Jason Arnott should be benched for todays game vs Flyers
by NJallDay on Jan 8, 2011 8:47 AM EST
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PrintIf you thought that a veteran hockey player who spent 6 seasons in New Jersey including one which saw him score the Stanley Cup winning goal would both understand and respect the type of organization put in place by Lou Lamoriello and more importantly what it means to be a New Jersey Devil...
If you hoped that someone with so much experience, so much history with the Devils, and someone who is supposedly such good friends with core players like Patrik Elias would have the competency to differentiate between a team that is constantly embarrassing (like the New York Islanders) and a fluke of a season...
Then like me you probably felt stabbed in the back when reading the quotes Jason Arnott gave to Tom Gulitti yesterday about his future in New Jersey.
As one of the seemingly rare Jamie Langenbrunner supporters on this blog seeing his departure yesterday coupled with Arnott's blatant advertisement of himself to other teams was a one-two punch to the stomach that marked one of the gloomiest days for me to be a Devils fan in a season where only months ago I could never have imagined experiencing even if the Devils had played to the lower end of their pre-season expectations.
"I’ve never been in this situation before," he said. "I didn’t really want to be in this situation. I came here to try and win and be in the playoffs." - Jason Arnott
"..of course, I’d love to play in the playoffs and help another team win, but we’ll see what happens." - Jason Arnott
Source for quotes: Tom Gulitti's Fire and Ice Brodeur wants to be part of winning Devils’ team in 2011-12; Arnott likely to be moved, too
The Devils are not going to make the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons, ending an incredible streak in which they only trail the Detroit Red Wings and sit comfortably ahead of the 3rd place team in this category by 7 whole consecutive post-season appearances.
Arnott obviously knows this statistic and alluded to it in his quotes to the media when he decided to come back to the Devils this past summer. So what is going through his head and why has he put himself in a position where his fellow teammates and team management now know he wants nothing to do with New Jersey after just one failed season? Arnott, 36, conceivably has more years in his tank at the NHL level. His comments should all but kill any chance he has at ever resigning with the Devils. Why would he do this? I can only surmise that he feels either he wasn't going to be resigned this summer or that the Devils are going to continue to struggle in the seasons to come and that by the time we turn this ship around he will be out of the NHL.
Truth be told Arnott has dogged it for the entire season and should put at least an equal share of the blame on his own shoulders for the miserable results the team has had this season. He was brought in not only for his veteran presence and supposed lingering offensive abilities but also for his size. Despite this Jason has not thrown his body around nor stuck up for teammates or the team even once throughout this disastrous season. Although he started off strong and was one of the few bright spots for the Devils early on, he was merely in the right place at the right time for most of his goals this year.
There's no denying the fact that he still has a rocket of a shot. However his effort level and his showing of commitment to this team has been nothing short of abysmal. All of these factors added together coupled with his quotes to Gulitti show a player who is no longer concerned about the regular season during his dying years as a player.
If Arnott could have it his way, and if you re-watch the games from this year you'll notice, he would take off every other shift during every game in the regular season just so that he could save up energy for the post season. This was not a year where the Devils were strong enough or in good enough shape as a whole to drag along non-team players like Arnott who expect everyone else to put in more effort so that he can save his for later.
No matter what team Arnott ends up on and I desperately hope he is on another one soon; they'll notice in due time the shortfalls of a veteran player who needs to have everything going perfectly for him to succeed. A player and supposed leader, who at the sight of even uncharacteristic struggle, turns his back on management, his teammates, and ultimately us the fans.
Jason Arnott, thanks for kicking us while we're down. Enjoy your time on another team and the rest of your career as a non-Devil. Time will show that this season was a massive fluke, and I for one will be keeping my fingers crossed that your minimalistic effort has the same effect on whatever team you end up on. And most importantly, that the Devils show next year how big of a mistake you made by giving up so soon and failing to even entertain the possibility of being resigned.
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Another whining post about someone speaking truthfully? Come on now, people.
When did speaking honestly become such a negative trait?
