Zubrus OK'd number change
Devils forward Dainius Zubrus said he had no problem giving up his No. 16 jersey so Bobby Holik could wear it again. Holik, who returned to the Devils by signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract on July 1, wore No. 16 during his first stint in New Jersey and it had no personal meaning to Zubrus.
"Mr (Lou) Lamoriello called me up and asked if I liked my number and if I was attached to it and if it meant anything to me," Zubrus explained today. "I had never worn No. 16 before (last season), so we decided to give it to Bobby."
Zubrus said he wore No. 9 (which belongs to Zach Parise on the Devils) for most of his career before becoming a Devil, so when Lamoriello said, "I can give you 8", Zubrus said, "I'll take it."
Defenseman Sheldon Brookbank wore No. 8 last season and will wear No. 28 now.
Zubrus said he did not ask Holik to give him anything for giving up the number, "yet".
"I will," he promised. "I haven't seen him, yet."
oh well, thats pretty nice of him to give up the number so easily. I hope he asks bobby for something good, like a trip to his place out in Jackson Hole or montana or something cool like that, cause i know bobby loves the outdoors, and american landmarks for that matter.
I really hope Brookbank is wearing #28 in Lowell or Trenton this year and NOT in New Jersey
Posted by: Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti) | September 11, 2008 at 01:34 PM
glad he was ok with the number change but even better season tickets arrived today
Posted by: brian | September 11, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I failed to mention earler that Lou Lamoriello said that Rod Pelley remains unsigned, but, "It will get done."
Posted by: TG | September 11, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Good for Pelley, but i still think he will start the season in Lowell, and won't crack the Big Club unless there's a couple of injuries
Posted by: Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti) | September 11, 2008 at 03:32 PM
hasn't Lou been getting it done for 3 months now?
Posted by: Robbie | September 11, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Guess Lou has bigger fish to fry than to sign rod pelley.
Posted by: Salvatore from Garfield | September 11, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Players get new deck's, entertainment studios, kitchen's, all this awesome new stuff for giving up a number. Would love to hear what Bobby gives him.
Posted by: Falcone | September 11, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Zu-Bust is now Number 8? Or is that how many goals he's going to scores for us this season?
I hope Bobby gives him a bus ticket out of Newark.
If he wants to know why, I'll give him 3.4 million good reasons.
Posted by: Topshlf | September 11, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Topshlf, you're pretty daft if you think Zubrus is a bust for his decline in points. While the contract is a little high at 3.4, we have a big forward who can play all the positions, play both ways, work as a shutdown player if needed to be, and has a good skillset and top notch puck possession. If you expected him to put up the same numbers he did in Washington (while playing with a certain guy with the initials AO) then you're pretty lost. We have him on a contract that's a constant 3.4, so while it might be a little on the high side now, down the line that's probably a steal considering how the market is evolving (for the worse).
That being said, I don't think he had a great season, but this year he should be able to improve, having played in the Devils system for a year now (remember that he came from two fast, offensive teams in Washington and Buffalo, before coming to New Jersey).
Posted by: Josh | September 11, 2008 at 08:32 PM
I'm not going to give up on Zubrus either. Yes, he did have a bad year, but then again what devil didn't? Ill give him this year before saying he was not worth it. With better offensive weapons this year (and hopefully better years from returnign players), I have hope that he will contribute well to the offense
Posted by: Guy | September 12, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Zubrus will be another player in a long line of busts signed by Lou Lamoriello. What do you really expect out of this guy? how about 20g and 25A at best. Bust
Posted by: joe | September 12, 2008 at 07:28 AM
As much as I wanna disagree with you Joe, I think it is true. Thats probably all we're ever gonna get out of him. Unless somehow he has chemistry with Holik and we get a good crash line going.
Posted by: MoonDragn | September 12, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Zubrus is a solid two-way player, I was disapointed though in his production last year, I figured hw wouldnt be a 30 goal 60 point guy, but i feel there is no reason he cant get 20 goals and 40-45 points a year, if he does that and the additions the devils made this offseason do a solid job the devils will have a pretty dynamic offense.
Posted by: JIM B | September 13, 2008 at 04:04 PM