Holik and Shanahan waiting to decide on their futures; Holik hurt back doing "silly" conditioning

Devils forwards Bobby Holik and Brendan Shanahan both said they will take their time before making a decison about whether they want to retire or come back for another season in the NHL.

"As of 48 hours ago, I was preparing and thinking our team and specifically our line would be going head-to-head against the Capitals and (Alex) Ovechkin, which I was really looking forward to," Shanahan said. "It's obviously too soon to reflect on any other decisions."

Shanahan said he enjoyed returning to the Devils this season. After sitting out the first half of the season while waiting for a team to make him an offer, he signed a one-year, $800,000 contracdt (pro-rated) with the Devils on Jan. 14.

"In the last couple of weeks here, I had my lip split open, my chin split open, I got stitches in my eyelid and I got hit so hard in Game 6 that it actually knocked one of my false teeth out," Shanahan said. "And I loved every minute of it. I guess after each thing occuring, I drove home at the end of the night feeling so lucky that I was still able to do this and perform at a high level and I was really enjoying it. I just expected it to go a lot longer."

Shanahan, 40, said the enjoyment he had doesn't necessarily mean he's leaning one way or the other.

"When I do make a decision, it's not something I make overnight," Shanahan said. 'It's something that takes time. My mind isn't there at all. It was really on preparing for what I thought our team was going to have a long playoff.. It goes to show the nature of the playoffs and just how difficult it is to win." 

Shanahan said he's never been one that's said that he'd stop playing when he stopped having fun.

"I've never really thought of it that way," he said. "I think there are a lot of factors that go beyond just your family. You have a family. You have children. You get to a certain point in your life where on-ice things are weighing in on the decision and off-ice things are weighing in on the decision as well."

Holik, 38, didn't sound like he had nearly as much fun in his return to the Devils. He was a healthy scratch for the last two games of the regular season and then four of the seven playoff games against Carolina.

He ended the season with a back injury, but probably would not have played in Game 7 on Tuesday if he were healthy. 

He said he hurt his back doing "silly conditioning" skating on Sunday after the morning skate.

'I hurt it badly," he said.

How badly?

"It's better now, but at the time it was spasming." he said.

Holik said that was not the reason why he didn't play in Game 6.

"There were a lot of reasons," he said. "Maybe the following game after they lost 4-0 (in Game 6). I'm still not ready to skate."

Holik was vague as far as his plans for his hockey future.

"As far as hockey goes, it's feel better, get my back in line and take some time off," he said. "Regardless of me not playing, it was still for me an emotionally tough time, so I need to get away and go from there."

When I asked if he wants to play next season, Holik replied, "I can't look that far ahead right now. I've got to feel better. The way things happened and after how bad I hurt my back by doing silly conditioning for an old guy like me at the end of April, right now I need to just clear my head and we'll go from there."

Hoilik said the conditining skating was not his decision.

"There weren't many my decisions," he said.

Holik said he was not ruling out playing another season, though.

"I'm not ruling out anything right now," he said. "Let's face it, the way my season ended a few weeks ago, it's not something you want to finish on. But, at the same time, whatever. I  just don't feel right now to make any decisions. Once I feel better, I think I'm going to be a lot closer to the decision. I really enjoy playing. When I say playing, I enjoy being on the ice to play and I enjoy practicing. All of the other stuff, I could leave it. But it comes with it, like dealing with (the media), meetings. I like playing. I really enjoy it. I like competing.

"There's a lot of stuff that comes with it, but I definitely enjoy playing hockey."

***

Holik had a set of President Obama playing cards that he was trying to give away. They were given to him by Mike Rupp.

Comments

[Shimmy]

bring back shanny and say bye to holik..say bye to weekes, clemmer, rupp and madden

[pando20rules]

offer shanny 1 yr $1M and I'd be happy to have him back

[KU Chris]

Id take shanny back on the 4th line and on some special teams.

[Thomas Jefferson's Death Certificate]

Shanny back for cheap then sign me up

[BF]

I am so going to miss the day to day stuff on this site. Thanks as always TG

[David B.]

I'd love to bring back Clemmer but he won't want to play second fiddle to Marty after proving this year that he's a more than capable starting goalie in this league.

[Scratch28]

I say give Shanny no more than the $800K he was given for this year. Holik is very irritating, he should hang up the skates for good

[Andrew]

i definitly want shanny back for sure. he's a very capable 3rd liner. and put some young guys developing on the fourth to give them a taste then later on mix it up. It would be nice to have shanny back to show some of the young players some real stuff before he retires. LET SHANNY RETIRE WHERE HE STARTED! on the other hand... GO DEVILS GO (chant for season 2009-2010)

[rickym2]

Shanny is more important than most of you think. He is worth a lot more than most of the 35+ guys. Give Shanny 1.5 cause he actually did play for us at 1/2 price, knowing it was the harder part of the season. He has heart, and he has knowledge. We need him!! I want him on the team with a 2 year contract. He wont play more than that. But at 40, he's got a lot of pep in his step..... He's a leader, guiys were looking up to him in the crisis. He's the go-to guy when we're in the slump

[Jason]

Yeah, I would try to get rid of those too. Kind of suprised he got them from Rupp.