There is nothing about his statement that is false or inappropriate and if you think there is then you’re allowing your emotions to cloud your judgment.
Break it down:
“I’ve never been in this situation before,” he said. “I didn’t really want to be in this situation. I came here to try and win and be in the playoffs.”
True, no? He said as much when he waived his NTC to come back to NJ.
“..of course, I’d love to play in the playoffs and help another team win, but we’ll see what happens.”
Who wouldn’t? Why is this a big deal that he admitted to it?
He’s been nothing but honest about his desire to return and now he’s being honest about not liking his situation and wishing he were in a better one.
Besides, what’s being overlooked is the fact that he could help the team by being traded. Jason Arnott is not a part of the future—he’s a 36 year old pending UFA with a history of concussions—so by indirectly making it known that he’s open to being traded to another team he’s allowing Lou to perhaps get something for, essentially, the nothing the team would get for him at the end of the year.
Truth be told Arnott has dogged it for the entire season and should put at least an equal share of the blame on his own shoulders for the miserable results the team has had this season.
If you’d read posts about Arnott by fans of the Predators at On the Forecheck when he was traded, they cited his drifting as one of the reasons they wanted him gone. They even took to calling him Jason Arwon’t. That said, however, I don’t see how you can single Arnott out as dogging it… he’s been one of the few bright spots on a team with very few bright spots. He’s as much to blame as anyone is, true, but it sure seems you’re singling him out because you’re unfairly unhappy with his statements.
Wanted: a 2nd goal
Please contact Lou L @ 666-5685
I agree he WAS one of the few bright spots, but it’s definitely not accurate to argue that statement still applies. He’s been invisible for weeks.
If you’re going to admit he’s one of the players whose been dogging it, then also add that fans of the Predators didn’t even enjoy him being there, then it’s time to reevaluate how you’re going to rush to the defense of a hockey player for simply being “honest”.
Last I checked being honest to the media doesn’t win or lose many games. Giving up before it was half way through the season and leaving your teammates out to dry with your self-centered quotes certainly doesn’t help win either.
Can you please enlighten me as to how you can call someone a “bright spot” when he’s only managed to muster 0 goals and 2 assists in the last 13 games?
Sure most of our team has been brutal to watch this year but if the statement “skating in quicksand” applies to any people this year then one of them has to be Jason Arnott.
With that being said, I reiterate my argument that Arnott hasn’t earned the right to start shopping himself around before the team hasn’t even APPROACHED him about being moved.
Maybe I’m just being sensitive because these type of things don’t normally come from the mouth of Devils players.
But even considering the half-season we’ve had so far, Lou and the rest of the organization don’t deserve this type of treatment, especially after Arnott says “I’m serious” about not having even been asked to waive his NTC.
I agree he WAS one of the few bright spots, but it’s definitely not accurate to argue that statement still applies. He’s been invisible for weeks.
I’d counter that teams recognize that he’s one of the very few threats the team has and key in on him.
If you’re going to admit he’s one of the players whose been dogging it, then also add that fans of the Predators didn’t even enjoy him being there, then it’s time to reevaluate how you’re going to rush to the defense of a hockey player for simply being "honest".
I didn’t “admit” that. I was merely conceding you your opinion and referring to the opinions of disenfranchised Predator’s fans. I haven’t seen him dogging it, though I admittedly haven’t watched every minute of every game this season.
Regardless, if he did in the past and he is now, it’s not like it should be a surprise to anyone. Lou knew what he was getting when he traded for him.
As to “rushing to his defense,” I fail to see how respecting and admiring his honesty should in any way be impacted by his play.
Last I checked being honest to the media doesn’t win or lose many games.
And this is relevant because…? Honesty is still a desirable trait, no? I mean, I hope so or else I’m unwisely spending an inordinate amount of time teaching that ideal to my children.
The point isn’t that honesty wins or loses games, it’s that public figures are ripped for just being honest. Personally, I’d take an honest answer I may not want to hear over a scripted, meaningless rehash of over-used cliches that ultimately amounts to saying nothing.
Giving up before it was half way through the season and leaving your teammates out to dry with your self-centered quotes certainly doesn’t help win either.
