|
Chat Reel: Scott Niedermayer
Devils defenseman talks Stanley Cup playoffs
Posted: Tuesday May 02, 2000 12:32 PM
| |
Scott Niedermayer: "I would hope a day will come that there won't be fighting in hockey." Al Bello/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NHL chat with the New Jersey Devils' Scott Niedermayer. Thanks for joining us....
Scott Niedermayer: Thank you.
From Aaron in Atlanta, Ga.: When you're thrashing a team like you did to Toronto last night, can you just feel the momentum of the whole series shift? Did the Leafs seem shaken?
Scott Niedermayer: Well, last night they did a bit, definitely. We still have two more wins to get in this playoff series. If we don't do that, last night was worth nothing, so you can't let that happen until you've won the series.
From Guest: The Devils changed coaches at kind of funny time: were you guys at all nervous about the change going into the playoffs?
Scott Niedermayer: I think definitely it wasn't the time you would expect to change a coach... eight games before the playoffs. I think it definitely got the players' attention. Our GM obviously thought we weren't headed in the right direction. Larry had been with us all year, and maybe that made the transition easier. So far, he's done a great job.
From Richard Breitbart in Providence R.I.: Who would you rather play in the Eastern conference finals - the Penguins or the flyers? Also, what was it like playing your own brother in the first round of the playoffs?
Scott Niedermayer: That's a question that not many people will answer... you never want to shoot yourself in the foot and say "we want to play them" and they end up being a tough opponent. Not too many people will answer that, and I don't think I will either. *Laughs* Playing my brother was different during from the regular season... the stakes are higher in the playoffs. After the game, we went out for a bit to eat with my Mom, and it wasn't real comfortable because he was disappointed and I was excited, but I think we both got over it quickly.
From Gallagher: What do you think about Mogilney's performance since coming over from Vancouver? Has he been able to adapt to the Eastern Conference style of play?
Scott Niedermayer: I think he has fairly well... it's a difficult situation, coming into a new team and being expected to contribute as much as we expect Alex to do. He's done a good job, and he's always a threat out there, and that's something that we like having out there.
From Mike in Gainseville, Va.: What kind of effect do you think the purchasing of the team by Yankees/Nets group will have? Also, what is the chemistry of the team like now that Souray and Odelein have been traded for more offensive geniuses like yourself and Brian Rafalski? Thanks and good luck in the playoffs, I'll be pulling for you guys!
Scott Niedermayer: I guess the second question, as far as the new players, shakes things up and it takes some time to get comfortable. We've been playing fairly well right now and everyone knows their job right now and we've managed to fit everybody in. The other question, about the new owners, there's been no change, and I don't think there will be much of a change until at least the summer when they take over. There's some questions as to whether Lou will be back as GM, so it'll be an interesting summer, but I'm sure most of the players are excited about it.
From Guest: Scott, do you feel that this year's team is better than the 1995 team? What similarities and differences have you noticed?
Scott Niedermayer: It's tough to answer that right now. We're definitely a really good team, up with the top teams in the NHL. Obviously, the 1995 team, when you win the Stanley Cup, there's no team better than you and we still have a ways to go to get there. Similarities would be, obviously with Marty Brodeur in net, that's one. There were a few guys back here in 95 who know what it takes to go all the way. We also have some new guys who are excited to be here and excited to be in the playoffs, so I think it's a good mix.
From Rob in Parlin, N.J.: I'm a big fan of yours, but my question for you is what is your game-day routine?
Scott Niedermayer: Well, it's almost the same every game day... we go to the rink and skate and get your sticks ready for the nights game... have a stretch and get the body ready early in the morning. Have a meal, maybe a two-hour nap and head to the rink about two-and-a-half hours before the game.
From Dominic Ricciardi in Cresskill, N.J.: What's it like playing next to hockey legend Ken Daneyko, and how did you manage not to lose any teeth so far?
Scott Niedermayer: I'm fortunate enough to be rooming with Daneyko on the road, and he's a legend for many different reasons. We have a lot of fun in the dressing room... he's always got a lot of interesting comments, especially about other games going on. He's been a member of this team for a long time and no one works harder than he does.
From Guest: Is there any one guy in the league who just ties you in knots defensively, that you just can't figure out his moves?
Scott Niedermayer: I can't really think of one guy... everyone knows who the great offensive players are right now, and they are for a reason. Guys like Jagr and Bure and Forsburg... they don't have all those points for no reason. So they're definitely the toughest.
From Nolan in Sharon, Mass.: Did you have any kind of conversation with Peter Worrell in the playoffs, friendly or otherwise?
Scott Niedermayer: Not really... after last game, when we were shaking hands with the other team, I basically let it up to him. If he was willing to shake my hand, I was willing to shake his. I was willing to put it behind me. I wasn't proud of what happened, and I left it up to him to shake my hand. He did, so that's the end of it, hopefully.
From Ted: Scott, there's the hockey wives' tale that says defensemen always want to play up. You get the chance to take the puck pretty often, but just how much of a green light do you get? And do you think other defensemen are envious?
