Wed 13 Jun 2007
’tis official: Viuhkola a Devil
Posted by Patricia Greuter under Notes Notes Notes! , Sign This! , Summertime!
Indeed, it’s true. Though we’ve known for a while now, it’s always nice to have media confirmation, eh? So, yes, Jari Coca-Cola has officially signed with the boys. See ya Jimmy Dowd, we shall miss you.
In other Devils news, the Andy Greene signing was also made official, which, again, is also very nice because, well, he took a paycut to stay with the team. That’s just purely awesome.
And to round out the signings, Louie Lams also tendered a contract to Matthew Corrente, New Jersey’s first-round choice in 2006. A blueline mainstay at only 19 years old to boot, Corrente posted three goals and 23 assists for 26 points in 43 games for the OHL’s Mississauga Ice Dogs and Saginaw Spirit.
Let us not forget, though, of Mr. Corrente’s colored past, as the troubled young lad pled guilty to assault and battery after being involved in a mysterious event that the Spirit only refer to as “breaking the team rules.” Word on the street, though, is that Corrente, along with four teammates may have been involved with a 15-year-old girl in some way or another. Oh yeah. Not good.
Alas, July 1st ain’t too far away now…I’m getting nervous folks. Quite nervous.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Not so fast about Jari taking Dowd’s spot. While I know the kid is a high prospect with promise, watch out for #22 Rod Pelley taking over fourth line center.
Corrente to Lowell or Trenton?
June 15th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Jari will be on the team unless he has a bad camp. Pelley wasn’t the most impressive player in the world, but I’d imagine him to be on the bubble unless, again, Jari has a bad camp. It is also entirely possible to put Viukhola on the third line and bump Madden and Zajac up a line each, but I wouldn’t particularly feel comfortable with that.
Jim Dowd’s career with the Devils, and likely the NHL, is probably over. I’d imagine he’ll get a PR job with the team.
Corrente really is rather young and I’d like to think Lou gave him this contract to give him a new atmosphere. He won’t be with the big boys anytime soon.
September 18th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
judging by the picture are the devils sure the kid does’nt suffer from a mild case of down syndrome? if lou gave him 1.7 over 3 years to piss around in juniours…well quite frankly that’s nuts.