ScottM Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 I ripped this off from Sid Hartman's column in The Strib. 2/9/04 Take it for what it's worth. _________________________ "Lou Lamoriello, president and general manager of the New Jersey Devils, has been very happy with the performance of rookie defenseman Paul Martin. The former Elk River star played the past three seasons for the Gophers and has stepped right in to the lineup of the defending Stanley Cup champions. "We couldn't more pleased with him. It was an ideal situation for both him and us," Lamoriello said. "We decided that we were going to go with two young players, and Martin and [former North Dakota standout] David Hale have done everything that we expected that they could do. Martin has tremendous potential." Martin was paid a bonus of $800,000 to sign. The Devils drafted North Dakota star Zach Parise in the first round last year and allowed him to stay in college. "We're going to certainly watch how he plays this year," Lamoriello said. "Whatever the decision is after the year will be his decision, not our decision. "I don't know if he's ready or not. We really don't know if they're ready until they get in there and see what they can do. We didn't know that young Martin would be ready, we thought he had a chance. But we think that Zach's going to be quite a player." Lamoriello said he does like everything about Parise, whose father, J.P. Parise, played for the North Stars and is director of hockey operations at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault. "We will just have to wait and see how Zach plays the rest of the year, how he plays in the playoffs," Lamoriello said. "I just like everything about him. I think he's a player." The Devils own the rights to Gophers winger Barry Tallackson. "He has size and strength, and I think what he has to do is just get himself to compete every night the way he's capable of competing," Lamoriello said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 I wouldn't believe a word Sid Hartman says. He could be the worst sports writer in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAR Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 Most of those are direct quotes from the Devils GM so in this case I can take something of substance from it. I would put my money on another year, I do not think he is ready although obviously my opinion does not mean sh*t. The NHL is a huge step and another year of college and strength training would be beneficial. That being said I do not like to look toward next year when we are in a dogfight for the league title this year. Let's get this ship on track again. Let's Go Sioux! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux fan in phoenix Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 "We're going to certainly watch how he plays this year," Lamoriello said. "Whatever the decision is after the year will be his decision, not our decision. For some reason, that quote stood out for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 ... obviously my opinion does not mean sh*t. If you think your opinion doesn't mean sh*t, try mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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