He's no Devil; NJ Devils netminder Cory Schneider to help out Liberty Humane Society

Again this year Devils netminder Cory Schneider will be making an appearance, autograph pen in hand, to help Liberty Humane Society raise funds May 6. For a $20 donation Schneider will sign a piece of memorabilia for fans.

We'd also like to point out Schneider isn't just someone who only shows up for the photo op so everyone feels good about themselves. No, he's truly involved:

"My wife and I always look forward to doing what we can to help animals in need," Schneider said. "Hopefully we can raise money and awareness for the organization. It would be great to see some animals get adopted by our awesome Devils' fans."

For the past three years Schneider and his wife, Jill, have been fostering animals for LHS. Jill is also an active volunteer and dog-walker at the shelter.

How great is that? An event that can turn Johnny into a Devils fan, if just for a day!

The last straw

It happened this morning, about the time Johnny saw the Red Bulls feed on Twitter coming out with yet another change in bag policies wherein clear bags with draw strings are no longer allowed. What the fuckity fuck ever. Yes, treat everyone who wants to go to your event like a would-be terrorist. If you're to the point a clear bag with draw strings is somehow a McGyver terror kit then Johnny's just done with the lot of you. He had to deal with a shitty brand spanking new bag policy down in New Brunswick at the Michigan State vs Rutgers football game October 10th. Oh hey, we forgot to tell you, yeah her purse can't come in but if you go to the other side of the stadium we have a locker truck set up and for the low low one time price of 10$ we'll hold your wife's purse for the night. Yeah, no planned profiteering going on there. Just a quick explanation of "Well we just decided to go with the NFL policy." Well thanks for telling anyone.

So no Red Bulls, Johnny's enjoyed going in the past but no more. No NFL games, No RU football games, no to anywhere that acts like this. At Devils games they look in your bag and let you in, they haven't given in to this "The guest is not to be trusted" policy so you know it's not some set in stone mandated law as certain venues would like you to believe. Red Bulls, don't call Johnny anymore about ticket plans (he unsubscribed from your constant emails a while ago but that did nothing) or this or that. The team may well be playing deep into the playoffs. Swell, just sell that seat to someone else.

BREAKING: Maple Leafs hire Lou Lamoriello after he resigns from Devils!

Long time Devils GM, President, coach and puck boy Lou Lamoriello in a shock move has been hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs after resigning his Devils job. Even more interesting is that the hire was made by Male Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, Lamoriello's first draft pick as Devils GM.

TSN has much more on this shocking move.

El Diablos have a new head coach

At noon today the New Jersey Devils will name former AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach John Hynes as head man at the Prudential Center. New Devils GM Ray Shero, who came from Pittsburgh was well acquainted with their top affiliate's head coach and picked him to coach the Devils.

Imagine that, the Devils with a real NHL coaching staff behind the bench and not some "It'd be funny if the results weren't so sad" triumvirate like last year with GM Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens. We hope the new management can rescue the Devils not just so they can be competitive and try and get back in the playoffs and one day win another Stanley Cup for their fans. The real issue is winning now and filling the coffers as no matter how badly Devils fans think it can't happen, they ARE candidates to move if they continue this downward spiral. Don't think so? Where did the Devils come from and why?

There's your answer...

The Devils have made a very good choice as GM

Earlier today Devils President, sometimes GM, sometimes head coach, most times organizational gadfly Lou Lamoriello has hired former Penguins GM Ray Shero to the same post in Newark. Shero is a smart GM who managed to keep the Penguins competitive over the last decade winning one Stanley Cup in 2009. Sure, winning the draft lottery for Sidney Crosby in 2005 can make any GM's life easier but Shero also surrounded Crosby with smart draft picks and good value free agent signings. Johnny wishes him well and the stakes on this are high indeed. There are viable cites with viable NHL arenas waiting for franchises to fail. The Devils attendance has them on that precipice even during good regular seasons. Shero needs to work some magic here, and quickly.

