up a goal a game and the A line if chemistry works as great as it did could approach a goal a game.
While a know this is a big stretch it would nice having three lines that can up a goal a game. Plus with 4rth line and d putting up some numbers it could make us one of the top offensive teams in the league
Likely wishful thinking rather than an actual possibility, but it is a nice thought.
As far as Sykora he should be invited to training camp and if he still looks like he put up 25 goals in a season and he is willing to go for a low min to 1 mill contract I dont see why not. That is of course if we trade Zuby to clear cap space and Zharkov still does not look ready to put up some numbers.
Kovy is not putting up 50 goals with Clarkson and Rolston as his linemates. That is what it would take, because I don’t see Clarkson and Rolston giving you more than 30 goals between them, and that is if they are fully healthy and playing third-line minutes according to your assumption.
What Ilya Kovalchuk needs is someone to set him up and get him the puck where he wants it — that player is either Patrick Elias or Travis Zajac — plus someone else who is enough of an offensive threat to draw some attention. Clarkson might qualify for the latter, especially if he is willing to do the dirty work and go to the net for screens and rebounds. But Brian Rolston won’t give you enough to justify putting him on the other wing with Kovalchuk.
If you’d like to invite Sykora to camp on a tryout basis, that’s fine and dandy. I just don’t see where he fits with this team. The Devils are overloaded with high-money wingers even without Dainius Zubrus. The Devils need centers and set-up men. The Devils need to make room for some of these promising prospects to come up and play some minutes. The Devils also need not to spend what little cap room remains on fading veterans.
I'd invite him to camp
See what he looks like. If you see he is capable of putting up 20 goals on a 3rd line then sign him for a year and convince him to take the league’s lowest salary.
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 27, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I could see Clarkson putting up 20 goals in a season if he can remain healthy and Rolston putting up 20 like he did the previous season. So thats 40. Although I overlooked the point that Kovy needs a skilled set up man. The problem I see is that Elias may not play as well out of his natural position, although if he can adjust it would work. Then as mentioned sykora could be a great 3rd line player if he proves himself at training camp go we can get him for a low price with a short contract.
As far as prospects go, for the two swedish first round picks it be nice if they play a season or 2 in the AHL to adjust and if Zharkov can finaly put the puck in the net then Sykora probably would be a uselss addition. I believe the rest of the top prospects are defensemen or should be 4rth line players although I may be mistaken.
It would be nice if we could get Rolston off the Cap and find a skilled 3rd line center, but I am not sure what team would take him and giving up more prospects in our pool already rated 26th in the league by hockeysfuture, but with Lou as the GM you never know what he is going to pull out of the hat.
With lou giving away prospect and draft pick for Arnott for likely only a year and with Parise needing to be resigned next year for a high cap hit it would it be a waist not to make a serious cup run and not to pick up a 20 or more goal scorer for league min or a little higher to a 1 year deal.
I could see Clarkson putting up 20 goals if he gets some time with the top two lines, or a fair amount of power play time to stand in front and knock in some rebounds. I don’t see how he’d get 20 playing with a pair of shooters, especially someone who dominates the puck like Kovalchuk does…. and that still doesn’t address the flaws of a Kovalchuk-Rolston-Clarkson line in that you have no center and no playmaker — just a pair of shooters and a grinder. I suppose Rolston could get 20 goals again if the same applied to him — time with the top two lines and power play time to boot. I don’t see how both of them would do it playing on the third line, not to mention Kovalchuk getting 40 goals if he is going to have to dominate the puck and will be the focus of the opposition “D” every time he’s on the ice with that group.
As for Petr Sykora, I think you’re locked in the past, and hoping for the player he was several years ago. This is a winger who has bounced from Anaheim to Manhattan to Edmonton to Pittsburgh to St. Paul, and that is since the lockout ended. This is a player whose offensive game was so woeful, the Wild waived him halfway through the season (and he went home to Europe to play) despite the fact that they were among the worst offensive teams in hockey. I don’t see how there would be enough left for him to crack the Top 6, and he’s not of any use on the third line — that spot is better left for one of the kids to develop, because you’re apt to get as much out of them as you are Sykora. Petr Sykora is no longer a 20-goal scorer in this league. While he put up those numbers both years he was in Pittsburgh (07-08, and 08-09), he spent a lot of time playing with Sidney Crosby (the Devils do not have as talented a center) and he was also a healthy scratch on several occasions late in his Penguins tenure.
