Second Line
Left Wing: Patrik Elias 2000-01
Center: Jason Arnott 1999-00
Right Wing: Brian Gionta 2005-06
Patrik Elias’ 2000-01 was one for the record books. He scored 96 points, the most of any Devils player ever. He also led the league with a ridiculous +45. Yes, +/- is not the type of stat we should use to measure players, but this is still a ridiculous number. Elias was also great in the playoffs. He played every single possible game that season, and helped lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals. He scored nine goals in the postseason, including two game winners. In total, he had 119 points in 107 games. It was just plain great.
At center, we played around with a lot of names. Rolston’s final full season in New Jersey was a consideration. Patrik Sundstrom made an impact in the very early 90s, but he didn’t end up being the pick. Jason Arnott needs to have a place for his time centering the “A” Line. Arnott scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in overtime of the Finals. Yes, that helps his pick here. His regular season numbers don’t look amazing (56 points), but his 20 points in 23 playoff games give him the spot here.
Brian Gionta makes two record holders on the same line. So, the most points in franchise history, the most goals in franchise history and a Stanley Cup winning goal all on the same line? And it’s the second line? It was pretty clear that Gionta’s 2005-06 season would always be an outlier. He’s a 5’7 winger, but what he did this season was amazing. 48 goals and 41 assists make it one of the best seasons in team history. We still love Gionta to this day, partially for how great this one season was.