August 16, 2011
Fischler: Kovalev's Legacy
by Stan Fischler/Columnist
ALEXEI KOVALEV leaves the NHL for Russia with mixed reviews and accompanying controversy. We always will regard Kovalev as one of the ultimate virtuosos of his era. For Rangers fans, who waited 54 years for a Stanley Cup, Kovy always will be remembered with affection. As much as Mark Messier sparked the 1994 Blueshirts’ comeback with a third period hat trick in Game Six against the Devils, it was Kovy who was the original catalyst. His second period blistering shot that beat Martin Brodeur saved the Rangers when they were on the ropes and ready for a KO. Granted, The Rapid Russian failed to live up to his salary in recent years. That, however, was less Kovalev’s fault than that of those who overpaid him. We’ll remember Alexei as a nifty player and a neat renaissance guy.
GOSSIP
As hoped, at least one new proposal for an Islanders arena is being produced. Isles icon Bob Nystrom headlines a new group whose goal is “to figure out a way to keep the Islanders here.” It appears that some opponents of the August 1st referendum are included in the Nystrom unit. According to Newsday’s Randi Marshall, the task force is being called “Clean Start,” and also includes private business leaders, as well as public officials.
There will be no NHL training camp this year for Robbie Schremp. After four kicks at the big league can -- three with Edmonton one and a half with the Islanders and half with Atlanta -- the Syracuse, N.Y. product is off to Sweden with a Modo contract. Schremp was Edmonton’s 25th overall pick in 2004. If the Schremp Saga proves anything it’s that checking still is an integral part of NHL hockey. …
STATE OF THE DEVILS – JUST FINE, SAYS OUR AARON WHITEMAN
The Devils are in an unfamiliar position entering the 2011-2012 regular season.
After failing to qualify for the playoffs in 2010-2011, the team has received its fair share of media skepticism regarding expectations for the coming season.
According to our Aaron Whiteman, you can ignore the skeptics. All is well with the Devils.
He explains why:
Devils fans have been calling for a youth movement for years.
Well, here it is.
Some outsiders have been quick to deem the Devils’ surprise offseason moves, including the buyout of career Devil Colin White and the declaredly ‘un-impossible’ trade of Brian Rolston, small steps up to a not so small rebuild.
But too often the word “rebuild” is thrown around loosely.
Lou Lamoriello’s decisions prove that he trusts the team’s youth.
It features many NHL-ready players. Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby, Nick Palmieri and Matt Taormina comprise part of this group, in addition to a deep and burgeoning prospect pool.
While the youth represents substantial building blocks in NJ’s future, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias and Martin Brodeur still call Newark home.
And the fans still consider these players their stars.
The core remains in place. The future core already is part of the organization. What’s to rebuild?
To be clear, the Devils’ offseason has been one of slight alterations: Out with the Old Guard and in with the New.
While outdated baggage has been shed, a shiny top prospect arrived.
Adam Larsson figures to make the team out of camp and has been added to the organization’s ranks.
Lou also named a new head coach, Pete DeBoer. Unlike his three-year stint in Florida, where he didn’t have the horses, Pistol Pete inherits a solid roster.
One player who has inspired endless discussion is Parise.
Many fans wanted him inked to a long-term pact with the club.
Now, they’ll have to wait some time before Zach’s fate as a Devil past the 2011-12 season is determined.
According to current Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulations, a contract extension can’t be signed until January 1, 2012.
In the meantime, Parise’s one-year deal can be interpreted a number of ways.
For one, the current CBA is due to expire following the 2011-12 season. A one-year pact grants Lou the necessary time to review the next CBA before handing out a lengthy front-loaded contract – like the one Kovalchuk received last summer – to Parise.
Speak of the Devil: Perhaps the most important factor Parise will consider when deciding his future is whether he and Kovalchuk can co-exist on this team. Thus far the sample size has been too small to evaluate the long-term potential of the duo’s effectiveness.
Zach and Ilya are similar in many ways; the most obvious is that they play the same left wing.
In today’s NHL, contending teams usually are built around center and defensive depth – not necessarily two star wingers.
If New Jersey enjoys a successful campaign – the Devils make it past the first round of the dance – the chances are that Parise will remain in Newark.
Speculating on Parise’s future with the team, or even jumping the gun to categorize this team a rebuilding one, is nothing more than fun summer gossip.
That said the team must prove its doubters wrong by winning games.
And never has there been a Devils squad more eager to disprove the skeptics.
If the Devils are to be successful in 2011-2012, it will hinge on two factors.
FACTOR ONE – PARISE / KOVALCHUK: Hopefully, they will bring out the best in each other; playing on separate lines and together on the power play.
FACTOR TWO – THE COACH: DeBoer must implement an effective system. That means utilizing the team’s strongest quality, its scoring potential.
CONCLUSION: The Devils will be just fine.
POSTCARD FROM BUFFALO
Michael Peca is back with the Sabres only now as general manager of Buffalo's Junior team.
Our roving reporter, Lauren Borsuk, comments:
Peca, the former Sabres Captain, finds himself once again in New York State’s Queen City, only this time as g.m. of the Junior Sabres.
Peca spent five seasons in Buffalo, averaging 20-25 goals per season, before moving on to Edmonton, Long Island and, finally Columbus.
After spending time with TSN as an analyst, the 37-year-old Peca is now out of the studio and into a new leadership role.
Larry Playfair, President of the Sabres Alumni association Junior Sabres, made the announcement that Peca was coming on board to scout the local hockey talent pool and build the Junior hockey program that’s been in existence since 1975.
Accompanying Peca is former right-wing Ric Seiling, who will do play by play that streams live online.
Peca hopes to build and develop the youth of Western New York to a point, which allows them to compete with the best in the nation.
“I want all the best players from Western New York and the surrounding area to look at our program as their undisputed first choice,” Peca asserts. “I cringe watching a lot of our best kids moving away at 15 to 17 to go somewhere else. I want to change that.”
Since being founded in 1975, the Junior Sabres have developed an elite level of players.
They’ve advanced hundreds to college programs and also serve as a stepping stone for NHL talents such as Brian Gionta, Todd Marchant and Ryan Callahan, to name a few.
Buffalo viewed Peca as a hero and a leader during his playing days.
He will ease back into that position developing future NHL players.