Giving up is relative… the season is lost. As to hanging his teammates out to dry, how do you figure? Do you honestly think he’s the only guy in the locker room who feels this way? And what makes them self-centered… because they’re about him? Firstly, what was the question that led to these quotes, because accusing him of being self-centered without providing the context is disingenuous; but secondly, what’s wrong with his looking out for himself?
We talk all the time about how it’s a business when it comes to the team making tough decisions, so why is a player condemned for thinking along the same lines? He’s at the end of his career and he allowed a trade because he thought it would give him one last shot at winning… so I think it entirely unfair to fault him for continuing to want the same thing when it’s entirely obvious it’s not going to happen here.
Can you please enlighten me as to how you can call someone a "bright spot" when he’s only managed to muster 0 goals and 2 assists in the last 13 games?
Because despite his recent drought he’s still 4th on the team in points and shooting percentage, 3rd on the team in PPGs and SOG and he’s one of four guys on the team winning more than 50% of their faceoffs.
When your season is as bad as this one has been, a “bright spot” is entirely relative.
Sure most of our team has been brutal to watch this year but if the statement "skating in quicksand" applies to any people this year then one of them has to be Jason Arnott.
Okay? He’s still one of the more productive forwards on the team…
With that being said, I reiterate my argument that Arnott hasn’t earned the right to start shopping himself around before the team hasn’t even APPROACHED him about being moved.
How do you know they haven’t? If it were a longer tenured Devil, would it then be an acceptable statement?
Wanted: a 2nd goal
Please contact Lou L @ 666-5685
I’m glad you aren’t the GM of this team.
This blog is named after Lou for a reason. He’s one of the greatest minds in hockey today for a reason. He alone makes the decisions and runs this team.
If you really think that after all these years of success that we would start letting old, under performing players dictate when it is time for trades to go down then I feel sorry for the future of this franchise.
I guess in some fans perfect world where everyone gets what they deserve we should trade our entire team to playoff contenders because surely it is nobodies fault alone rather everyones combined.
Arnott made the decision to sign here and he should be prepared to spend the entire season here rather than feeling entitled to a trade half-way through the season when we’re already short on centers.
I’m glad you aren’t the GM of this team.
Me too.
Arnott made the decision to sign here and he should be prepared to spend the entire season here
However, I’m even more glad that someone who’d put spite ahead of the best interests of the team isn’t, also.
If you really think that after all these years of success that we would start letting old, under performing players dictate when it is time for trades to go down then I feel sorry for the future of this franchise.
Trading him would net something out of nothing, wouldn’t it? Whether he wants to go or doesn’t, says so publicly or doesn’t, it doesn’t alter the fact that his only real value to the team now is in another team’s uniform.
I guess in some fans perfect world where everyone gets what they deserve we should trade our entire team to playoff contenders because surely it is nobodies fault alone rather everyones combined.
Pathetic straw man argument.
The team needs to identify its core of players to build around for the future and do what it can to put itself in the best position to build around them through FA, future picks and prospects. That’s just simple reality.
Wanted: a 2nd goal
Please contact Lou L @ 666-5685
I agree with this
The Devils should be shopping Arnott. The core of the Devils is what was once the ZIP line (Zajac, Kovalchuk, Parise), and those guys are young/in their prime. But the periphery of the team is very old. In fact, according to http://www.nhlnumbers.com/teams?sort=average_age&order=asc&year=, they have the fourth oldest team in the league. This is a chance to position themselves for the future, and to get younger.
It’s an interesting topic, but can you please add the links to Gulitti’s post where you pulled these quotes?
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
This is unacceptable.
Source the story in your post.
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 Jan 8, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Did Arnott demand a trade? No.
Did Arnott quit on the team on the ice? No.
Has Arnott created dissention in the locker room? Not that I have heard about.
Did Arnott make a spectacular gaffe on the ice (for example, throwing a cross-ice pass to an opposition forward in the slot) deserving a benching? Nope.