Scott Niedermayer: As far as when I can rush and join the attack, you learn when the right time is to do it and the wrong time. You don't want to give the other team two-on-ones or breakaways against your own goalie. It's definitely fun to score goals, and everybody wants to do that, and obviously some players can do it better than others.
From PeteM: Were you as surprised as a lot of people with San Jose putting out St. Louis? Out of all the teams that made the playoffs, the one team I didn't want to face was San Jose. Do you think they stand a chance against Dallas?
Scott Niedermayer: I definitely was surprised that they managed to win the 7th game, especially after St. Louis won the last two. I thought they'd complete the comeback. San Jose stayed in there and managed to win. As far as Dallas, I'm sure they're worried about facing the rested defending champions, so they definitely have their work cut out for them.
From Gavin: What has been your favorite personal moment of your career? The goal against Detroit in the Finals?
Scott Niedermayer: That was definitely exciting... obviously, the whole Stanley Cup finals that year was great. Winning the Stanley Cup was my best memory in hockey, for sure. I think most players would say that winning a Stanley Cup was the most important thing.
From Guest: Do you surf the Internet? What do you check out?
Scott Niedermayer: I do a little bit... I buy a few things... CDs, books. I check my hometown paper back home to find out what's going on. Me and my brother are involved with a junior hockey team back home and we get email from them, check up on them as well.
From habs: Scott: what do you think can be done to increase the popularity of hockey in the United States?
Scott Niedermayer: I don't think you can all of a sudden make hockey more popular than it is. It takes a lot of time. Obviously with new teams popping up and more games on TV and stuff like that, the fans will come to it because they enjoy it. I don't think you can force anyone to watch it or like it. Hopefully people will come to a game and fall in love with it and like it.
From Gavin: What do you think of the Lindros situation, them taking away his captaincy mid-season while he is out injured?
Scott Niedermayer: Obviously, we don't know everything that's gone on between the GM and Eric. It's definitely not a pat on the back when that happens. He's been through some tough times. Obviously, everyone is watching them and there's been high expectations on him since he was drafted. My brother has had challenges with concussions and some people have had careers ended, and I think he's doing what's right for himself, to get himself better.
From Guest: Scott, Do you feel the two-referee system helps or hurts the flow of the game?
Scott Niedermayer: I think it's good. It's difficult for one referee to have his eyes on the whole ice surface. There are players behind the play, and it's more effective to have a referee behind the play and in the play.
From Jody: What do you think of the increase in head injuries in the past few years and what (if anything) do you think can be done to limit these incidents?
Scott Niedermayer: It's definitely something we have to find an answer to. There's probably a lot of factors contributing to it... players are bigger, skating a bit quicker, and those collisions will have more force. Players aren't afraid to go into the boards because they have protection on. There's a handful of things that, if we do a little here and a little there, that'll help.
From Guest: Is there too much expansion in your league? Is it too watered down?
Scott Niedermayer: I honestly would answer that yes. When I was first drafted, that was when San Jose first came into the league and they were the 22nd or 23rd team. There have been a lot of teams added since then and two more this summer. The talent from Europe have helped the new teams, but back in the good old days when there were six teams, the hockey must have been pretty good. It's a difficult question to answer, but I think that maybe we are going a little thin.
From Guest: Of the remaining Western teams in the playoffs, who do you think the Devils match up with the best?
Scott Niedermayer: That's a tough one... the three big teams, Dallas, Detroit, Colorado are all very good teams. Detroit and Colorado have a lot of offense and love to control the puck. Dallas is maybe a team more similar to us, with a strong all-around game. They're all great teams and it'd be a great test no matter who it was.
From Guest: Who do you think will win the Avs-Wings series?
Scott Niedermayer: I'll go with Colorado. With the addition of Bourque and Andreychuk, that'll help their team, and I think they'll want to help Borque get his goal of winning a Cup, so I'll pick them.
From John in Freehold, N.J.: Who was your hockey idol growing up and would you prefer to be a forward somewhere down the line in your career?
Scott Niedermayer: My hockey idol... I don't know if I really had one. Perhaps Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey as well. Those guys were probably my favorite players growing up. I enjoy playing defense. I don't see myself ever changing positions.
From habs: Scott: do you think the NHL will, or should, eventually ban fighting, as it is in other sports? If so, do you think this will make the NHL more marketable to parents and their younger children? Or is fighting such an integral part of the sport that it can never be dissociated from hockey?
Scott Niedermayer: That's a very, very tough question. I would hope a day will come that there won't be fighting in hockey. It is a fast-paced sport, and you have sticks on your hand, and things happen on the ice that shouldn't. People say that fighting is one thing that keeps players honest, and I won't disagree with that. But hopefully the day will come where everyone plays a solid, honest game out there and there will be no need for fighting.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have to chat with Scott today. Thanks for joining us.
Scott Niedermayer: Thanks; You're welcome.
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
