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One of the greatest?
Devils still aren't one of alltime best if they win Cup
Posted: Thursday June 08, 2000 06:54 PM
Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber joined CNNSI.com users on June 8 to discuss the Stanley Cup finals and other NHL-related issues. A transcript of the chat follows.
CNNSI.com Host: Welcome to our NHL Stanley Cup chat with Sports Illustrated's Michael Farber. Thanks for joining us, Michael.
Michael Farber: I'm excited. Game 5, I'm pumped.
CNNSI.com Host: Let's get started with the questions.
From NVPack: We have been told that Scott Stevens is the leader on the ice, but does not speak that often in the locker room. Who on the Devils team speaks out in the locker room?
Michael Farber: Ken Daneyko, the alternate captain, is another vocal player. And Marty Brodeur speaks when necessary. In the past two months Jason Arnott, who is also an alternate, has become a forceful vocal leader.
From Guest: Will the fact that the Devils came from 3-1 down to beat the Flyers help them now that they are up 3-1?
Michael Farber: It may help the Stars more than it will help the Devils knowing that it was done as early as a week and a half ago. The extra day off before Game 5 also works in favor of an older Dallas team.
From Guest: Michael, how would you compare this Devils team to the one that won in 1995?
Michael Farber: The attitudes are the same. This team also has a better first line. More guys who can hit home runs like Petr Sykora and Patrik Elias. The questions about the last Cup lingered because it was a lockout season. But the styles and attitudes are similar.
From Guest: If the Devils win, does two Stanley Cups and three Eastern Conference titles in six years make them one of the great teams over the past 30 years or so?
Michael Farber: No, the great teams of the last 30 years include the 1976-79 Canadiens, the '80-83 Islanders and the Oilers for the rest of the '80s. Pittsburgh won a pair of Cups in '91 and '92, but it isn't even considered one of the greatest teams. The Devils' collapses in the past few years will hold them back from being considered one of the best teams of all time.
From Guest: Was Derian Hatcher's hit on Jason Arnott in Game 4 a dirty play or was it just a case of Arnott being off balance?
Michael Farber: It was a dirty play in my mind, no question. His forearm came up to the face and nailed him. There's no sugarcoating it. It was a dirty play no matter how much Hatcher says it wasn't. The league should be concerned with those kinds of hits, and it would be better for the NHL to take action to send a message that those types of hits will not be tolerated.
From Ray: Is the NHL disappointed with the TV ratings for the finals? Is there anything the NHL can do to bring up the numbers for the Stanley Cup?
Michael Farber: Gary Bettman said he was comfortable with the numbers during a press conference on Sunday in Dallas. I suspect that more people want to watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire than see millionaires skate. The growth in U.S. TV ratings is going to be a slow and arduous process. Unfortunately, hockey is the NASCAR of the North in terms of its appeal. It's a niche sport with a passionate -- but not terribly -- widespread following. This will change as soon as hell or the United States freezes over. Every kid in America has shot a basketball in gym class or on his driveway. Not every kid has strapped on skates. Certainly not ice skates.
From NVPack: Can Martin Brodeur be considered one of the greatest clutch playoff goalies ever, considering he is now 7-1 in Stanley Cup finals play?
Michael Farber: No. Two Stanley Cups in a still-young career is impressive, but when we're talking about great clutch goaltending in the playoffs, we have to turn first to Martin's boyhood hero, Patrick Roy. By winning three Cups and earning 10 overtime wins in 1993, Roy stands alone. Brodeur hasn't won a Conn Smythe Trophy. And he'd be in contention if not for one of his teammates. The award this year has to go to Scott Stevens.
From Joey: Michael, would Scott Stevens be your choice for the Conn Smythe should the Devils win tonight, and do you think he will win?
Michael Farber: Absolutely, absolutely. No question in my mind. It will be the first time we see a truly defensive, defensive defenseman do it since Serge Savard. But Savard was a little more offensive-minded than Stevens.
From Guest: Do you think that the Avs took too much out of the Stars?
Michael Farber: It's an excellent question. I would suspect that they did. This is not the same Dallas team we saw last year. It appears spent. And as much as I admire Ken Hitchcock and the tenacity of their players, they seem to running on fumes. The seven games against Colorado took a lot out of the Stars, while the Devils' comeback versus the Flyers only energized New Jersey.
From Guest: If the Devils had it their way, would they rather try to wrap up the Cup on the road rather then at home?
Michael Farber: No. You don't want to play any more games than absolutely is necessary. Suppose Scott Stevens or Martin Brodeur was injured in Game 5. Suddenly the series would have a much different complexion.
From Guest: Would you say it's certain that Kevin Lowe will coach the Rangers?
Michael Farber: It's not absolutely certain, but I would say the probability is there. Lowe still has to talk about the GM job [with Edmonton], but I think he's a better coach at this stage of his career than a GM. But playing in New York and knowing the atmosphere in New York, he'd be an excellent choice for Glen Sather.