If I’m going to take a chance on a winger hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, I think the better option out there is Jonathan Cheechoo. He is four years younger, and Ottawa just paid him about $2.5 million to go away — you could probably bring him in as a training camp invite and on a two-way deal for the league minimum, as the Sens are picking up the tag.
If Tedenby and Josefson are not ready, I have no problem with them being in Albany next season. I’d like to let training camp make that judgment, as opposed to signing another fading veteran to a fat contract — and with the Devils’ lack of contract space, $1 million for a 33-year old winger is a fat contract.
The idea of having three lines that can provide you a goal per game (on average) is a nice one. It also assumes you will have eight or nine guys score 20+ goals…. and only the Washington Capitals came close to that last year (seven, plus Mike Green at 19, IIRC). The Devils will be offensively improved over last year, between the Arnott reunion and Ilya Kovalchuk having a full training camp to integrate with his linemates. However, there is a large chasm between “improved” and “best offense in the league”.
It would be nice if we could get Rolston off the Cap and find a skilled 3rd line center
It would. It would also be nice if I could buy a Caribbean island and retire with a cadre of harem girls to keep me company. It would also be nice if I had a dragon (John can have the unicorn, I want something that flies and might eat obnoxious people).
Rolston has one of the worst contracts in the NHL, and I don’t see how he gets moved without taking back someone else’s problem or paying a team very well to bite the bullet. As for the “skilled 3rd line center”, that’s a spot to let Josefson or someone else fill and let them grow into it when there isn’t as much pressure due to the presence of Zajac and Arnott this season. They don’t grow on trees, and perhaps you missed the part of free agency where the “skilled 3rd line centers” signed, and not for peanuts.
No Cheechoo
Just No thanks
Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."
Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 28, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
If he’s healthy they could bring him in for the minimum deal and he could still score 20-25 goals per year. His skills would be good with clarksons size and ability in front of the net. They would need to find a center or use rolston. They can’t put him with arnott and Elias because they want kovalchuk there because that would be dynamic. They would then have three scoring lines
1- parise, zajac and langenbrunner
2- kovalchuk, arnott and Elias
3- sykora, clarkson and rolston or prospect
they also have a much improved defense.
1- Volchenkov and Tallinder
2- Andy Greene and Colin white or trade or prospect
this would be a great team that would go deep into the playoffs if not win the cup
theres no point in bringing sykora in if hes not playing with elias and arnott.
by st.pattysdaymassacre26 on Jul 27, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
theres no point in bringing sykora in
if hes not playing with elias and arnott.
Fixed that for ya :)
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
So you wouldn’t bring in Sykora at 550,000-800,000 for a year and make our third line even better?
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 27, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Only if he promised to "Hoffa" Rolston.
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
Not good enough
Given he’s got a 35+ contract, I suspect Rolston’s “mysterious disappearance” wouldn’t get him off the cap. After all, you can’t dump him on LTIR without an independent, league-approved doctor agreeing to it…. and no body means no independent verification of an injury.
He can’t make it worse. You’ll atleast get something out of him on the 3rd line playing with Rolston and Clarkson. You have a tough gritty power foward with Clarkie and a guy with a big shot who likes to pass before shooting. You then add a Sykora with a good wrist shot to put away Rolston’s passes while Clarkson’s screening the goalie Lundqvist. It is a stretch but its hopeful thinking if he gets an invitation which could be a possiblity.
" I don't go to work.... I go to a game" - Bob Sheppard RIP
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 27, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Sykora but....
he could make it worse. Hypothetical situation:You bring him on the team…second game in…our star player (insert name here) scores a hat trick. In the celebration Sykora is hit in the head with a NJ Devils knit skullcap thrown from the stands and knocked unconscious. He is out indefinitely with a concussion….now what? (If you don’t like this scenario I have another when the skullcap misses him completely but he slips on it and re-injures his groin).