So come on down to the War Memorial, we've got fun for the whole family

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone and while no really big game changers was traded it's all about the subtle improvements to steel a team for a long run in the hardest tournament in the world to win.

The Rangers perhaps made the biggest splash landing Arizona's great offensive defenseman Keith Yandle. Yandle had long been rumored to be on the block with the ownership issues for the Coyotes and a need to cut salary. The Rangers were the team to finally step up and pay the steep price it was going to take; forward Anthony Duclair, defenceman John Moore, a conditional first-round pick in 2016 and a second-round pick in 2015. Yandle immediate improves the Rags powerplay and will help in breaking them out of their own end with his sharp passing. Johnny is quite interested in whom they pair Yandle with.

Yandle should be available to play for the Rangers tomorrow night in Detroit which brings us to the Devils move yesterday, trading skilled defenseman Marek Zidlicky to the Red Wings for a conditional third-round pick in 2016. In Zidlicky the Wings get someone who can step into their second-pairing and add depth to what is currently the best powerplay in the NHL. Should the Wings win the East the pick becomes a second-round choice.

The Islanders added a backup netminder in Michal Neuvirth from the Buffalo Sabres for goaltender Chad Johnson and a conditional 2016 third-round pick. Neuvirth has a bad record (Ahem, Buffalo) but some very solid numbers; 6-17-3 in 27 games this season with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. The Isles also added some depth up front by trading for forward Tyler Kennedy from the San Jose Sharks for a 2016 conditional third-round pick. Kennedy has only four goals and has played sparingly.

Johnny thinks of the three the Rangers won the day. Your thoughts?

NHL Trade deadline day

So Johnny will be watching TSN Trade Centre all day monitoring all the Red Wings, Rangers, Islanders and Devils trades on the day. Back later today with analysis.

It's Hockey Day in America!

From banner-barren San Jose to Boston, from Newark to hockey's newest-home-to-be in Las Vegas. From the cathedral that is Joe Louis Arena in Detroit all the way to the wasteland that is hockey in Miami and the Panthers.

We love the game, some of us live the game, and we around these parts all pull hard for the USA.

So Devils fans, what trades would you make?

As the NHL gets within the last month before the trading deadline teams assess their chances and needs. In some cases top teams need a piece to put them over the top though usually a trade at the deadline is not the end all be all. As an old hockey adage goes, sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make. Well Devils fans what changes would you make? Is anyone untouchable? Zidlicky to Detroit? Jagr back to Pittsburgh? Since it's apparent the Devils need an influx of big draft picks and young talent if YOU were GM, what would you do?

Pete DeBoer is out as Devils coach

El Diablos waited until Boxing Day to let head coach Pete DeBoer go but let him go they did. No word at press time of who the replacement will be going forward. DeBoer led the Devils to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final where the Devils lost in six games to the Kings.

Johnny's favorite Pete DeBoer moment as Devils coach? Letting then-Rangers coach John Tortorella know how the game at MSG was going to be played that night:

It's getting to be that season, hockey and food drive season!

Johnny hasn't been spending too much time covering either the Devils or Rangers (coming in 2015 Islander coverage when they move off the island!) because October and November. BUT Devils fans tomorrow night at the Prudential Center is a very important game and thew Devils need your help to help others. Saturday night (A Saturday night hockey game--sweet) the Devils will face off with Patrick Roy's underachieving Colorado Nordilanche. It's always great to see Roy dealing with mediocrity especially when so much was expected of HIS team. When the coach is the biggest name on the bench he's the one going to take the heat. Paaaaaaaaa-trick! but Johnny digresses...

The IMPORTANT part of tomorrow night's game is YOU the fan. The Devils are hoping to break their record of 20,000 pounds of food for our friends in need this holiday season. If just the idea of giving canned goods and feeling good about it AND a Devils game weren't enough the Devils are going to sweeten the pot; any fan bringing in ten or more items will get a voucher for A FREE GAME LATER THIS SEASON! That is a great deal friends. Good on the Devils.

