Old man of NHL is the newest Devil

TheGeneral+ · Sep 11, 2003

The oldest player in the NHL will play one final season.
Free-agent center Igor Larionov, who turns 43 in December, signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, according to president and general manager Lou Lamoriello. As per club policy, no terms were disclosed. The team opens training camp Friday.

Larionov turned down a $1 million contract offer from the Red Wings in June. He had 10 goals and 33 assists in 74 games with Detroit last season.

Lamoriello said Larionov has established himself as one of the league's best two-way players. Larionov is entering his 14th NHL season, having played 12 in the former Soviet Union.

"I decided I want another year so I can have another chance to win the Cup," Larionov said. He won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Larionov helps fill the void of departed forward Joe Nieuwendyk, who signed with Toronto after turning down the Devils' offer.

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HABSMAN · Sep 15, 2003

He just keeps on going.amazing

corey · Sep 15, 2003

Nieuwendyk to TO - I hope he brings his winning ways.

sickgambler · Sep 15, 2003

Igor is a winner wherever he goes. The kid is 43, but is in the shape of a 24 year old. I saw an article 2 years ago about him saying that he is in better shape today than he was 15 yrs ago. His secret is drinking 2 large glasses of wine per day, and pasta 3 days a week.

Because of Igor, I am now drinking almost 1 full bottle of wine a day (very costly mind you) and it is working well, as it has really helped my new found love... running..I feel great.

Way to go, Igor..

HABSMAN · Sep 16, 2003

I too started drinking a couple of glasses a day, and am up to a bottle now.....thanks Igor..I'm in shape, heathy, and now have a drinking problem.

chonk · Sep 18, 2003

I'll never forget seeing Igor playing for the Sharks eight or nine years ago at the Gardens. He had played very mediocre in Vancouver but had that great playoffs with the Sharks in 93(?)when they were an Ozolinsh crossbar away from knocking out the Leafs in Round 2.
I thought he was done before that like Krutov. Was I ever wron. I had seats behind the net, high up, which gives you quite an interesting perspective. The guy is incredibly efficient. No great wheels or physical presence, but always in the right spot, always makes the right play.
He was the Soviet Gretzky in the 80's. Incredible to still see him going.

sickgambler · Sep 18, 2003

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by chonk:
He was the Soviet Gretzky in the 80's. Incredible to still see him going.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wouldn't call Larionov as the Soviet Gretzky of the 80's.. I think you might be overlooking one player there Mr Chonk.. What about Sergei Makarov? This guy was such a great puck handler, had great hands, great skater, quick as hell, and had a great knack for the game. He had tremendous hand eye coordination...He could have been a star in the NHL, but somehow, I don't understand why Sergei turned out to be such a flop. Of course his small size and skinny body played a very big factor. The Russians weren't as physical as the NHL was to Sergei. Of course Igor had the better career, but as for the best Soviet player in the 80's, you have to give it to Makarov, not Larionov. He owned hockey, chonk.. He was the heart and soul of the KLM line..The best player to ever come out of Russia was DEFINITELY Sergei Makarov.

HABSMAN · Sep 18, 2003

I have to agree sick, but Krutov was a great player...too bad The Tank moved to Vancouver.
After that all he did was shop at Superstore, and dine out on steak.....flopsville!