"Look at my face. I came here to play a hockey game and look at my face." -Kris Draper
by HELLAWAITS on Jul 27, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
And who plays center? Rolston has taken 63, 165, and 180 faceoffs the past 3 seasons. Sykora and Clarkson, 20 or less.
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I think that has been the question all off-season and it looks like Rolston (with Sykora) or Sestito, Henrique, or Josefson (without Sykora).
Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."
Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 27, 2010 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously though, it may be true that he wouldn’t make it worse, but that isn’t the logic one should use to build a team.
One should be always looking to improve the team, not ‘not make it worse.’
I recall him fondly, and one of my favorite Devils memories was Elias sporting his jersey after winning the Cup… but the ol’ girl just doesn’t have any more mileage on her.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
I’ll be darned if I can’t find a picture of it right now… but the indelible image in my mind is that of Elias skating out with it Sykora’s jersey draped over his back.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
I'll go dig out my Zubaz too.
This is a good post just for the humor it has brought, but Sykora. Seriously? Actually no, because nobody could seriously raise this as a recommendation.
What makes anyone think this guy has anything at all left? I would much rather get a young guy some experience and find out what they have then hope the Sykora still has something in the tank AND wont get injured.
No thank you
by Devilssection21fan on Jul 27, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
sykora is worth a risk if healthy. chechoo could be also. first they need to clear room and lock up parise for 10-12 years for about 6.5 to 7.5 million. then look at sykora or chechoo or trade for another defensman.
You still haven’t addressed the points we keep asking about.
- There is no reason to believe he has much left in the tank. If you really feel the need to bring him in on a try-out basis during training camp, I’ll concede the point. However, if any team thought he could still contribute in the NHL, wouldn’t he have gotten a sniff by now? Not only is he unsigned, but I haven’t seen anything indicating that someone has gone so far as to kick the tires. He was waived last season by a team whose offense was putrid, and went to play in the Czech league because there was no North American interest. In case you missed it, here’s the pertinent NHL stat line for him last season: 14 GP, 2G-1A-3P, and a minus-7.
- Short of his taking a minimum wage contract ($500k), it gets very difficult to fit him in under the cap. And if all you’re looking to spend is half a million, why him and not some other tryout-based veteran or a rookie from Albany?
- Where does he play? The Devils have an abundance of wingers already — Parise, Langenbrunner, Elias, and Kovalchuk are probably your top 4. You still have Rolston and Clarkson to worry about, plus PL3 and Pelley for the 4th line. This team needs centers, not wingers…. and there’s nothing to gain by shifting Elias or Rolston to the middle.
Personally, I’m not wild about Jonathan Cheechoo, but I’d give him a chance before I gave Sykora another one. Cheechoo is younger, and he’s collecting a boatload from Ottawa (meaning he might settle for the minimum)…. and Cheechoo did lead the league in goals once — albeit with Joe Thornton as his set-up man, and in the crazy first year after the lockout.
Or perhaps you meant this Petr Sykora?
One other thing (off-topic): please, please, please learn how to use the reply button, so your comments get suck immediately below the post you’re responding to. Having to scroll up and down for a thread reference is getting annoying.
the problem is
you could make a write up about why NOT to get sykora and trust me, it would be a lot longer
you speak the truth
i love sykora but we dont need him, give the young guys ice time to prove they can handle the big show
I have been looking at some other guys out their. If Lou is able to make to the cap space by clearing Salvador and Zuby *hopefully rolston instead of Zuby but that looks difficult.
He may be able to squeeze in Mike Comrie this guy played last season in Edmonton for a bit over a mill. He put up 13 goals and 8 assist in 43 games despite being out. He put up 30 goals a few seasons ago with Phoenix
He is younger than Sykora and a center. If he is willing to sacrifice some money to leave Edmonton for a cup contender we may be able to get him under the cap.
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