We're going to give the Jersey City Desk famous last word to Prudential Center president of business operations Hugh Weber:

“We have an obligation as an important community asset to help create positive changes in peoples’ lives, especially when it comes to basic necessities like food.”

Jersey City Desk file photo

Don't forget the Devils and Rangers play outside at Yankee Stadium today!

12:30pm and we're gonna have some outdoor puck over in the Bronx. You still have time to make it should you wanna go watch the game but if not it'll be on the teevee. Here's the game preview for you, the discerning hockey fan.

The Devils made a big announcement today!

We didn't say it was positive. In fact when the big announcement part came out Philadelphia 76ers fans thought their team was moving to New Jersey (The 76ers and Devils are both owned by Josh Harris).

No, that's not the big news, nobody is moving. But the Devils and 76ers ARE getting a new major sponsor. Everybody up for the new partners PartyPoker.com.

Yes the Devils and the other team are onboard with online gambling! Wow this just smells. Hey kids look up on the big screen as PartyPoker Puck teaches you about the rougher side of hockey and hits Peter Puck from behind, slew foots him, you know, Mr. Bill and Sluggo stuff. Can Chico's Bail Bonds be far behind?

The New Jersey Devils are back on the menu here

The gimme gimme take take Jeff Vanderbeek days are officially over! A long nine year nightmare of ownership has given way to a new owner and ownership team at the Prudential Center. The NHL has approved the sale of the Devils to billionaire John Harris and co-owner John Blitzer.

Harris, a co-founder of Apollo Global Management, one of the largest private equity firms in the world, will also now control operating rights to all shows and events at The Rock. The Star-Ledger also spilled more on the Devils new braintrust and who'll be running the day-to-day operations:

Scott O'Neil, who became CEO of the 76ers earlier this year, will also be CEO of the Devils organization overseeing Devils business operations and Devils Arena Entertainment, which includes the Prudential Center. O'Neil is the former president of Madison Square Garden Sports, where he oversaw the business operations of three professional sports teams: the New York Rangers, the New York Knicks, and the New York Liberty. O'Neil will work closely with Lou Lamoriello, the Devils’ president/general manager.

So there you go. We congratulate Mr. Harris on his purchase. Now, you've got about a season an a half to become a GIVER in the revenue sharing setup in the NHL and not a constant TAKER before Johnny starts in on you. Welcome to the NHL.

Sounds like the NHL is going to have to take over the New Jersey Devils

One good thing to come of this, once Jeff Vanderbeek, one of the owner architects of the lockout is gone Johnny can go back to going to games at the Prudential Center and writing about the Devils.

Yes yes, a couple days off of divesting themselves of running the Phoenix Coyotes it looks as though Gary Bettman and his merry band of elves my have to take control of the Devils:

The report says the Devils' debt is at $230 million and team owner Jeff Vanderbeek missed the first payment on a recently restructured bank loan. In June, Vanderbeek was in talks with an investment group led by attorney Andrew Barroway to sell the team. Forbes reported that Barroway recently withdrew his offer after seeing the team's books.

Ta da! Guess the lockout didn't save you there Jeffy. All it did was help your losses accumulate faster and now, well, it's over. The NHL is saying that unlike the Coyotes they do not want the Devils franchise to go the bankruptcy route. So either a new owner is found, pronto, or the NHL will own another team. But the Devila are in the Metropolitan Division which with a sassy name like that will help bring interested buyers running.

Oh you bet we're going to talk about the New Jersey Devils today

Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek and GM Lou Lamoriello has a sad today. They both believed in Ilya Kovalchuk enough to trade away talent, draft picks (including a #1) to the Atlanta Thrashers now the Winnipeg Jets Redux. They were penalized by the NHL a #1 draft pick for a ham handed attempt to circumvent the salary cap. They inked Kovie to a 15 year $100 million dollar contract of which he was three years into. Yesterday he "retired" from the Devils and the NHL, only be reported to sign a deal Monday to play for SKA St. Petersburg in Russia's KHL.