There are a number of players who do deserve a benching on this club, but Jason Arnott is not one of them. If you want to tell me the Devils should be actively shopping him, and perhaps trying to move him sooner rather than later, you have an argument. But the concept that he should be up in the press box is laughable…. if you put him up there, you won’t gain anything. You might even damage him, because other teams would take a look at what would clearly be a “disciplinary” healthy scratch and wonder what really happened and if they want that on their club.
Did Arnott demand a trade? No.
Anyone can read between the lines and realize that he is one step short and seemingly one more bad loss away from actually demanding it.
It’s pathetic that we’re not going to call a spade a spade simply because he didn’t say the word “demand”.
Please show me any Arnott quote where he says he wants to be here or wants to help turn the team around.
And I can’t disagree more with your saying that he hasn’t quit on the ice. He goes out and plays like its open hockey and seemingly could care less when things don’t go our way during games. He gave up a long time ago and if you combine that with his quotes and still don’t think he’s quit on the team in pretty much every fashion then you might be blind.
If there’s any sliver of possibility at all that he hasn’t quit on the ice then you already alluded to the only logical explanation for that which is because he is trying to display himself for other teams.
I’ll repeat my stance here that trading him is to the benefit of the team. Like Langenbrunner, he’s most likely gone after this season, so why not get something for him while we can?
Since we’re reading between lines and theorizing on thought processes of people we don’t know, how about the possibility that Lou and Jason have met and decided that he should make such an announcement to judge interest from other teams?
Wanted: a 2nd goal
Please contact Lou L @ 666-5685
Considering Arnott said in the same article that he hasn’t even been approached about the trade he would be lying to Gulitti if your make believe theory was correct.
Now Arnott would be a liar after being praised here for being honest.
Fair enough, but in my defense you hadn’t linked to the article at that time and I had no way of knowing that.
Now Arnott would be a liar after being praised here for being honest.
Praised? I don’t know about that. I’d give the benefit of the doubt, but I am noticing that you have a tendency toward hyperbole and misrepresentation so I feel obligated to point out that I’ve merely stated that I find A) honesty a desirable trait, and B) his honesty not a condemnable offense.
Wanted: a 2nd goal
Please contact Lou L @ 666-5685
And I agree whole-heartedly that trading Arnott would benefit the team. However I would much rather him have played his heart out and waited to be asked rather than offer himself up on a platter and send a message to other teammates to do the same should it work out for him.
You know, players do have the right to tell it like it is when they’re asked. What’s the point of the media if you get the answer you want? It’s not about what we want to hear, it’s about what the players do feel. I feel like that gets lost in today’s media sometimes. Everyone is programmed to expect a certain answer, and it’s not goodfor the game. You know what the NHL needs? It needs more character. Do you think Shaq or Manny or TO would give the media the answer they want? No, they’re honest, sometimes idiotic , but that’s their personalities, and we have to respect that.
DownGoesAvery. Check out my sarcastic/comedic blog: Down Goes Avery and on Twitter (@DownGoesAvery ).
by DownGoesAvery on Jan 8, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
If the Devils were not in a position to trade him, so basically if a guy like Zubrus were saying this, it was be concerning, but the Devils cannot afford to bench him, especially because Arnott could be and will be traded before the deadline.
I would rather the guy be honest, though, and not sugar-coat anything. Remember Volchenkov over the summer saying he’d rather stay in Ottawa, but was happy in New Jersey.
DownGoesAvery. Check out my sarcastic/comedic blog: Down Goes Avery and on Twitter (@DownGoesAvery ).
LOL.
Yeah, this is what started last year. He won’t show up for half the games (just kinda mill around on the ice, not play hard, etc), and then when the Preds would go to the playoffs anyway he didn’t do much to help either. He just needs to hang it up or someone needs to kick him in the ass.
I’ll say it once;
Arnott doesn’t need to be benched; we need to shop him.
I can see Arnott, Rolston, and maybe Zubrus/Clarkson in other uniforms by the season’s end. Moving Rolston will definitely come with a mid level prospect loss (think Vasyunov or Sharky) at minimum, but at this point I want picks or prospects back rather than him.
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