Timberwolf
09-08-2005, 08:03 AM
Well the heart and soul of the New Jersey Devils was taken away when Scott Stevens announced his retirement. It was the end. It's a sad day yet a happy day too. Scott felt it was time and with how many years that he served with the Devils, he had every right to make his decision whenever he wanted. He had nothing to prove anymore. He went off on top.
Scott was the big reason why the Devils became an elite team along with Marty Brodeur. Scott Stevens came in a compensation trade for Brendan Shanahan who went to Stl. Devils fans were outraged at the time with the trade of Shanahan considering he was a bonafide 50-goal scorer not to mention he was the reason why fans watch the Devils when they were awful to mediocre. Who knew what Scott was going to do? He transformed the franchise with his play on defense. His attention to detail of where his counterparts were heading and him shutting down his counterparts made him the player he was. This guy was a throwback IMO. Most defensemen are so into scoring goals instead of defending. I have more apprectation for Stevens than I do with guys like Borque, Blake, Leetch, and any elite defensemen. This guy was into hitting while the rest of the defensemen were too finesse IMO. There is a reason why Scott has more rings than his fellow defensemen in the league. He was awesome in 1995 when he shutdown Cam Neely, The Legion of Doom, Jagr, and the red-hot Red Wings. In 2000, he basically ended Eric Lindros career with that mighty hit. His physical play against the physical Stars was the big reason why the Devils beat the heavy favorite Dallas Stars in 2000. How about in 2001 when he not only beat the crap and end the career of Shane Willis, but he made Ron Francis cry. God those were the days. There won't be another Scott Stevens. He was on a kind.
Sure Paul Martin, David Hale, and others will do well, but can they be physical as Stevens. Those type of guys are hard to find as they don't grow on trees. Devils are going to find out what losing Scott Stevens is going to be about especially when they play the Flyers who love to bully people.
People can go talk about Mark Messier and his overrated leadership, but for my money, Scotty was the best leader. He led by example on and off the ice. He wasn't afraid to put his teammates in their place. That leadership void is clearly going to be missed in the next few years.
Scotty should definitely be not only in the Devils Hall of Fame and NJ Sports Hall of Fame, but he definitely should be in the Hockey of Fame. His performance speak for itself.
I hope nothing but the best for Scott, his beautiful wife, Donna, and the rest of his kids. There will be life after hockey for Scott and for the Devils.
It will definitely be strange not to see #4 hitting people on the ice next year when I watch the Devils games.
Scott was the big reason why the Devils became an elite team along with Marty Brodeur. Scott Stevens came in a compensation trade for Brendan Shanahan who went to Stl. Devils fans were outraged at the time with the trade of Shanahan considering he was a bonafide 50-goal scorer not to mention he was the reason why fans watch the Devils when they were awful to mediocre. Who knew what Scott was going to do? He transformed the franchise with his play on defense. His attention to detail of where his counterparts were heading and him shutting down his counterparts made him the player he was. This guy was a throwback IMO. Most defensemen are so into scoring goals instead of defending. I have more apprectation for Stevens than I do with guys like Borque, Blake, Leetch, and any elite defensemen. This guy was into hitting while the rest of the defensemen were too finesse IMO. There is a reason why Scott has more rings than his fellow defensemen in the league. He was awesome in 1995 when he shutdown Cam Neely, The Legion of Doom, Jagr, and the red-hot Red Wings. In 2000, he basically ended Eric Lindros career with that mighty hit. His physical play against the physical Stars was the big reason why the Devils beat the heavy favorite Dallas Stars in 2000. How about in 2001 when he not only beat the crap and end the career of Shane Willis, but he made Ron Francis cry. God those were the days. There won't be another Scott Stevens. He was on a kind.
Sure Paul Martin, David Hale, and others will do well, but can they be physical as Stevens. Those type of guys are hard to find as they don't grow on trees. Devils are going to find out what losing Scott Stevens is going to be about especially when they play the Flyers who love to bully people.
People can go talk about Mark Messier and his overrated leadership, but for my money, Scotty was the best leader. He led by example on and off the ice. He wasn't afraid to put his teammates in their place. That leadership void is clearly going to be missed in the next few years.
Scotty should definitely be not only in the Devils Hall of Fame and NJ Sports Hall of Fame, but he definitely should be in the Hockey of Fame. His performance speak for itself.
I hope nothing but the best for Scott, his beautiful wife, Donna, and the rest of his kids. There will be life after hockey for Scott and for the Devils.
It will definitely be strange not to see #4 hitting people on the ice next year when I watch the Devils games.