We're just a bunch of knuckleheads dishing the dirt about our favorite sport. With rants and musings galore, get ready for in-your-face writing with a hint of sarcasm and a healthy dose of humor. Add two gallons Kool-Aid and enjoy! PS: We're totally awesome.
Tonight’s “effort” doesn’t even deserve a coherent, thought-out post.
So, I leave you with this:
Yeah. This is better than tonight’s train wreck of a game.
NOTE: Patricia will be in Mart-real until Monday, so be on the look out for Patricia and in the Canadian Nation in the coming days!
WHAT THE HECK IS PATRICIA AND THE CANADIAN NATION?
Oh, good question. You see, I will be in Quebec this weekend. Naturally, I will be attending the Devils game, among other things. But come on, what is a trip to Canada without a hockey game, right?
I will be documenting my trip through photo and words and will post it up here on 2MA when I return to the United States. Think of it as a wordy photo journal, if you will.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
I think it would be neat. Don’t you? Come on. You are totally excited for this. Admit it.
Besides, I’ll likely otherwise be too intoxicated from that oh-so-glorious Canadian beer to even remember my weekend, so having the trip documented through photo would be, well, a good way to remember things. No doubt!
Alas, let’s hope for a Black ‘n Red win in Martreal. I would quite enjoy that.
4 PM ET: Well, the deadline has long passed. Black ‘n Red added El Salvador, subtracted a Cammie J. Doesn’t look like there are any more deals to be announced. We will be sticking it out for a while longer just in case some random blockbuster deal is announced, but don’t hold your breath, mmkay? Am I disappointed? Sure. I don’t understand why we have nine defensemen, nor do I understand why Brian Gionta is still a Devil, but more on that later.
Alas, keep it with 2MA for any late breaking trades that may still pan out!
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and 
NJD GETS BRYCE SALVADOR
STL GETS CAM JANSSEN
JOE SAYS: Well, I have to admit, I almost forgot that Janssen was part of the team. It’s sad to see him go, but he had no spot in New Jersey anymore. The acquisition of Salvador is bizarre, the Devils now have a myriad of mediocre D-men. I’m sure more deals will be made.
PATRICIA SAYS: Eh. No love lost for Janssen on this end. Do we really need another average blueliner though? Oh Lou, how I wish I could understand your mind…
STEVE SAYS: Kinda perplexing to me in the absence of another move considering our glut of D-men. On it’s own I’m happy Cam’s headed home, and you can’t really argue with a guy who’s +12 on a team like the Blues.
JOSH SAYS: Bryce is a mediocre defensemen, and we have many, many mediocre defensemen. So, yeah, I’m confused. But a +12 on a team like St Louis can’t be a bad thing, right? The news of Cam’s departure saddens me greatly. Fare thee well, Mr. Janssen.
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and 
ANA GETS FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
NAS GETS BRENDAN BOCHENSKI
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and 
WAS GETS ALEXANDRE GIRIOUX
ATL GETS JOE MOTZKO
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and 
ATL GETS 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
TB GETS JAN HLAVAC
____
and
LAK GETS JEAN SEBASTIAN AUBIN
ANA GETS 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
____
and
NYI GETS 3RD ROUND DRAFT PICK
ANA GETS MARC-ANDRE BERGERON
____
and 
PHO GETS MARCEL HOSSA and AL MONTOYA
NYR GETS FREDERIK SJOSTORM, DAVID LENEVEU, and JOSH GRATTON
___
and 
TOR GETS 4TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
FLA GETS CHAD KILGER
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and
DET GETS BRAD STUART
LAK GETS 2ND AND 4TH ROUND DRAFT PICKS
____
and 
NYI GETS 6TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
MIN GETS CHRIS SIMON
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and
PIT GETS MARIAN HOSSA, PASCAL DUPUIS
ATL GETS COLBY ARMSTRONG, ERIK CHRISTENSEN, ANGELO ESPOSITO, 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK
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and
STL GETS 4TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
NYR GETS CHRISTIAN BACKMAN
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and
TOR GETS 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK and 5TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
PIT GETS HAL GILL
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and 
WAS GETS MATT COOKE
VAN GETS MATT PETTINGER
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and 
NYI GETS ROB DAVIDSON
SJ GETS 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
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and
CBJ GETS THEO RUTH
WAS GETS SERGEI FEDOROV
PATRICIA SAYS: I have no idea who Theo Ruth is. I do, however, know who Sergei is. Clearly. Does he have anything left in the tank?
____
and 
CBJ GETS 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK IN 2008 OR 2009, CONDITIONAL DRAFT PICK
COL GETS ADAM FOOTE
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and 
CHI GETS 2008 6TH ROUND DRAFT PICK
OTT GETS MARTIN LAPOINTE
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and
COL GETS RUSLAN SALEI
FLA GETS KARLIS SKRASTINS and 2008 3rd ROUND PICK
____
and 
CHI GETS ANDREW LADD
CAR GETS TUOMO RUUTU
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and
MTL GETS 2009 2nd ROUND PICK
WAS GETS CRISTOBAL HUET
JOE SAYS: File this under WTF. There has to be another deal a-brewin’.
