Scott Stevens Retires

The best defensive defenseman in the history of hockey has hung up his skates. Scott Stevens announced today that he will not return to the Devils for a 23rd season. However, he will remain with the team in some capacity.

For anyone who remembers the crushing hits Scotty laid on Eric Lindros, Ron Francis, etc., Stevens will probably be remembered as the last throwback defenseman. Though he rarely scored in New Jersey, he did have an 80 point season earlier in his career when his role was different. In New Jersey, he was the heart and soul of the best defense ever assembled and the Captain of three Stanley Cup championship teams.

There is no one in the NHL that I respect as much as Scott Stevens, so this is a sad day for me. He played for Blues when I lived in St. Louis, and then he went to New Jersey, my hometown team. I was in the arena here in Carolina the night he flattened Ron Francis in the 2001 playoffs. He played the game hard, but he played it clean.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/ho...s-tough-in.jpg http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/810000...stevens150.jpg

who...?

Seriously this is kinda sad. I never followed the wings(Mighty Ducks for Life.Woot!) but it's depressing that he leaves the game as soon as the league gets back on it's feet.

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

The best defensive defenseman in the history of hockey has hung up his skates.

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Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque want a word with you..

fuck you for saying fuck jerry rice, i hope you get stomped on by a French guy on an elephant.

Hahahaaha, ok i'm just going to stop Yoshi from choking on his rage after reading Wildkat presume to say Paul Coffee was a better defensive defenseman than Scott Stevens. Actually, you called him one of the best ever, so you're saying he's better than Chris Chelios, Larry Robinson, Borje Salming, Kevin Lowe, Bobby Orr... God I could go on.

Paul Coffee was a fantastic offensive defenseman, but on defence he got by thanks to his speed, and when that left him he was useless.


Anyway, as to Scotty retiring? All I can say to that is what I said about Rice. Thank god. About damned time. Stevens may have been the best defenseman of all time in Yoshis book, but in mine he made hockey boring to watch. So in that regard maybe he was the best of all time.

Wait, the NHL still exists?

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Originally Posted by Wildkat

Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque want a word with you..

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They played defense? When? I said defensive defenseman, cheif, not offensive defenseman. They weren't even close.

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Originally Posted by Error

Stevens may have been the best defenseman of all time in Yoshis book, but in mine he made hockey boring to watch. So in that regard maybe he was the best of all time.

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So big hits are boring to watch? Stevens wasn't a clutch and grab player. He didn't need to be. You guys who think that defense is boring just don't understand sports in general. You're why baseball fences are like 110 feet from home plate now and why a DB sneezing is pass intereference in the NFL. Thanks for fucking it up for people who appreciate discipline and hard work on the defensive end.

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Originally Posted by station82o

fuck you for saying fuck jerry rice, i hope you get stomped on by a French guy on an elephant.

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Jerry Rice is a piece of shit who worked very hard. Accomplishing what he did without a lot of God given talent is amazing, but that doesn't change that he's a piece of shit human. But hey, anyone who fools people into thinking that Joe Montana was the greatest QB ever is fucking incredible.

Stevens style of play is part of the reason why the NHL sucks.


zzzzzzzzz

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Originally Posted by toxic

Stevens style of play is part of the reason why the NHL sucks.

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Would you care to explain what that style of play was? I suspect you have no fucking idea.

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

Jerry Rice is a piece of shit who worked very hard. Accomplishing what he did without a lot of God given talent is amazing, but that doesn't change that he's a piece of shit human. But hey, anyone who fools people into thinking that Joe Montana was the greatest QB ever is fucking incredible.

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Growing up as an LA Rams fan, I'd say you're way off base. Many a time have I seen Montana in situations where it looks like he's going to get sacked and he pulls out a miracle play. He may not have been the most athletic quarterback to play the game, but he was one of the best when it came to decision making on the field.