Apparently, the Devils considered trading longtime center John Madden for Bobby Holik before this season started. At least that's what ESPN.com NHL Columnist Scott Burnside reported. I apologize about not responding to Burnside's article, which was published over two weeks ago. It must have slipped my mind, considering the shit that's been going on lately. I don't even know where to start. From cheaters Roger Clemens and Indiana men's basketball coach Kelvim Sampson to the Rutgers women's basketball program being cheated, professional sports has taken a beating in the last couple of weeks.

Well, couple of years if I include the New England Patriots scandals. But, since the Pats went 18-1 this past season rather than 19-0, I was satisfied enough with the New York Giants Super Bowl XLII Win to forget aout Brady and Belichik.

I am disappointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to allow the Patriots to destroy "the tapes" and whatever was contained on them. I mean Goodell entered the league as a hard ass, suspending athletes at will (i.e. Pacman Jones, Chris Henry and Michael Vick).  For some reason, he relented on the Pats. I expect an explanation.

After the bullshit, even the NHL got involved. Richard Zednik's neck was accidentally slashed by his own teammate's skate. Thank goodness, Zednik is making a full recovery and will be leaving the hospital in the next 24-72 hours. He thanked everyone for their support. We also had commissioner Gary Bettman locking out the league in the 2005-06 season, securing television rights on VERSUS rather than ESPN, and a hundred other miserable things that continue to disturb my sleep.

Back to the Devils situation.

I am still trying to figure out if this trade makes the least of sense.

Madden for Holik, Holik for Madden. I just don’t see eye to eye with Burnside or his sources. More on his “sources” after I discuss Madden and Holik.

Although Holik has registered 726 points throughout his career, far more than Madden’s 263, you cannot discredit Madden for his work ethic on the defensive end.

For his efforts, Madden has won the Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward, once and nominated on two other occasions. The Devils have asked Madden to skate against some of the league’s most talented offensemen including Jaromir Jagr in his prime, Vincent Lecavalier, who remains in his prime, and more recently, superstars Sidney Crosby and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Madden and Holik have earned their names imprinted on the Stanley Cup (twice).

A 16-year veteran, Holik celebrated the Cup in 1995 and 2000 with the Devils. However, he departed via free agency before the 2002-03 campaign, the Devils third championship season. Devils fans will always remember that Holik signed with the archrival New York Rangers, instead of remaining in the Meadowlands at the time.

If I recall correctly, the Rangers enticed Holik with a jackpot, a lifetime security blanket. He agreed to a five-year $45 million contract with the Bluebirds. Wait, he jumped at the offer, not just merely signed on the dotted line.

I’m still laughing over the amount of money offered to Holik. This occurred in 2002 when contracts of the sort were rare, if in existence at all. On top of that, Holik produced merely 54 points the season before the Rangers signed him.

Despite Holik's appearance in the lineup, the Rangers continued to miss the playoffs. They finally bought out the remainder of Holik’s contract in 2006, obviously one of the most overpaid free agent signings in my generation.

On the other hand, Madden has been a vital part of the Devils organization since joining the league. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello signed Madden in 1997 as an undrafted free agent after nobody selected him in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

Definitely one of Lou’s signature moves.

In his 8-year career, Madden has helped the Devils to three Stanley Cup Final appearances, succeeding in two of them. Madden netted 6 shorthanded goals in his rookie campaign, tying an NHL rookie record.

I will always remember Madden’s shorthanded goal in the 2000 Stanley Cup Game 3 that turned out to be the game winner. In typical fashion, Madden received a pass and raced down the right side of the ice, beating Stars goaltender Ed Belfour with the perfect shot.

I found the video on youtube. (His goal occurred at the 2:14 mark).

Madden also lived up to expectations in the 02-03 season, including playoffs. After scoring a career high 41 points in the regular season, Madden tallied 6 goals, 10 assists and a plus 10 in the playoffs. In my opinion, Scott Niedermayer, Martin Brodeur or John Madden should have won the Conn Smythe Trophy over Jean-Sebastien Giguere for their efforts in the playoffs.

Salary:

The Devils locked up Madden for another season at $2.939 million before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. I believe the Devils will find a way to extend his contract and ensure his retirement in New Jersey.

Bobby Holik eventually joined forced with the Atlanta Thrashers, who beat the Devils last night 4-3 in the tenth round of a shootout. Holik signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract with Atlanta after the Rangers deemed him too expensive. Wow, geniuses.

Apparently, Lou offered Holik around $8 million to remain in Jersey, but Holik rejected the bid.

“Holik has been resisting the overtures of Devils GM Lou Lamoriello for months now (Lamoriello had made an offer of $8 million a year the previous day), and he's prepared to wait one day more to hear what value other teams put on his services.”

After this season, Holik is an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with anyone who wants his services.

I am confident that Holik will never rejoin the Devils organization. From what I read, I have a terrible feeling his relationship with management did not end well, hence the reason he left.

I am not sure who Burnside’s sources are, but if he knows anything, Lamoriello is very difficult to break, especially with rumors regarding trades, signings, etc.

Even though Eklund, Mark Everson, Spector and many other speculate on a daily basis, how much of it will come true? In fact, none of them, myself included, had any idea, inkling that Ottawa would have been the first team to make a big trade with Carolina of all partners. It favored the Senators, who have since lost two straight with their new and improved lineup.

Instead, we read their sites awaiting a significant trade to happen.

Madden for Holik? Not a chance.

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