From NVPack: What have you heard about the feud between Flyers GM Bobby Clarke and Carl Lindros, Eric Lindros' father and agent?
Michael Farber: (Laughing) This is a 30-minute chat, not a Russian novel. The relationship has been strained for years, but blew up last Spring when the Lindros family thought the Flyers badly mishandled Eric's collapsed lung suffered in Nashville. The amazing thing to me, given the fact that Lindros' last concussion makes him virtually untradeable for the moment, is that the Lindros saga with the Flyers is destined to continue.
From Guest: Will Wayne Gretzky have an impact on the Coyotes' on-ice product?
Michael Farber: Wayne Gretzky will certainly bring dollars into that arena project. But he will also have the power to hire and fire. Certainly we'll see Gretzky's fingerprints on the team.
From Guest: Who are your favorite play-by-play and color men in hockey now?
Michael Farber: Oh, that's a good one. Jim Hughson with CTV-Sports and Chris Cuthbert of Hockey Night in Canada are two of my favorites, although there are dozens around the league who do an excellent job. My favorite color commentators tend to be goaltenders -- notably John Davidson of ABC, Hockey Night in Canada and MSG, and John Garret of Hockey Night in Canada, Greg Millen of Hockey Night in Canada and also Brian Hayward.
From Szymon: If you were the president of hockey operations for the Canadiens, what would be your first step to restore the proudest organization in sports to the upper echelon of teams?
Michael Farber: I would find a GM who could fix the situation, because I'm not sure Rejean Houle is that man. I would make sure my GM would hire the best scouts he could find. The scouting department would have to be solid. That's where I'd start.
From Guest: Everyone is making a big deal about Sather coming to the Rangers, but looking at his recent draft and trade history, what is the big fuss?
Michael Farber: Sather has made mistakes -- notably by recently giving away Miroslav Satan to the Sabres. But with limited resources in Edmonton, he kept the team on the cusp of the playoffs for a long time. He was also the architect of the Edmonton dynasty. The man has a portfolio.
From Guest: Do you think that Ed Belfour will again be classified as a choke goalie? He thought after his Cup win last season that the monkey was off his back. If the Stars lose tonight, do you think that puts it back on?
Michael Farber: I think what might hurt Belfour is not the result of the series, but his bizarre Game 1 performance when he was supposedly medicated. Something like that shouldn't happen in a Stanley Cup final. Why is a player medicated? That hurt Dallas right off the bat even though it did win Game 2.
From Guest: What is it that makes a player like John Madden consistently able to find open ice and opportunities while shorthanded?
Michael Farber: Speed. He is not only quick, he's aggressive looking for space. Dallas has excellent penalty killers in Guy Carbonneau and Mike Keane. They neither have the speed or inclination to go after a turnover. John Madden is my new favorite player.
From David: Even though the Avalanche was beaten by the Stars, do you think Colorado would have matched up better against New Jersey, seeing how Colorado had better overall team speed than Dallas?
Michael Farber: I think perhaps Colorado would have matched up better. The Avalanche often put themselves in a hole by starting games slowly. I don't know if they had problems with preparation. You have to also understand Colorado didn't show the heart of a champion, unlike the Stars. Look at Game 7 when Dallas played very well. It took a late Colorado surge to make it close.
From David: Can the Devils keep this team together next year, or will some players jump ship?
Michael Farber: Well, first of all, can they keep Lou Lamoriello? What if John McMullen buys the Panthers, does Lamoriello go with him? Or will he seek another opportunity outside of the Devils' organization? Or will he want to work with George Steinbrenner. Certainly the management has to be sorted out before any other moves are made.
From Guest: If Eric Lindros does not come back in Games 6 or 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, do you think we would be watching the Flyers right now play for the Cup?
Michael Farber: No. Eric Lindros was effective in Game 6; he was the best Flyer. And I don't think his presence had anything to do with their losing. His absence in Game 7 hurt more.
From Guest: Michael, what are the Maple Leafs' chances of signing either Shayne Corson or Eric Lindros?
Michael Farber: If the Canadiens don't plan on picking up the $4-million option Corson has, they'll try to retain him for less money. Toronto and Phoenix could be potential suitors. With Lindros, it's an unknown what will happen.
From Guest: Is Craig Button the right man for the GM job in Calgary?
Michael Farber: Craig Button is an excellent choice. If the Flames are to get back to their high-level like they had in the '80s, they'll do it with scouting. This is Button's strength. He's an opinionated man that gets things done. I can't think of a man more deserving than Button. He comes from a great hockey pedigree and does great work, and has wonderful knowledge.
From Guest: Is the NHL happy with the way four-on-four overtimes worked out?
Michael Farber: Yes, extremely happy. The NHL won over critics, including me, and it was an unqualified success except for the presentation in the standings. The regulation ties caused confusion. But you won't see four-on-four in the playoffs, or not in the foreseeable future. At least we hope not.
CNNSI.com Host: That's all we have time for today. Thanks for chatting with us, Michael.
Michael Farber: Enjoyed it.
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