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and
DAL GETS BRAD RICHARDS and JOHAN HOLMQVIST
TB GETS JUSSI JOKINEN, JEFF HALPERN, and MIKE SMITH
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and
BUF GETS STEVE BERNIER and 2008 1st ROUND DRAFT PICK
SJ GETS BRIAN CAMPBELL
JOE SAYS: So much for the Campbell-to-NJ hopes. Oh, that was just me, sorry.
____
and
TOR GETS 2008 5th ROUND DRAFT PICK
FLA GETS WADE BELAK
____
and 
TB GETS ALEXANDRE PICARD and 2008 2ND OR 3RD PICK
PHI GETS VACLAV PROSPAL
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COL HAS SIGNED PETER FORSBERG TO A 1-YEAR DEAL
JOE SAYS: The more I think about it, the more this bothers me. There really should be a rule governing this type of BS — I think The Scott Niedermayer Clause has a nice ring to it.
Wow. I can’t believe we’re just a few hours away from the best day ever: THE TRADE [email protected]!!11
Admittedly, the boys and I are very excited. This is our Christmas. We are so excited, in fact, that we have stockpiled Cokes and Depends for the festivities tomorrow.
Okay, that’s a bit ridiculous.
You know what I mean though, right? I know you do. See, you and me, we’ve always seen eye to eye. True story.
Anyway, the point here is that we are totally ready for the day. Joe and I will be live-capping the deadline while Steve and Josh will be bustin’ in with their two cents on any big deals or…gasp…Devil deals. Perish the thought!
Keep it with 2MA. You will not regret it. This is our shining moment. Really. Don’t believe me? Proof. And proof.
Not that you wouldn’t believe me though, right? I mean, we connect here. We totally get each other.
For sure.
The clock is ticking. Christmas is coming.
We’re fast approaching that wonderful day of the year where Devils fans get to run down the stairs, ravenously tear open their presents and see what Santa Lou has brought them.
Oh yeah baby, it’s trade deadline time. And I know I speak for the entire staff when I say we’re just salivating over here, anxiously awaiting to see how our boys and their competitors are going to be shaken up for the stretch run, if at all.
The rumors have of course been flying, so let’s see what we’ve got so far…
I’d say the guys over at The Fourth Period probably have the best summary of all the Devils rumors tossed around over the last few months, that being that the Devils are looking for some help at center and defense. There’s no reading in between the lines there, throughout their ups and downs this season, the most glaring absences in the Devils lineup has been the lack of a puck-moving D-man, and a dependable set-up man in center.
As FoxSports pointed out earlier this month, we’re actually in a situation unique for the Devils in the salary cap age. For once, we’ve actually got some freaking cap room. $3.6 million to be exact, which translates into a whopping $11 million or so in full-season salaries the Devs can take on because players have already been paid for a good portion of the year.
Once you get beyond this info is when the real nonsense starts to fly, and I for one love it. So who are we getting? Who’s going to go? Could the move(s) send Patrik Elias into another mopey funk?
Well, the Star Ledger (via The Fourth Period) has the Devils eyeing Buffalo’s Bryan Campbell and the Kings’ Brad Stuart in back, and Kings’ Ladislav Nagy and Chicago’s Robert Lang up front.
Mark Everson of everyone’s favorite newsrag, the New York Post, tosses a few more hats in the ring, saying in addition to Nagy and Lang, Lou is eyeing up the likes of Tampa’s Brad Richards, Florida’s Olli Jokinen, and Chicago’s Martin Havlat. Bringing up the rear, Everson lists Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Rob Blake, Joni Pitkanen and John-Michael Liles as D upgrade possibilities.
Both Boyle and Havlat’s names have been popping up a few places, and the speculation has been enough to prompt Kenny Daneyko and Co. to discuss the possibility between periods in recent games.
On the opposite end of things, under-producing Brian Gionta consistently remains the Devils veteran most often mentioned as trade bait. His $4 million price tag is affordable, his talent is proven and his work ethic is unquestioned. The speculation surrounding Gionta has been enough to prompt Steve Cangialosi to write up a blog in his defense.
What does this all mean? Absolutely nothing. Lou is probably the most mysterious GM in all of hockey, and rarely shows his cards before a deal is in place. Nevertheless, its hard to believe that Lou is completely content with the team as it stands, particularly considering the dogfight going on in the conference.
Whatever happens, keep it tuned to 2MA for all of your late-breaking updates, and up to the minute coverage of deadline day this Tuesday!
It is with great sadness that I announce the loss of a member near and dear to the 2MA family.
Banana Pads is no more.
Yes, it’s unfortunately true.
Mr. MA Fleury has decided to retire the Bananas, trading in the yellow beauties for a big ‘ol pair of marshmallow pads. How sad.
Banana Pads, we will miss you.
NOTE: Marc-Andre Fleury did not actually die.
