NOTE: ‘The Devils Made Me Do It” was unable to blog from Saturday’s opening game due to technical issues. I apologize for not being on ball with the blog. Or on the puck… whatever.

As the lights dim here in the Pru for another Rangers-Devils game, I was thinking about another sporting event going on tonight.

Being from the great state of Wisconsin, I find myself glad I won’t be watching the Packer-Viking game tonight in favor of the Rangers-Devils game, as it is probably better for my blood pressure.

As I walked from the train station to the stadium, I saw a lot of red and white “4″ jerseys for the legendary Scott Stevens. Stevens was the heart and soul (and all-around badass) for the Devils in their cup winning hey-day. And I saw a lot of similarities between the Stevens we all knew and the Brett Favre I thought I knew (beyond the piercing eyes and dirty blond hair).

So how would Devils react tonight if Stevens donned a Blueshirt and came out of retirement to play for the most hated rivals. Those not from the Cheese state sometimes think that Chicago is the most-hated team, but the Vikings took that title once Randy Moss tried to do the Lambeau Leap and “mooned” the crowd.  So the Rangers/Vikings comparison works.

Would Devils fans cheer for Stevens? Would he get an extra-loud “SUCKS” after his name is announced, as Scott Gomez did after he switched loyalties? Would there be polite applause, an appreciation for the seasons of contributions?

All I know is that it would hurt. A lot. The Packers never got to retire Favre’s #4, but Stevens’ jersey is hanging from the rafters here. Would the team take it down?

I’m not rooting for Brett Favre tonight. If I were sitting in front of my television at home instead of in the press box here in the Pru, I would be booing loudly, and throwing foam-cheese products at the screen whenever the traitor was shown. And I think people know why.

Stevens took a job with the Devils after his retirement, staying with the organization that he gave so much to, and the fans that loved him even more. Favre had that opportunity and decided to bolt. I guess it’s a case of comparing sour grapes to hypothetical oranges.

Posted under Uncategorized

The Gio Tracker is no more.

I know Brian Gionta was too expensive, Lou knows Gionta was too expensive, we all know Brian Gionta was too expensive.

That doesn’t make me any happier about him leaving for the Habs. Gio will be reunited with Scott I-Can-Like-Him-A-Little-More-Now-Because-He’s-Not-A-Ranger Gomez, giving the team a little lift with players who at least know they can play together (and without organized crime ties. A bonus!).

Losing Gionta, Mike Rupp, Kevin Weekes, Scott Clemmensen and John Madden will definitely change the make-up of the team. This gives a lot of opportunity for younger players to move up in the ranks, and it does clear future cap room, even if the cap does decrease in 2010 (more on that in another blog). But there could be quite the learning curve this upcoming season.

Be sure to check back when pre-season begins, because someone is going to have to identify all of the new faces in the locker room!

And, just one last time…

Gio Tracker!

Posted under Uncategorized