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Chat Reel: Darren Eliot
Jagr to N.Y. likely -- with Rangers or Islanders
Posted: Thursday May 24, 2001 2:43 PM
Updated: Friday May 25, 2001 5:40 PM
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NHL chat with Darren Eliot - welcome and thanks for joining us today.
Darren Eliot: Glad to be here. Stanley Cup is about to begin!
From V-man: Who do you peg as the favorite to land Jaromir Jagr? On that same note, what becomes of Joe Sakic and Ray Bourque after this season?
Darren Eliot: Let's start off with the big names right off the top. With regards to Jagr, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with the Islanders. Joe Sakic will tender offers from several teams as a free agent. The favorite possibly being the New York Rangers. And Ray Bourque, his decision won't be so much about moving as it will be about retirement.
From Greg Murphy in Belleville: Why do we get questions about penalty shots that include a defenseman? The last one I saw asked the question of who you would pick for a penalty shot. The options were four forwards and one defenseman. Why include a defenseman when there are so many skilled forwards that have actually had a breakaway. Here's a better question. Who would you rather have breakup a 2 on 1?
Darren Eliot: Let's keep it specific to the finals. Both teams have outstanding defensemen. One defenseman who is making a name for himself in these playoffs in Brian Rafalski. He's getting a lot of notoriety for his offensive play, but he is not one-dimensional. He reads the play very well on the defensive side of things. He makes great decisions and he has shown the ability to play the 2-on-1 perfectly. He takes away the shooter's angle and options and eliminates the cross-ice pass, leaving the shooter for goaltender Martin Brodeur.
From Bobby: The Devils handled the Avs pretty handily twice this season. Was that a result of match-ups, situations or is Jersey just that much of a better team?
Darren Eliot: It's hard to say that anything that happens in the regular season is an indicator for the postseason. In both of those games, Patrick Roy struggled. He gave up nine goals on 35 shots and was pulled in both situations. But just in general, I think the Devils are deeper. They pose matchup problems for the Avalanche and certainly Patrick Roy has to perform like he has in the playoffs. He can't have any weak moments or allow any weak goals in this series.
From Pane: Why would Mike Milbury go so far out of his way to praise Ted Nolan yesterday, but then doesn't hire him? Why can't this guy get a job?
Darren Eliot: It's hard for me to explain the workings of Mike Milbury. He has made some interesting moves and decisions as GM of the Islanders. He seems to deviate from a plan and make decisions moment-to-moment. And this last coaching search and the comments made about Ted Nolan and the hiring of Peter Laviolette is just and indication of Milbury's scatter-shot approach.
From Brian Walsh in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada: Hello Darren: I am a huge Penguins fan and I am as disappointed as everyone at Jagr's performance in the playoffs this year. I think they really should trade him and from what I hear it's pretty much a done deal that it will happen. The only two teams I hear that are interested are the two New York teams. But I feel that the Penguins would be better trading to the Islanders to get someone like Jonsson or Hamrlik, as well as Connolly and Isbister, because these are the players I hear would be part of the package. What are you hearing?
Darren Eliot: That has been the most prevalent rumor. A package of young players including Connolly from the Islanders to Pittsburgh. And since we've been talking about Mike Milbury, he certainly has the disposition to make a move like that.
From Blueman: Could it be that Milbury is keeping Nolan on hold and would actually fire Laviolette and hire Nolan later?
Darren Eliot: Given the fact that Mike Milbury has had seven coaches in seven years, everyone is on hold. Everyone is a candidate.
From ET1: How do you think the Avalanche will react to the Devils' offense?
Darren Eliot: One of the key matchups in this series is the big three on defense for Colorado -- Adam Foote, Ray Bourque and Rob Blake. They play upwards of 30 minutes a game and their durability will be tested against the balanced attack of the Devils. On the other side of the equation, the Devils play six defensemen, which means they will be fresher the longer the series goes on. Aside from any 1-on-1 matchup or goalie comparison, this is the key matchup the Devils have an advantage in. They have the personnel on the blue line and they can share the minutes.
From Melissa in Colo.: Scott Stevens was pretty much able to set the tone in every series so far, but Colorado is a team that loves to play physical as well ... will the Avs off-set some of Stevens' rough stuff more effectively than the Canes, Leafs or Pens?
Darren Eliot: I think this is one area where the absence of Peter Forsberg will really come to light. Forsberg is arguably the most complete forward in the league and he usually sets the tone from a physical standpoint for the Avs by making plays in traffic. Joe Sakic is playing with a banged-up shoulder. Scott Stevens and the rest of the blue line corps will be able to establish a physical presence against the Avalanche forwards.
From jchef:: Do you think Mogilny needs to step up in order for the Devils to win or can they do ok?
Darren Eliot: That's a great point. Against Pittsburgh, Mogilny was a non-factor. But the Jason Arnott line carried the team offensively. In the finals, Mogilny along with Scott Gomez, they have to produce to the extent that the Chris Drury line produces for the Avalanche. It's another one of the key matchups in the series, even if they don't go head-to-head. From a production standpoint, Drury's line vs. Gomez's line (which includes Alexander Mogilny). Best question of the day, thanks!
From ET1: In your point of view, which goalie is the best in this series?
Darren Eliot: Historically, Patrick Roy. And Patrick Roy comes into the series playing some of his best goal. He comes in as the hotter of the two. Brodeur is a championship-caliber goalie in his own right. But he's going to have to play more consistently that he has during the first three rounds. Brodeur's biggest advantage is his puck-handling capabilities, which are unparalleled.
From MT: Everybody talks about what a gentleman Ray Bourque is -- and he is -- but watching him in these playoffs, you get the feeling that he dishes out his share of intimidation on the ice, some hits after the whistle, some stare downs. Is that part of his game underrated?
Darren Eliot: Absolutely! He's a competitor and a warrior and he knows what it takes to be successful in this league, obviously. The two attributes aren't mutually exclusive: Being a gentleman off the ice and a warrior on the ice.
From Buster: How intact will these final two teams remain in the offseason? And does it depend on whether they win or lose the Cup?
Darren Eliot: The Devils will remain relatively unchanged regardless of the result. Sean O'Donnell is an unrestricted free agent and will get some interest. But their core players are set for a long time. Alexander Mogilny may move on, but that remains to be seen. The stakes are a little bit higher for the Avalanche. Pierre Lacroix went with the big bang theory. He brought in Ray Bourque 14 months ago and Rob Blake at this year's trade deadline. Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic can be unrestricted free agents after this season. Four of the biggest names all potentially gone from Colorado's mix next year. I'm not sure that those players returning or moving on is tied to their success in this series. I really think it's a case-by-case situation whether or not those guys move on or remain.
From Darren: The longer this series goes, don't you think it favors the Devils, who are less prone to beating themselves?
Darren Eliot: I've already talked about the depth in the Devils' favor. And you would think the deeper team would wear down an opponent in a long series. The other side of that issue is that if you can make it a one-game series, force a Game 7, then depth doesn't make that much of a difference. At that point, Colorado would be in a position to play their star players, which they would've had to do in the first place. And that could force the Devils' hand. Would they rotate their personnel or, in a winner-take-all scenario, do you change your philosophy and shorten the bench, play your best players head-to-head. The benefit of depth has to come through late in games, not necessarily late in a series.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today. Thanks Darren and see you next week!
Darren Eliot: Thanks and enjoy the finals!
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