DEVIL NOTES
In reverential tones, the Devils said they believe that Hurricanes 38-year-old center Ron Francis has never received the acclaim that he’s deserved.
“He’s an old warrior, he’s been around this league a long time,” veteran Ken Daneyko, who turns 37 next week, said yesterday. “He’s probably been unheralded throughout his career and maybe a little bit overlooked, but he’s had a tremendous career. He’s a Hall of Famer, no question about it. A guy we’re going to have to contend with.”
In his 20th NHL season, Francis played in all 82 games, during which he notched 15 goals and 50 assists. For his career, he has 487 goals, 1,137 assists in 1,489 regular season games. His playoff statistics include 40 goals, 83 assists in 133 games.
Defenseman Scott Stevens feels that Francis’ experience and talent will make him a threat when the Devils meet the Hurricanes in the first-round of the playoffs.
“He’s a very smart hockey player,” Stevens said. “He’s got size, he’s a great passer. He can play a lot of different situations. He’s can play penalty killing, power play and five on five.”
As far as Francis’ lack of national media attention, Stevens said, “When he played in Pittsburgh [from ’91-’98] I think he got a little more recognition. Going to Carolina, it’s probably a little bit like here, not as much of a hot-bed [for hockey] as some areas.”
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Devils coach Larry Robinson said he is leaning toward matching his line of John Madden-Bobby Holik-Randy McKay against Carolina’s line of Martin Gelinas-Rod Brind’Amour-Jeff O’Neill. Robinson said he wants Holik to face Brind’Amour on faceoffs.