Well, well, well! A win over the Isles? I had to take a quick check outside and make sure it wasn’t raining blood. Thankfully, it’s not the end of the world, nor has the apocalypse fallen upon us. The Devils actually got the job done against New York.
Too bad we don’t have more time to enjoy it. The Devils are in the Nation’s Capital today to battle the Washington, well, Capitals.
Ya know, I remember a time when you could dust the Caps off your should
er as an easy two points. I also remember when gas was $2.79/gallon. (Was it really that long ago?!) Anywho, the Caps have shown that they mean business this year. Their play has faltered somewhat as of late, going 4-4-2 in their last 10 showdowns. Still, Washington boasts the most explosive player in all the land in Mr. Ovechkin, which is all the reason you need to crap yourself.
The Devils will need to skate away with a win today if they want to stay near the top of the Conference. The Pittsburgh Penguins — who have been hot on their tails all season long — will host the San Jose Sharks, also beginning at 3pm EST.
Nothing like a little Sunday [email protected]!
My gut tells me that, considering the Penguins are in action, that Brent Sutter will start Martin Brodeur once again, leaving me to wonder why Kevin Weekes was even signed in the first place. The only thing I’ve seen from Mr. Weekes recently is his over-excited celebration when congratulating his teammates on a victory… not that that’s a bad thing, but I would like a legitimate excuse to use the Laser Beam picture again.
I’ll be heading to work when the puck drops on today’s matinée, so keep the alcohol flowing and the nachos extra-spicy for me!
Martin Brodeur is well known for talking about the importance of knowing the standings and where the teams around you sit. Well, one look at the Atlantic Division and you’d be pretty hard pressed to find someone who views the Islanders as a threat to the throne.
The X-factor? The Isles have won all five meetings against New Jersey this year, and are currently riding a six-game winning streak.
Lovely.
I don’t know what the hell happened, but an otherwise awesome season has been tainted by the Devils inability to hand out the punishment to their closest rivals that they’ve become so notorious for. Even though the overall success of the team and the standings are what matter, I’ll admit that I do have an ego.
It’s something you wouldn’t understand unless you’ve been a part of the metro-area hockey cold-war. When it’s New York vs. New Jersey, nothing else matters. It seems that the only thing up for grabs are the bragging rights, and the Devils have nothing to dangle.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d take a division-lead over a win over the Islanders any day, but even the most seasoned fans need to exact a little revenge every now and again. With that said, I have one final argument…
…please? Just this once. I’ll even clean my room and be early to Church every Sunday. Unless there’s a game on.
That’s about all I can do. The rest is up to Black ‘n Red.
Hey, would it be such a bad idea to throw Kevin Weekes into the fire today? I mean, do we really have anything to lose aside from another two points against the Fish Sticks?! I don’t believe so.
Keep those horns crossed Devils fans, the light has to break through at some point.
I hope.
So, how ’bout those Devils?
A share of the Eastern Conference crown, you say? (Alright, Ottawa can dangle that one point above us all they want, it’s a matter of time.)Â I have one thing to say.
I knew it all along. Sort of.
When everyone else was down-in-the-swamps about the Devils losing $cott Gomez and Brian Rafalski, I saw the light.
You see, I was looking forward to this season more so than any other in recent 
history. Something about the refreshed roster and evisceration of Moneybags and Ankle Weights had me feeling rejuvenated. It’s kinda like that piece of popcorn that gets stuck in your teeth and you finally relieve yourself after a week-long tongue-gum battle.
Yeah.
The Devils needed the makeover. At first it took some time for them to get used to the new look and style, but once it clicked, it clicked. If you don’t believe me, just check the standings. Patience is a virtue, my fellow fans. And when you spend the last ten years following Patrik Elias, patience is something that comes naturally.
Now, the ridiculously overlooked fact that the Devs are winless – yes, winless against their biggest rivals. Seriously, think about it – New Jersey is sitting on the top o’ the Atlantic mountain and they’re a cumulative 0-for-New York. It’s uncanny. Sprinkle a few wins over those teams and the Devils are running away with the Division, and even more impressively, the Conference!
But I’ll leave wishes to Cosmo & Wanda, there’s still some serious business to take care of. The Devils need to get this slump-of-all-slumps out of their system, and they don’t have long to wait for their chance. Black ‘N Red will face off with the Isles tomorrow afternoon from The Rock, this time against an Islander team that has won six straight – twice the winning streak the Devils are currently riding.
Oy.
But hey, herein lies the beauty of being a pessimist: either your constantly being proven right, or you end up being pleasantly surprised.
The best part is, I’ve been a little bit of both this year.
CAPTION THIS #2 WINNER: Once again, lots of silliness from the faithful 2MA readers. I had a hard time picking just one, but I think this one certainly kicks serious booty. Congrats to Iain T!
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CAPTION THIS #2: It’s been a while. Let’s do another one. Yes?
You know the drill. Comment with your silliest caption. Winner gets a big bag of nothing. And a cookie.
We’ll let this run ’til Friday at 4 PM ET. Best caption will be posted up then. Awesome.
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