[Matt]

Shimmy, what is your reasoning for saying goodbye to Clemmer? Just curious?

[A Local Fan]

Andrew, this isn't Canada we don't chant Go Devils Go....it's lame.

Shanny will be another year older and he will have to play a full season. He did that last year with the Rangers and the 2nd half of the year he was garbage. Shanny was great but I wouldn't be shocked to see him on the Rangers next year.

[josh from lincolnne]

definitely gotta have shanahan back. he got us out of that slump with the penalty shot goal against tampa bay. also if it wasnt for him we would not have even made it to game 7 vs carolina. shanahan easily was one of the few devils that played well in that series. he brings heart, smart play, vet. leadership, hustle, and always is in the right place at the right time to make a play on the puck. shanahan is a must for next year. get rid of rupp, white, havelid(horrible), weekes, holik. gionta is a must to have back. he was a key player in these playoffs as well. cant get game 7 out of my head. that game will haunt me forever.

[Topshlf]

Shanahan is a warrior and the guy can still play. It's likely he'd be signed for around 1.5 million based on last years pro rated deal. I'd be happy with that. Shanny on the left wing 3rd line, Clarkson on the right. Sounds good to me.

Holik, it was nice seeing you, but the time has come. Take Sutter, Havelid, and Pandolfo with you.

[Mardevils]

I hope Shanny comes back for 1 year--I'd offer a year by year contract, just based on age and ability. He's such a warrior, he took a pounding in these playoffs and loved every minute. Didn't waste any time when he got stitched up, just came right back out. If we're going to have new guys on the team, we need someone like him in the locker room. Holik annoys the crap out of me with his attitude, it's always all about him. I don't recall a time recently when it was ever about the team. I don't know if his comments are supposed to sound funny when he says them to the press, but they sure don't translate well in print--he just sounds arrogant. I hope a team picks up Clemmer as a #1 starter, he proved he earned it this year, but I'll be sorry to see him leave. He was outstanding for the team this year.

[RickyM2]

It seems like the vote is in.. Shanny stays
Holik can go to across the river or in the river. He has a whopping 4 goals (1 which deflected off his face by Pando) for the season. There is no fit for him here. We all love Clemmer and want him to go and get his reward for the year he gave us. I think, we should have Marty break the rest of the records and try for his last shot at a 4th cup to tie Roy. After that, he needs to hang them up. But He cant leave on this note. One more chance. Yes, he was great for us, and he should stay in the organization. He won 3 cups for we will never for get him for. Babe Ruth won 4 world series with the yankees and he also retired.

[Devilsfan]

Holik retired as far back as the Rangers, hopefully he'll steal another teams money next year. Good riddance.

[Gilly]

Bring Shanny back!

[kstatik]

What cracks me up is that I didn't want Shanny here in the first place, and now
I definitely don't want him to leave! Shanny's comments in the media were just as
funny as Holik's, only without all the terrible penalties and lazy / bored play.

He stepped up in big moments and played a gritty game. Not bad defensively either!
I officially changed my opinion on the guy based on his season and attitude.

Funny too, seeing as how I used to call him "Tranny"...

[Falcone]

Shanny back for $1mil sounds good to me. Will help on the PP and can be a leader in the locker room. IMO he never looked old playing.

[JPL]

Holik seems ready to hang them up. I mean when you call conditioning silly and talk about your age it's time to say goodbye. I would love to see Shanny back for a year playing and then maybe working with youth in Lowell or Trenton. Madden is a tough call I still think he has alot to offer it would really depend on his role and the price tag. I think Gionta should be resigned it's really not his fault he had 2 bad years last season he was playing the checking like and this year with Zubust. So if they can find a center to play with him he can become dangerous again. And remember Gionta understands how this organization works his brother is playing for Lowell so I really think he will give us a hometown discount. Rupp is another tough call because I like how he protects Zach yet he needs to play with a little more fire at times. Clemmer is definately gone gone unless he doesn't get any other offers then he might sign another 1 year deal. Remember last year he was signed to an AHL contract and was happy with his role and was actually thinking his career was over.

[Andrew]

If Shanahan wants to play another year, bring him back! He showed up, provided a strong veteran presence and even brought some actual offensive skills to a line with Madden and Pandolfo. He's not the same player he was in Detroit, but even if he doesn't have the same level of physical skills, he plays the game with as much smarts as anyone else.

[BrotherPucker]

I love Shanny. He's wise and he can still fake those younger skaters right out of their skates. I hope he stays.

[lets go devils]

i'd take shannahan back, because he's good on special teams and is a finisher. 100% get rid of holik. He does nothing but take penalties.

[Claude Jullien]

Let Holik and Havelid go. Sign Rupp to center the fourth line. If Shanahan has any self respect he would not even consider playing for the Rangers.