Fantasy Devils

We must never forget that a NHL season is 82 games, and many things can happen over the course of such a long stretch. Today's darling is tomorrow's forgotten has-been.

Sure, teams and players go on hot and cold streaks, but the true nature of the beast, in terms of statistical measures, tends to show itself as more and more games are played. Just think of NBA Jam or Super Mario Kart and the 'Rubber Band AI' that tends to smooth out things like peanut butter. Goalies that I had panned or praised earlier in the season look like far different animals now that the cage has been opened.

Miikka Kiprusoff is a perfect example of the peanut butter theory, as he's now worked his save percentage to a just-below average 90.5%, up from the depth of the 88's that he was sporting earlier this season.

October: 12GP 6-3-3 2.97GAA 89.1SV%
November: 13GP 4-8-0 2.95GAA 87.9SV%
December: 14GP 9-1-4 2.57GAA 90.9SV%
January: 11GP 7-3-1 2.67GAA 91.4SV%
February: 12GP 6-5-1 2.51GAA 91.5SV%
March: 1GP 1-0-0 0.00GAA 100SV%

Not long after signing a lengthy contract extension, Kiprusoff started the season in a serious funk. It was if Kipper completely lost his game, and aged 10 years in one day.

As we've seen recently, however, Kipper has been above average since in the New Year, and one more solid month should bring his overall numbers to at least average.

Great? No, but at least he's back to a respectable level, and is playing well at the best time to be doing so. One could deduce that the Flames can expect a 91.5SV% goaltender come playoff time.

Devils centerman Scott Gomez confirmed what most believed when he declared his intentions to test the open market.

That sound you hear? A whole bunch of NHL GM's drooling over the prospect of adding this guy to their roster. (Or maybe it's just your stomach. Lay off the Doritos, will ya?)

Gomez, back home in Anchorage, Alaska, said there have been no negotiations with the Devils since the team was eliminated from the playoffs and he will definitely test the market.

"To have come this far, every hockey player wants to see what's out there," Gomez said via telephone. "It wouldn't make any sense not to go all the way now. There haven't been any negotiations (with the Devils). None at all. I'm sure they have stuff to do."

While Gomez has never really made the leap from his rookie season (70 points) to being a bonafide superstar, he has been one of the most consistent playmaking centers in the league the past few seasons. Getting him into a system that allows him to be more free and creative could likely to result in even more production from Gomez in the future.

From New Jersey's perspective, you can clearly understand why they didn't even bother offering Gomez a new contract. The Devils have over $30mil already committed to player contracts for next season, and had to do some creative accounting not to go over the mark this past season.

This past summer, Gomez wanted $6.5mil a season from the Devils. Eventually, he 'won' $5mil in an arbitrator's ruling, and you know he wasn't too thrilled with that number. Gomez is 27 and at his prime, so he's in a great position to secure a lucrative long-term deal for himself. It's obvious that he's got some $'s in his eyes right about now.

Now, looking at these numbers, do you think Gomez can justify asking for a $6.5mil/season contract?

SEASON GP G A PTS PIM
2002-03 80 13 42 55 48
2003-04 80 14 56 70 70
2005-06 82 33 51 84 42
2006-07 72 13 47 60 42 

As much as I'd love to see Gomez on my team, and as much as he might really enjoy playing for a coach who lets him roam around a bit, I don't think I'd want to spend $6mil+ per season for him. Apart from one crazy outlier of a season in 05-06, Gomez doesn't even break 14 goals per season, and hasn't shown the numbers to earn a premium salary. You'd have to be a real 'Gomer' to sign Gomez for that coin.

See also: What's Next in New Jersey?

With the Devils 3-2 win over the Flyers tonight, goaltender Martin Brodeur set a new record for wins by a goaltender in a single season with 48.

As you can imagine, the mainstream media, New Jersey Devils, their fans, and the NHL itself, is going to play this up as the "world's bestest achievement".

Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils had a record-setting night against the worst team in the NHL.

Brodeur surpassed Bernie Parent, Philadelphia's stalwart Stanley Cup-winning goalie, for wins in a season with 48 and the Devils clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 3-2 win over the Flyers on Thursday night.

"I think with him being an icon as far as goalies for the Flyers, to go into Philly and do it here, I couldn't write it a lot better than that," Brodeur said.

"This is his year," said Parent, his retired No. 1 hanging from the rafters. "He's played fantastic hockey. It couldn't have happened to a more fantastic individual."

Parent sent a personal note that Brodeur said he would read at home.

What is on the note? "YOUR RECORD IS TAINTED" ??

Look, anyone with some semblance of individual thought knows that Brodeur's record is a sham. Parent, classy as he is, has a right, if he wishes, to be pissed off that he's lost his record thanks to the advent of the shootout.