The great Harry Neale, former NHL head coach and brilliant CBC Hockey Night in Canada analyst, said it best when he said sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make. Boy is he right.

But Johnny, how did it come to this? Why would Kovalchuk retire from the NHL, leave the Devils devoid of offense and sign to play in Russia? Let us count the ways.

Kovalchuk's mother was asked by Yahoo if he had enjoyed his time playing in the KHL during the lockout last year:

Did he like SKA during the lockout?
“Of course. Otherwise this question about leaving the NHL wouldn’t even be raised. And so it happened… Besides, there were some problems in New Jersey. You know there will likely be a change of ownership there. It’s unclear how everything will turn out.”

Wow, he only liked it because he got to try it. Yes the tax free thing is nice but again he wasn't hurting for money here.

So, what caused the lockout? Let's ask Gary Betteman and better yet Jeff Vanderbeek. Vanderbeek argued  for the lockout and that's when Kovalchuck fell in love with the KHL. In love so much when told by Lamoriello to report to the 'hurry up there's a season training camps', Kovalchuk decided to stay behind in Russia and play in the KHL all-star game. Ruh ro.

Ya know that 100 million dollars you reached deep and found for Kovie, Mr. Vanderbeek? If you'd have spent that better and paid Zach Parise a portion of that in renegotiations he'd still be a Devil. You knew Parise would never bolt in the middle of a contract. HE was a leader. While we're speculating if you'd have taken another portion of the $100 million you'd still probably have David Clarkson.

So now the Devils have nothing. No offense. A huge risk in Ryane Clowe after his concussion issues. Maybe one more year from Marty Brodeur. Ownership is in let's call it, flux. Money is needed. Ticket sales will suffer because of the product on the ice. The new playoff format is even more foreboding and unforgiving. Kovalchuck saw this too and did what Ilya Kovalchuk has done everywhere he's played, soiled his wittle baby diaper and left.

The NHL is back! Dear Devils, please don't call Johnny

Late last night the NHL players and owners reached an agreement on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement and thus will begin the process of putting in place some sham 48 game season starting later this month. Johnny will no doubt have more analysis on the deal later but it would appear that Gary Bettman finally met his negotiating match in Donald Fehr. Fehr didn't care if the season got cancelled. The players he represented cared but were willing to take a ziggy on a season. The owners, who Bettman no doubt told the players union would fold again, were not willing to waste an entire season. So off we go on a truncated NHL season. And a commissioner who looks worse if possible than he did eight months ago.

Which brings us to the fact the Devils ticket office will now be working overtime to get butts in the seats to not watch Zach Parise play (remember Zach Parise?). While not a season ticket holder Johnny does attend quite a few games out at the Rock as he prefers the building to the one at MSG which is cramped, dark, and people wander around too much during play for Johnny's tastes. The Islanders can't get to Brooklyn fast enough. So, Devils ticket sellers, you're going to call Johnny. The first time he will be polite in telling you that your owner, Jeff Vanderbeek is part of the ownership problem in the NHL and just cost the league half a season and countless goodwill. The ticket agent will be reminded politely that Vanderbeek is a "taker" when it comes to team revenues. Vanderbeek happily accepts money from the Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Red Wings and other successful teams, like the Rangers.

All this will be explained in a friendly matter-of-fact way. THE FIRST TIME ONLY. Call back and you'll get the wrath of the scorned NHL fan. Yes, this is a breakup letter with the Devils. No more. 

So the NHL is back yet sadly Gary Bettman still walks the earth. Ah well, you can't get everything you want on one day. 

The Devils are in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs tonight

Oh wait, no they're not. That's right. There is no game because Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman are both greedy assholes who don't give a shit about the true NHL fans. They only care about themselves.

It would be legally, morally and ethically wrong to toss Gary Bettman off the Chrysler Building...

...but if someone decides to do it can you film it so the rest of the REAL hockey lovers can enjoy it many many times? Devils fans, your organization is complicit in this coming rant, you know Johnny loves you but, well, facts are facts.

