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Chat Reel: Darren Eliot
Devils poised to claim another Stanley Cup
Posted: Thursday June 07, 2001 2:20 PM
Updated: Thursday June 07, 2001 2:20 PM
CNNSI Host: : Welcome to today's NHL Finals chat with Darren Eliot. Welcome Darren and thanks for joining us.
Darren Eliot: Great to be here one last time this season.
From Gonz: Will the Devils wrap it up tonight?
Darren Eliot: It certainly seems as if they are poised to do so. Consistency at both ends of the rink has finally characterized their game the last two outings.
From Cam: If the Avalanche don't win, want do you think will happen to the team? Will Ray Bourque return? And who else do you think might not return to Colorado?
Darren Eliot: First, the personnel moves the Avalanche make this season won't be predicated on them winning or losing the Stanley Cup. Ray Bourque's decision regarding retirement, Rob Blake's unrestricted free agency, as well as Patrick Roy's unrestricted free agency and Joe Sakic's unrestricted free agent status are all separate and distinct cases. If I had to guess right now, I would think that Roy and Sakic are most likely to return -- in that order. I anticipate Bourque retiring and Blake moving on.
From FrankC: Could Sakic still pull in the Conn Smythe even if the Avs lose? No one person on the Devils really stands out at this point.
Darren Eliot: I don't think Sakic will win the Conn Smythe if the Avs lose the series. Even though there's been no singular great performer for the Devils throughout the playoffs, the most likely candidates would be Peter Sykora, Patrik Elias or Bobby Holik. If the Devils win the series, I think Holik deserves the award because his overall contributions have meant the most to their success.
From bsf1977: How do the Avs approach the game tonight?
Darren Eliot: Pretty much like all the others in the playoffs. They know that they have to win, so there's probably a little bit more sense of urgency. But realistically their focus has to be inward, controlling their efforts and their approach and not worrying so much about what the Devils are doing.
From Jeff: What's up with Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Alex Tanguay? Why are they having such a tough time scoring?
Darren Eliot: Two reasons come to mind: Holik has neutralized Sakic at even strength. And Hejduk, as the right winger on that line, has been invisible against Scott Stevens, who has been the left defensemen assigned to that line.
From jeverett: Do you see the No. 1 pick being dealt by the Thrashers, and if so, for who?
Darren Eliot: I would not be surprised if the first pick was dealt. General Manager Don Waddell is on record as saying that he will entertain offers for the first pick. The loudest rumbling has the Thrashers dealing the first pick to the Buffalo Sabres for either Martin Biron or Mika Noronen, both goaltenders, and the rights to center Michael Peca. In any event, a deal might not get done until draft day. And don't forget -- that's just one rumor!
From STRAN: Darren, what do the Avs have to do to stop Martin Brodeur from playing the puck as soon as they dump it in? Should they try and carry it over the blue line more?
Darren Eliot: Personally, I think they should carry it over the blue line more or they should chip the puck past the defensemen and try to retrieve around the hashmarks. That would eliminate Brodeur from the equation, allow the Avs to keep their speed up while forcing the Devils' defensemen to defend as their forced to turn.
From wingedwheel: What is your opinion of Scotty Bowman returning? Will the Red Wings have a viable chance against the Western powers?
Darren Eliot: I'm not surprised that Scott Bowman is returning for another year behind the bench. It certainly ensures that the Red Wings will cater to the veterans once more. I'm not sure when the Red Wings will truly commit to some of their younger players. Until they integrate some youth into their lineup, I think the Red Wings' days as a Western power are behind them.
From jchef:: After this season, regardless of the outcome, do you think the Devils will have any major personnel changes, what about Alexander Mogilny?
Darren Eliot: I don't think they'll have any major personnel changes. Their core is pretty secure, signed and intact. Mogilny's situation is tenuous. He scored 43 goals during the regular season, which might entice some team out there to pay him five-plus million dollars. One of them will not be the New Jersey Devils. Mogilny has said that he'll take less money to stay in New Jersey. It remains to be seen how much less.
From STRAN: What do the Avs have to do to slow down the Devils' top line?
Darren Eliot: The battle becomes Holik against Sakic -- top line vs. top line. That is if Jason Arnotte is unable to play. No matter who is at center, Sykora and Elias have elevated their game and are getting their chances. I don't think that's going to change. What has to change for the Avs to be successful is that Alex Tanguay and Hejduk have to be as productive as the Devils pair. So it's not so much about stopping the Devils top line as it is about the Avs top line generating an equal amount of offense, forcing that top line to play more defense.
From BJANGEL: What do you think of Mario Lemiuex's comeback? Was it worth it?
Darren Eliot: It was spectacular, like many of the things he's accomplished in his life, namely being a cancer survivor, becoming the owner of the team, it was awe-inspiring. It seems to have been worth it for him and for the rest of us. It was an unexpected pleasure.
From jchef: If Brodeur wins his third Stanley Cup where does that put him compared to Roy in history?
Darren Eliot: Well, I think not just for Brodeur, but the Devils as a team and organization, three Cups in seven years, puts them close to dynasty status. From an individual standpoint, Brodeur compared to Roy, you can start using the term great without it being an overstatement.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Darren Eliot. Darren, thanks for joining us and enjoy the game tonight.
Darren Eliot: Absolutely - until next time, I'll see you around the rink.
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