The Knick was known as Dollar Bill. The Devil might be Silver Dollar Claude.
Canada issued a silver dollar in 1993 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Stanley Cup.
Queen Elizabeth on one side.
The unmistakeable image of Claude Lemieux on the other. And he never knew until yesterday.
Lemieux the model took the coin doubtfully and gave it a quick look. Then he sat down and looked carefully. He looked up, then down again. When he looked up again, he was convinced.
“I’m stoked. I’m incredibly honored,” the flabbergasted Lemieux said yesterday. “I’m going to have get a lot of these, at least enough for my kids.”
They’ll probably run him $12-15 each, and tomorrow’s visit to Montreal would afford him the shopping chance.
Imagine all the players who could have been the model, Rocket Richard, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe. Instead, the righty shot, the old nose-cut visor, his trademark stride frozen in metal, the slope of his shoulders and especially the face, all are Lemieux, only missing his name. Being immortalized on your country’s legal tender is indeed a honor, and he recognized that, as well as himself.
“Now, if I can score a few goals … ” Lemieux said.
The 34-year-old winger had not scored in six games entering last night’s game against the Kings at the Meadowlands, and had only one goal in 12 games. He had been playing well, with points in 5 of 7, but the Devils were hoping for goals from Lemieux when they traded Brian Rolston for him on Nov. 3.
“The opportunities are there, and when the pucks start falling in, all of a sudden the net gets bigger,” Lemieux said. “I don’t like to be so hot and so cold, so on and off. Usually, I’m fairly consistent.”
Lemieux, of course, has a reputation as a money player, a playoff performer, as his Conn Smythe Trophy and coin attest. During the regular season, he does tend to streak. He doesn’t mind so much when he’s hot, but doesn’t care for the chilly stretches.
“You just feel better,” Lemieux said. “When you’re pressing, you’re hurrying your shot instead of taking your time.
“But I’m excited about the opportunities I’m getting.”
Lemieux is on the final year of his contract, and can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Contract talks with the Devils have not begun, and Lemieux can be expected to be one of the more sought-after free agents, if he remains unsigned.