Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted March 20, 2002 (Mar 19) CHICAGO (CP) - As reported on TSN, the New Jersey Devils will have Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner in their lineup when they skate against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. In a classic Lou Lamoriello move, the Devils GM strengthened his lineup by getting the two Dallas Stars forwards at the NHL trade deadline Tuesday. The cost was centre Jason Arnott, winger Randy McKay and a first-round draft pick. Arnott, 27, earning $2.6 million, will be a restricted free agent July 1, and Lamoriello decided he wasn't interested in providing the big pay hike Arnott will be seeking. McKay, 35, playing out a $2.1-million deal, will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, and Lamoriello wasn't figuring on re-signing the veteran winger anyway. Dallas, in possession of the eighth and final playoff berth in the West when the deal was made, waved a white flag with this trade. Arnott, who had 22 goals and 19 assists for the Devils this season, has missed the last three games with a back-rib muscle injury, and McKay won't make much of a difference. He has six goals in 55 games. Arnott scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal against Dallas in June 2000. Meanwhile, Nieuwendyk, who has 23 goals and 24 assists, and Langenbrunner, with 10 goals and 16 assists, are stripped from the Stars roster. Nieuwendyk, 35, the 1999 playoff MVP when helped the Stars win the championship, is under contract for next season. Lamoriello should easily be able to re-sign Langenbrunner, 26, who is being paid $1.4 million and will be a restricted free agent July 1. "It definitely was a shock," a surprised Langenbrunner said of the trade. "But Joe and I have been roommates since my rookie year and we're good friends so going with him makes this easier." Two other Dallas centres, Mike Modano and Pierre Turgeon, have no-trade clauses in their contracts. Nieuwendyk did not. The trade has the potential to make New Jersey, which has had a sub-par season after going to the Stanley Cup final the last two years, a threat to repeat as conference champion. "I'm looking forward to going to New Jersey and helping out," Langenbrunner told Rogers Sportsnet. "It's definitely helping the transition, going to a good team that's been good for a long time. "They know how to win. Coming from an organization that was on that level, too, we feel we can come and help that team and, hopefully, get them back to where they were the last couple of years - in the Stanley Cup final." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest treble charged Report post Posted March 20, 2002 I couldn't believe it when I heard this trade. However, I don't really think it makes the Devils or Stars all that better. Sure, they won't lose Arnott for nothing now, but Nieuwendyk isn't going to be around for much longer, anyways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MARTYEWR Report post Posted March 20, 2002 Yeah, we found out about that at Marshy's just before Smackdown in Ottawa. Unbelievable trade. We laughed when we heard about Stephane Fiset going to the Canadiens, then them holding a press conference about it. Yup, their season is saved! [/sarcasm] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted March 20, 2002 We laughed when we heard about Stephane Fiset going to the Canadiens, then them holding a press conference about it. Yup, their season is saved! [/sarcasm] Its not saved, we still have the shot for the final playoff spot. Its not like Toronto though, having a press conference with no trade before the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted March 21, 2002 Its not saved, we still have the shot for the final playoff spot. Its not like Toronto though, having a press conference with no trade before the game. Wait, redbaron, it gets better. The press conference was "exclusive" to LeafsTV, their digital channel which I think has about 200 subscribers. Hey, I'm all for loyalty to your subscribers, but when the majority of Leafs fans don't get digital TV and don't plan to for some time, is that really a good idea? Anyways, I guess the Canadiens and Leafs are in the same boat - a backup goaltender is all we needed to win the Cup... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted March 21, 2002 I'm a big time Habs fan, not a Leafs fan, but I get that stupid Leafs TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DooGieHowie Report post Posted March 30, 2002 during Wrestlemania weekend i talked to Neiuendyke at the hotel i stayed in in Toronto...lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