Gary Bettman (hereafter to be known in this rant as "Commissioner Jackhole") has shut down the NHL again for a few of his owner friends. Not ALL owners mind you, no, just these captains of industry who demand to own a team in a SOCIALIST system. Set salary caps, tax the workers more every time to put money in the state's hands. When you want to extract more money just shut down the plant. Yes many of Commissioner Jackhole's "southern strategy" teams aren't doing so well. All that buy in cash in the form of franchise fees is long gone, those teams never could support themselves and it kicks off this spiral of lockout after lockout after lockout (3 on Mr. Jackhole's watch as the NHL's fearless leader).

Like we said, not all owners are with the Commissioner on this. They have successful teams built the right way. Unlike say, mmmm, The Minnesota Wild. A team that just busted the bank for two all-star players KNOWING they were in mere months going to look to Gary Bettman and say "Cut their piece of the pie, it's killing my bottom line. I just can't do business like this."

In other words it's not "don't stop me before I spend again" but "please protect me when I do."

If I were a Devils fan I'd be very worried right now. They are ready-built hockey "markets" out there like Kansas City, Portland/Seattle (because Vancouver needs a playmate) and some say they might put a professional team in Columbus one day. Honey Badger Gary doesn't give a shit as long as there might be a couple more franchise fees to gnaw on.

Something else Commissioner Jackhole won't discuss that much folks, revenue sharing. These failing franchises are being wheezed back to life yearly by the revenue sharing wherein teams like the Rangers, Red Wings, Canadiens, Flyers and a few others pay millions to prop up Nashville, Carolina, Florida, the artists formerly known as the Thrashers, Phoenix and a handful of others (Yes Devils this is where you fit in). More socialism from the lower end owners again. See if this is how business works; The Canadiens pay X millions in revenue sharing and money from that pot goes to say Nashville so Nashville has money to bid against the Canadiens for free agents and such. And as long as this kind of untoward thing goes on should these poorer market owners be able to shake down the players for more money after the players caved 7 years ago to the owners demand of a salary cap? These owners signed that deal.

Commissioner Jackhole you come off as a miserable little petty man in all this. A sniveling huckster who happens to have a trump card. You sneer from behind your office windows at hockey fans you spew platitudes at. You don't know how hockey fans feel because you're not one. You had never attended an NHL game before you became commissioner, you said it yourself.

Johnny's going to give the last words on this to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun:

Almost every time Gary Bettman opens his mouth, I have this tendency to want to slam my fist right into it.

And I’m not, in any way, what you’d call a violent person.

It’s his way, his voice, his condescension, his verbal cadence, his don’t-you-understand-I’m-the-smartest-man-in-the-room vibe that makes him so impossible to believe or trust.

So here we are again, held hostage by the NHL boss for the third time — a distinguished record of most work stoppages by one commissioner — with an absolutely unnecessary lockout, his league with record revenues, the players with record high salaries, fighting over increments and percentages. And this time, without a need to change the game, without a philosophical argument, with Bob Goodenow long gone, there is no one to truly detest from the players’ side.

This time it's official, Zach Parise signs with Minnesota Wild

No rumors this time kids, just facts. Zach Parise has signed a 13 year deal worth $98 million dollars with the Minnesota Wild. The Wild also broke the bank to sign free agent defenseman Ryan Suter as well.

Both players have cited it being important to be close to family and friends; Parise is from Minnesota and Suter is just an hour east in Madison Wisconsin. That's great. We are happy both will be able to get rich and play in front of family and friends for a long time. But Ryan and Zach, do NOT tell us you signed in Minnesota to win a Stanley Cup. YOU. DID. NOT. No, you told us you didn't want to play under the white hot spotlight of Detroit or Pittsburgh or even Chicago, all cities that have recently won the cup. You don't want the pressure or the hassle of winning the cup? You've made the right choice. Enjoy obscurity and an occasional #7 or 8 seed in the playoffs and an early exit back to your family and friends.